Manatee seniors say they are losing inches, pounds at Tone E-Z
MANATEE -- Pat Kuentzler of Bradenton finds traditional exercise painful ever since she had a knee replacement.
Kuentzler heard about a unique fitness salon called Tone E-Z at 7012 Cortez Road, Bradenton where 14 powered toning tables do all the work.
The salon, which had its grand opening Oct. 23, has a banner over its front door that proclaims, "The Senior Fitness Experience." It has two sets of tables for each of seven different body workouts. They include two for the back, buttocks, neck and shoulders, legs, stomach and inner and outer thighs.
The tables more or less scissor back and forth while clients lay on them for a workout that increases range of motion and decreases stiffness, said Glenn Gallo, the chiropractor whose wife, Nancy Elie, co-owns Tone E-Z.
After two months of "no sweat" workouts, Kuentzler reports positive changes to her body
"You can lose inches and flab without really working at it," Kuentzler said last week while a machine was shaking her so firmly she looked like a gallon of paint being mixed at a Home Depot. "All you do is lay here."
Kuentzler said that she has lost 10 pounds and, "I would say about an inch everywhere because all my clothes are loose and I am into clothes I haven't been able to wear for awhile."
On a recent Wednesday, Tone E-Z's tables were occupied by about a half dozen clients, all of them older than 50.
A few tables over from Pat and Gary Kuentzler, Charles Viera, 75, of Bradenton said he started coming to Tone E-Z last month because he could no longer easily get out of his sports car or play golf.
"I couldn't bend over," Viera said.
Viera said the salon has made a difference.
"My flexibility has improved," he said.
Pair Tone E-Z with cardio
David Winchester, general manager of Planet Fitness, 6605 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, last week said he believes the Tone E-Z machines can provide benefits, but he would like to see Tone E-Z add a cardio component.
"It's important for seniors to get their hearts going," said Winchester who is also a trainer and works with many senior clients. "When we get the heart pumping on a stationary bicycle or treadmill it's releasing a lot of blood, good for not only the heart, but for all the internal organs."
Intense cardio also dis
solves subcutaneous internal fat around the organs, Winchester said.
Winchester said the toning tables help posture, which reduces the risk of falls. Strengthened legs and hips will also guard against falls, Winchster said.
Tone E-Z seems effective for developing strength and flexibility, which are crucial to help seniors avoid falling, Winchester said.
"I think the tables would be good for body parts and the muscular system," Winchester said. "I can see where it would strengthen legs, back, arms, things like that. If they add a little cardio, it would be the perfect workout and great for the elderly."
Tables designed in the '40s
Gallo has been in Bradenton eight years. He bought his chiropractic practice from Dr. Gary Mester, who had been providing care in the area for 20 years. Gallo practiced in New York for 23 years. He is licensed in Florida, New York and South Carolina, he said.
Gallo said in 1945 a doctor invented the specialized toning tables.
"It's not just for seniors," Gallo said. "Anyone can go. You just lie on the table for six minutes. It puts you through a range of motions. The table does all the work. It's like a lazy man's workout. The machine moves back and forth when you are on it."
It takes clients between 30 and 40 minutes to complete a full cycle, hitting every machine.
"What's good about it for the seniors is that after they leave they feel a lot less stiff, a lot more range of motion and less pain," Gallo said. "They can become more active and have a higher quality of life."
When clients first come in they fill out a form to record their health issues, Gallo said.
"If clients have a stent or pacemaker there are certain vibration tables they can't go on," Gallo added. "For the most part the tables are pretty safe. If you have certain conditions there may be a table or two you can't use."
Grand opening
Tone E-Z is running a discounted price during its grand opening of three months for $99 but Gallo said the price will settle permanently at either $50 per month or three months for $42.50.
"Silver and Fit, Silver Sneakers and Prime insurance plans all cover seniors on this," Gallo said. "If they don't have one of those three they can pay out of their pocket. It would be like joining a gym."
The salon is open 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Gallo said. There is no need for reservations now, Gallo said
"My gut feeling is that we will get to the place where we will need reservations," Gallo added.
The salon drew roughly 70 clients the week before Thanksgiving, Gallo said.
"We are associated with a group up in Weeki Wachee that have four or five of these places," Gallo said. "We went up there, trained with them, learned how they do everything up there and we opened our own here."
Richard Dymond, Herald reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7072 or contact him via Twitter@RichardDymond.
This story was originally published December 21, 2015 at 5:04 PM with the headline "Manatee seniors say they are losing inches, pounds at Tone E-Z ."