Ola Kai- Functional Fitness
Ola Kai is a local gym located on the island of Brigantine New Jersey
The meaning behind the name OLA KAI - Hawaiian- Ola means healthy & Kai means water
The gym offers a variety of different classes which allow for different interests and skill levels. Christina and Jimmy have hired some of the best trainers and teachers as well as Christina herself running many of the classes.
“It is a very beginners crowd, and we have a crowd of those who are retired. All are so welcoming and appreciative. I didn’t realize with the goal of opening a gym would I find such a strong social aspect to it. It’s surprising sometimes. It’s a place to work out, but the members become friends and socialize.” - Jimmy
Christina and Jimmy landed this old grocery store that is located on the corner and stripped it down to nothing in order to rebuild their dream gym.
Everything in their space has been intentionally picked out to beautifully represent the couple, and create the perfect space for the community of all ages, gender, or physical condition could feel welcome to enter in and join!
“I wanted a woman to come in and feel welcome, so I stuck to my gut in making sure we had bright light colored walls!” - Christina
Together they created a place where anyone could come in to work out, from an 82 year old woman, to a division I college athlete.
One of the neatest parts of this gym that sends it home in being a “Hidden Gem of New Jersey” is that a local artist that is 2 doors down from the gym has his paintings all over the walls!
The artist of Dunes Gallery is name Charles Barbin and his wife is named Randi.
“One day I was out back in the alley as Charles was, and I saw his large storage unit in the back. I asked Charles what was in there, and he said ‘it’s a bunch of artwork and I have nowhere to hang it’. Jimmy exclaimed, “I am opening up a gym two doors down and have no plan for the walls.” Jimmy and Christina agreed to allow Charles to “extend” his gallery space into the walls of their gym!
Charles brings people into the gym all of the time to show case, and he even works on custom pieces from members of the gym that love his work!
Christina was born and raised on the island and her husband Jimmy is from Pennsauken New Jersey. They met locally, without knowing that they both previously had the dream of opening up a gym.
Christina and Jimmy were a part of the corporate world and mortgage industry together for many years where they learned that it was 24/7, no free time, and little flexibility.
Together they decided to buy a camper van and travel out west on a trip. While on their adventure they began to visit many local shops and national parks. “Everything was so positive. It was a negative world in mortgage, and we want to do something positive for ourselves and our community.” - Christina
If you are interested in joining Ola Kai, all of their information is right on their website along with a list of daily classes, rates, and deals they have going on for the holidays!
You can also follow them on social media where it allows you to see some of the classes and what they look like within their space
