Pulse Fitness Balances Exercise, Nutrition

Pulse Fitness recently opened at 38- 04 48th St., Sunnyside.

"We want to help make our gym into a real community meeting place," officials of Pulse Fitness, 38-04 48th St., Sunnyside, declared. Under new management, Pulse offers flexible scheduling, personal training and a program that provides a balance between physical fitness and healthy nutrition. What's more, Pulse is the only gym in New York City where all personnel are bilingual- fluent in English and Spanish- to help meet the needs of the community.

Every new Pulse client receives a complete fitness assessment of girth measurement, body weight, body mass index, blood pressure, body fat, isometric strength and flexibility, as well as a cardiovascular efficiency test. For the body mass index (B.M.I.) test, the client stands on a scale directly connected to a computer. The test compares weight to height to compute B.M.I. To compute body fat percentage, the trainer uses computerized calipers to obtain three measurements (for women, triceps, abdomen and quadriceps; for men, chest, abdomen and quadriceps), which are calculated by the computer along with weight, height, age and gender, for body fat percentage- for women between 18 and 25 percent, for men 12 to 18 percent. Body fat higher than normal increases the risk for high LDL (bad) cholesterol, which can block arteries and cause cardiovascular disease.

Equipment is used to determine range of motion as part of the testing done to establish a client's personal fitness program.

To determine the type and intensity of weight training needed, the client pulls on a bar attached to a scale to determine isometric strength. A computer then determines the client's individual strength. To avoid back injuries and select appropriate flexibility and cool-down exercises, the client sits on the floor before a computer, holds on to a cord and reaches forward as far as he or she can without bending his or her knees to determine individual range of motion.

Cardiovascular efficiency is determined through a 12-minute test that begins with positioning a heart monitor around a client's chest and starting an ergonomic test on a stationary bicycle at an intensity of 60 to 90 percent of heart capacity. The bicycle's resistance is increased over four stages of three minutes each. At the end of each stage the trainer calculates the amount of oxygen (VO2) pumped by the client's heart through the circulatory system and to the extremities. Knowing the VO2, the trainer then determines the frequency and intensity of the cardio workout to maximize fat burning.

Pulse personnel review the test results and then design a personalized program of cardiovascular training and muscle tone improvement. Clients also receive two complimentary personal training sessions every eight weeks, during which Pulse qualified personal trainers explain, demonstrate and correct the techniques used for every exercise in the program.

Memberships also include two sessions with a certified nutrition consultant, who will design a meal plan based on the client's individual needs, taking into consideration the exercise program, the calorie expenditure and daily activity of the client. The nutrition program charts the client's daily calorie intake, calculates the percentage of each food group consumed, the portion size, the time between meals and the client's water intake and devises a strategy to speed up metabolism.

Pulse offers a playroom for young children while mothers work out to get back in shape.

Personal trainers are present at all times to help motivate, explain exercises and instruct in correct exercise techniques. This personalized attention is intended to ensure positive results, which are assessed every eight weeks. The trainer will change the program as needed and increase its complexity. To ensure that the client learns the increasingly complex techniques for an effective and safe workout, the trainer will provide two new personal training sessions. Pulse especially notes that the process of fitness assessment, change of program, complimentary training sessions and daily supervision is ongoing and carries no extra cost. The only goal is achieving physical excellence for all members.

The Pulse Fitness assessment program includes special sessions for children. Kids six to nine years of age have two 90-minute sessions one for general fitness exercises and the other for karate on Saturdays and Sundays. The same programs are offered for children nine to 12 years of age, also on Saturdays and Sundays.

Photos Vinny DuPre All equipment at Pulse Fitness is new and in top condition.

Pulse offers a Jump Start fitness program. A computerized fitness assessment that consists of cardiovascular efficiency, body mass index, body fat percentage, body age and muscular strength and flexibility tests for $99 and two personal training sessions involving design of a cardiovascular and weight training program and a full one-on-one workout with an experienced trainer, also for $99, and a $100 discount bonus for any personal trainer package. All elements of the program are $149 for a special one-time sales offer. Signing up for a 20-session, threemonth Elite package saves a client $200; a 30-sesion package saves $600. A 20-sesion Elite Plus package saves a client $200 over six months and a 30-session package saves $600 over one year. Free memberships are included. If a client consistently attends sessions and follows the program, results are guaranteed.