BY JILL NAGY
Judith Cox and a group of 35 independent
contractors are bringing fitness programs and
services to some 800 clients in Saratoga and seven
other counties, helping them lose weight, reduce
stress and get fit.
Her company, called Fitness Professionals on
Demand, has been operating for about four years.
Classes meet in the town of Clifton Park, at
Adirondack and Hudson Valley Community Colleges,
at some 15 area schools, and in corporate
conference rooms. About half the clientele come
from Blue Shield of Northeastern New York, she
said.
In addition to the in-person programs, online
programs are aimed at busy executives “or any
busy person who needs a structure,” Cox said.
Participants meet three times with a personal
trainer and then work at home (or office) and
communicate by email. After six weeks, there
is another personal meeting to check progress.
She is also proud of a 10-week nutrition and
exercise program the company offers. Called Fit
Friendly, it is patterned on the television show
“Biggest Loser,” with prizes for superior weight
loss.
“The competition is great. People really like
it,” she noted.
The program emphasizes healthy eating, and
includes education about food and how to make good choices. The staff includes four registered
dieticians among its fitness professionals.
For corporations, Fitness Professionals on
Demand will assess employee needs and design
programs to meet them. They may help with the
selection of exercise machines or the design of
walking paths, provide diet workshops, or organize
other classes.
The company is affiliated with six gyms in the
area, where they may provide personal trainers,
exercise classes, and other services.
She said there are two major advantages to
the services provided by Fitness Professionals
on Demand.
“Everything is custom designed around the
person,” she said, and her company can bring
the program to the client.
Cox has a master’s degree in clinical psychology.
Previously, she worked with people with
mental illness and was a director with the New
York State Office of Mental Health.
When she got to the stage of “having to watch
what I put in my body and my fitness,” she decided
to change careers and got into the fitness business.
She is a certified expert in weight management
and in stress management.
“I really enjoy this. It’s a fun program,” she said.
The company has no fixed base. Cox or her
manager, Leigh-Anne Scarincio, can be reached
at 505-2669.
Photo Courtesy Fitness Professionals On Demand