Boxe Studios is Giving Crown Heights Women Their Own Space

By Libby Herz

“People walk in timid, and two classes in, they come in like they own the place,” says Chani Teitelbaum (nee Berns), the founder and owner of Boxe Studios in Crown Heights. “When I see their drive and confidence, I’m like ‘YES GIRL!’”

Chani, a certified fitness instructor, opened Boxe Studios in September of 2020 due to a huge demand for personal training sessions in the neighborhood.

Located at Rogers Avenue, Boxe Studio prides itself on its attitude of zero judgment. All women, no matter their fitness level and background, are welcome.

“You can feel the confidence in the air and it’s contagious,” says Chani, who has been a dancer since childhood. She always had a passion for dance which turned into a passion for working out.

Having been employed by corporate gyms for the past 10 years, Chani became frustrated with the need to travel downtown to find the workouts that she loved. To her, it was obvious that women in Crown Heights needed a large workout space with positive vibes. “It’s a mental health space,” she explains.

So, Chani began searching for a space for her dream workout studio. Finally, she found the perfect spot on Rogers Avenue that was able to fit large boxing bags and equipment. It also has great parking options.

Many women find the time to help everyone but themselves. “It says in the Torah that we have to take care of our bodies,” Chani counters. The Boxe Studio encourages women to make themselves a priority, as studies prove that physical health positively impacts all aspects of health, including mental health.

At one point, Chani trained a class of pregnant women while she was pregnant herself. For many of the women, it was their fourth or fifth pregnancy. “They said that their delivery, labor, and recovery was dramatically better now that they were working out.”

At the Boxe Studio, women feel like they are in a different time zone. All phones are off. Everyone in the room is there for their own reasons, working on their story. “There’s a silent language that everyone speaks,” Chani says. “It builds a community.”

A variety of workouts are offered – yoga, barre, pilates, and strength training. Additionally, there is a dance studio for dance and Zumba classes. Their trademark Box and Bod class includes cardio, boxing, core, strength training, stamina building, and a cool-down of yoga stretches – all in one class. There are boxing classes for teens, and a girls’ ballet class every Sunday.

Five additional trainers help each person at the gym achieve their potential and feel their best.

A fresh playlist of upbeat, motivating tunes drives the class.

“When I see women with mental stress, pelvic floors that are shot, or that don’t have confidence, it motivates me,” says the Boxe Studio owner. “They come in timid and shy, and I welcome them and break it down for them, and show them the punches. The goal is to have fun.”

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Boxe Studios NY
231 Rogers Ave, Brooklyn NY 11225
www.boxestudiosny.com