YMCA unveils new, improved wellness center Strength-training equipment is designed for the entire family BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY staff Some of the equipment in the new strength room on the first floor of the Woodbridge YMCA at the Woodbridge Community Center on Aug. 27. WOODBRIDGE - YMCA members can now use the facility's new wellness center and strength-training room. "The center provides a better quality workout area for our members," said Kim Affeldt, who has been the YMCA's wellness director for the past year. "We were limited in what we could provide to our members and were lacking in the strength department. We want to offer everything for the whole family, and this does that." The YMCA Wellness Center is equipped with brand-new treadmills, ellipticals, upright and recumbent bicycles, steppers, NuStep equipment, and an upper-body ergometer. The center also has an expanded stretching area equipped with resistance balls, medicine balls, cable machine and an abdominal trainer. The new strength-training room offers a full circuit of Nautilus and Cybex strength equipment; a complete selection of dumbbell weights; incline, decline and flat benches; a three-dimensional Smith machine, and a cable crossover machine. Woodbridge's George Hamlin works out in the new strength room at the Woodbridge YMCA on Aug. 27. Members will be able to receive a fullstrength circuit workout and can get a fitness consultation and assessment from one of the four personal trainers at the YMCA, who have a wide array of expertise and training. Mayor John E. McCormac, in fitting gym attire - T-shirt, shorts and sneakers - joined Affeldt; William Lovett, CEO of the Metuchen, Edison, and Woodbridge YMCA; members of the Woodbridge YMCA; Councilman Gregg Ficarra, and former Councilwoman Caroline Ehrlich to introduce the new center on Aug. 27. "This new center does not cost anything to the taxpayers," said McCormac. "For the most part, the YMCA is a 100 percent self-sustained business and it has done very well for the past five years since it opened." The Woodbridge Community Center, 600 Main St., opened in April 2002. Ficarra added that the new wellness center also caters to the older population and to females. "This is a great opportunity for people to get in shape," he said. Gavin Belarnino, 26, Avenel, who has been a member of the YMCA for three years, Brad Rondena, 30, Port Reading, who has been a member since January, and Sam Schwartz, 51, Fords, who has been a member for four years, agreed that the new wellness center is a great addition to the YMCA. "It's awesome," said Belarnino. "It's double the size." The wellness center is open to members 13 years old and up, and the strength room is open for members 14 years old and up. The wellness center and strength-training room at the Woodbridge Community Center will be open from 6 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Saturdays, and 9 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Sundays. For more information call (732) 596- 4170.