As the trend towards self-care and wellness continues to grow, more people are prioritizing fitness as part of their regular routine. Fitness enthusiasts Shane Condappa and Jaret Howell, who understand the psychology behind exercise, have recently opened Colosseum Fitness in Hackensack, where they are committed to helping clients stay healthy and achieve their fitness goals in a safe and effective way. The boutique style gym offers one-on-one personal training, small group training, zoom classes and online workout routines.
The co-owners, who previously worked as trainers at 24 Hour Fitness, a popular chain with 450 clubs nationwide, decided to take it on the road and develop a fitness model based on their combined knowledge and experience in the field.
“We have been working in the industry for quite some time and know what works and what doesn’t,” said Condappa, who holds a B.S. degree in athletic training from Kean University. Together with Howell, who earned his bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Adelphi University, they have created a space where everyone can feel comfortable and work at their own pace.
Condappa, who originally planned to pursue a medical career after his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, realized he wanted to be around active people and subsequently shifted his focus to sports medicine. After college he accepted a job at 24 Hour Fitness, where he worked with thousands of clients and eventually became one of the top five trainers company-wide.
Howell was always a fitness buff who excelled at sports. “I played intense basketball from age 6 onward,” he said. With a family history of heart disease, he was determined to master the science behind exercise and how the body works. “As a trainer, my priority is to motivate my clients,” he said. “Shane and I are both high energy trainers and aim to keep our clients working hard while having fun.”
“Colosseum Fitness is not a one-size-fits-all type of gym,” said Condappa, who tailors workouts to clients’ individual needs. He believes each person is unique and so are their fitness goals. “We work with people of all ages and at different levels of fitness who want to create a healthy and efficient exercise regimen,” he added. He and Howell are currently training clients as young as 12 all the way to 80.
The newly designed gym is equipped with multifunctional state-of-the-art training equipment. Clients can expect to train using a variety of fitness modalities including boxing, HIIT, cross-fit training and calisthenics. The ultimate goal, according to Condappa, is to help his clients take control of their health and grow stronger each day. With an extensive background in sports medicine and exercise science, Condappa and Howell understand the scope of most injuries and have helped countless people overcome weaknesses in a safe and timely way.
Howell and Condappa are huge proponents of fitness education and believe the first order of business is to educate clients so they can gain a better understanding of what is necessary to succeed. Prospective clients are encouraged to participate in a free consultation, where topics including weight loss goals, sports conditioning, injury recovery and nutritional guidance are discussed. Clients then have the opportunity to purchase sessions curated to meet their specific targets.
“Living through a pandemic makes you value your health even more,” said Condappa, who encourages people to make an appointment to learn how they can strengthen and protect their bodies.
The facility follows strict COVID-19 protocols and all equipment is regularly sanitized. Colosseum Fitness is currently offering healthcare workers a 10 percent discount toward the purchase of sessions. For more information, call (201) 345-9535 or email [email protected].
By Andrea Nissel
