Apex to open

Times Reporter    

 

A family-friendly training environment is being brought to Strathmore by Apex MMA Gym, who, upon their planned opening date of May 31, will be running classes and personal training for kickboxing, muay thai, jiu jitsu, and judo.

Founders Justin Schmit and Lisa Garriot truly wish for everyone to get out of their comfort zone, and promote healthy living at all ages.

“We really want it to be a family atmosphere,” Garriot said. 

“We really want to focus a lot of attention to kids,” Schmit said.

The pair believes that working on self-confidence and fitness assist in anti-bullying. They plan on running camps for youth in the summer, where parents can drop off their kids, and can also come in for boot camps themselves – especially moms who may be uncomfortable working out in front of others.

“Everybody is on the same team and everybody should feel welcome here,” Garriot said.

The gym will be located on the corner of Brent Boulevard and Strathaven Drive, and will offer everything from Mixed Martial Arts-style training to military boot camps.

“Right from the basic one-two combinations to advanced jujitsu, and just a variety of things,” Schmit said. 

“This town has just shown such a huge interest,” Garriot said. “MMA is the fastest growing sport. We can really pull in from all the communities.”

Schmit, an MMA fighter himself, has wanted to complete this project for a while, as there are not many MMA opportunities in Strathmore. He had originally thought to take his skills and teach out of the house, but the interest exploded.

“Teaching makes you that much better of a competitor because you have to slow things down and go back to basics,” Schmit said, for his own career.

Garriot – a yoga teacher – and Schmit, will instruct along with three other teachers, many of whom Schmit knows through the MMA industry.