My Gym Owner: 'Just Focus on Having Fun'

My Gym in West Hartford provides opportunities for children to learn new skills, engage in physical activity, and have fun all at the same time – helping kids gain confidence and self-esteem in a stress-free environment.

"To come here for an hour and just focus on having fun – there's nothing better. There are no pressures, there's no judging, it's pure fun," said owner Sara Bastos.

Bastos has a degree in physics and was working in a corporate job as a civil engineer when her life goals changed completely. She brought her young daughter to a birthday party on the shoreline and a friend was talking about her "gym." She thought it was an adult gym, but when she heard about the "My Gym" concept for children, she fell in love with the idea.

But she had to wait a little while to realize her dream.

My Gym is a franchise business, and the corporation doesn't want the market to be flooded, Bastos said. The Manchester resident wanted to remain in the area, and when the West Hartford location came up for sale in October 2012, she and her husband bought it immediately.

The combination fitness center/gym/playground/playgroup provides classes and activities for children ages 6 weeks to 13 years. "There is structure, but we're not forcing children to participate. We're encouraging," Bastos said.

The activities and themes shift on a weekly basis. Bastos said that no classes are taught for four to five hours every Monday morning. During that time the equipment gets moved all around and instructors prepare to work on new skills, new puppet shows, new songs and dances.

Bastos and her staff (four full-time employees and several part-time employees who work on weekends and assist with birthday parties) are all trained, but the Monday morning meetings keep that training going on a regular basis. Many staff members have backgrounds in teaching, dance, music, or child development.

The kids are introduced to new skills each week, building on what they have already learned, but keeping the same familiar structure. "We're not just doing a song and dance; we're learning new gymnastics skills," Bastos said.

Classes for the youngest children – "Little Bundles" –  have a "mommy and me" focus, where the adults can discuss issues and ask questions of other parents. For the older kids, the focus is more sports-oriented, but in a coaching not competitive way. They focus on learning skills and strategies for various sports, and also discuss nutrition with the older children.

Bastos added that the facility is "completely peanut-free at all times," and that staff are also prepared to accommodate children with other allergies. Cleanliness is also of critical importance, and all who enter are required to remove their shoes.

They have a ball pit, which Bastos said the children love, but it is closed off during the winter cold/flu season. During the time it's open, everything is sprayed daily with anti-bacterial agents and all the balls are removed and cleaned by hand every two weeks (or in the case of an unexpected "accident"), she said.

"The children are awesome," said Bastos, who loves having a business in West Hartford and said she "could not have asked for a better area for families." She is so glad that she reassessed her own life goals and happiness, and took the "big leap" by purchasing My Gym.

My Gym holds Open Houses twice a year, in preparation for the next season, and one is scheduled for Friday, April 26, from 3 to 7 p.m. At the Open House, children and their families will have the opportunity to explore the facility and experience some of the activities. Free classes are also offered at other times for potential members.

My Gym is located 150 South Main St. in West Hartford (next to CVS). For more information, visit the website http://www.mygym.com/westhartford or call 860-521-2822.