Foundation of Fun

More than an indoor-activity center, Gymtime Rhythm and Glues, an 18,000-square-foot-facility, aspires to a greater purpose. â??Gymnastics is the foundation to all sports, said Michael Branciforte, the co-owner of Gymtime with his wife, Bonni. â??A child can take that foundation anywhere and grow with it. The Brancifortes, who have pioneered the field of teaching and entertaining children for more than 30 years, opened Gymtime 22 years ago. A physical education teacher, Michael Branciforte made gymnastics the focus of their program. Later, when the facility formed a partnership with York Avenue Preschool, the program expanded into a full service â??mommy and me preschool and after-school center for children's to the benefit of both institutions. â??We"re continuously expanding and moving into new directions, Bonni Branciforte said. â??Growing with the community 's a different mission from the travel business she once ran. â??Not to say a pre-school or a gymnastic program alone can"t be good. It"s just better joined, her husband added. A hand-selected architect built the space, at East 80th Street and York Avenue, according to the couple"s specifications. The spacious, colorful building features a HEPA air filtration system, energy efficient lighting, allergen free carpeting and environmentally friendly paint. With a diverse range of classes offered at many levels, the Brancifortes knew the staff had to be just as versatile as the program. Two levels of teachers work with the kids, reflecting the differences in teaching toddlers versus 5-year-olds. Classes range from gymnastics, fitness and art to tae kwon do and cooking. Children are given the opportunity to explore all facets of food preparation, including baking, which helps develop motor skills along with the senses of a budding chef. Beyond a business, the Gymtime Foundation has allowed the Brancifortes to support worthy institutions, like The Deirdre Imus Environmental Center for Pediatric Oncology at Hackensack Medical Center and the National Eating Disorders Association. The funds come from an annual benefit carnival hosted by the couple, with 100 percent of proceeds going to fund projects. While hundreds came out for last year"s event, Mother Nature wasn"t so cooperative. It poured. But the Brancifortes were undeterred. â??We moved the carnival inside the Gymtime facilities, Bonni said. â??And it was still [a] huge success. This year"s event is May 16. With more families choosing to stay in Manhattan's surely something the Brancifortes have fostered's Gymtime"s future looks brighter than ever. â??We love this city, we raised our kids here, Bonni said. â??The city has seen big changes in the last decade. It"s transformed into a city where families are welcome. That"s something we"ve supported for a long time.