Trainer opens studio doors to special trio
Autistic youngsters get attention during weekly session in Marlboro
BY REBECCA MORTON Staff Writer
Three young men who might not otherwise gone to a gym each week have been getting a weekly session at The Training Studio, Route 79 in Marlboro.

ERIC SUCAR staff Tyler Risley, 14, performs a bridge exercise during his weekly workout at The Training Studio, Marlboro. Tyler and two other youngsters who have autism have been working with trainer Mike Hanley to improve their strength and conditioning.

Mike Hanley, owner of The Training Studio, has been working with three local boys who are autistic. The boys work out together during a 45-minute session each Wednesday. A few years ago Hanley, a resident of Belmar, worked with a high school student who was also autistic.

"At the time it was probably one of the most enjoyable sessions that I had on my schedule," Hanley said.

He enjoyed working with the high school student so much that he knew he wanted to do more in the future.

Stacey Rothman, a local speech therapist, was one of Hanley's clients at the Marlboro facility. Rothman works with the boys on their speech skills. The two started talking about the possibility of bringing Rothman's students in for training sessions and teaching them how to be healthy.

PHOTOS BY ERIC SUCAR staff Josh Goldberg, 10, breaks into a smile after completing part of his workout at The Training Studio in Marlboro. Josh and two other youths who have autism work with trainer Mike Hanley (c) each week.

Not long after that conversation, Marlboro residents Brian Sosonka, 14, and Josh Goldberg, 10, and Manalapan resident Tyler Risley, 14, were spending their Wednesday afternoons getting in shape. Hanley leads the boys through basic exercise movements including jumping jacks, a favorite of all three of the participants.

When the boys arrived at the gym on Feb. 18 they could not wait to take off their coats and get started. Brian immediately hopped onto a treadmill, while Tyler jumped on a stationary bicycle to warm up. Josh, who had never been on a treadmill before, quickly got the hang of it, which impressed Hanley.

During a break in their exercise routine, Tyler said he has fun coming to the training facility. At the end of the session the boys were able to pick which activity they wanted to attempt. Josh took a turn on the stationary bicycle while Brian and Tyler started jumping rope.

Brian Sosonka, 14, flexes his muscles during his workout.

Randi Goldberg, Josh's mother, said that since the program started Josh wakes up every Wednesday excited and looking forward to his time at The Training Studio. She said she was happily surprised when Hanley offered his time and the studio space to the boys.

"For someone to make time in this day and age, it's wonderful," Goldberg said of Hanley.

Although she initially expected Josh to be tired by the end of the workout, Goldberg said the opposite is true and she has seen him have more energy.

Barbara Sosonka said she had been concerned with Brian's weight, but has seen a difference since he started working with Hanley. Sosonka called the program fabulous. She noted that Brian is a member of his middle school's track team and said he enjoys the interaction with his teammates.

Randi Risley said she enjoys seeing how Hanley interacts with the boys and especially how he has conversations with the boys as he would have with anyone else. She said it is great for all three boys to be together.

Rothman has tied aspects of health into her language lessons with the boys and has them describe how they have been living healthier lives. The speech therapist is also pleased to see her students interacting with one another. She said they want to spend time together outside of the gym.

The Training Studio is currently undergoing an expansion, but Hanley said he hopes to have more classes in the future to give something back to the community. He said he likes to pass on his knowledge about strength training as his mentors did for him.

"I think giving back what was freely given to you is a gratifying thing. I think that in this day and age, the country kind of needs it," Hanley said.