Buffalo Rising Online

Sep 14th 2007, 10:59am By queenseyes

There are so many small commercial nooks and crannies in this city that I still discover on a weekly basis. Just yesterday I was biking in Days Park when I discovered that a long time friend had opened a boxing studio in a former industrial carriage house. As a matter of fact (how time flies) Chad Jakubowski opened his personal training, boxing studio three years ago in this somewhat obscure location. The studio is found just at the point where Wadsworth meets Allen in Allentown (behind the former Second Skin).

Upon walking into Chad's studio, the first thing that catches the eye is a gigantic restored industrial skylight. The sun filters through the space and lands on antique rotary mechanisms that hang from black iron beams. It's one of those places that you take seriously from the second you walk through the door. Hanging on the walls are posters of Muhammad Ali (that should tell you something)... and then there's one of Brad Pitt in Fight Club. If I didn't know that Chad was a super-friendly, kindhearted, husband and father... well, just know that if you go to his studio you can expect to get a fantastic workout.

Chad is one of those guys who I always respected for his martial arts prowess. If you've ever seen him throw a punch then you know what I'm talking about. "I thought about training guys to fight," Chad told me. "But that's a whole different business, and it's one that requires a boxing ring." Instead, Chad dedicates his time to training people who want to get fit through one-on-one 'striking arts'. He is also versed in the realms of cardio and weights. "One of the things that people like about my training style is the ability to change up a routine," Chad went on to say. "Sometimes a client will walk in and say that he doesn't want to go one-on-one. I can come up with a complete one-hour routine that works for him (or her) on that particular day. My youngest client is 24 and I have a client who's sixty plus. Some people want to learn strengthening techniques, while others want to learn self-defense. I have some clients who come in as a group and I show them how to work together by shadow boxing or lifting. I never know who's going to walk through my door next... a lawyer... or a girl covered in tattoos."

Chad Jakubowski Personal Trainer is located at 260 Allen Street. 716.882.8228