Toms River, NJ Health and Fitness

In 1976, Joan Barnes—a California mom frustrated with the lack of spaces where she could take her kids for safe and age-appropriate play time—took matters into her own hands and founded Gymboree Play and Music. In the decades since Gymboree’s founding, Joan’s vision of a safe place where youngsters could build confidence and creativity has come to fruition and spread to 30 countries around the globe. Staffed by attentive and expertly trained instructors, each Gymboree outpost adheres to a curriculum of activities designed by experts to foster the development of children's cognitive, physical, and social skills through structured play and close readings of Goodnight Moon. The staffers also conduct entertaining classes for parents, newborns, and children under 1 year that cover subjects ranging from music to sports, imparting valuable lessons of imagination and physical activity to developing minds. To further set apart her business, Barnes employed nationally renowned playground designer Jay Beckwith to design the proprietary play equipment at her centers.

At Community Spine & Pain Center, medical experts combine five types of treatments into a whirlwind of wellness care that eschews the use of surgical and drug-based solutions. The staff combines multiple approaches, from chiropractic services to massage, in an attempt to tackle pain from a variety of angles. Because the multidisciplinary center focuses on treating the cause of ailments rather than the symptoms, the team listens closely to clients before developing a treatment plan. One staff specialty is acupuncture, which the team uses to treat problems that range from shingles to infertility. Those suffering from back pain can turn to massage, during which the therapist’s dexterous digits rub deep into limbs and torsos to knead away tension while promoting circulation in marionettes that want to become real-life humans. Community Spine & Pain Center also offers a number of cosmetic services, including both Restylane and Botox injections.

Not rain, nor sleet, nor dark of night will keep the exercisers from their appointed reps. Physical fitness doesn't operate on a 9-to-5 schedule, which is why the minds behind The Action Room designed their new location with access in mind. Open 24 hours a day, the gym welcomes early birds, night owls, and every non-winged patron in between with a fleet of cardio training equipment. Whether they're simulating a dash up the stairs on an elliptical or testing endurance on a long-distance treadmill jaunt, guests can tailor a personalized workout regimen that fits both their schedule and their fitness goals.

Their original location still hosts its signature classes, of course, with instructors leading everything from ballroom dancing, to Michael Jackson's "Thriller," to Zumba fitness. Those preparing for a wedding or formal touchdown celebration can join a private or group dance lesson to cover all the major ballroom moves. In addition to leading dance-focused classes, the instructors set pupils' hearts pumping during fitness-based classes that include cardio kickboxing, TRX suspension training, and yoga. High-octane "Express Abs" classes prepare bodies for the beach, and tummy-centered Pilates workouts help participants build solid core muscles to deflect any flailing limbs on the dance floor.

With a fleet of two-wheeled cruisers, Shore Riders Bike Rentals equips beach-going guests to explore the boats, shops, and restaurants of Point Pleasant Beach. Its bikes idle, anxiously waiting to be ridden, in the parking lot of a local italian-ice shop and each cycle sports a delectable paint job that brings to mind scoops of strawberry, lime, and derailleur-flavored ice cream. Locks and helmets are included with each rental to ensure safety for both bike and rider.

After amassing degrees from UCLA Dental School and practicing dentistry for more than 20 years, Valerie Barba, DDS, realized her dream of opening her own practice, which she built on the foundation of expert preventive care and smile-brightening cosmetic treatments. Dr. Barba juggles her roles as wife of 21 years, mother to four children, and avid marathon runner with her full-time dental commitments while still finding time to visit local schools to educate children about taking care of their teeth. The good doctor protects precious chompers with emergency procedures, exams, and checkups, and enhances a smile's sparkle with Zoom! whitening treatments and a well-practiced technique in applying porcelain veneers. Her treatments unfold in a pristine spa-like studio where warm light bathes hardwood floors, sun filters through the windows onto cozy leather treatment chairs, and tiny terrycloth robes enshroud each tooth.

Board-certified in podiatric medicine, Dr. Bassem Demian, DPM, has rooted his practice in comprehensive foot and ankle care since 1993. He is an attending physician at two medical institutions, where he cares for feet of all ages, from the bubbly toes of infants to the brittle talons of Jurassic raptors. Dr. Demian also helps people walk away from maladies such as diabetic foot issues, sports injuries, and bunions.