Sayreville family opens new combat sports gym

Erik Matevosyam, 14, trains with Vincent Labbate at the Strategic Combat Academy, which opened recently on Bordentown Avenue in Sayreville. SAYREVILLE — The owners of a new gym that shadows the Ultimate Fight Club (UFC) and offers training in a variety of combat sports are maintaining a positive attitude amid a fragile economy.

The Strategic Combat Academy, which recently opened in the Gillette Warehouses on Bordentown Avenue, combines strength and cardio through mixed martial arts (MMA), Brazilian jujitsu, boxing and kickboxing.

"We have intense structured classes so [the customers] are really leaving with a workout instead of just going to a gym and not knowing what to do," said Lori Anniello Narleski, part owner of the academy and a real estate agent at ERA Dineen Realty in Sayreville. "My husband John wanted to open a gym where there was a good mix of classes and trainers, but was also affordable and in people's price range."

The gym has state-of-the-art facilities including cardio machines, a 525-square-foot cage for MMA, 300 square feet of Zebra mats, grapplers, battling ropes and heavy equipment tires.

A class works out at the new gym. "I think I created a product that no one else around here has," said John Narleski, gym owner.

The Narleski family opened the academy in mid-September and is working together to operate it.

"Everyone was pitching in to get the ball rolling, and now everyone in the family is helping out," Lori said.

John Narleski spearheaded the establishment of the business.

"It's all of us helping out and pitching in, but it's really his dream," Lori said. "John's worked so many months on it; this is his baby, and he's put a lot of heart into this."

John, a sixth-degree Black Belt in U.S. combat karate and goju and a professional kickboxer for nine years with over 30 years' experience in the field, said he wanted to open the gym because of his passion for MMA and because the timing seemed right.

"With the explosion of UFC, MMA has become very fashionable. UFC has taken MMA to a new level," John said. "I was working on doing something for a few years now, and I just felt now was the time to do it. And the location was available, so everything just kind of fell into place."

John started organizing the gym in February. He had to work from scratch — finding a location, ordering equipment, signing the lease, and establishing and organizing the business.

"Everything was from bare-bones," John said.

He said he likes the feel of the warehouse because everything is open and there is room for expansion.

The previous owner of the building also ran a gym, but John said his operation has nothing to do with the prior one.

"We are trying to clear that up, because we have no affiliation with them," John said. "I totally renovated it from the floor up."

Despite the economy, John said he is continuing to stay positive.

"It is difficult to start a business in this economy, but I'm looking at it as the glass half full because if we can get through these times, I think we will be looking [good] in the future," he said.

Lori said she hopes the family-oriented atmosphere of the gym helps customers feel at home. Tara, the Narleskis' daughter, works in the front office and greets members as they enter. Brandon, Lori's 14-yearold son, works out at the gym.

"The most important thing for me is that [the customer] feels comfortable from right when they walk in the door, not intimidated," Lori said.

Patrick McCurdy, a Sayreville resident who joined when the academy opened in September, said he always feels very comfortable there.

"John and Lori are very nice people," he said. "Whether you've been doing this for 10 years or 10 days, you feel welcome there."

Kim Mayer of East Brunswick, who also joined in September, agreed.

"Here, everyone's so friendly," she said. "Everyone knows your name, and it's such a comfortable environment because everyone's willing to help."

According to John Narleski, what makes the gym so unique is its variety of classes, its focus on conditioning, and the expert trainers.

"It's just the overall instruction that's given," he said. "We're not a black-belt factory. We are all about conditioning and training."

McCurdy said he and the other customers get a workout while also learning. "You're learning the disciplines on how to fight," he said.

The gym targets people of all ages and skill levels, from novice children and adults to experts seeking specific training.

"Whether you're there to compete or doing it for recreation, it kind of fits all aspects of what you're looking for, and it's a sensational workout," McCurdy said.

The gym's trainers have expertise in a variety of fields. According to the gym owners, Fabiano Fregoneze and Joe Castellano recently won first place in their division for Brazilian jujitsu at the Pan-American Games. Vinny Labbate is an A.B.F. State Super Heavyweight champ in boxing and used to train with 1976 Olympic gold medalist Howard David Jr. Ademir Oliveira is a jujitsu expert, and John Vidal holds a black belt in MMA.

The gym offers a 25 percent discount to active law enforcement and firefighters as well as recently active veterans of the U.S. military.

"It's to show our appreciation for their dedication and hard work to our country and townspeople," John said.

"I think if people could come in and see what we have to offer, they would be hooked; it's just getting them in the door," he said.

For more information about the gym, visit http://njcombatsport.com/.