Zehbras is a fitness community affiliated with the CrossFit brand, a lifestyle characterized by safe, effective exercise and sound nutrition. Our mission is to empower people to live robust, fulfilled lives. Zehbras provides individualized fitness and nutrition coaching in an inclusive and supportive community that emphasizes a balanced, sustainable lifestyle.
Unlike most gyms that only provide access to equipment, Zehbras provides high-quality coaching that attract and retain members by driving visible results with the support of a culturally aligned community.
Zehbras will improve health outcomes for its members and create a pipeline of fitness professionals who can expand the reach of this fitness model, impacting even more people. Zehbras will create jobs for fitness professionals to do meaningful work and earn a living wage.
This campaign will support completion of the facility buildout, specifically the wellness studio and outdoor training area. It will also support staff and training necessary for Zehbras' growth.
Rendering and floor plan of the facility. As part of our growth and social impact strategy, we plan to provide off-site services and programming to neighborhood schools, recreation centers, and senior centers in the 2nd and 3rd years of operation. This timing is necessary to build the brand and recruit and train staff.
Community really is key to the adoption and sustainability of a healthy lifestyle. Zehbras has the potential to positively impact many people’s lives and, with time and resources, will grow and scale to bring the freedom that comes with health to communities in Baltimore and beyond. Athletes socializing after an outdoor workout.
Investment Perks
$500
Herd Investor
Four free group exercise classes
$1,000
Zeal Investor
All of the benefits of lower tier PLUS 20% off of any monthly membership plan for 1 year
$2,500
Dazzle Investor
All of the benefits of lower tiers PLUS a private fitness party for you and up to 10 friends
All campaigns are minimum or nothing; Zehbras will only receive funding if the minimum goal is reached.
Key Facts & Financials
Our goal is to open March 2024.
We are revitalizing a prominent building that has been vacant for nearly 30 years.
We were awarded a $30,000 Project Restore Property Assistance Grant to support rent costs.
We were awarded a $20,000 BGE Energizing Small Business Grant to support operational costs.
The founder has received business mentorship from Innovation Works.
Zehbras has the support of key community organizations, including Waverly Main Street, Baltimore Community Lending, and Ignite Capital.
Zehbras will be the only CrossFit gym in the area, filling a key market gap.
The biggest disease burden, the health challenges that affect the most people are lifestyle diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, that can be prevented or mitigated with regular exercise and healthy nutrition. Baltimore City continues to experience higher mortality rates and burden of disease than both the rest of Maryland, and the overall United States. Black residents have the highest rates of death from cardiovascular disease, are twice as likely to die from diabetes, and are obese at twice the rate of White residents. These poor health outcomes, disproportionately affecting Black communities, diminish individuals’ quality of life, productivity, and overall well-being, in addition to preventing the attainment of a thriving, equitable society.
Limited availability and accessibility of fitness facilities and exercise and nutrition coaching are some of the factors hindering adoption of a healthy lifestyle in this community. Low-cost gyms fail to provide comprehensive education and coaching on fitness and systems to support sustainable lifestyle changes. CrossFit is a lifestyle characterized by safe, effective exercise and sound nutrition, but Black people are underrepresented in CrossFit. There are 4 CrossFit gyms in Baltimore City, none servicing majority Black neighborhoods. Zehbras will be the only CrossFit gym located in Baltimore's Black butterfly, the pattern of historical racial segregation and disinvestment in neighborhoods that persists today.
Fitness is essential to a robust life and should be accessible to everyone. Zehbras offers CrossFit classes, personal training, and nutrition coaching services. Zehbras is a welcoming environment for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds to achieve their fitness goals and connect with their community. Athletes posing after an outdoor community workout at Waverly Commons. Why the name ZEHBRAS? Zebras represent the qualities we value and nurture at Zebras CrossFit.
Individuality-zebra stripes are unique like our fingerprints. Everybody is unique in their background, abilities, and goals. We embrace that and personalize each person's training.
Balance-black and white colors symbolize balancing of opposite aspects and priorities of life. We support a balanced lifestyle that empowers you to be your best self.
Community-zebras are social animals that live and survive in their group. We rely on our community for strength, motivation, and accountability.
Freedom-zebras are wild and untamable. We celebrate this freedom and work out to maintain our own throughout the decades of life.
Jeanelle Spencer is a Healthcare Communications professional with extensive knowledge of lifestyle diseases, exercise science, and motivational coaching. She has been an avid CrossFitter since 2015 and believes CrossFit is for everybody with a body. She is passionate about reducing health disparities and barriers to fitness.
The Team
Ron Puryear
Coach
Ron comes to ZEHBRAS with a passion to help people achieve their fitness goals. He believes in “form over weight” and has been an exercise enthusiast for over 15 years. Ron holds a B.S. degree in exercise science from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree Mary Baldwin University. When he’s not treating patients or coaching classes he enjoys running, hiking or watching his beloved Commanders.
