MAINE PINES OPERATES as a full-service tennis and fitness facility. On the tennis side, it offers two types of tennis membership, guest fees, clinics and lessons, USTA league play, senior scrambles, tournaments, socials and mixers, and junior tennis programs for all ages and levels.
ROB MANTER, owner of Maine Pines Racquet & Fitness in Brunswick, originally joined the facility in 1987 as director of tennis. He worked in that capacity until 1998 when he purchased the six-indoor court facility. Upon purchasing the business, Manter made numerous changes, including resurfacing the courts, installing new lockers in the locker rooms, building a new reception area, and adding a fitness component to the club.
CURRENTLY, MAINE PINES has approximately 650 members, and in addition, many more participants in various programs. Roughly 250 on the fitness side and the remainder on the tennis side.
A. Yes, that is correct. Maine Pines was built in 1974 and operated purely as a tennis facility.
The current owner, Rob Manter, joined the tennis facility in 1987 as director of tennis. He worked in that capacity until 1998 when he purchased the six-indoor court facility, officially signing the paperwork on April 1, 1998.
Upon purchasing the facility, Manter made numerous changes, including resurfacing the courts, installing new lockers in the locker rooms, building a new reception area, and adding a fitness component to the club which included the addition of a cardio room, strength training area and the area’s largest aerobics studio. Recently, a yoga studio was added to the facility.
All the changes paid off with a significant increase in membership during a short time.
Q. Please list all the services you offer. Name and describe three or four of your more popular programs that people participate in?
A. Today, Maine Pines operates as a full-service tennis and fitness facility.
On the tennis side, we offer two types of tennis membership, guest fees, clinics and lessons, USTA league play, senior scrambles, tournaments, socials and mixers, and junior tennis programs for all ages and levels. We have tennis programs for every age group and one can become as involved as they desire.
Some of our most popular programs in tennis include the USTA league tennis, which is a nationwide program run by the USTA that offers local competitive league play for adult players in men’s, women’s, mixed and senior divisions.
Our junior tennis program is equally strong, offering tennis programs for ages 5 to 18 at varying levels of play. Our MPTA Level I and II programs cater to extremely committed players who wish to play collegiate tennis, while our MPTA Level III program is designed for players who may have had some experience with tennis, but are interested in improving their level of play in order to play high school tennis and possibly college tennis.
For the younger children, our USTA 10 & Under program (ages 5 to 10) uses the Quick- Start Tennis play format to teach kids how to rally and play real tennis shortly after picking up a racquet.
Without question, we are one of the most active tennis facilities in the country.
On the fitness side, we feel strongly that diversity is the key to helping folks reach their goals and get the results they want. We offer group fitness classes that include aerobics/step, interval, tone and sculpt, spinning, zumba, SilverSneakers and yoga.
Currently, we have 42 group fitness classes on the schedule, most of which are held in our 1,600-square-foot aerobics studio, while the yoga classes are held in our new bamboo-floor studio on the second floor. All of our group fitness classes, including yoga, are included as part of one’s membership and cater to all fitness levels.
We also offer baby-sitting, fitness challenges, and personal training. On the first floor, the weight room features Cybex machines and a full array of free weights. On the second floor, we have a full cardiovascular room with equipment such as ellipticals, treadmills, steppers, bikes, arc trainer and rower.
Our newest program called SilverSneakers has really taken off since its implementation in 2009. SilverSneakers is a fun, energetic exercise program for older adults. The program offers customized classes designed for older adults who want to improve strength, flexibility, endurance and balance.
SilverSneakers encourages folks to be physically active as well as providing a social environment for them. We started the program in October 2009 with two classes in our upstairs yoga studio and have seen it grow substantially to eight classes in our large aerobics room.
The great part of the program is that with the right insurance SilverSneakers is free of charge. For those folks without the correct insurance, Maine Pines offers a low cost membership of $28 per month for the classes and use of the cardio room. This program has proven that it is never too late to start an exercise program and see wonderful benefits.
Q. How many members do you have? What types of memberships are available and what do they cost?
A. At this time Maine Pines has approximately 650 members, and in addition, many more participants in various programs. Roughly 250 on the fitness side and the remainder on the tennis side.
