If you are looking to slim down or build up after the holiday season, the newly opened store befit in Larchmont may be a good place to start. They offer a full range of supplements and proteins for the everyday individual all the way up to bodybuilders.

As husband and wife, Nicola and Karina Cristiani explain, supplements can sometimes be misrepresented.

“People have mixed opinions about supplements, but for instance, a multivitamin is a supplement, vitamins are supplements. Unfortunately it comes down to what people originally think about how it can help them. Supplements, like wine or coffee in moderation, can promote your overall health and well being.”

Patch sat down with them to discuss their newly opened supplement store, befit.

Larchmont Patch: Why did you open in December?

Cristiani: Right now we are anticipating for January season. We are preparing for the workout needs in 2012.

Larchmont Patch: What do you carry?

Cristiani: We carry supplements, protein (bars, drinks, powders, etc...), pre-, inter- and post-workout, we have weight loss products and vitamins, energy drinks. We also have all natural products without gluten, lactose, wheat.

Larchmont Patch: How do you differ from a GNC?

Cristiani: Price. We are cheaper than them. We also have expertise, we know the products and can advise on which ones people should get based upon what they want to do. I think people like that we can guide them based on their goals and expectations. We are personalized in that we explain why, how and when to take supplements.

Larchmont Patch: Whom do you cater to?

Cristiani: We are promoting a healthy lifestyle, so healthy people aged 25 and up who want to look their best. Those that want to train, because we have supplements for workouts, not only bodybuilding.

Larchmont Patch: Why should people come here instead on buying online?

Cristiani: We have 90 percent the wholesale prices. Our prices are in line with the largest websites so you save the shipping and the time to wait for it to come in the mail. We can also special order items. You can sit here, in the store, and discuss what you’d like to do so that we can customize to your needs.

Larchmont Patch: Why did you want to open the store?

Cristiani: I always use these kinds of products and I believe that if you use the right product, you can achieve your goals. We are here not only to sell a product but to help people get to where they want to be.

Larchmont Patch: Why Larchmont?

Cristiani: It’s full of health conscious people and it is in proximity to many area gyms. To serve the community needs, as there isn’t a vitamin shop like GNC here. We are Larchmont residents, and wanted to stay involved in the community.

Supplements are useful to try and then decide for yourself. There are a lot of motivating factors why people eat what they eat and then put into their bodies. You can still eat healthy and they give you something more than just simple fruit. That’s why they call them supplements; it is not a replacement for food itself.

Befit is located at 2005 Palmer Ave. in Larchmont and is open seven days a week (M-F, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sat., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.).