Poway Mom Teams With Business Partner to Open Fitness Center

A fun workout that combines dance and pilates into one 700-calorie burning session is just one aspect two business women are banking on as they open Xtend Barre in Poway.

The owners—Powegian Sara Peelle and San Diegan Angie Nobile—said they're hoping their fitness center, which opens May 6, will provide a sense of support for moms involved in the local philanthrophy community.

“It's more than just a fitness studio in Poway,” said Nobile. “It's a community where like-minded women can come together and get involved.”

Xtend Barre—a national franchise focused on a workout created by Andrea Rogers with three locations in the county so far—gained the devotion of Peelle and Nobile just last year.

“It's pilates dance amplified," Peelle said. “It's not like a Curves workout where you get the same thing over and over again. Our format varies from class to class, and our core is the pilates repertoire with dance.”

Peelle said the classes, which are 55 minutes long and include a ballet barre, can burn about 500 to 700 calories.

"It's a full body workout."

Peelle and Nobile said they became hooked on the workout and the bond they discovered with other women. Later, they would meet through the founder, Rogers.

“Angie and the founder have known each other since they were 3 years old,” said Peelle, who is a certified pilates instructor with a doctorate in physical therapy. “I was crazy about Xtend Barre and very interested in pursuing a career. The founder kinda hooked us up.”

Peelle said because of Nobile's Fortune 500 background and her credentials being the former president of the San Diego Women's Network, the two clicked.

“It just worked,” Peelle said of her relationship with Nobile, who has a master's in business administration. “We have the same drive and commitment.”

Less than a year after getting into the workouts, the two will open their 1,200-foot Xtend Barre studio on Friday and will offer free classes during the first week.

But the two, who are both mothers of young children, said they hope it also becomes a facility that brings the community together in a healthy environment and knew Poway would be the most suitable city for their vision.

Peelle—who has lived in Poway for 10 years with her husband, Justin, a former San Diego Chargers player—said she chose to open the studio in Poway because of its sense of community, and the studio plans to help a number of nonprofits.

“It's a different community ... it's more family-oriented,” Peelle said. “For us, partnering with organizations that are family-oriented is important.”

Peelle and Nobile said their first fundraiser on May 21 will benefit the Chelsea's Light Foundation, a nonprofit created in memory of slain Poway High teen Chelsea King and which works toward raising awareness about sexual predators.

“I'm a runner and we have friends at Poway High,” Peelle said. “It really hit us hard as a community, and I know for moms, the safety of our children is our main concern.”

Nobile added that they hope to partner with other businesses too, which is why they strategically chose to open next to Gymboree—a children's store with activities.

“It's all about the tight community and supporting local business,” said Nobile. “It's a little more than some of the other fitness centers that are out there.”

Three instructors and two front desk staffers have been hired and the studio is less than a couple of days from its grand opening.

Peelle said the “key message” is that Xtend Barre can offer benefits to anyone.

“We want to make sure that people know you don't have to do 20 classes a week or be a ballerina to like it,” she said. “It's something different and something unique.

“It's an outlet for women to get away from the daily stresses of life. It's geared toward the community.”

Xtend Barre Scripps Poway is located at 12265 Scripps Poway Pkwy., Unit 112, and will open its doors on May 6. For more information, visit xtendbarrescrippspoway.com