Tennis has two membership types — court fee and gold card. A court fee membership is recommended for the player who plays one-to- two times per week, and would include payment of applicable court fees. A gold card membership is recommended for high-use players and would be subject to no court fees. Both memberships include full fitness privileges.
Court Fee Membership: Primary member rate, $59/month; spouse rate, $51/month; Non-EFT (electronic fund transfer) and summer members, add $10 to the EFT rates; add $4/month for fitness classes.
Gold Card Membership: Primary member rate, $118/month; spouse rate, $110/month; add $4/month for fitness classes.
On the fitness side, there are also two types of memberships — monthly (EFT) membership and over the counter rates for different lengths of time. We also offer teen membership options as well.
Since we have a large array of discounted options for spouses, seniors (55-plus), military/corporate, family and student rates, I would encourage interested parties to visit our website at www.mainepines.com for complete pricing information. We also encourage folks to visit us for complete tours of the facility.
Q. The Mid-coast region has several outstanding fitness facilities. What sets you apart from the others?
A. The fitness industry is a highly competitive market in many regions and the Mid-coast area is no different.
The type of competition can vary from full-service, specialty facilities such as yoga or spin studios, lowpriced competitors who offer equipment use and weight use with no group fitness classes, to clubs catering to specific markets, such as women-only facilities, private business facilities, to nonprofit facilities.
Maine Pines Racquet & Fitness operates as a full-service club providing programs and services to individuals seeking motivation and resultsoriented goals. Our group fitness classes speak volumes for providing a fun, motivating and social environment. We are the only club in this area that has all group fitness classes, including spinning and yoga, included as part of membership.
In addition we have a first-class staff with highly experienced instructors, tennis pros, and front desk staff who are knowledgeable, friendly, and go out of their way to help members reach their goals.
Q. Why is exercise and staying fit so important?
A. Exercise and staying fit and healthy are a lifelong commitment where benefits can be found in the way people feel both physically and mentally.
The fitness industry has conducted a list of the 101 reasons why people should exercise, and the number one reason is to help one more effectively manage stress. However, the list goes on and on in terms of the health benefits, as well as the ability to lower health risks from diseases.
The hardest part for folks is incorporating exercise into their lifestyles. It doesn’t just happen. You must make the time and incorporate it into your everyday living. Those who do will reap the benefits.
Q. What is your philosophy/belief for obtaining the best results from exercising? Do you help program participants focus on nutrition?
A. The key to obtaining the best results from exercise is diversity and making it fun. Change up the routine and incorporate all of the above: cardio, tone and sculpt, and stretching.
Tennis is also a great workout and one of the healthiest sports that is fun and can be played for a lifetime.
Doing the same exercise program day in and day out is fine if you are maintaining your level of fitness, but if you are looking for more results — the key is to change it up. Group fitness is a very social environment and provides a higher level of enjoyment versus using a piece of cardio equipment, so we encourage all our members to take classes.
We do try to incorporate nutrition in our weight loss programs, and we provide information on nutrition at the club on an ongoing basis because nutrition and exercise go hand in hand. A person trying to lose weight needs to change their calorie intake in order to see results. However, the key is eating healthy in moderation.
There are so many fad diets on the market today that force people to drastically change eating habits that can be harmful to their health and allow for only temporary results.
Q. Please talk about your staff and the roles they serve.
A. We have an incredibly qualified staff, organized and enthusiastic, and always happy to help.
Megan Garascia is the hub as the operations director at the front desk. Sandra MacMillan is the marketing director and fitness department manager. Reggie Hodges, an all- American tennis player at Kansas University, is the tennis director and head of the tennis academy — a program for high-level juniors.
Scott White is the director of tennis development who handles all game improvement programs for beginner and intermediate juniors and adults. Cinda Holbach, a former No. 1 for the University of North Carolina and NCAA Division I runnerup, also teaches here at Maine Pines.
We have fabulous instructors on the fitness side as well. Amy Alexander, Brenda McAleer, Barry O’Neil, Heather Preston-Weeks, Maureen Sullivan, Ida Messerman, Shirsten Lundblad, Patti Lanigan and Rosina Tenenbaum are just some of them.
Jessica Bailey is the yoga director, and we have many extremely qualified yoga instructors as well, including Dennis and Ann Kimmage, Hoa Tran, Shannon Elliott, Kara Douglas, Margaret Martin and Tanya Chasse.
