---

The health and sustainable offerings seem to be expanding over at the The Shops At Sunset Point on Memorial Drive.

Since its 2016 refurbishment, the sustainably conscious Local 130 Seafood and Booskerdoo Coffee & Baking Co joined Shape Shop, a health and fitness boutique in the shopping plaza that connects the north east and west neighborhoods.

And now Beachbox, with its own sustainable take on the kickboxing health and fitness craze, has opened in the plaza.

The brainchild of Woodbridge native Wayne Strobel, who now calls Neptune City home, Beachbox offers an out of the box interpretation of fitness training.

“It’s not a gym,” Strobel [shown at right with his team] said. “It’s a lifestyle program.”

That is evident from the lit walls that exude more of a club-like feel than a gym and their smart bags equipt with real time pulse heart rate monitors to gauge a participant’s ultimate ‘build and burn’ zone.

Stobel employees a team of employees, known as life preservers, and a paid Monmouth University intern who handles their social media content.

We caught up with him in between fitness sessions:

Sun: When did you open?

Strobel: We opened two weeks ago. It was really more of a soft opening but we will have a grand opening beach bash-style event on Feb. 24.

Sun: What made you decide to open this venture?

Strobel: I was laid off from my job last January and I couldn’t find an interactive experience that combines strength training with heavy bag kickboxing; so I decided to create one.

Sun: What do you mean by this is an experience?

Strobel: We want to create an experience in the store and online. We want to motivate people and help them change their lifestyle so you get points for everything you do. We even have motivational quotes delivered to your smartphone, tablet or computer.

Sun: Was this a hobby that turned into a business venture or was this your chosen profession?

Strobel: A hobby. I lost over 80 pounds doing kickboxing and fell in love with it. I became an instructor and helped launch brands for Hollister and P.S. from Aéropostale.

Sun: Are there fitness programs for all levels?

Strobel: Yes, we have programs for the novice to the experienced. Our motto is build, burn and become. We want to build confidence, stamina, and strength while burning fat and negativity in order for people to become their best selves.

Sun: What makes this place stand out from the rest?

Strobel: Our Beach Bucks rewards program. We are looking to partner with a number of local businesses so that our beach bucks can be redeemed at area venues. That will keep people engaged and help promote small businesses.

Sun: Do you have programs for kids or teens?

Strobel: Right now they are adult only programs, with kids programs to come down the road. We do have a family friendly environment so a child can hangout while their parent trains.

Sun: What are some of the other highlights?

Strobel: We offer hylete [technical athletic clothes] for sale. I will look to add a nationwide food delivery service and we are completely sustainable. I’m trying to change the game; we are going to be the Disney of fitness.

Beachbox is located at 1317 Memorial Drive. Training sessions run from 6 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

A community meet and greet studio tour will be held at noon Feb. 10; followed by the all day Beach Bash Grand Opening on Feb. 24. Beachbox is offering a complimentary week of training. For more information, visit their website, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages.

———————————————————————————————————

Follow the Asbury Park Sun on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The Asbury Park Sun is affiliated with the triCityNews newspaper.

---