Head to Snap Fitness in Sandwich where exercise is the ideal stress buster in the New Year

Snap Fitness offers memberships that tackle stress, but don?t break your budget

SANDWICH ? As we usher in a New Year, the economic crisis is on everyone?s minds. Many people are feeling stressed, wondering what 2009 will bring. There is even a business that recently opened in San Diego where customers can vent their frustrations by paying to smash items such as dinner plates, wine glasses and pretty vases against a wall.

As uncertainy and stress levels rise, health and fitness experts are emphasizing that this year, making a New Year?s resolution to exercise and get fit is more important than ever. 

?Throwing plates against a wall may make you feel better temporarily, but getting more active is a much more effective overall stress-buster,? said Elaine Vakalopoulos (right), Snap Fitness owner in Sandwich. ?Exercise has always been one of the best ways to unwind and refresh yourself. It does so much beyond toning your body, it improves your mood, helps clear your head, increases self-esteem and promotes an overall sense of wellbeing.

As for how the exercise-stress connection really works, research continues. There is evidence showing that exercise stimulates the body?s production of endorphins ? our brain?s ?feel-good? neurotransmitters.  Researchers also note that exercise staves off depression and anxiety by enhancing the body?s ability to respond to stress.

Located in the Canterbury Plaza at 331 Cotuit Road in Sandwich, Snap Fitness is the only fitness center on Cape Cod available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.   The gym offers everything most people need for a full body workout and to get started on a fitness regimen they can stick with throughout the year.  Every new member is offered a complimentary appointment with a personal trainer, not only to learn how to safely use the equipment, but to get tips regarding their particular goals or issues.  Members also have the option to receive a free Fitness Assessment with a personal trainer, during which they test their strength, endurance and flexibility and get expert advice on the type of exercise and nutrition that will benefit them the most.

?There are several other perks to being a member of a national franchise,? said Vakalopoulos, ?one is that members can activate their own free Personal Web Page online where they can create and track workouts and plan their meals and calories whenever they want - a tremendous resource that you don?t see offered by very many health clubs.  Another feature is that members can utilize any other Snap around the country, free of charge, and there are roughly 1,000 of them operating in the U.S. today, with more to come.?

?In these tight money times, one of the best things about a Snap Fitness membership is that it?s a great value that won?t break the family budget,? said Vakalopoulos. ?For about a dollar a day, you can do something really great for yourself that will give you results for a lifetime of better health.?   Plus, you can freeze your membership up to three months in a calendar year for a nominal fee.  The membership programs are relatively flexible:  if members prepay for six or twelve months, they receive a bonus month or months;  alternately folks can pay month to month via electronic funds transfer and with 30 days written notice, can cancel.?  

?Since lack of time can also add to stress, Snap Fitness is all about making working out as convenient as possible,? said Vakalopoulos. ?Since we are available 24/7, people needn?t worry about when open and closing times are.  Members work out when it is convenient for them, not us.  We have members that work out at 11 PM and 3:30 AM.   For those who want to get in shape, reduce stress and be the best they can be in 2009, we are ready to help them achieve real results!?

To arrange a tour of the club or get more information, call 508-833-7627 or click here.