Pure Physique Raises Money for Wounded Soldier

• via Pure Physique:

Pure Physique, the personal training in Shrub Oak hosted a “Train the Trainer” fundraiser on March 26 to benefit a wounded U.S. Veteran through Hope for the Warriors this past Saturday. The goal was to raise $2,000 for an Army Sergeant First Class, whose name is being withheld. He was wounded in Iraq and is now blind and suffers from traumatic brain injury (TBI), blood clots and othermuscular-skeletal injuries.

The money would go toward a treadmill system, which his physical therapy team has recommended as the best option for his fitness goals. The equipment is not covered by insurance. 

Pure Physique's fundraiser was able to collect the $2,000 needed for the treadmill, and they also raised an additional $900. Staff members described the fundraising event as "unexpected," "incredible" and "astonishing."

During the two-hour long fundraiser, people had the opportunity to bid on exercises which owner, personal trainer and author Michael Lipowski performed. People were able to contribute by donating a specific dollar amount ($1 or more) for each repetion performed during any particular exercise. Most of the exercises and weight loads used were decided in advance. To make things fair he used his maximum or close to maximum training weights.

“I just thought about what our soldiers fight through day in and day out to get the job done and it only reinforced my need to suck it up and get on with it," he said of getting food poisoning the night before and being sick. 

The crowd was encouraging as he began the first exercise—squats with 265 lbs which he did 20 reps of.

Personal trainer/nutritionist Dawn Robertson did some training of her own and earned more donations.

62-year-old Pure Physique member Don Sinkov also participated and donated money. He set personal challenges to both personal trainers and himself participated in a push-up contest, doing 50. 

A Yorktown resident, who stopped by as the fundraiser was starting, told the front desk that he wanted to make a donation but did not wish to leave his name. He had left $500 in the envelope, staff said to their surprise.

"His gesture was very moving and speaks to the goodness that resides in people," said Barbara Nicotra-Burroni, the studio's manager. "At a time where many people are concerned about their own survival in a down economy—and rightfully so—this man and everyone else who contributed this day demonstrated how selfless they can be when those who have been unfortunately or tragically affected need our help."