Boutique Gym's Pop Up Fitness Events Aid Local Charities

Concept has raised almost $1,000 for local charities.

Rachel Moncayo and her husband brought their passion for a healthy lifestyle and fitness to Brookhaven one year ago when they launched Brookhaven Fitness Studio. But the mission of the boutique gym was greater than just providing people with a healthy lifestyle.

Combining healing with functional training, "we also wanted to align the studio to give back to our communities and local charities," said Moncayo.

With that idea in mind, she launched {OFF} Beat! Pop Up Fitness Events that would allow her to showcase trainers and instructors, but also gave people an opportunity to learn about local charities and give back to them while also getting a great workout. The concept started three months ago, and has raised almost $1,000 for local charities such as Chattahoochee River Keeper, Stand Up Foundation, and more. {OFF} Beat! will continue its mission and host a mixed media fitness class Sunday at 14th Street Storage to benefit Embraced Atlanta. The nonprofit started four years ago as a way to provide medical assistance equipment and prosthetics to needy and uninsured adults and children locally and internationally. By collecting wheelchairs, crutches and even rebuilding prosthetics, Embraced provides about 3,000 pieces of equipment yearly at no cost to individuals who need them the most. The partnership with {OFF} Beat! is only natural for Executive Director Raul Alvarez. "We try to celebrate new ways of mobility, and what better way than to promote our mission than with a fitness event," said Alavarez. But, for Moncayo, the event has become more than promoting fitness with charity. "We are helping each other become better," she added. "It is really about connecting communities, and really letting people know about these organizations around Atlanta. The more aware we become, the more difference we can make." The one hour class will cover Qigong, kickboxing, cardio strength, and yoga. The event will also be hosting a collection drive encouraging people to bring any unused medical equipment for Embraced Atlanta. In other news: Kroger donated approximately $7,000 in broadcasting equipment to Gainesville High School providing students with an opportunity to be a part of developing broadcast journalism programs. If you go {OFF} BEAT! Pop Up Fitness Fundraiser When: 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. (two sessions) Sunday Where: 14 Street Storage, 151 14th St. NW, Atlanta Benefits: Embraced, a nonprofit that provides medical assistance equipment and prosthetics to needy and uninsured children and adults Cost: $30 Information: www.offbeatfit.com, 770-689-9951 * To get involved with OFF} Beat! Fitness, go to www.offbeatfit.com * To learn more about Embraced Atlanta, go to www.embracedatlanta.org Who's doing good? Each Tuesday, we write about the prior week's charity events such as fun runs, volunteer projects and other community gatherings that benefit a good cause. To suggest an event for us to cover, contact Devika Rao at [email protected] {GT: