53°
Fitness Unlimited was a facility that catered to women only for the last 28 years, and Schneider had no interest in changing that part.
She just wanted to make it even better.
"We wanted to make it more than just a fitness facility," Schneider told Daily Voice. "It's a women's lifestyle facility. We offer nutritional support and group support for things women go through.
"This is a place women can come and be comfortable," she added. "They don't have to get dolled up, they don't get stared at... they're all here for the same reason."
And the women who have been attending in the past gave Schneider a built-in customer base. "When I got here I learned that the women here are already like family," she said. "The former owners treated them like family, and we treat people like family as well."
EnerShe opened its doors on February 10, after some major construction. "We made some changes, did some painting, new floors, walls, new machines and new cardio equipment," Schneider said.
EnerShe offers a variety of classes including Cardio Kickboxing, Sculpt, and Barre, as well as numerous Yoga classes. And a popular new addition to the facility is the aptly named Hot Box - an infra red sauna, where women can do a 30-minute workout with a virtual instructor in 125-degree heat.
"That's new, and people love it," Schneider said. "The heat, the 30-minute Hot Yoga class... it's a great workout. Everyone comes out drenched in sweat and says it was so great."
Schneider said response to the new facility has been positive - especially from former clients happy the place will remain women only. "The response has been great from old and new clients," Schneider said. "The former clients are very happy we're staying all women."
Schneider got into the fitness business after having her last child. "I fell in love with fitness three or four years ago, after I had my last child," she said. "And the place I found was fantastic. I always had it in my head that I wanted to do something with women... the universe works in strange ways, and here I am."
EnerShe Fitness, open seven days, also has a child care room, so women can drop off the kids and workout, and they also have a full bath and locker room. They plan to add massage therapy in the future.
"The vision is to have everything in one place," Schneider said. "To bring more of a holistic approach to people's lives."
EnerShe Fitness is located at 989 Route 6 in Mahopac.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Putnam and receive free news updates.
