Thank you to our newest Gold Sponsor: Offbeat BCS!
We are thrilled to announce our newest Gold Sponsor, Offbeat Boxing and Cycling Studios! I personally visited their wonderful studio, and got to spend time with owner Mark Willey. He offered to share his story with us, which you can read below. Please be sure to visit the studio for a great workout, and follow them on Instagram and Facebook!
Hello OLH! To introduce myself, I am Mark Willey, the owner/operator of Offbeat Boxing and Cycling Studios offering group fitness classes. We just opened in the second story space across from El Vecino and, already in the first week, we've had a good number of people pop in just to introduce themselves. I've had my plants pruned for me and even fresh eggs brought over so we are quickly understanding the special culture of the neighborhood.
My wife and I live on Mockingbird and Skillman, and we wanted to create a fitness studio that reflects the culture of East Dallas, White Rock, and OLH specifically. To begin with, we wanted the aesthetics of the space to reflect the natural beauty of the lake with finish out materials like Rustic Walnut and saltillo tile flooded with sunlight. We also designed the fitness program to align with the values we share with the neighborhood. We didn't chase fads or try to substitute technology for high quality instruction and relationship-building. We don't have screens, we don't track stats (of course wearables are totally welcome!), and we don't have a light show. What we have is music, fun, and a program that can level up and down for anyone, from beginner to serious athlete. We train for long term health and offer two programs in the boxing room and the cycling room that stack perfectly for a well rounded fitness routine. You're going to get a highly effective workout, but you'll have fun and learn something at the same time.
Besides our beautiful facilities, perfect location, and awesome fitness program, the differentiator we are most proud about is our partnership with Trinity Athletics. We give 5% of all class and membership sales to support their functional fitness after-school programming in South Dallas. For the most part, disadvantaged communities' exposure to fitness begins and ends with sports. Trinity Athletics tries to equip kids with the knowledge and desire to pursue fitness as an end unto itself and not just a means to excel in sports. We baked this into the business model from the beginning, not after we make money or as a one off charity event. Though we will have one of those soon! Look out for information for September 14th, I'll be raising money for Trinity Athletics by running the virtual Boston Marathon around White Rock Lake and teaching boxing and cycling classes in the middle of it!
We are humbled to join your neighborhood and really excited to meet all of you. Come in and see us soon!
- Mark Willey
