DowntownITH

This year marks the 10^th anniversary of Finger Lakes Fitness Center, downtown Ithaca’s locally owned and operated 24-hour gym. Located on the lower level of Center Ithaca (171 The Commons), FLFC offers convenient access to state-of-the art cardiovascular and strength training equipment, as well as a varied roster of classes taught by personable, energetic, and knowledgeable professionals.

FLFC was founded by Dan Stehm, who began his fitness career in 1990 after completing a Physical Education degree at SUNY Cortland. His dream to own his own fitness facility became a reality in January 2004 when FLFC opened its doors at its current Center Ithaca location. Since then, Stehm and his team of fitness professionals have fostered a friendly and inviting environment where lifelong couch potatoes and Olympians alike are welcomed.

In celebration of their anniversary, FLFC is flashing their prices back to 2004 for a limited time, offering a yearlong membership for just $495 or $43 per month. Applicable discounts still apply, including 15 percent of for seniors and 10 percent for college students, military personnel, and downtown employees. FLFC also offers special rate packages for middle and high school students, downtown apartment tenants, and those who only want to participate in the gym’s Zoomba or Yoga classes.

This spring, FLFC will host Fit for 5K, a 10-week workout program leading up to the Ithaca Twilight 5K. Non-members can sign up for full-access membership during this period. In the fall, FLFC plans to organize another fitness challenge where teams are awarded points for workouts and classes completed and compete for prize packages provided by local merchants.

Assistant Manager and Personal Trainer Sarah Smith has been at FLFC since 2007. Says Smith, “It’s the best of both worlds – we have 47 staffed hours per week but we are open around the clock. Because of that, you can adapt your fitness routine to your busy schedule, and you don’t have to worry about the gym getting slammed at peak hours. We really like our members and we’d love to get more like them, and that’s why we have a buddy referral system, where you get a free month anytime a buddy signs up for 6 months or more.”

Says Gary Ferguson, Executive Director of the Downtown Ithaca Alliance, “Finger Lakes Fitness Center has been a tremendous asset for our downtown workers and residents for the past ten years. A health club is an essential part of a full-service downtown economy and FLFC has done a great job serving our downtown community as well as the greater Ithaca community as a whole. We congratulate them on this milestone achievement and we look forward to working with them in the coming years.”

As yet one more anniversary incentive, Smith is offering a free pair of one-week passes (“one for you and one for a friend!”) to any newcomer who visits the gym and mentions this article and where they saw it published.