Parisi Speed School Opens in Wantagh's World Gym

Wantagh's World Gym Fitness Center has struggled to find an interactive program to implement fitness for youths, but according to program director Liz Burkhard, Parisi Speed School has changed that for the better.

Since opening in the Park Avenue fitness facility last month, Parisi Speed School has acquired nearly 30 active members focused on performance enhancement and youth and adult sports conditioning.

"We offer training based on the athlete's strengths and weaknesses," said Burkhard, a 2004 graduate of Wantagh High School who played women's lacrosse at Marist. "When they first come in, we do an evaluation where we go over our warmup and do a complete running analysis. After that, we go over a series of tests with them that measure their acceleration, lower body strength, upper body strength and endurance and flexibilty."

Parisi Speed School was founded by All American track star Bill Parisi in 1992 as his career ended and he saw serious limitations in the way upcoming athletes were training. In more recent years, the institute developed into a nationwide franchise.

Burkhard told Patch their attempts of a children's gymnasium wasn't quite as successful as they hoped, but the implementation of Parsi Speed School introduced a whole new realm for younger athletes.

"It's a real self confidence booster, especially for the younger members," Burkhard said. "When you constantly see yourself doing well and growing, you feel better about your self. It boosts a self images and instills healthy habits."

Parisi Speed School is open to both active members and non-members of World Gym. For more information on the school and its services, see their website here.