Author: John Cotey

You already can walk, row, cycle and stretch your way to getting in shape at various locations at the Shops at Wiregrass mall, and now, you can punch your way to better health as well.

Jabz Boxing, a 2,400-sq.-ft. studio located next to the Barnes & Noble bookstore at the mall, was offering free classes ahead of its expected Grand Opening on Jan. 8 (after our press time), with boxing- and Mixed Martial Arts (or MMA)-inspired training to get you toned and ready for the new year.

Co-owners Amanda Greenleaf and Troy Miller are excited to finally get the new place open. Plans were launched in 2019, but they faced a number of obstacles along the way.

“To be honest, it’s been a long time coming,” says Amanda, who grew up in Clearwater. “First there was Covid, then I was pregnant, then we couldn’t find a space. I think we looked at like 80 places.”

They did, however, finally get the location they really wanted.

While there are 11 Jabz Boxing locations in four states, including six in Arizona, this will be the first one in Florida. Troy and Amanda have plans for opening two more in the Tampa Bay area.

“Troy came across Jabz Boxing and showed me the idea, and I thought it would be perfect,” Amanda says. “Florida is a fitness state, and we’ll be the first ones here.”

A Unique Fitness Option

Amanda describes Jabz Boxing as circuit training with kick boxing elements. The focus is on making members fit, not fighters. Each workout begins with six minutes of stretching, followed by transitioning through roughly 20 stations lined up around a boxing ring, with things like torrent bags (for both kicking and punching), speed bags, battle ropes, weighted balls, kettle bells, free weights and rowing machines.

In between each 45-second station, there will be a 20-second “cardio blast.” After completing the 20 stations under the watchful eyes of certified trainers, you do it again, for a workout that clocks in at just under an hour.

While actual sparring isn’t allowed at Jabz, “We do teach them how to get in the proper stance, how to throw the punch, how to deliver the punch, how to recover from the punch,” Troy says. “So, there is a lot of that training.”

There are 5-6 coaches on staff who are all certified personal trainers. Some have nutrition backgrounds as well, and lead trainer Caitlyn has 10 years of boxing experience, according to Amanda.

Jabz Boxing is geared towards women, although men are allowed. Amanda says it is a “no judgment zone,” and no matter your level of fitness or gender, there is a place for you at Jabz.

The Jabz Boxing mantra, the first thing you see painted on the wall inside the studio, says, “Come As You Are, Leave Stronger.”

“This workout is no joke,” Amanda says, “but you don’t have to be a cross-fitter to come try it out and that’s why it stood out to me.”

At Jabz Boxing, you will never get the same workout on back-to-back days. 

Classes are programmed a year in advance by the main office to keep the workouts fresh, although the trainers are allowed some autonomy to change things up.

Community Partners, Too

Troy and Amanda say they don’t want to just be business owners in Wesley Chapel, they want to be a part of the community. Both say they come from abusive relationships, and have already forged a relationship with Sunrise of Pasco County, a domestic and sexual violence shelter for women in Dade City. 

One of the Sunrise employees came across the Jabz Boxing information table at an event one day and suggested they do a class there, and Amanda ran with the idea. The class, which showed the participants how to defend themselves if they were ever in a bad situation again, was a success.

“We definitely want to go back,” says Amanda, who adds that she was moved to tears by some of the stories she heard. She hoped that some of the women who either watched or participated felt a sense of empowerment afterwards.

Troy says that is what Jabz Boxing hopes brings to the Wesley Chapel market that isn’t already here — a place where women can rally around each other and have the best 55 minutes of their day, or week. 

The Jabz Boxing team already has provided free workout classes at the Shops at Wiregrass center court area, at Florida Avenue Brewing Co. on S.R. 56 and in the Epperson community to attract members. “So far, everyone seems to love it,” Troy says.

Jabz Boxing is still working on a weekly schedule, but it is likely to offer a variety of morning, afternoon and evening classes. A lot of that will depend on what its members want. “If we have enough ladies who want to do a 4 a.m. class, we’ll do it,” Amanda says.

The gym currently is offering “Founder Memberships,” which includes unlimited classes each month and a swag bag that includes MMA gloves (which are required), a water bottle and other goodies.

And, Troy says, you’ll get a good experience. While the workouts are important, so is the environment.

“I always say the best thing about Amanda is that, when she walks into a room, she brings oxygen into it,” Troy says, “and she has hired people who do the same thing.”

Jabz Boxing officially opened its doors Dec. 18, with its Grand Opening held on January 8. It  is located at 28152 Paseo Dr., #140, at the Shops at Wiregrass. For more information about class times and memberships, visit JabzBoxing.com/locations/Tampa-FL, call (813) 495-6677 or see the ad on page 30 of this issue.