Pro Soccer Players Help Astoria Stay Fit and Find Community

SoccerShape builds community among participants and coaches. Photos courtesy of SoccerShape.

By David Brand

Who doesn’t want to be healthy and toned like soccer stars Cristano Ronaldo or Alex Morgan?

On a rooftop in Astoria, a handful of pro soccer players are sharing the tricks of the trade to help neighbors work toward that lean physique, stay fit and find community.

SoccerShape was developed by friends and teammates Jonathan Borrajo, Rhett Bernstein and Mason Trafford when the trio played together at Miami FC. The dynamic fitness program uses soccer-inspired movements and exercises to train participants.

When Borrajo joined the New York Cosmos B, he decided to start a SoccerShape outpost in Astoria, an epicenter of Queens’ soccer-mad community.

“SoccerShape allows us to train just as professionals do, with all soccer-inspired movements and the exercises we do as professionals,” Borrajo said. “We’ve played all over the world — the U.S., Europe, Asia — and we’ve been exposed to so many different types of workouts so what better way to get fit than through soccer.”

Borrajo said the coaches, who are all professional and experienced players, participate in the same activities to stay fit.

“These movements and the exercises will allow you to be better and more coordinated to do any other type of workout,” he said.

Borrajo said coaches and participants have fostered a community through events and outings, like the “No Shower Happy Hour” — a post-workout drink at a local bar.

“It’s rewarding when you see people coming to classes and getting better,” Borrajo said. “We’re only growing.”