Alpha Fitness going strong

By Laurie Gordon
NEWTON — Alpha Fitness hasn't just thrived in it's two plus years of existence. In a world where there's competition among gyms and some of the big box ones are offering base bottom prices, a number of fitness specialists are being driven out of business. Not Alpha. It's built such a great reputation that they're expanding...again.
The gym opened in the DePasquale Plaza on East Clinton Street in Newton in January of 2015. The concept then – and now-- was for a gym with state-of-the-art equipment that blends traditional fitness modalities with more modern innovations wrapped into a one-stop fitness destination. The idea worked. So well, in fact, that shortly the Fredas found them self short on space for their ever-growing-in-popularity fitness classes. In the rear of the L-shaped plaza, a space opened up, and though it was on the other side of the plaza from the main gym, they jumped at the opportunity to rent it for classes.
“It was a little disjointed, but we needed more space,” Anthony Freda said. “People learned where to go for classes and where to go for the gym, but we hoped that one day things would work out that everything could be together.”
That day came a few months ago when a hair salon located next to the gym left the plaza. “It was just such great fortune that the space was right next door to the main gym. We rented it immediately and are now combining the spaces for one big joined facility.”
The Fredas didn't miss a beat while combining the spaces, and the gym and classes remained fully functional as they've done so. Then new class space is now open, and now, when members and guests enter, they are greeted by a receptionist in the center. To the left is the cardio area below which is a full, free-weight gym area. To the right, classes of all sorts are held. Also in the main area will be Alpha's new childcare area where members' children can play while they work out.
Two expansions in two years? Freda credits the gym's popularity to the environment they've fostered at Alpha. “Everyone gets to know everyone else and it's kind of like one big family bonded by fitness,” he said. “People who are into different aspects and levels of working out all come together here.' Freda added, “It's all about attention to detail and making sure your members are happy. So many people start a gym and think they can let it run itself. You're not a number here: you're a person looking to get and stay in shape.”
Patti Bode, of Hampton, teaches classes at Alpha Fitness and said, “I am super excited to be a part of the Alpha Team. It is a very friendly family atmosphere. Anthony and Janessa are great owners and the atmosphere at the gym is always friendly and welcoming . Alpha has so many different classes to offer everyone. Some of the classes offered are Zumba, boot camps,spin ,Barre classes and core classes. A different range of classes to meet everybody's needs.They have amazing equipment and the staff is very friendly.” Bode teaches Spin and Boot Camp. “I really am happy to be working with everyone there.”
Member Phoebe Livingston of Stillwater said, “Everyone there is very welcoming and super open to helping each other out when it comes to new ideas and techniques.”
The Fredas have a great tag-team system set up so one of them is nearly always at the gym. With two children and a baby on the way, they seem to have it down to a science trading off business and home-life responsibilities.
Cardiovascularly, Alpha offers treadmills, elliptical trainers, arc trainers, stationary exercise bikes, steppers, a Stairmill, rowing machines and more. Their top-of-the-line selectorized equipment targeting every major muscle group features Atlantis, Hammer Strength MTS, Life Fitness and Icarian. A kick boxing room is adjacent to the free weight area and upstairs classes include: Alpha BootCamp, Alpha Warrior BootCamp, Alpha Zumba Party, Anything Goes, Barbell Blast, Body Pump, Fiesta Flex, Hard Core, HIIT, Hip Hop Dance, Hit & Barre, Hit & Fit, Pound, Power Hour, Pilates Plus, Piyo, Refine, Rip-n-Ride, S-A-T Sculpt & Ton, Spin, Spin & Core, Tabata, Triple Threat, Yoga and Zumba.
“I believe that exercise is a tool that can be used to transform a person’s mind and spirit even more than their bodies," Freda said. “Every person that enters their doors becomes a part of Team Alpha," said Freda. "We want to be involved in and a part of the fitness journey that each person is on. When you are training at our gym you will see me working out right alongside you each and every day, striving towards my personal fitness goals as well."
Alpha Fitness offers a number of very affordable membership options. All classes are included with gym membership. Alpha also offers a special college student discount. Alpha is located at 2 East Clinton Street in Newton. For information, call 973-300-0707, e-mail Email: info@alphafitnessnj.com or visit their website at: alphafitnessnj.com. You can also find them on Facebook.