Business Profile: World Gym, Brewster
When Joe Ciatto walks into his fitness center, World Gym, everyday, it doesn’t take much for him to know why he loves his job as much as he does.
With members coming from every path of life with different fitness goals in mind, World Gym, a 24-hour, seven days per week facility, has been a destination that caters to everyone. Brothers Joe and Paul Ciatto and friend Craig Tilden opened up about a year ago and became part of the community. There is also a jiu jitsu mat and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Center of New York and Connecticut, owned by Paul that has physical therapy, acupuncture, and chiropractic services.
“The nice thing about this gym is the people, the members, we have great members” Joe said. “I have members that are young, old. I have some members that are 80-years-old, but I treat everyone the same. We demand a respect for everyone in the gym.”
Joe said when they bought the gym from the former owner, it was more than functional, but they had “their own vision” to push it forward. They opted to do a complete facelift.
All the cardio is equipment is brand new and everything was painted to a different color scheme. The back, which used to have two smaller rooms, was renovated into one larger room and is now a jiu jitsu studio. Additionally, a wall that siphoned off the heavier weight section from the rest of the gym was knocked down to be more inclusive.
Fitness has always been an important aspect of the Ciattos’ life. Paul has been a body builder and power lifter for most of his life and as a detective, Joe also had to stay in top-notch shape. The two had talked in the past about owning a gym, but they didn’t think it would happen as fast as it did.
The former owner told the brothers he would want to sell it to them in 2-3 years, but then six months after telling them that, he decided he was ready to sell earlier. Joe’s last day on the job for the NYPD was June 30, 2015 and his first day at the gym was July 1, 2015.
“I loved my job,” Joe, who was a first grade detective in the violent felony unit, said. “I just wanted to start something different, I have children that are still in high school, I wanted to be part of that. This enabled me to have time with my kids and also something that I enjoy doing, staying fit.”
To keep the gym family oriented, World Gym offers deals like if a son or daughter signs up for children’s jiu jitsu, the father or mother can get a free membership to the gym while their kid is learning jiu jitsu in the next room for an hour.
The medical center on the other side complements the gym and vice-versa. If someone is undergoing physical therapy, they can transfer into the gym once the rehabilitation is complete. If gym goers have questions about ailments, they can ask the medical professionals
“It’s a win-win situation when it comes to health,” Joe said.
Joe is at the gym constantly during usual business hours. He’ll chat with gym goers and get to know them on a personal level.
In fact, Joe plans his workouts when it’s the slowest time at the gym, usually around 2:30 in the afternoon. The other times when the gym is busier, Joe makes sure he’s in tune with what’s going on.
“We’re community service based,” he said. “If I don’t cater to the community, I have nothing.”
World Gym is located at Towne Center, 1620 NY-22, Brewster; 845-278-9494; www.worldgym.com/brewster/
