SACO — A new extension to the Mainely Kidz physical therapy services will bridge the gap between fitness and physical therapy.

Mainely Kidz, located at 895 Saco Ave., provides physical, speech and occupational therapy services for children.

Physical therapist Jen Corbeil, who founded the center in 2004, said after children complete physical therapy, if they don’t stay active they can regress.

To help bridge this gap, Corbeil is adding a gym to her facility.

Ground was broken on Aug. 11 for the expansion, and the addition is expected to be completed by December, said Corbeil.

“Fitness and pediatric therapy are both passions of mine,” said Corbeil, and it’s exciting to be able to provide services in both areas.

The gym will include an anti-gravity treadmill and TRX Rip Training resistance equipment, she said.

Although the gym will be focused mainly on children, there will be some adult programs as well, and it will be affiliated with the MOG Group, a national, medically oriented gym company.

Corbeil said she plans to have group classes for adults with Parkinson’s disease as well as programs for overweight and obese children and early training for prosthetics.

“Imagine a child with autism, a twenty-something wounded warrior, and a 70-year-old with Parkinson’s disease all working out,” she said.

Corbeil said family gym memberships will be available so families can make exercise part of their routine together. She said she wants to teach people that working out can be fun and doesn’t have to be a chore.

The gym would the first of its kind in the area, said Corbeil.

Corbeil said while there is a MOG Group gym in South Portland, it has limited services for children.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or [email protected].