In its days as the Lutheran Church of the Messiah, the Russell Street fixture was already veering toward a looser interpretation of spirituality. It provided a haven for traditional religious services as much as it accommodated some of the more off-beat tastes of its neighbors, who helped make things like “Punk Rope” and “No Lights No Lycra” a well-known part of Greenpoint life.
Now, membership is open to anyone of any religious persuasion (including all you atheists), making Greenpoint look way ahead of Pope Francis as he graces our city today to promote tolerance and inclusivity. No longer exactly a church, but the “Park Church Co-op,” it stands as a reminder that though religion is beginning to embrace progressive ideals in a much more public way, the movement has been well underway thanks to some of the more low-profile leaders like Pastor Amy Kienzle.
Kienzle officially rebranded the church in June in a move that was largely a response to our changing demographic, even though not all members necessarily welcomed the shift. That said, the future looks bright for Kienzle and her growing community.
With this in mind, Greenpointers sat down with Pastor Amy to get the scoop about all the exciting programs her church is offering to the community these days.
The tragedies faced by Syrians now turned refugees is undeniable as many families have fled their homeland going anywhere that would accept them openly. As more and more families are displaced, it is nice to know that organizations, such as Punk Rope Games, are making an effort to provide emergency medical services for Syrian refugees. In the past, Punk Rope Games have been distinguished by hilarious costumes, wacky fitness challenges, rope jumping, and good sportsmanship. They are a celebration of play, fitness, and community and are a welcome departure in substance and style from most fitness competitions.
This year, they are combining what they are known for with a humanitarian cause.
Punk Rope’s founder, Tim Haft, has decided to donate 100% of the profits from the event’s registration fees and merch sales to the valiant efforts of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) to provide humanitarian aid to the Syrian refugees. The 7th Annual Punk Rope Games will take place on Sat, Sept 26 from 11:30am-2pm at Newtown Barge Playground. Continue reading →
(sponsored) Beastanetics, the high-intensity interval training program, which has become the darling of McCarren Park during the warmer months, will return to [email protected] (31 Nassau Avenue bet Guernsey & Dobbin) this winter with classes taking place on Wed & Fri at 6:45am and 8am. Beastanetics can help you improve your stamina, strength, power, balance, and overall conditioning, while boosting metabolism and fat loss. On Yelp, Beastanetics has a perfect average rating of 5 stars.
Session 1 runs from 12/3-1/23 and Session II from 1/28 to 3/20. Space is very limited so don’t delay. The fee for the 8-week session (16 classes) is $160. A limited number of drop-in slots will be available at $17 per class. [email protected] is a beautifully appointed fitness studio in Greenpoint.
Earlier this year – you voted for local fitness celebrity Tim Haft – in the internet’s fitness trainer popularity contest called Fit or Flop.
And because of all those votes – Tim is in it to win it!
He updated us on where he stands in the contest:
After 8 rounds of competitions there were 16 competitors left. I was one of them. Then the judges “voted off” another 6. So now we’re down to 10 and I’m still alive…I think that what I (and Punk Rope) represent – good health, fitness, play, and mostimportant of all, community – are traits worth getting behind.
There are only 9 days left, so go ahead and vote for Tim Haft so he can get into the internet fitness star online hall of fame!
You may know Tim Haft from Punk Rope at the Greenpoint YMCA or early morning butt kickings at Beastanetics in McGolrick Park. Now Greenpoint’s favorite fitness guru is a competitor on a web based reality show call Fit or Flop. Will he be “American’s Next Fitness Star”? You decide!
With just one week to go in the voting you can help Tim get to the next round. (You can actually vote for him once every 24 hours thru 3/31.) Continue reading →
I am about 10 kg far from my ideal weight (21 years old, 158 cm tall, 63 kg). my body is not toned and I have a lot of cellulite. My question is: Should I reach my ideal weight before I start toning exercises or if I started toning exercises now they will make my body look toned and better?Continue reading →
Tim Haft, owner/trainer of Beastanetics and Punk Rope gave me a personal training consultation at McCarren Park and now I have some new pull-up techniques, serious ass burn (in a good way) and a new attitude toward running!
Before we met, Tim asked me to tell him my fitness goals:
“My fitness goal are:
1. lose 10lb, because I gained 10lb. 2. Not eat like a fat freak, because I do that. 3. Tone up my butt and thighs.
I am happy with everything else!
I run a few times a week, weight train and ride my bike like 15-20 miles per week. And somehow I still managed to gain 10lb!” Continue reading →
Spring is nearly here! The birds are chirping, the days are longer, the (supposedly, for those with yards) crocuses are earnestly poking their heads topside. Finally, after months of darkness and wind chill factors, its time to pack away those Michelin Man coats and bust out the gauzy sundresses and seersucker suits of yore.
But wait! While the (alleged) crocus bulbs have been gently napping under the frozen ground, your metabolism has been as well, swaddled in Netflix Instant and sixers from the bodega. Last August’s loose summer clothes now feel like all those sausage casings from the Crif Dog habit you picked up over the winter. As you suddenly regret that ordering that pizza, you know it’s time to hit the gym again.
