City gym reopens

By DAVID HUTTER
Register Citizen Staff
TORRINGTON — Bruce Kasenetz is confident the newly expanded Nautilus Plus Fitness & Tanning Center will yield a return on its investment.
A co-owner of the gym, Kasenetz showed off the gym’s recently completed 2,000-square-foot expansion. The company opened the new workout space Thursday, which features $34,000 in new exercise equipment, he said.
"We wanted to expand our operation. We have state-of-the-art equipment," he said. "All we’re doing is trying to keep with the current trend."
Kasenetz and fellow co-owners Fran DuCotey and Kurt Werner operate the gym at 789 Winsted Road in Torrington. The owners bought the building about four years ago and started expanding the building in late December 2007, Kasenetz said. He declined to disclose the cost of the expansion.
The gym is seeing an increase in members. "We’ve been very busy," he said.
He said he absorbed ideas about the expansion of his fitness center while he took his son Thomas, a high school senior, on visits to universities and colleges. At those schools, the father and son checked out the gyms and observed their features and designs, Kasenetz said.
He said people who belong to this Nautilus Plus Fitness & Tanning Center receive personal attention.
"When you’re a Nautilus client, you’re cared for," Kasenetz said.
Rose Ponte, the city economic development director, welcomed the expansion of the gym Thursday afternoon. She said her husband and son have exercised at the gym and enjoyed their experience.
"We’re so lucky to have this happen here in Torrington," Ponte said Thursday. "Although we have many gyms here in town, this one is special because of the personal attention you receive."
The gym is open Monday to Friday from 5 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The new section has power-lifting machines and Olympic-style equipment, Kasenetz said. The company also upgraded its existing equipment, he said. The gym has been in Torrington for 33 years.
Mayor Ryan Bingham conversed with the gym co-owners Thursday afternoon.
During a break in talking with the co-owners, Bingham praised the company as being part of the fabric of the community.
"Nautilus has been a company in Torrington for a number of years," Bingham said.
"It has an incredible following. ... It’s another great gym for patrons to enjoy."
David Hutter can be reached by e-mail at torrington@registercitizen.com.