Massage therapist Amy Cicoria, owners Mary Ann and Frank Reitano, and personal trainer Josh Bater. Photo by Michael Johnson

Opening on Tuesday Dec. 1, Fit Club 24/7 in Geneseo is already boasting well over 100 members after its first week of operation.

Located at the former site of Perkins Restaurant on Megan Drive off Route 20A (behind Burger King), the club is, as is says, open 24 hours, seven days a week.

Staff is on hand from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, but members may come by any time day or night to work out as the spirit moves them.

“The response from the community has been tremendous,” said owner Frank Reitano.

The old cafeteria restaurant has been entirely remodeled into two spacious fitness rooms which, with the modest locker, rest room and shower area, occupy 5,400 square feet.

There is a complete selection of aerobic equipment: recumbent bikes, upright bikes, elliptical trainers and treadmills. All are manufactured by Cybex, a company which started out making rehabilitation equipment. Consequently, the present aerobic equipment retains a doctor-approved design which minimizes stress on joints and maximizes exercise benefit.

Jump on a treadmill and the machine immediately knows you’re there. You have your own, individual TV monitor to view. The headset is connected directly to Time-Warner cable for any choice of what you wish to watch or listen to. Optionally, there is a plug-in for your own iPod.

Besides the individual screens, there are large ceilng-mounted plasma TVs.

If you haven’t tried it, watching TV is naturally compatible with doing aerobics, Frank advises. The time goes by fast and the work seems much easier.

The club has a complete set of selectorize equipment stations with adjustable pin settings, very easy and safe to use.

The free weight room, also exclusively Cybex, has up to 1200 pounds of plates to lift or push. There are cable machines and Smith machines along with a full selection of dumbbells, loose weights and medicine ball.

Frank, who does most of his own workouts in the free weight room, still spends a lot of time with the loose weights. “There is nothing smoother than gravity,” he vouches.

Frank and Mary Ann Reitano have been fitness enthusiasts throughout their lives. By professional trade Frank is an engineer employed by Carestream Health. Mary Ann will be leaving her position at Kodak to run the Geneseo branch of Fit Club.

This is Frank and Mary Ann’s second club. The first, by the same name, opened in Brockport last year.

So far, Mary Ann reports, membership at the club seems to be mirroring the general population profile of the area. Gauging from the Brockport profile, Mary Ann anticipates a respectable but not excessive college student membership of around 15 percent, a peak membership of persons in their 40s, and others ranging into their seventies.

Frank anticipates that club membership will continue its healthy growth, while the all-hour schedule will assure that facilities are never crowded. There are dozens of workout stations to chose from, with abundant floor room area for more if crowding starts to become an issue. Parking is never a problem, with 93 spots.

Fit Club is state-of-the-art secure. Cameras are located inside and out. All comings and goings of authorized staff and members are recorded with key cards. The building is monitored by Doyle Security Systems.

Every room has an emergency push button which makes an E911 call. Members who choose may wear a pendant while working out. Pushing a button on the pendant likewise makes an E911 call.

Personal trainer available

Available for personal consultation is trainer Josh Bater. You can make an appointment with him for as early as 5 a.m. An initial session with Josh is included as part of the introductory club membership package.

He’ll introduce you to the equipment and get you started on a routine. Further sessions are strictly optional.

Josh has a professional training background going back eight years. A native of Rochester, Josh is a holder of seven weight lifting and running records including bench press – 705 pounds; squat – 950 pounds, dead lift – 755 pounds, 3.98 sec. for the 40 yard dash.; 3.16 seconds for 20 yard short shuttle, and 5.97 for the 60 yard dash. He is a semi-pro football quarterback and an invitee at the NFL and CFL scouting combines. He also works as a professional fitness model.

“If you’re looking to get fit, come and see me,” Josh says.

Whether you’re six years old or 85 or anywhere in between, Josh can create a program tailored to your objectives. For persons with the excuse that they don’t have time for an intensive fitness program, Josh proposes, “There are 168 hours in your week. Give me just three of those hours, each two days apart, and I can guarantee results.”

Call 888-2533 or just get your Fit Club membership, which includes the initial session with Josh.

And massage

Also on the club staff is massage therapist Amy Cicoria. Call the club’s 880-2533 number for an appointment.

She is a licensed New York State massage therapist with 11 years experience. Amy can supply advice as to post and pre workout massages.

“When you’re working out, it’s always a good idea to get regular massage, “ she suggests, “because you build up more lactic acid in your muscles. It really does help make your workouts more efficient.”

The preferred massage for club members is a relaxing session following their workout.

Members can enjoy free chair massages between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturdays.

One month free

New members may opt for three month, six month or one year memberships. One year memberships are $39.99 a month for the first family member; $29.99 for the second member; $19.99 for the third member and $9.99 for all other additional family members. Prices are slightly higher for the shorter term memberships.

A $5 monthly “hero” discount is available for police, fire, military and ambulance emergency first responders. A identical discount is offered for college students.

Members also pay a one-time $10 fee for the key card which lets you into the club at any hour — as well as into the Brockport club.

To join Fitness 24/7 just show up and sign up. Persons joining during this month of December receive one free month’s membership added to their package.