Tired of treadmills? Sick of StairMasters? You might want to check out Cutting Edge Sport Sciences in Albany.
Forget the fancy-shmancy equipment, this is no-frills fitness where you'll flip giant truck tires and lift heavy cement balls to get you fit. No joke. The day we were there, one man was dragging a heavy sled to gain strength while another was jump-roping. Other parts of the strength-training regimen here involve dragging tugboat chains that weigh as much as 136 pounds per pair.
Even the building that Cutting Edge is located in is no-frills -- it's in an old warehouse/garage in the commercial park on Vatrano Road, off Central Ave. Think of Rocky Balboa's workout scene in Rocky IV and you'll get a good idea of what a workout at Cutting Edge is like. As a matter of fact, much of the training is inspired by fitness training from Eastern Bloc countries.
Owner Dyke Naughton focuses on strength training and what's called "work capacity," rather than more, er, aesthetic fitness. Agility and balance are also a focus. There are few mirrors here, no silly slogans, no bright colors and no "lunk alarms". (Naughton says grunting is often necessary when doing serious weight-lifting.) Would-be body builders seeking "beach muscles" need not apply.
Naughton has a degree in sports sciences and has worked at Olympic training centers in the US and Australia, among other pursuits. He says that although the gym has produced several weightlifting champions, the focus really is on tailoring strength training to individuals. Athletes as young as 8 work out here, along with people ranging into their 80s who want to increase their endurance for more mundane activities like mowing the lawn or to strengthen osteoporosis-ridden backs. Wannabe firefighters have also trained here before taking their fitness exams.
Workouts are by appointment only, with each 75+ minute session costing $18.50 unless you sign up for a package deal. (It's like getting your own individual strength coach.) There are family deals, too. Oh, and you'll frequently find Naughton's two dogs wandering around as you work out.
Find It
Cutting Edge Sport Sciences
10 Vatrano Road
Albany, NY 12205
(518) 438-3343
Comments
I run a very similar gym at my home... for just $35 a month, I let people carry heavy wood logs and split and stack the wood in neat piles. Advanced students are allowed to pick up devices called "rakes" and pull them across my lawn. I also offer specialty classes in garbage can lifting, dirt shoveling and lawn mowing.
... said Barold on Sep 23, 2008 at 12:04 PM | link
Damn it Barold, you stole my joke!
... said Pantaloons on Sep 23, 2008 at 1:11 PM | link
It's no joke Pantaloons..... and because you're a frequent AOA blogger, you qualify for a one-time only discount - this month only - you can pick all the rocks off my rock driveway - for only $19.99! But wait, there's more - if you act now, you can put all the rocks back on my driveway for the same low price of $19.99!
... said Barold on Sep 23, 2008 at 3:21 PM | link
Damn it, he stole my joke too!
... said Sebastien on Sep 23, 2008 at 3:40 PM | link
Well you know what they say..great minds think alike. Now onto the real issue at hand: Do you think it's possible to be too sexy? I just caught my reflection in this here computer monitor. Ooh la la!
Discuss.
... said Pantaloons on Sep 23, 2008 at 10:26 PM | link
Correction. That was NOT my reflection. That was a post about a U-Albany student competing in the Miss Universe pageant. I guess I never did close that AOA archives browser from earlier. Damn it.
... said Pantaloons on Sep 23, 2008 at 10:34 PM | link
Barold is a hack.
... said Barold on Sep 24, 2008 at 6:52 AM | link