麻豆社区

Instead of lifting weights members of Avalanche MMA are getting a different workout this weekend.

They're lifting boxes.

The local mixed-martial arts club is moving two doors down to Peak Fitness, the Lewes Boulevard fitness facility.

Co-owners Cliff and Erin Schultz are readily embracing the move, which will be a significant expansion for the burgeoning club.

"It's a pretty exciting time,鈥� Cliff told the Star this morning.

The sale has been in the works for the past few months and Avalanche will be closing the doors at their current facility and beginning the transition on July 1.

"We're just trying to sort everything out and negotiating all the final bits and pieces,鈥� he said.

"My wife and I had to discuss it to see if we wanted to take this leap of faith.鈥�

The club currently contains 75 members and Cliff is hoping that will double with the move.

"I think it will be a really positive thing,鈥� he said.

"It will be great to work with the people that are there right now, the employees and the personal trainers, we all get along and I think it's going to benefit all of us.

"I think it's going to be a good change.鈥�

The new location will also allow the club to advertise to a new pool of potential clients.

"It will give us more access to more clients,鈥� said Cliff.

"People go to Peak and they don't realize Avalanche is there, so now having that access will be a good thing.鈥�

The transition comes at a busy time for Avalanche, with upcoming fights and summer training programs in the works.

Club members TJ Woodman and Miller Rogers will be heading south on June 22 to fight in WarPath VI in Chilliwack, B.C.

Cliff said the move wouldn't affect their training regiments.

"All my members over at Avalanche want to help so it's pretty much going to be a one day thing where we move everything over right away,鈥� he said.

"There won't be a pause in training.鈥�

Both Rogers and Woodman were in the cage last at WarPath IV in early February.

Rogers took an undefeated record into his match-up against Rico Brinson.

After a close battle, including a near knockout of Brinson in the first round, the fight came down to judge's decision with Brinson being declared the winner.

The loss didn't sit well with Rogers, which brought his record to 3-1.

After the loss, he told the Star he wanted to get back into the cage as soon as possible.

"I'm ready to fight right now,鈥� he said. "I really feel bad for the next guy.鈥�

Woodman also lost his fight in a judge's decision to Jamie Siraj after dropping down to the 135-pound weight class.

With the new facility, the club gains numerous advantages: more space, more hours and more equipment.

"Now we have weights and a whole different way of working out,鈥� said Cliff. "We can do circuit training and get better prepared for our fights.鈥�

The first task will be setting up the top level of the facility for club use, in addition to

the current programs operating out of the space.

"We're going to utilize that space from open until close,鈥� said Schultz.

"It's going to be used for what they have going on there right now and Avalanche will be open upstairs when there aren't bootcamps and things like that going on.鈥�

Cliff is also hoping to make upgrades on the equipment over the next few months but right the focus is on the move and the upcoming bouts.

The club is also in discussion to bring up more fighters and coaches for summer seminar classes, in addition to fights scheduled for August in Juneau.

"It's a pretty busy time right now,鈥� said Cliff. "It's an exciting time. We've been hearing nothing but positives from all the members at Peak. They are really excited for the change.鈥�

The facility hours will remain the same, Monday to Friday from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends.