Preparing to run in local 5K races this year, Jamie Buriak, Frackville, was working out Wednesday night doing chin-ups and stomach crunches at a new martial arts and fitness center at Schuylkill Mall in Frackville.
Called Pinnacle Fighting and Fitness, it's an 11,000-square-foot facility in the mall's north wing.
"I'm usually over at Frackville Fitness Center doing regular weight training. This was something different to try out. My goal: just good, overall fitness and strength," said Buriak, 26.
She's hoping to make an impression at the first Yuengling Light Lager Jogger 5K run/walk in Pottsville on April 13.
Featuring rows of fitness bars with chin-up racks, punching bags, climbing ropes, weights and 2,000 feet of mat space, Pinnacle Fighting and Fitness had its soft opening Monday, according to one of its three owners, Carmine Caccavale, Pottsville.
"So far, more than 30 students have signed up," Caccavale said Thursday.
Starting Monday, it will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and the owners are inviting the public to learn more at an open house at 5 p.m. Thursday.
Sam Sade, lead instructor of Krav Maga Association of America in California, will be a special guest, Caccavale said.
"Starting Monday, we'll be open six days a week and closed on Sunday. The early classes will be at 7 a.m. and we'll have classes throughout the day and evenings. Our special introductory rate is $69 per month for adults for our combo plan. With that you get the martial arts classes and our supervised fitness classes," Caccavale said.
Pinnacle also has a introductory rate for children 12 and under, $49 a month for martial arts classes only, Caccavale said.
The space Pinnacle Fighting and Fitness moved into was vacant for a year. Frackville Fitness Center was a tenant there from January 2011 to October 2011, then it moved to the first floor of the Frackville Municipal Building, according to mall Manager Elaine Maneval.
Pinnacle Fighting and Fitness started work on the space in October, Maneval said.
Caccavale, a New York native, is owner of Pennsylvania Payroll Corp., Schuylkill Haven.
There will be three martial arts instructors at Pinnacle:
- David Hertzog, 38, of Wyomissing, Berks County, holds a third-degree black belt in Combat Jiu Jitsu. He teaches Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and mixed martial arts. He is a co-owner of Pinnacle Fighting and Fitness.
- Ryan Setlock, 29, of Barnesville, has a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and is a Level 1 instructor in Krav Maga. He teaches boxing, Krav Maga, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and mixed martial arts. He is also a co-owner of Pinnacle Fighting and Fitness.
- Cody Vidal, 24, of Pottsville, an experienced MMA fighter who was part of "Team Takedown, Texas," according to Caccavale. Vidal teaches mixed martial arts and Krav Maga.
Jeffrey Walcott, the police chief of Schuylkill Haven, said Thursday he knew Vidal. Walcott is the owner of Anthracite Combat Club which opened in 2005. Walcott, a purple belt under the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu system, has been teaching since 1994.
"Cody was one of my students. He's was a Pottsville football star. Very focused. What he brought to the table was a certain determination. He was a nose guard, and was a hard charger, quick, agile. I think he'll be a good teacher," Walcott said.
Anyone with questions can call Pinnacle Fighting and Fitness at 570-874-1121.
There are a few martial arts schools in Schuylkill County, including:
- Driscoll Institute of Marital Arts, 21 N. Centre St., Pottsville.
- USA Martial Arts, 118 E. Broad St., Tamaqua.
- Anthracite Combat Club, 20 E. Main St., Schuylkill Haven. www.anthracitecc.com
- Xtreme Fitness Center, 17 N. Front St., Saint Clair. It's a "family owned-operated business since 2004," according to its website at xtremefitnesspa.com.
"I'm not sure how many schools are left in the area. The last few years have been rough for schools to stay in business. But classes are starting to fill back up in the last year. There is an increasing demand for the need for self-defense for adults, and for confidence building and increased focus for kids," Driscoll said.
A martial arts student for more than 30 years, Driscoll opened his school in Pottsville in 1986. In 2006, he was given the title of Renshi by Hanshi Bruce Juchnik, the current headmaster of Kosho Ryu Kempo. He's also an author. His books include "Ultimate Kempo: The Spirit and Technique of Kosho Ryu," published by Tuttle Publishing. Driscoll teaches two Japanese art forms, "Kosho Ryu Kempo" and "Japanese swordsmanship."
Walcott said some people are learning martial arts in response to such tragedies as the mass shootings which occurred July 20 at Century movie theater in Aurora, Colo. and Dec. 14 at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.
"When you hear about children being victimized in particular, people start taking a personal account about how to make their communities safer. You can't kid yourself that it's not going to happen here. I think people are becoming more proactive," Walcott said.
Jon Bonner, who opened USA Martial Arts in Tamaqua in 1976, agreed.
"I believe the increased violence in today's society does encourage people to want to acquire some type of protection. A solid martial arts program geared towards street survival seems to be the answer for some. There are a few good, reputable schools in Schuylkill County and I would suggest anyone looking for a place to train, should visit the school, observe classes, check on the instructor's credentials, observe the rapport between instructor and students, be sure the classes are age appropriate and that there are enough instructors present for the students in any one class," Bonner said Thursday.
An eighth-degree grand master in Jiu Jitsu, Bonner has 40 years of experience in the martial arts.
Caccavale said he believes demand for martial arts training is also up.
"The UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) has made it more mainstream now. Mixed Martial Arts is a sport now," Caccavale said.
Bonner said he doesn't believe the martial arts schools in the county are in competition, in terms of the market.
"A new martial arts school opening in the area does not present competition, but rather an opportunity for all schools to work together, network, share ideas, and work together in the true spirit of the martial arts," Bonner said.