Annette O'Neill, owner of Vitality Fitness and a village resident, always wanted to bring her business to Ridgewood.

"I love the charm of the downtown and now my location is such a cozy retreat," she said.

O'Neill first opened Vitality Fitness in Hawthorne in 2002 after instructing a small group for a couple of years. Her objective is to give clients "the means to be healthy, fit, and feel beautifully strong and confident in their bodies," she says. "I have a passion for helping others understand how to use what they have in their power."

Vitality Fitness became a family operation in October 2010 when O'Neill's daughter, Tara O'Neill Clarke, became her business partner.

"Tara helps me in all aspects of the business," O'Neill said. Tara is a certified personal trainer and also serves as an exercise instructor at Vitality Fitness.

Vitality Fitness moved to Ridgewood last February.

"It was always my goal to bring the business to Ridgewood," said O'Neill, who has been a village resident since 1985. "I live on a historical street in a house built in 1898 that is within walking distance to downtown," she said. "I love the old-world charm, the new world chic, and the diversity of the people."

O'Neill also coordinates activities in the community.

"My passion for running led me to co-create The Abbington Track Club, a cross-country running program for children in Ridgewood," she said.

A registered dietician with a master's degree in nutrition and dietetics from New York University, O'Neill is also certified as a personal trainer and as an instructor in Pilates and senior fitness.

Entire families are often customers at Vitality Fitness. O'Neill said that women predominantly attend classes, but the facility also has a significant male following. Trained competitive athletes and dancers also make up part of Vitality Fitness's clientele.

Some of the issues that clients want to address when consulting Vitality Fitness include weight gain or loss, increased muscle, improved stamina and illness prevention. O'Neill said her workouts are appropriate for everyone. Routines include strengthening, flexibility and coordination training and cardio.

O'Neill takes satisfaction in hearing clients' success stories, many of which come from people who suffered health ailments.

"I love when I hear other clients share how proud they are of their improved tennis or golf game [or] ability to ski with their teens with strength and stamina," she said.

O'Neill's style is attentive to the individuality of each client.

"My nutrition practice is completely personalized as there is no cookie-cutter program that works for all," O'Neill said.

The nature and design of Vitality Fitness is what makes it unique, according to O'Neill.

"The combination of nutrition and mind-body exercise, set in a stress-free cozy, chic décor, along with caring support, sets us apart from large impersonal fitness facilities," she said.

Managing one's daily routine is vital to achieving good health, according to O'Neill. "Good nutrition, exercise and stress management [help you] achieve wellness goals to be healthier, more fit and feel more confident," she said.

Healthy living is a personal regimen for O'Neill, as well.

"I'm an avid runner and fitness enthusiast," she said. "I competed in numerous road races and marathons."

O'Neill is registered with the Commission on Dietetic Registration, The Greater New York Dietetic Association, the New Jersey Dietetic Association, and IDEA Health & Fitness Association. She's also a member of the American Dietetic Association. She's been consulted by The New York Times, Elle and North Jersey Media Group newspapers, among other publications.

Vitality Fitness offers membership incentives for everyone, including high school and college students. Barre exercise and nutrition workshops are available, and barre cardio and yoga classes are in development.

Vitality Fitness is located at 61 E. Ridgewood Ave. For more information, call 201-389-6401 or visit vitalityfitness.org.