By Diane Dobry
Resolution Time
It’s January—the time of year when all the parties, feasts, and champagne toasts come to an end. Many people have made resolutions to get back in shape and are looking for a place that offers the best options to meet their goals. New Slate Fitness Club in Schoharie, an all-encompassing facility designed for general fitness enthusiasts, competitive athletes, and CrossFitters, is one such place.
The New Slate Story
CEO Dalai Wu originally wanted to open two locations—one in Sharon Springs as a personal-training-only facility and another in Middleburgh offering general fitness options. Sharon Springs was opened and equipped within six weeks in May of 2014, after then Mayor Doug Plummer proposed a business relationship.
At that time, Matthew Avitabile, then Mayor of Middleburgh, proposed three locations in the Village, but for various reasons, none worked out. Two years later, the Sharon Springs location closed while Wu invested in what is now Westchester Gym in Elmsford, NY. Wu, who always wanted to return to Schoharie, was eventually contacted by State Assemblyman Chris Tague and Elizabeth Farr, both parishioners at the former St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. The church had been sold in 2009 and suffered flood damage from Hurricane Irene in 2011. Tague and Farr suggested Wu take a look at the building, which they believed had the largest commercial footprint in the county at that time, excluding local strip malls.
Body and Soul
A Manhattan native, Wu chose to locate the Club in Schoharie because the lifestyle here matched his enthusiasm for outdoor fitness activities. He even lived in a tent in Carlisle in the summer of 2022 until temperatures dropped to 30˚ in November. With the same kind of determination required to sustain that outdoor experience, he set out to create a business that would “benefit the community with a facility fully loaded with exceptionally varied pieces of only new commercial equipment.” The church had the space for that.
Once the agreement was finalized, Wu worked with local contractors to repair the flood damage and bring the building up to code. With an education in industrial design and past experience as a pro tennis player and bodybuilder, Wu carefully selected the equipment and designed an efficient layout with a color scheme that complemented the stained-glass windows of the church. The nave, where the congregation once sat, now houses 20 Cybex machines, power racks, a Dynamic CrossFit rig, adjustable benches, bumper plates, dumbbells to 100 pounds, functional training equipment, agility turf, Precor AMTs and treadmills, rowers, Assault bikes, and, perhaps with a nod to the Bible, a Jacob’s Ladder. The 24/7/365 private member-only club debuted with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 19, 2018.
Member Response
Members have shared positive feedback online. One wrote, “Loved the layout and the paint scheme, the green color along with the light from the windows is a very welcoming experience. It doesn't feel cramped, and every nook and corner has been maintained with thought and pride.” Another added, “Awesome privately owned gym in what used to be a church. Great layout, perfectly maintained machines, and a nice assortment of equipment, and always clean and quiet.”
A female member emphasized the club’s accessibility: “Wouldn’t go anywhere else!.... Being able to come 24/7 365 days no matter what is awesome too! Owner is so friendly and kind, he makes you feel really welcome… I always feel safe here no matter what, which is a top priority for me.”
COVID Protocols
In 2020, the world turned upside down, and New Slate Fitness, like all fitness facilities in New York, was forced to close while protocols for reopening were developed. Wu noted that the pandemic showed that 20% of the American population pays for some type of fitness facility membership, prompting government action to reopen fitness centers.
New Slate’s existing practices, such as paper towels and cleaning sprays at each station and between machines, already fulfilled CDC guidelines. The only additional measure was disinfectant trays for outdoor shoes and other shoes worn only inside. Wu said, “We did not have to make any adjustments except opening the doors. Unique to our facility, we limited occupancy to 15% instead of the required 33%, making the six-foot rule irrelevant.”
Members Jim Taku and Billy Clayton highlighted cleanliness as a key reason for their loyalty since joining. Clayton said, “I’ve stayed since 2018 because it’s never failed to maintain the same level of cleanliness it had on the day I joined.” Taku added, “The club is immaculate, spotless, and has great equipment.”
Surviving the Shutdown
The Club was required to close on March 16, 2020, and not permitted to open again until November 9, 2020, which was a significant financial blow. In a private, member-only club, people are billed for blocks of time—3, 6, or 12 months--instead of being billed monthly. So, when they returned, members could have anywhere from days and weeks up to 12 months available before having to renew. In addition, Wu explained that private fitness clubs throughout the nation did not receive any PPP moneys based on most hiring private contractors rather than paid employees.
Despite the 15-month dry spell, New Slate Fitness Club survived thanks to Wu’s commitment to the community. He used his personal funds to maintain the building, including paying taxes and electricity. While reports showed that 50% of privately owned fitness facilities in New York and New Jersey expected not to reopen after the shutdown, New Slate Fitness is still open because of Wu’s dedication to keeping it running; “The lights have never been turned off in the building since the Club first opened,” he stated.
No Retreat, No Surrender
Wu’s perseverance is not new. Before coming to Schoharie, he was bedridden for five years due to botched back surgery. A “miracle surgical repair” performed by his former tennis practice partner, now a neurosurgeon, helped him recover, and he has since undergone more than 10 orthopedic procedures. Now pain-free, Wu has almost fully regained his desired strength and fitness levels.
Club member Billy Clayton is inspired by Wu, saying, “Dalai has always been extremely knowledgeable and helpful on my journey through getting and staying in shape.” Wu says, “If I can do it at my age, I believe anyone can do it.”
New Slate Fitness Club is located at 333 Main Street in Schoharie, NY. Find out more on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NewSlateFitness/ To schedule a tour, call: 518-284-7022.
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