Troy, NY Health and Fitness

At Alternative Health Services Massage Therapy, massage therapists understand their clients' desires to escape life's daily doldrums and provide a relaxing space of total tranquility. The spa's menu features almost 10 different types of massage, including both therapeutic and energy-based treatments. Add-ons such as aromatherapy and reiki enhance massages in private treatment rooms, where licensed and experienced therapists trade in scripted massages for custom techniques, varied pressures, and a trashcan to throw away excess muscle knots.

At Eye Health Center of Troy, licensed and board-certified eye doctors carefully tune peepers for optimal performance with comprehensive eye exams, finely crafted lenses, and fashionable frames. After training as an undergraduate in Lucknow, India, ophthalmologist Pamela Kaw immigrated to the U.S. to focus her studies on optical infections and tend to patients of all ages and visual impairments. Along with fellow eye specialists Tom Feiden and Linda Haughney, Dr. Kaw peeks into soul windows with comprehensive inspections before recommending one of several technologically advanced lens options. After settling on a prescription, doctors assist patients in dressing their pupils with stylish frames and 3-D monocles from designers such as Armani Exchange, Vera Bradley, or Kensie.

It’s said that the human mind has problems visualizing large numbers. So it might be hard to conjure an image of the 700,000 athletes Athletic Republic Clifton Park has trained in their 22-year history. Or even the 2,500 of their students who went on to compete professionally. Instead, it's probably easier to think about the proprietary equipment that fills Athletic Republic’s red-walled gym. There's the super treadmill, which reaches speeds of 28 mph in less than three seconds and inclines up to 40 degrees. There’s a hockey treadmill that angles blades up a slope, boosting skaters' power and agility. And there are conditioning cords that add resistance to common moves from many sports, including baseball, golf, and soccer.

This innovative approach to athletic training has its roots in John Frappier’s time with the US National Team during the 1986 Goodwill Games. After losing repeatedly to the Soviet Union athletes, he discovered the need to improve his team’s training methods, including the machines they worked out on. The technology he developed is still used by Athletic Republic’s certified trainers in group camps and classes, one-on-one training sessions, and carefully synchronized treadmill dances.