Gymja Warrior to open location in Woburn

Gymja Warrior celebrated its two-year anniversary in January by announcing it would open a second location, in Woburn, this April. The unique gym’s newest site is currently under construction in a 7,000-square-foot space at Cummings Properties’ 10 Gill Street building.

Beverly resident and Endicott College business graduate Shahab Afsharian is the mastermind behind Gymja Warrior. A gym for all ages, it has obstacles designed to mimic those of the popular American Ninja Warrior contest and television show. His three boys are huge fans of the show. After failing to find a place that had a warrior course for them to play and practice on, he decided to build one of his own.

“We have a wide variety of gyms and fitness centers in our Woburn portfolio, from traditional to CrossFit to high-performance training to women-only,” said account manager Kathryn Jendrick of Cummings Properties. “Gymja Warrior offers something different for people of all ages and abilities that will complement these offerings. In fact, it was referred to us by an existing gym client, Erik Kaloyanides of Athletic Evolution.”

Location and ample free parking were two key factors in the selection of 10 Gill Street, according to Afsharian.

“Woburn is a very strategic location for us since it is in the middle of primary intersections like I-95, Route 3, and I-93,” said Afsharian.

Cummings Properties’ in-house construction team is renovating the new Gymja Warrior location. Afsharian will then bring in his team of contractors to construct and install the obstacles and equipment.

The original gym is located at Danvers Indoor Sports and offers several obstacles, including three “warped walls” of various sizes, similar to those on American Ninja Warrior. Participants get a running start and attempt to scale the wall and reach the top.

Although Afsharian is keeping the details of the Woburn gym’s set-up secret for now, he confirmed that it will include warped walls and some new obstacles and that he is “working on a WOW factor.” He said that in addition to Gymja Warrior’s current mix of ninja warrior, tricking, parkour, and tumbling classes, he is excited to add CrossFit and obstacle course training, for those preparing for Spartan or Tough Mudder races.

Classes are taught by trained “senseis” like Program Director and Master Sensei Vince Klapper, who has competed on American Ninja Warrior twice and is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and former member of the Boston Celtics Dunk Team.

Afsharian currently employs 18 people, with plans to hire several more when the new gym opens. Employees will rotate between both locations, supervised by Klapper.

Like the Danvers location, Woburn’s Gymja Warrior will offer walk-in appointments, open gym, parties, and unlimited class memberships.

According to Afsharian, Gymja Warrior has helped to raise more than $100,000 for local PTOs as part of its fundraising program and has provided programs for homeschooled children and those with special needs, including Down syndrome, blindness, and autism.

“We have been able to touch thousands of kids through classes and parties and make them stronger and more agile. We look forward to growing and creating more memories with kids and adults alike,” he said.

Cummings Properties’ portfolio of more than 10 million square feet of prime space accommodates offices, healthcare facilities, labs, restaurants, retail storefronts, warehouses, co-working spaces, executive suites, and more. With a portfolio of this size and variety, the firm can meet almost any commercial real estate between 150 and 300,000 square feet. Its in-house experts in design, construction, and property management offer “one-stop shopping” for leasing clients.

PHOTOS:

“Ninjas” listen to Sensei Vince Klapper before tackling the infamous warped wall in the background.

Signs in the Danvers location promoting the new Woburn Gymja Warrior.