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Facing the pandemic: Jabz in Peoria fights through

Still sparring at Peoria location

Posted 1/4/21

Christina Peregrym’s story has become all too common during a pandemic that has been ravaging local businesses.

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Facing the pandemic: Jabz in Peoria fights through

Still sparring at Peoria location

Posted

Christina Peregrym’s story has become all too common during a pandemic that has ravaged local businesses.

Back in 2013, she tried out a Jabz boxing facility in Scottsdale to get in shape for her 10-year wedding anniversary and immediately fell in love with the classes the company offered and its support of women.

“It was the first workout in which I had fun working out and left feeling empowered and energetic,” she said. “I was hooked after my first class!”

She channeled that passion by opening her first Jabz location in north Phoenix in 2016, at 19th Avenue and Happy Valley Road. She followed that up with a second location in the Northwest Valley.

“I wanted to open a second one and just knew Peoria was the perfect location for a sister studio. I had clients already driving to my North Phoenix location just because they fell in love with Jabz so I was excited to be able to bring one to Peoria.”

The new location opened in March, a month that has, of course, gained infamy as the start of the COVID-19 pandemic that continues to affect businesses today.

Ms. Peregrym quickly pivoted by offering virtual and outdoor classes.

Live virtual classes with trainers are still offered every day, plus a library of recordings for clients to choose from whenever is best for them.
Additionally, she offers in-studio instruction at limited capacity, with safety measures to protect staff, clients and the community.

“It took three years to get the doors of our Peoria location open — we signed the lease back in 2017 but since it was a new build, it took quite some time before we opened. The day before our grand opening in March we had to close our doors due to the government mandate. Then, when we were opened for a month, we had to close again,” she said. “Being a small business owner during a pandemic is not easy by any means. Add in being a small fitness studio to the mix and it makes it even more stressful, to say the least.”

The Jabz boxing experience is a 45-minute circuit workout that combines boxing exercises with cardio, strength training, plyometrics and numerous other functional exercises used to produce maximum results.

Ms. Peregrym said most programs focus on helping women of all ages and fitness levels get into the best shape of their life.

She said while Jabz offers a few co-ed classes, it is primarily focused on creating and cultivating workouts for women and providing a place where they feel comfortable, safe and empowered. Whether their goal is to just do one pushup or to tone up for a wedding, Jabz wants to help challenge and encourage women along the way, she said.

“Jabz isn’t just a great workout, it’s a community. We do charity events throughout the year, group hikes, sponsorships and most importantly, lifelong friendships are built,” she said. “For me personally, Jabz isn’t just a business. It’s a passion. Being the owner of a small boutique fitness studio is not a job where one becomes a millionaire. It’s about the lives that I can change and the relationships that are built. Every single person that walks through the door is someone that I personally feel invested in to help them reach their goals, even if it’s just to provide a space where they can hopefully leave their stress at the door after getting a great workout. That’s something we need now more than ever.”

Ms. Peregrym said she is optimistic about the coming year.

“While 2020 wasn’t the year I could have ever imagined having with the opening of a fitness studio, I have faith that 2021 will be a great year for everyone,” she said.

Editor’s note: The Peoria Independent is running a story on a local business as part of a project on YourValley.net highlighting the people behind the companies and their struggles in the ongoing pandemic.

Philip Haldiman can be reached at 623-876-3697, phaldiman@newszap.com, or on Twitter @philiphaldiman.