RAMP fitness studio will lead warmups at the Taste of Annandale 5K

Pablo Amaya, the owner of the RAMP Optimal Performance & Wellness fitness studio in Annandale and an assistant DC United coach, has established numerous programs to support local youths and serve the community.

He can now add one more activity to that list: RAMP (release, activate, mobilize, perform) is a Silver Sponsor of the Taste of Annandale community festival on April 29 on Tom Davis Drive.

Amaya and two other personal trainers will lead warmup exercises for runners in the Taste of Annandale 5K. The 5K race starts at 9:30 a.m. in the parking lot in front of the K Market on John Marr Drive before the opening of the Taste of Annandale at 10 a.m. The warmups will start shortly after 9 a.m.

At the end of the race, RAMP will provide water, fruit, and a surprise to the runners.

Amaya plans to bring a DC United player to the RAMP table at the Taste of Annandale. RAMP will provide information on wellness awareness and tips on what to do after physical therapy to get to optimal performance. 

RAMP, located at 7232 Columbia Pike, offers personal training and group fitness classes to people of all ages and abilities – from student athletes who want to improve their performance, to adults recovering from injury, to seniors working on physical wellbeing, and much more.  

Originally from El Salvador, Amaya came to the United States in 2004 to play soccer. He was in tryouts with the Salvadorian national team when he blew out his knee, ending his soccer career. 

He switched gears, becoming a personal trainer, and eventually an entrepreneur.

Related story: RAMP offers fitness training

Amaya now works with local youths, sharing his success story, steering them away from gangs and drugs, and encouraging them to get involved with sports and become good citizens.

He collaborates with school resource officers on an afterschool program for middle school students and is planning a big event for them at Mason District Park.

Many Salvadorian youths in this area have had traumatic childhoods and “don’t have the right guidance,” due to parents working two and three jobs to make ends meet, he says. So getting then involved in sports is a good way to help them see a more positive future for themselves.

His next project involves bringing a weekly afterschool wellness program he started in Loudoun County to three schools in Fairfax County – with involvement from DC United players.

Amaya’s community activities aren’t all about sports though. He is planning a diaper drive for single mothers in July and a health fair in Annandale in the fall.

Related story: Welcome to citizenship, Pablo

RAMP is partnering with local surgeons and physical therapists on a wellness program for seniors. The PTs will evaluate participants’ abilities and put together an individualized plan for them to improve their strength, conditioning, and movement. 

Amaya developed a network of physical therapists and orthopedic surgeons who arrange next-day appointments for participants.

Amaya’s actions to improve young people’s lives have gotten international attention. After he spoke about “sports diplomacy” on a panel discussion with a top government and U.N. official at the Salvadorian consulate this week, the general consul presented him with an award for his impact on Virginia youths.