Downtown Toms River's First Gym Opened Doors Monday

The first gym in Downtown Toms River opened its doors Monday on Main Street, a move that the Business Improvement District sees as a push in the right direction for the revitalization of the downtown.

“Anytime you have a destination business, that’s a good thing,” said Jody Alessandrine, the executive director of the Business Improvement District. “All successful downtowns have a gym,” he added.

CrossFit Toms River, with its location at 34-38 Main Street, is expected to attract people on their way to or from work, locals, as well as other patrons from surrounding areas. The BID expects these customers to create more foot traffic for the businesses surrounding the gym, as well.

 “That traffic should stimulate the local economy,” Alessandrine said, adding that because clients at CrossFit will be at the gym three or four times a week, this will create repeat customers for other businesses.

CrossFit Toms River began in April of this year out of owner Megan Okuniewicz’s family’s garage on Hyers Street. Unlike open gyms like Planet Fitness, where customers work out individually, CrossFit is a group workout that features a different daily skill set. Its motto is “Forging Elite Fitness” and the focus is on community, as well as getting into shape.

“We get people from athletes, to first responders, to cops, to stay-at-home moms,” said CrossFit’s co-owner, Martin Van Strien.

In just a few short months, Okuniewicz and Van Strien had about 55 customers attending the workout classes.

“We were kind of at a standstill,” Van Strien said. “To get more people, we needed to have more space.”

In its first few days at the new location, Van Strien said curiosity is bringing new people into the gym already. The 1,500-square foot space features large windows at the storefront, so passersby can peek in and see customers lifting weights, doing squats, or even running down the sidewalk.

In addition to these passersby, Van Strien said they are hoping to attract people working in the downtown area with their new location, as well.

“Being that we are in such a close walking distance to so many offices, you really have no excuse,” he said.

Van Strien said realtor Stephan Leone of Leone and Daughters had the space renovated before CrossFit began leasing it, so moving into their new location was quick and easy. He added that members of the gym even helped move the equipment over to their new home the weekend before it re-opened.

Van Strien said he and Okuniewicz saw Main Street as a prime location not only to boost their business, but the atmosphere of the downtown as well.

 “This is the perfect location to get our business going, and to get Main Street back up and running,” he said.