Joining the gift boutique and taproom slated for the Hangar development—and the ice cream parlor that just opened—in Scotts Valley is a new fitness studio from Santa Cruz resident Peter Malek.
The 40-year-old engineer and workout enthusiast says he’s thrilled to be able to bring a MADabolic franchise, the strength-training concept founded by former professional hockey players Brandon Cullen and Kirk DeWaele, to the community.
“We’re very blessed, very fortunate to have found this location,” Malek said. “I think it’s going to bring something that’s really needed.”
MADabolic—which focuses on “Momentum,” “Anaerobic” and “Durability” workouts—has been rolling out franchises across the country in places like Atlanta, Austin and Pittsburgh, but Scotts Valley is its first entry into California.
Malek, who has a personal training certificate through the National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association, says he grew up playing sports and continued his passion through CrossFit and Ironman approaches. He has a CrossFit Level 1 training certificate and has participated in up to a half-Ironman competition.
“Fitness has always been a very big part of my lifestyle,” he said, adding he was looking for a new workout methodology after witnessing multiple injuries within the CrossFit world. “We’re offering a balanced and strength-driven interval disciple.”
Malek says the MADabolic model works for both high-intensity athletes as well as everyday individuals because it focuses on the ratio between pushing yourself and resting, not on a set bar you have to achieve.
“This is going to introduce something that provides something new and fresh,” he said. “It’s designed to torch body fat.”
On Dec. 9, the Planning Commission approved the fitness studio’s application for a conditional use permit, for the 262 Mt. Hermon Rd. location, submitted by architectural company David Elliot & Associates, Inc.
“Everything went smoothly,” he said. “We’re almost done framing. Electrical is about 80-90% done. Plumbing will be done next week.”
According to municipal documents, the business plans to operate from 5:30am-7:30pm weekdays and 8am-noon on weekends.
The studio expects to hire four people and offer hour-long classes, with a maximum of 20 people in each session.
The Hangar project’s developer Corbett Wright, of CW Land Consultants, Inc., said he’d been trying to get a fitness studio to join the project when Malek approached him.
“We think it’s very in-tune with what we’re trying to accomplish,” he said, explaining a mix of business types helps drive healthy economic development. “You don’t want to have a bunch of restaurants right next to each other.”
The Penny Ice Creamery has been serving up tasty treats for weeks and Home by Zinnia’s is planning to open its doors any day now, he added.
Malek says, if all goes well, the fitness studio could be in business as soon as February.
Wednesday, a worker removed the for-lease signage from the building, now that the whole place is rented out.
Meanwhile, Malek’s ecstatic that the book he penned during the pandemic, #PerFORM: The Path to Becoming Unstoppable and Achieving Fulfillment, was published by New Degree Press Tuesday.
“It was pretty surreal, and it was humbling at the same time,” he said of writing the book. “It’s a platform to help people understand that they should go after what they love, something that provides purpose and meaning.”
