The Sports Center at Chelsea Piers is pleased to announce the launch of GET F.I.T. (Females in Training), an exciting new group strength-training program designed especially for women.

The strength-training area of the gym is often the stomping ground of pumped-up men with bulging biceps struggling to bench press their weight. Conversely, it seems that women use mostly the cardio area and aerobics studios. Michael Laitman, Fitness Director at the Sports Center at Chelsea Piers, comments, "We have noticed that many women are reluctant to strength train. To help women overcome any inhibitions or misconceptions they may have about strength training, we created GET F.I.T., a group strength training program designed to meet the fitness and wellness goals of women."

Not only will GET F.I.T. acclimate women to the strength-training area of the club, it will also educate them on the overall health benefits that result from consistent strength training. According to Dr. Feugenbaum of Furman University and Dr. Pollack of University of Florida in Gainesville, both members of the American College of Sports Medicine, "Strength training...increases muscle mass, bone mass, and connective tissue thickness."

GET F.I.T. will be an on-going class offered exclusively at the Sports Center. After the four-week, eight-session program, "lat pulldown," "need a spot?", and "incline chest press" will naturally roll off each participant's tongue.

GET F.I.T. will teach:

• An understanding of the major muscle groups and how to train them
• Proper and safe use of weight training equipment
• Correct form, weight, set, and repetition selection
• Fearless attitude on free weights and Cybex machines alike
• How and why strength training develops lean muscle mass, increases metabolism, and develops and maintains bone density

The Sports Center at Chelsea Piers, a 150,000 square foot sports and fitness training facility, is widely recognized as one of the best sports clubs in America. The Sports Center is home to the world's longest indoor running track, the Northeast's largest rock climbing wall, a 25-yard swimming pool, boxing ring, sand volleyball court, basketball courts, and over 20,000 square feet of cardiovascular and strength training equipment.

For more information on the GET F.I.T. program or the Sports Center at Chelsea Piers, please call Alexia Brue at 212.336.6054 or send e-mail to brueal@chelseapiers.com.