LIBERTY – “Twenty-six years ago, I threw my 180-page business plan in the garbage and had given up! My daughter grabbed it from the trash can and said, ‘mom, you have to do this.” Twenty-seven years later, here I am.  It’s like a little flower that grew,” shared Fracasse.  

Local residents probably couldn’t imagine Liberty without Cindy Fracasse and Liberty Fitness Center (LFC). The gym has been a long-time staple in the community for years. Last Friday, Facasse taught her final class, a mix of step aerobics, stretching, Tai Chi, and a cool down. And in true friendly fashion, she invited two instructors to guest-teach a portion of the class. 

The Democrat arrived at the studio before class began and after excusing herself to prepare the music selection for the class, within 20 minutes, friends and participants started to file in to take one last “step” with Cindy before she headed off into retirement. She referred to the gym as her “fifth child.” 

The students in Cindy’s classes have been more like family for a long time, with many of them attending her classes for twenty-plus years. Everyone in the class is over 60 years old and still remain active because of Cindy’s aerobics classes. Mary Threatt has known Fracasse and been a member of LFC for 27 years. She attended Cindy’s very first class. “It’s been a pleasure to know Cindy all these years, she’s a great instructor. I’ll miss Cindy, and I hope she’ll come back to see us again. Fracasse has already made it known that she will in fact, be back to sub for classes now and then, much to the pleasure of her students. 

Pat Kislowski had lung cancer and emphyzema. She shared, “Cindy encouraged me to come here and take the classes, I didn’t think I could do it. She’s [Cindy’s] amazing, amazing.” Kislowski at 79, isn’t Fracasse’s oldest student. Ann Higgins, who did not attend that day, is 96 years young. The future of LFC is in good hands.

 It has found new ownership under Nick Delury, boxer, businessman, entrepreneur, and owner of Westchester Boxing Club. 

“Since opening the gym in 2002, Cindy has been more than just a business owner — she has been a pillar in Liberty. With vision, resilience, and an open heart, she transformed Liberty Fitness Center into far more than a gym. One cannot talk about fitness in Liberty, without honoring the beloved and longtime owner of The Liberty Fitness Center, Cindy Fracasse. 

We are deeply honored to carry forward her legacy and the lasting impact she has made on this community,” Nick Delury, new owner, The Liberty Gym.