Fitness Institute offers pilates, yoga classes
by LISA A. JOHNSON Lancaster/Depew Editor

Rick Williamson, owner of the Fitness Institute and Pilates Studio in Clarence and Contemporary Lady in Depew, assists Carolee Schiappa of Clarence as she works on a reformer Nov. 22 at the Clarence facility. The reformer is a machine that can work out every muscle in the body. Photo by John Rusac

Rick Williamson has doubled his ability to share his love of fitness with Western New York.

The owner of the Fitness Institute and Pilates Studio, 5427 Transit Road, Clarence, purchased Contemporary Lady, 2106 George Urban Blvd., Depew, giving him two locations at which to offer patrons yoga, pilates, cardiovascular exercise and more.

While they are owned and managed by the same people, the two facilities offer different types of workouts and schedules. They both, however, offer the same type of customer service.

"We're very family-oriented," said Donna Liberatore, one of two managers for both locations.

The Fitness Institute

and Pilates Studio

The Transit Road facility offers one-on-one, personalized training for clients, ranging from those who want to get into shape to injury victims who are going through rehabilitation. Most major insurances are accepted, and appointments are necessary.

Clients can sign contracts for three to six months and pay a monthly fee for fitness sessions. Four sessions per month cost $132, Liberatore said.

The facility has been in business for 15 years and Williamson, a Lockport resident, said population shifts from Buffalo to the suburbs led him to choose the location.

"I bet at the time it would be the best place to offer our services," he said.

While demographics directed where, it was a personal experience that directed why he opened the business. Williamson decided to open a fitness institute after being involved in a head-on car collision in 1980. After going through various forms of rehabilitation that weren't working, he went back to school to learn about fitness and rehabilitated himself.

Williamson, a certified pilates rehabilitation practitioner, said he introduced Western New York to pilates.

"I was the first one doing pilates apparatus work in Buffalo," he said.

The studio is open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call 639-0200 or visit www.fitnessinstitutepilates. com.

Contemporary Lady

The Depew facility offers a more typical fitness center experience, but for women only. Patrons can sign up for a three-month membership for $158 ($129 plus a $29 enrollment fee must be paid in full before workouts begin). Other membership plans are available, and many types of insurance are accepted. Women also can sign up for group classes and use the pool.

Liberatore said Contemporary Lady is the only aquatic and fitness center for women in Western New York.

Williamson said the pool was a factor in his decision to buy the business in October.

"It really gives a lot more dynamics for workouts," he said.

This facility also includes a tanning bed, body evaluations with membership, weight training and beauty products. Williamson said in the near future, he will offer a chance for women members to bring their husbands to workouts such as dance aerobics and couples' pilates. He also plans to offer a mother/baby program so women can work out with their children.

Also, throughout December, female members of the Lancaster Area Chamber of Commerce are invited to use the facility free of charge.

Contemporary Lady is open from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday (yoga runs only from 9 to 10 a.m. Sunday).

For more information on this location, call 684-3102 or visit www. contemporarylady. com.

Liberatore said no matter which location patrons choose, Williamson offers great customer service.

"He's a really good businessman and really cares about people," she said.

e-mail: Ljohnson@beenews.com