Category Archives: Health & Fitness

Michael Kurkowski, fitness professional, works with a young athlete at HealthPlex Fitness in Clifton Park, a specialized fitness facility offering customized programs.

©2016 Saratoga Photographer.com

By Jill Nagy

HealthPlex Fitness in Clifton Park, one of the area’s first private fitness centers, is still going strong after 30 years.

Over the years, it has morphed into a specialized fitness facility offering customized programs for young athletes, middle-aged and older folks getting back into shape, and people recovering from illness or injury.

Recently, HealthPlex started a partnership with physical therapists from OrthoNY , an orthopedic medicine practice, in a program called MedX. The focus is on “functional movement,” according to HealthPlex manager Steve Kerkowski.

The program is designed for people who have completed physical therapy but still need to go somewhere to build strength and improve overall physical fitness.

“If the doctors don’t have to fix things or refer a patient to physical therapy, they send them to us to screen and develop a program of corrective exercise,” he said.

Jeanette Lang, a personal trainer at the Southern Saratoga YMCA, works with a customer in the facility’s wellness center, which has upgraded its equipment.

©2016 Saratoga Photographer.com

By Jill Nagy

Members of the Southern Saratoga YMCA have been enjoying an upgraded wellness center, thanks to a $250,000 grant from the Capital District YMCA.

The branch, at 1 Wall St. in Clifton Park, was one of three chosen for upgrading. The others are Guilderland and East Greenbush. Funds for the upgrades came from membership dues from the Capital District YMCA, of which Southern Saratoga is a part. There was no separate fundraising campaign.

The Clifton Park facility was built in 1994. The project was the first major renovation of its wellness center, according to Executive Director Sarah Heslin.

In the process, the exercise machines were replaced. New flooring and ceiling tiles were installed, along with energy-saving lights. Everything received a fresh coat of paint.

In addition to the machines, which can be programmed for each user’s needs, the center has an area equipped with free weights.

Dr. Howard Kushner and Sherry Sherlock operate Integrative Vision Therapy in Saratoga Springs,
specializing in behavioral optometry and how improved vision can enhance a person’s abilities.

BY LIZ WITBECK

With many children in the United States struggling
academically, parents are looking for answers
to help their children. Academic struggles and
learning disorders are frequently linked to vision
problems, according to Dr. Howard Kushner and
Sherry Sherlock, who operate Integrative Vision
Therapy in Saratoga Springs.

As vision therapists, they specialize in behavioral
optometry and how improved vision can
enhance a person’s abilities in the classroom,
workplace, and life.

“Eighty to 94 percent of students who struggle
have vision issues,” said Dr. Kushner. “Many
children receive occupational therapy, physical
therapy. But they won’t progress if there is a vision
problem.”

Integrative Vision Therapy relocated in August
from offices in Clifton Park to Saratoga Springs.
They are now located at 3 Franklin Square, on
the first floor.