Rocky Point Gym Banks on Personal Attention

In the sea of big box gyms popping up in the area, Personal Fitness in Rocky Point stands out.

Started in 1989 by former bodybuilder Ed Darcey, the facility stresses personal attention and a family atmosphere, along with professional training and fair prices.

Darcey said the staff's dedication to its customers is what distinguishes his gym from the larger chains.

"We make it our business to help you accomplish your goals," Darcey said. "We care about what you do here. You won't find that attention at a franchise."

Indeed, Darcey does most of the personal training himself, drawing on years of bodybuilding experience, including participation in the Natural Physique Conference and the All Natural Bodybuilding Conference. Many of his clients are loyal long-time customers, and many have followed family members to the facility.

Jen DeVito, who was working with a medicine ball at Darcey's gym on a recent day, has been exercising at Personal Fitness since she was in eighth grade. Now a star lacrosse player at Yale, the Shoreham resident returned to the facility during her holiday break this year. Like many of the gym's customers, Personal Fitness is a family affair for DeVitto.

"My mom came here when she was pregnant with me," she added.

In addition to DeVitto, who's a four-time state champion, Darcey boasts a number of top athletes as clients. The gym owner said he's trained about three dozen high school and college All American athletes throughout the years.

In addition to his training skills, Darcey said his family-oriented atmosphere sets his gym apart. "I want to have a gym where everyone fits in comfortably," he said. "I've trained handicapped people, obese people and weight lifters."

Darcey grew up in Shoreham and played football and basketball in high school and college before entering the body-building world. When he opened Personal Fitness more than 20 years ago, his parents owned the carpet store that occupied the other half of his gym's building.

Darcey said the new Planet Fitness in Rocky Point, which opened early last year, has hurt his business, but he expects the franchise will soon lose its luster. He said his gym will always maintain its core clientele while the chain's customer base will likely plateau.

That's because Personal Fitness members like John Johnson come to the local joint for much more than a workout. Johnson, who's been a Personal Fitness member for four years and was finishing a leg workout on a recent day, said he originally started at the local gym because it was close to his house. However, he's stayed for much different reasons.

"I like the clientele," Johnson said. "It's a hometown gym with a lot of regular people. Everybody knows your name. There's just a good atmosphere here."