Fitness center moving into larger space in Annandale
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| Pablo Amaya and Rachel Martin in front of the new PR Performance Fitness location. |
PR Performance Fitness is moving to a new larger space at 4111
John Marr Drive in Annandale,
John Marr Drive in Annandale,
The fitness studio was launched by Rachel Martin and Pablo Amaya, who formerly worked at the Pro Maxx Fitness gym, two and a-half years ago in an office park off
Evergreen Lane in Annandale. Their new place is.
Evergreen Lane in Annandale. Their new place is.
The new larger space will allow them to offer more services
and reach more clients.
They are planning classes in fitness training, fitness
boxing, kick boxing, yoga, cross training, performance stretching, and total
body sculpting, A new “yoga lean” class will start this summer.
boxing, kick boxing, yoga, cross training, performance stretching, and total
body sculpting, A new “yoga lean” class will start this summer.
They will also provide one-on-one fitness training,
nutritional counseling, stretch and flex assessments, and motivational
coaching.
nutritional counseling, stretch and flex assessments, and motivational
coaching.
Amaya has excelled at many sports. He played professional
soccer on El Salvador’s national team, rhen after a knee injury, switched to
boxing and won an amateur-level Golden Gloves tournament in 2007.
soccer on El Salvador’s national team, rhen after a knee injury, switched to
boxing and won an amateur-level Golden Gloves tournament in 2007.
For his next goal, “I started bodybuilding to find a new way
to push myself,” he says. During his first competition, a Max Muscle event in
Woodbridge, he came in first place in two categories: body building and classic
physique.
to push myself,” he says. During his first competition, a Max Muscle event in
Woodbridge, he came in first place in two categories: body building and classic
physique.
Amaya has also done Olympic weightlifting, power lifting,
100-meter sprinting, kickboxing, and attained a second-degree black belt in
martial arts.
100-meter sprinting, kickboxing, and attained a second-degree black belt in
martial arts.
Meanwhile, he pursued a career in physical therapy and
earned certificates in personal training and athletic training. As a trainer,
he focused on fitness for people over 50. At one point, he gained 80 pounds on purpose so he could
join his clients in losing weight together. Amaya is particularly proud of one client who lost 130 pounds in 13 months.
earned certificates in personal training and athletic training. As a trainer,
he focused on fitness for people over 50. At one point, he gained 80 pounds on purpose so he could
join his clients in losing weight together. Amaya is particularly proud of one client who lost 130 pounds in 13 months.
When the new fitness center opens, Amaya plans to work with children at risk of obesity and help them adopt a healthier lifestyle. He also plans to lead an acting class to teach
kids how to express themselves.
kids how to express themselves.
PR Performance Fitness will continue hosting boot camp sessions at
the field behind the Annandale Fire Station on Columbia Pike and provide corporate wellness retreats for employees
the field behind the Annandale Fire Station on Columbia Pike and provide corporate wellness retreats for employees
The studio will have some exercise equipment, including
treadmills, exercise bikes, cardio machines, and kettlebells. It won’t offer
memberships like a regular gym, though. Instead, clients can pay for classes
and training sessions on an individual or package basis.
treadmills, exercise bikes, cardio machines, and kettlebells. It won’t offer
memberships like a regular gym, though. Instead, clients can pay for classes
and training sessions on an individual or package basis.
Amaya believes you don’t need heavy equipment to stay fit.
“We will teach you how to use your own body anywhere you go,” he says.
“We will teach you how to use your own body anywhere you go,” he says.
Martin plans to present seminars “to get the community
learning about health and fitness.” She wants to educate the public about
things they can do at home or on vacation. “It’s a matter of moving the right
way,” she says
learning about health and fitness.” She wants to educate the public about
things they can do at home or on vacation. “It’s a matter of moving the right
way,” she says
Her goal is to teach kids how to jump around, get
seniors to learn how to get out of a chair, and everything in between.
seniors to learn how to get out of a chair, and everything in between.
Amaya plans to get back into bodybuilding when the new
fitness center is up and running. “I want to compete to inspire people to
change their lifestyle,” he says. With the right motivation and skills,
“anything is possible.”
3 responses to “Fitness center moving into larger space in Annandale”
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Congrats to Pablo and Rachel. It is great to see a small business take its time, see success and gradually grow. Hopefully with continued success they can one day take over the Pro Maxx Fitness gym. It was renovated into a beautiful gym but apparently was not managed well, and the space has basically been empty for years. I much prefer more boutique-size gyms and will definitely check out their offerings.
I truly miss Healthway and resent (yes, RESENT) the way they were forced out) but am glad to hear that this space will finally be put to good use again after all these years!
I am, and always have been, a DIY, solo exerciser, but wish Amaya and Martin well. It looks like they have a lot of good things going on!
I have taken classes with Rachel over the past couple months and she is fantastic. Several of my neighbors go to her morning boot camp. I wish Rachel and Pablo the best of luck in the new location. I'm sure it will be a success.