Q. It has been reported many times that typically right after the holidays — and with people thinking of a New Year’s resolution — that memberships often increase at fitness places. But then after a short time, a large number of people stop exercising. What do you do to encourage your members to stick with the program?
A. Yes, that is true. Right after the holidays most clubs do see a spike in the number of new memberships, and some of those folks will stop exercising if they are not seeing the benefits or reaching the goals that brought them to the club in the first place.
At Maine Pines, our goal it to get new members comfortable here at the club and involved in exercise programs where they can see and feel the results.
We offer two free orientations to all new members to introduce them to our cardio and weight equipment, as well as make suggestions for classes to get them started.
We also offer special personal training programs to help those folks who need more one-on-one attention.
Q. How has the exercise industry changed over the years, with the latest fads, etc.?
A. The fitness industry has certainly seen its fair share of fads over the years. And though the fads can be fun while they are popular, they are not areas that clubs should invest great deals of money.
The key is to concentrate on the trends in the industry rather than the fads. For instance, interval/circuit training is very popular today. More and more people are realizing the benefits of a cardio/weight training workout to get the best results.
Q. How has the closing of Brunswick Naval Air Station affected your business? Also, taking into account the state of the economy the last three or four years, has that hurt your membership numbers?
A. As with most businesses in the area, Maine Pines has certainly felt some affect from the closing of the Brunswick Naval Air Station. The air station had its own fitness facility, however; we had a number of Navy wives who would frequent the club, especially with the convenience of our baby-sitting hours.
Even so, I am pleased to say our membership numbers have actually grown over the last few years despite the closing of the base or the state of the economy, which is a tribute to people’s value of exercise for their overall well-being. Normally under tough economic conditions, people see fitness memberships as an easy savings, but soon realize they don’t feel as good as they did when they were exercising.
Remember that the number one reason to exercise is to manage stress, so during stressful times more exercise is the key rather than no exercise.
Q. Do you have future plans for the business?
A. We are excited to have Select Physical Therapy operating out of our facility and bringing a wealth of orthopedic and sports experience. The team consists of Steve Vance, CHT, and Eric Gosselin, PT, ATC/L, CSCS — bringing 40 years of combined experience.
Select Physical Therapy will be a good fit for both Maine Pines members and Select Physical Therapy clients. Members will have easy access to Select Physical Therapy, which offers free assessments on orthopedic-related issues. This allows the general public direct access to discuss their specific injuries or concerns.
Select’s clientele will have access to Maine Pines equipment with their therapist and, when discharged from their physical therapy, they will be offered an introductory reduced-rate membership at Maine Pines to either progress back to or start incorporating exercise into their lifestyles.
We have a new space over Select Physical Therapy that we are currently formulating a plan for. We will continue to strive to improve our customers’ experience and access to high-quality services.
Q. What is your contact information, such as your location, telephone numbers, website, email address? What are the hours of operation?
A. Maine Pines Racquet & Fitness is located on the Harpswell Road just past Bowdoin College. Our contact information is as follows:
Maine Pines Racquet & Fitness
120 Harpswell Road
Brunswick, ME 04011
Phone: (207) 729-8433
Web: www.mainepines.com
Email: sandramac@gwi.net
Maine Pines operates under winter hours (October through June) and under summer hours (June through October). They are as follows:
Winter (October-June)
- Monday through Thursday, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Friday, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Saturday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Summer (June-October)
- Monday through Thursday, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Friday, 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Saturday, 7 a.m. to noon
- Sunday, 8 a.m. to noon
- Select Physical Therapy
Center manager: Eric Gosselin
Phone: (207) 729-4998
Fax: (207) 729-6225
Web: www.selectphysicaltherapy.com/markets/maine.aspx
Email: elgosselin@selectmedical.com
Q. Is there anything else you would like to add?
A. We have some great spring specials going on now at Maine Pines. In preparation for the summer months, folks can get fit and healthy with our 4-Month Fitness Special for $125.
We also have a new program for personal training to help folks who have fallen off track with their New Year’s resolutions. It is called the Get Back on Track Workout, which offers 10- to 30-minute sessions with a personal trainer (two times a week) for five weeks focusing on metabolic and interval workout exercises for $225.
Maine Pines is truly a club with something for everyone. Just tell us your goals and we can help you get started.
pgabrion@timesrecord.com
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