‘The Next Level of Recovery’
Former NFL player Arthur Jones helped found the first wellness and recovery facility in Syracuse
By Courtney Kless
Arthur Jones spent eight seasons in the National Football League, winning a Super Bowl title in 2013 with the Baltimore Ravens, before announcing his retirement in 2018.
It was during this time that former teammate (and Hall of Famer) Ray Lewis introduced him to a new concept.
“He said, ‘Hey Art, I want to show you how to take care of your body and how to recover!’ And he took me to a place like this. I fell in love with it. I’m pretty sure it added a few extra years to my career.”
Jones would eventually turn that newfound passion into a business, helping found the Recovery Lounge, which opened in late 2019 in the Towne Center at Fayetteville. It is the only facility of its kind in Syracuse.
“It was something that my fiancé and I believed in, and we just went all in,” said Jones.
The Recovery Lounge currently offers five services (and you don’t have to be an athlete to take advantage of them): personal training; float therapy; infrared saunas (which use light to target muscles); compression therapy (NormaTec sleeves that use air to massage muscles and circulate blood throughout the body); and cryotherapy.
“[Cryotherapy] is a little bit different than like a traditional ice bath,” said Jones. “With an ice bath, you’re actually getting wet. This is like a dry cold…It’s really the next level of recovery. It’s great for anti-aging, inflammation, swelling.”
Memberships are available, but the Recovery Lounge also accepts walk-ins.
“We believe in having empathy and compassion and really getting to know our clients and letting the modality speak for itself,” said Jones.
For more information, visit therecoverylounge.org.
Get Air Trampoline Park Adds Location, Destiny USA Extends Tykes Tuesday
Are you looking for some ways to keep your children entertained this summer? A new family-friendly attraction recently opened at Destiny USA.
Get Air Trampoline Park offers a variety of activities, including trampolines, dodgeball, slamball, a foam pit, a ninja course, and a kiddie court. It is located on the third level of the mall, near WonderWorks and Apex Entertainment.
Destiny USA also recently announced that it has extended its Tykes Tuesday program through August.
Held each week from noon-2 p.m., it features free activities for families. This month’s themes are: Little Ray’s Nature Centre Wildlife Education Day (Aug. 2); Destiny USA 10th Anniversary Birthday Bash (Aug. 9); Syracuse University Day (Aug. 16); The Reading League Day (Aug. 23); and Get Air Jump Around Day (Aug. 30).
“It’s not summer in Syracuse without Tykes Tuesday,” said Alannah Gallagher, director of marketing at Destiny USA, in a press release. “By expanding the program to nine weeks, we are able to meet the growing demand for family-friendly programming by providing more fun and enriching activities to the community in an indoor, cool environment we know families love. We look forward to seeing families enjoying the rest of the season with us.”
Hofmann Dog Haus Opens at Rosamond Gifford Zoo
The Rosamond Gifford Zoo has a new addition.
The Hofmann Dog Haus recently opened in zoo’s courtyard. It replaces the Courtyard Café, and sells beverages, pretzels, ice cream treats, and, of course, hot dogs and sausages.
“We are incredibly excited to bring a community favorite to the zoo for our guests to enjoy,” said Friends Executive Director Carrie Large in a press release. “Our goal is to bring together the very best our community has to offer and make it available for our guests – many visiting us from Buffalo, Rochester and Albany and beyond – right here at the zoo. We are proud to partner with Hofmann, a highly regarded regional and national treasure. As always, the proceeds go to benefit the animals under our care and conservation education.”
The Hofmann Hot Dog Haus is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
For more information, visit rosamondgiffordzoo.org.
Oneida County History Center Announces Historical Selfie Scavenger Hunt
The Historical Selfie Scavenger Hunt is returning for its sixth year.
Beginning Friday, Aug.5, families can visit monuments, markers, and historical sites around Oneida County or in the Utica area, taking a photo or selfie at each. There is no cost to participate.
Clue sheets and instructions can be picked up at the History Center – they are also available at oneidacountyhistory.org. Entries must be received by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 31.
For more information, visit oneidacountyhistory.org.
For more community news, visit communityguide.familytimescny.com/article.
To submit a news item, email courtneyk@familytimescny.com.
