Trends - WORKING OUT

THERE’S something for everybody on this barrier island, which is part of what makes Ocean City one of the greatest places in the state.

It doesn’t matter if we’re talking about pizza places or ice cream parlors, T-shirt shops or novelty stores –Ocean City is a smorgasbord come to life where one can pick or choose their favorite things to create their own perfect beachside experience.

Ocean City’s gyms and fitness centers are no exception. Exercise has become an especially growing trend over the past few years. (Getting healthier to improve immune health during a pandemic? Yes, please.) And lucky for Ocean City Magazine readers, the island is ripe with gyms, studios, and outdoor fitness classes to choose from.

Even though summer is fast approaching (it officially arrives on June 21, or a week earlier if you’re going by the Martin Z. Mollusk timetable), there is still time to find a workout program that fits your wants and needs.

If you’re self-motivated, there are plenty of ways to stretch those muscles and get your heart pumping, from running on the Boardwalk to lunging on the beach. Of course, self motivation (especially when you’re in a beach mindset) is not always easy to muster.

For those who need a bit more structure, perhaps a brick and mortar location such as Local Gym and Fitness at 908 Asbury

Gymsanity

Gyms and studios are plentiful throughout Ocean City like Local Gym, pictured left, and Diamond Barre Fitness, right.

Avenue would be more your speed. Business partners Mark Impagliazzo and Fritz Hastings -- who own the gym with Patrick Carr and Russell Snow -- have been in the fitness industry since 1990 and can answer just about any question one could have when it comes to working out and getting in shape. Mark, a now-retired physical education teacher and football coach, founded his first gym with good intentions: to provide his students with a proper place to workout since his school’s weight room was sized inadequately.

“Ever since I got into coaching this is what I wanted to do –help the kids,” Mark said.

Of course, Mark prides himself on providing a safe space for people of all ages to work out.

“We have a tremendous mix of males and females,” Mark said. “We have seniors that come in, too. Everyone respects each other, everyone is friendly. It really is a family atmosphere.”

Local Gym and Fitness boasts a 4,000 square foot facility divvied up into a front section with 25 pieces of cardio equipment, a matted mezzanine area with light dumbbells, and a traditional area with isolation machines and free weights. And a fun bonus are the 12-foot-tall sliding glass doors that bring in a sweet sea breeze when the weather is right. Out back, a large garage door leads to the back alley for outdoor workouts. Memberships come as short as day passes but can go as long as three months.

Of course, for those not so sure a traditional gym is their cup of

By Anthony J.

tea, maybe a place such as Diamond Barre Fitness on the second floor of 750 Asbury Avenue can quench their thirst.

The studio was founded in 2017 by Holly Wentz, a dance major and 10year barre instructor. Barre, for those who aren’t familiar, is a dance-based fitness technique that combines yoga, pilates and ballet into a low impact workout.

“The whole thing is set to music,” Holly explained. “You’re going to work each muscle group and stretch after class. You don’t need any dance experience, we’re beginner friendly and it’s easy on the joints because it is low impact.”

Diamond Barre offers a variety of classes ranging from 45 minutes to an hour in length. Class sizes in the studio are capped at 16, but numbers grow to 25 for the studio’s beach classes on 24th Street. Men and women of all ages take part, according to Holly, and some long distance runners and crossfitters come in to rehab their joints when they might be overworked, too.

“It’s easy on the body. That’s what’s great about barre and pilates,” she said. “There’s something for everyone.”

Much like Local Gym and Fitness, Diamond Barre offers memberships as short as a day and up to two months. Traditional workout attire is perfect, and the only requirement is grip socks, which the studio sells.

“Come in! We’re a super welcoming space,” Holly said. “It can be intimidating walking into a studio. We’re really big on making everyone feel welcome. Even if you’ve never worked out, we can help you through that.”

After all, when it comes to working out, what matters most is finding an environment that fits your needs and instructors that are passionate – especially considering the benefits working out has to offer, whether it’s followed by an afternoon at the beach or a day in the office.

“It’s adopting a lifestyle,” Mark said. “For me, I’ve taken on kids that have never walked into a gym before and I know I had an impact on their life. That’s truly gratifying. I don’t do it for the money. I know what it did to me when I was young. I want to pay it forward.”