Getting fit remains a popular New Year’s resolution. A Forbes Health/OnePoll revealed that the top goal was improving fitness, with nearly half (48%) saying it was their number-one priority. Personal training and group fitness classes can add a social component, too, helping gym-goers find friends and accountability partners.
Independent gyms on the North Fork offer custom-built classes ready to help students meet their goals and bust through plateaus.
Activated Wellness, 13 Grand Ave., Shelter Island Heights, 631-466-5008
A massage therapist and personal trainer, Amber Pagano’s philosophy extends beyond the idea that either role is merely “touch and movement.” Pagano’s massages and private and small-group fitness sessions combine breath, muscle activations and movement to help students reduce pain and feel stronger and more confident.
NoFo Wellness Center, 320 Depot Lane, Cutchogue, 631-734-4042
You don’t need to join a nationwide chain gym to gain access to cardio equipment like treadmills and stationary bikes and a weight room designed to help you level up. The 8,000-square-foot facility is home to a weight room with dumbbells and benches, cardio machines and tons of in-person and live-streaming classes.
Wicked Fit, 13650 Main Road, Mattituck, 631-830-8389
Another spacious spot, Wicked Fit’s 11,000-square-foot facility boasts cardio machines, power racks and other top-notch equipment for people who are serious about getting stronger. Don’t get it twisted, though: All experience levels are welcome, from beginners to avid lifters. A BodyShok HIIT program meshes strength, core, cardio and functional training to help improve muscle mass and endurance.
Underground Training, 53345 Main Road, Unit 10-1, Southold, 631-463-1603
Katie Peters went from teaching fitness classes in her basement to opening Underground Training in Southold in 2017. Close to a decade later, the business is going strong. A kettlebell class combines a “sick playlist,” a temporary distraction from the burn, and motivation to complete just one last rep. A lower-impact body sculpt is ideal for beginners, using small, targeted movements to build foundation.
CrossFit North Tribe, 45655 Route 48, Southold, 631-365-6331
CrossFit became a fitness sensation in the mid-2010s, and CrossFit North Tribe remains a popular spot for its high-intensity strength and conditioning regimen. Classes focus on building community among students, who push each other to reach new heights. With infrared saunas and compression therapies, a recovery lounge helps get back on the mat more quickly.
Jill Schroeder Training,150 Griffing St., Cutchogue, 631-315-5227
Jill Schroeder’s services focus mainly on personal training and medical exercise, the latter designed for people with chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease. Training sessions place a premium on health, fitness and function. Schroeder and her students often compete in races together.
Maximus Health + Fitness, 126 E. Main St., Riverhead, 631-369-6293
Maximus Health has cardio and weight-training equipment and classes. The “booty burn,” is exactly what it sounds like. Body Pump and Zumba classes scorch calories with high-intensity intervals designed to help you optimize your workout.
