It has been nearly two years since Scott Schneider opened The Max at West Windsor in 2013 at the Village Square shopping mall off of Clarksville Road. The Max franchise originated in Manalapan township, where Schneider is from.
New Year’s resolutions last less than three months at The Max Windsor before new health goals are set. The fitness regimen is a 10-week program with five classes of cardio and weights a week, after which a modified 10-week program is begun anew.
The Max will kick off its next 10-week challenge on Sunday, January 11, at 7:30 a.m. at its 217 Clarksville Road location. Regular members will be present to demonstrate and explain the program.
“There’s a great camaraderie, it’s super supportive. We know every person by name, everyone has a back story we care about and a goal we want to reach,” Schneider says.
Schneider teaches the morning classes while two former instructees now lead the evening classes. Jenn Kirson of East Windsor and Darrin Myers of Plainsboro both joined in 2013 soon after the Max opened.
A week’s classes may look like cardio exercises Monday, Wednesday, Friday, weights on Tuesday, and leg workouts on Thursday.
Classes are conducted in group settings, which creates an atmosphere of mutual support that many find result in better workouts. The support system extends outside class, as friendships develop with fellow attendees seen on a daily basis.
Schneider says he has gotten clients to move on from heavy medication, and he says those with resolutions for the new year need a vision for themselves.
“Don’t lose sight of that vision. Set up small goals, something difficult but achievable, one more sit up, or one plank for a certain amount of time,” Schneider says.
Darrin Myers, one of two evening instructors, joined in June 2013 after some prodding from his wife, Michele Holder-Myers.
“When I joined I joined reluctantly,” Myers says. “My wife is a fitness buff, but it wasn’t anything on my radar. Anyone who knows me would say fitness is not a high priority. I didn’t see myself as out of shape as much as I was.”
Thinking he could bail after 10 weeks if he didn’t like the program, Myers says he dropped 30 pounds upon its completion. The next year, in 2014, Myers began leading classes as an instructor.
“What the instructor brings is simply a personality. I’m not really instructing as much as motivating you,” Myers says. “I’ll give you instructions to make sure you’re doing it correctly, but what each instructors brings is motivating you to do one more.”
Myers has lived in Plainsboro since 1996. He works at a general contracting company, and alongside Michele the two have volunteered at Plainsboro Volunteer Fire Company for the past 15 years.
“If you join a big box gym, they take you, walk you through the equipment, then leave you alone. Unless you spend the extra money for a trainer. With this program, it’s nutrition based, in addition to the exercise program,” Myers says. The Max provides nutrition materials and resources and emphasizes eating five smaller meals in a day, which spreads out the sugar and energy level peaks and valleys.
One class lasts 45 minutes, and the Max offers four classes in the morning and two in the evening. Morning classes start at 5 a.m., 6 a.m., 7 a.m., and 9:15 a.m., with two classes at 5:30 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. The rate for a 10-week program is $350.
The Max at West Windsor, 217 Clarksville Road, West Windsor. 609-248-4114. www.themaxchallenge.com.
