SchuBox Athletics brings functional fitness to Pleasanton

The charm and allure of the main street in Pleasanton is well known and the range of activities on offer has recently expanded to include the new location for SchuBox Athletics fitness center. The Grand Opening was a lively event and even included a pancake artist.

The facility offers physical fitness training classes for all levels of ability from beginner to advanced athletes. It is now not unusual to see athletes jogging down Main Street in the early hours of the morning as part of their daily WOD (Workout of the Day). Their new neighbors, Fusion 3 Salon, are also early starters and Rich says they have been very patient and understanding during the renovations at the new location. They have also found it entertaining to see athletes doing warm-ups outside before the fitness center opens.

The convenient location also allows the earliest class, affectionately known as the ‘5:30 Crew’ the opportunity to grab a coffee after training and cheer on the athletes participating in the later classes. Encouragement and camaraderie is certainly a cornerstone of this operation and members even assisted with the transportation of equipment during the relocation.

During the classes one can expect personal coaching along with an array of body conditioning and strengthening exercises which are programmed each day for maximal benefit of participants. Exercises range from squats and sit-ups to pull-ups, box jumps and deadlifts.

Owner Rich Schuster grew up in Pleasanton and is delighted that he is able to serve his community from the very heart of the city he loves. Rich attended Foothill High School and Walnut Grove Elementary and today his children also attend schools in Pleasanton. A family owned local business offers a personal and engaging experience for its customers and Rich enjoys being able to see longstanding friends and acquaintances during his daily routine.

His personal journey to fitness began when he saw himself in a Christmas photo and realized that he was not the version of himself that he wanted to be. He was working in a corporate environment and leading a sedentary life but had an athletic background that included soccer, basketball and baseball. His wife Anna had started a functional fitness program and when he saw the incredible results he decided to try a class and although it was exhausting he loved it and was hooked.

What began as a garage gym working out with friends progressed to the opening of his own fitness center. Rich cultivates an environment where members come in and train hard together and enjoy the process while supporting and encouraging each other. “You never know what is going on in someone’s head” says Rich “you don’t know how their day has been so I won’t judge them for being a few minutes late and I don’t turn people away who want to work out and relieve their stress.”

Rich says the practical applications of the training is what drives him to coach others where it allows them the benefits of living fully where life happens – like being able to reach a top shelf after increasing shoulder mobility or throwing a ball with their grandchildren or simply being able to take a hike in the outdoors with the family.

For those interested in experiencing what SchuBox Athletics has to offer, ‘on ramps’ start every 2 weeks where you can try a class out and see what all the noise is about.

They have also just launched their Power Party classes which emphasize cardio/core exercises and use lighter weights and more repetitions “to keep you jamming” through the hour.

“Constant progression is the goal,” says Rich “and all the exercises can be adapted to your level of fitness so whether you can already do a box jump or whether you need to start by jumping onto 1 or 2 plates doesn’t matter – the program is scalable”.

We wish SchuBox Athletics well in their new location.