Thanks to Jake Steinfeld, former Slater School wood shop becomes ‘Don’t Quit’ fitness center

Jonathan Bissonnette photos/The Times

Above, Jake Steinfeld cheers on Slater students as they exercise on the new equipment. Below, at right, Steinfeld discusses the ‘Don’t Quit’ fitness center, as Mayor Donald R. Grebien and Slater Junior High physical education and health teacher Brian Kampper both listen.

PAWTUCKET — Jake Steinfeld views himself as Santa Claus, but with a 34-inch waist rather than the rotund belly we’re accustomed to seeing on Saint Nick. On Monday morning, Christmas came early to students at Samuel Slater Junior High School, as the fitness icon brought with him a bag stuffed full with exercise equipment and tidings of health and happiness.

Steinfeld, the chairman of the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils and the founder of “Body by Jake,” was on hand at the Mineral Spring Avenue middle school to cut the ribbon on the school’s new $100,000 “Don’t Quit” fitness center.

Steinfeld’s hope was that by delivering this $100,000 center – which was financed through partnerships with corporate giants including The Coca-Cola Company, Nike, and Anthem Foundation – the teenagers and pre-teens at Slater would see the benefits of physical activity, which could lead to long-term success.

He knows of what he speaks and he can relate to the message he was imparting on the students. That’s because when the 61-year-old Steinfeld was in seventh grade, he was an “overweight kid with a bad stutter.” When his father purchased him a set of weights, it began a transformation that changed him into becoming one of the most successful fitness entrepreneurs in the country.

As he grew, Steinfeld had visions of becoming the winner of the Mr. America bodybuilding competition. But he grew leery of using steroids to enhance his physical stature, so he instead opted to make personal fitness his occupation.

“Life is about moments … I felt it was important to give back,” he said. That occupation quickly grew into a passion to deliver fitness centers to schools across the country. With the arrival of the “Don’t Quit” fitness center in Pawtucket on Monday morning, Steinfeld’s organization now has 143 centers in 29 states.

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