About Us

About Our Practice

Cheshire Fitness Zone (CFZ) offers a multitude of therapeutic programs that uniquely meet you and your family’s needs.

CFZ was designed specifically for children and adolescents of all ages and abilities.  We feature three main therapy areas to include physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT) and speech therapy (ST).  Our physical therapy gym has a full array of exercise equipment biomechanically designed to fit children as well as a 32 foot long rock climbing wall.  In addition, our physical therapy space has a baby-friendly room and a private treatment room.  Our occupational therapy space features two sensory gyms and two fine motor rooms.  The speech department boasts a number of individual treatment rooms.

Each therapeutic program is individually designed to meet the needs of our clients. Our professional staff has many years of experience working with children.

We serve the communities of Cheshire, Meriden, Hamden, Wallingford, Prospect, Waterbury, Southington, New Haven, Woodbridge, Durham, and surrounding counties.  We have facility locations in Cheshire, Meriden, Torrington, and Orange Connecticut.

Please contact us if you have further questions regarding our services.

About the Owner

Craig graduated from Thomas Jefferson University with a Master’s degree in physical therapy in 1996.  He opened Cheshire Fitness Zone in 2001. Craig has dedicated close to 20 years offering therapy services to children of all abilities.  In addition to owning Cheshire Fitness Zone, Craig is a Part Time Faculty Member in the Department of Physical Therapy at Quinnipiac University.  Craig specializes in working with children of all abilities including developmental delay, neurological impairments, torticollis, sports injuries, and seating and positioning.

Learn more about our extraordinary team!

Take Our Developmental Milestone Quiz!

As parents, we all want to ensure that our children are meeting crucial developmental milestones. Use this tool to see if your child is on the right track.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our therapists and staff are here to serve your child’s needs and support the family. Below is a list of commonly asked questions on our office procedures and policies. Select the +/- signs to expand and contract the question of interest. If you don’t see an answer to what you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Most major insurances are accepted. However, insurance participation does vary from one therapy to the next. Please see our Insurance Plans section for a complete listing of accepted insurances by therapy category.

The evaluating therapist will meet with you and your child in the beginning of the evaluation session to obtain patient information relevant to treatment. Parent concerns will also be discussed at this time. Once all relevant information is received, the therapist will begin the evaluation process. Evaluation testing may be standardized, function based or a combination of the two depending upon your child’s needs. At the end of the evaluation period, the therapist will discuss initial findings with you. Once the documentation is completed, the therapist will send a copy of the findings to your referring physician. A copy of the evaluation can also be made available to you upon request.

Generally, your doctor will write a prescription for therapy. At the time of your initial appointment, you should bring your child’s prescription as well as his/her insurance card. You will be asked to fill out some paperwork prior to your child being seen.  Check out our New Client Forms section for more detailed information.

For your convenience you can access our New Client Forms for easy download, printing and completion prior to your visit to save you time.

We do offer services at an out of pocket cost.  Please checkout the Insurance Plans we do accept, or contact us for current out of pocket rates.

Our therapists generally treat clients from 8:00 am until 7:00 pm, Monday-Friday, and 8:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturday, although this does vary by location.  Morning hours do vary depending on individual therapist schedules as well as during school vacations.  Read more about our hours of operation by location.

Our primary facility is located in Cheshire but have a satellite location in Meriden and Orange, as well.  We also offer several therapy options throughout schools in the surrounding communities for your convenience.  Obtain address and/or directions to our different locations.

What Clients Are Saying

Both of our sons have participated in physical, occupational, and speech therapy at Cheshire Fitness Zone. We make the forty minute trek to Cheshire three times per week because the therapists are like none other we have encountered. Our sons (4 and 5 years old) have received therapy since birth and I was so pleased to have found Cheshire Fitness Zone. Both of my kids have been challenged and nurtured by the therapists. They are so amazing with the kids and I am thankful for their dedication.
Katy Blanchette
As a physical therapist at Cheshire Fitness Zone, I have seen firsthand the positive impact therapy services have had on so many children and their families. We are very family-oriented at Cheshire Fitness Zone and are constantly working with our families to help reach their goals for their children. It is an extremely rewarding feeling to see a child learn mobility skills that they were unable to perform prior to starting therapy services. The staff at Cheshire Fitness Zone is dedicated to providing the best care possible for all the children that they work with.
Anonymous
Cheshire Fitness Zone therapists offer hope, encouragement, and creativity. They deliver on persistence, personal gains, and individual growth because they genuinely care. In spite of working on the steps to tie his shoes for over six months at a different facility, at Cheshire Fitness Zone Erin never lost hope or let him quit. Although he had no idea each week she worked on skills that when put together would tie a shoe. She approached the idea of tying many times only to be met with complete resistance and totally shutting down. Then one day he came to me after his session and said, ‘Hey mom, guess what? I can tie my shoes.’ When I saw the pride in his eyes and the encouragement on Erin’s face I knew he had done it. It was one of the happiest moments of his childhood. What a gift…self-pride and independence.
Stacey Lyn
My twelve year old daughter has been seeing Craig since she was four years old and she loves coming to the ‘gym.’ I love that she refers to it as the ‘gym’ instead of therapy. She sees her therapy as a place where she works her body to become stronger and has fun. She is disappointed if therapy is canceled. The staff is wonderful and works to find the right fit with each child and therapist. They work across modalities and communicate with the school and her doctors. I am thankful to have Cheshire Fitness Zone in my daughter’s life! Thank you!
Heather M.
I am so happy we found Cheshire Fitness Zone. This is just what my son needs. His school also heard of you guys and said great things. I’m happy to know he is in good hands.
Anonymous
Thank you for teaching me everything I know about OT and sensory diets. You go above and beyond for our students and we really appreciate all that you have given us.
Mike Tyler (Director at High Roads School)
My son has greatly benefited from OT and PT at Cheshire Fitness Zone. The therapists are so patient and knowledgeable. The facility is also very impressive and fun. We look forward to seeing our son progress as we continue therapy.
Anonymous
Cheshire Fitness Zone has been absolutely wonderful for my family. All of the staff and therapists treat the children with respect and truly care about their development. The therapists are always available to ask questions and are extremely knowledgeable. The front desk staff alway works to accommodate our schedule and are always friendly and kind. I always refer Cheshire Fitness Zone to other families who are looking for services for their children.
Anonymous
Cheshire Fitness Zone has been wonderful. We have worked with many of the therapists for OT and PT and have had excellent experiences with all of them. They were very accommodating to our schedule. And even on a day where my son was not into working they are always able to get him to work. Their front office is very pleasant and are always smiling when we arrive. I have to bring my other son when we come and the therapists are always willing to include both of them on days where it is difficult waiting in the lobby.
Don Hamilton
I love working at Cheshire Fitness Zone because the therapy team is always willing to collaborate and share different treatment strategies and therapy techniques. You are never at a loss for ideas!
Anonymous

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