Challenge Fitness On Avenue X Closes After Losing Lease

Fitness enthusiasts sweated through their final classes at Challenge Fitness last week, after owners announced that the gym would be shutting down.

A gym member said her class instructor announced during her Wednesday class that the owners had lost the lease to the 2209 Avenue X storefront. The sudden closure of the independent, family-owned gym comes after five years in business.

The owner confirmed the news via Facebook on Thursday, saying they hope the closure is temporary and suggesting they may find a new space:

Members of the gym with time left on their contracts are posting to the business’ Facebook profile to find out what to do. The owner has responded, saying they’re giving refunds to those who contact them directly on Facebook.

Some of the teachers have taken their classes to other gyms, sometimes with matching schedules. We contacted the owners to try and put together a list for those who need it, but are still waiting to hear back.

Otherwise, the gym, which made our list of the five best alternatives to the stinky, sweaty mess at Bally’s Fitness earlier this year, has been drawing fond memories from its members.

Member Zanib A. wrote:

There aren’t enough words I can express to say how thankful I am to have met such amazing and dedicated people as I had met at this gym. Luba Lipo you Leah Love Sosa and all of those fab girls really helped to change my perception of my life and for that I will always be grateful, this is never goodbye and wishing the best for Challengefitness By Luba, there is no other place like this one!

Celeste D. wrote:

Luba, my heart is crying! You will come back stronger. Challenge has done so much for so many people. I wish you the best. You help people physically and emotionally. Thank you, you will be back! Namaste!

Alex R. liked the place so much, he’s letting them keep the money he’s owed:

I had over a month left, but you guys have served me and let me in when my time was expired at times… I changed my life in this gym. No refund necessary. Good luck with everything, Luba!

Update (2:51pm): Leah Sosa, a teacher at the gym, wrote in and also let us know that she is continuing her classes nearby. She wrote:

I’m really sad also, it was an amazing community gym where my kids grew up. But the beautiful thing is wonderful friendships and relationships were formed and the closing of the gym does not signify the end of it benefitting the lives of those in the neighborhood.

I have moved to Underground Gym, 1424 sheepshead bay road, 3rd floor.

My schedule is as follows…
Monday 7pm —-  Zumba
Tuesday 6pm  —- Kids Bootcamp
7pm —-  Piloxing
Wednesday 7pm —-  Zumba Toning
Thursday 6pm —-  Kids Zumba
7pm  —- Bootycamp
Saturday 10am  —- Zumba
11am   —-  ABSession

This is pretty much my schedule just as it was at challenge minus a few classes.