Community Highlights: Meet Willie Fortune of Jabs Gym Birmingham

Today we’d like to introduce you to Willie Fortune. Them and their team share their story with us below:

Owner and founder Willie Fortune, known as Fortune 500 in the boxing world, began his boxing career over 15 years ago as a youth in the city. Growing up around the sport, Fortune learned the skill and science of boxing early and wanted to use what he knew to help inspire the city and make a name for himself in the sport. 

While fighting and winning titles as a middleweight, Fortune began work as a personal trainer. Through his love of fitness and the art of the sport, the boxer established JABS Gym Birmingham. Exclusively Black-owned, the Birmingham location services all levels of fitness. Open for the past 10 years, the gym was Fortune’s way of starting a legacy while still growing in boxing. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
There are always going to be struggles that’re a part of life. I apply the core values of boxing to everyday life. You don’t have to be a professional fighter or want to compete to learn core values, to learn self-esteem, to learn hard work and good ethics. t 

As you know, we’re big fans of Jabs Gym Birmingham. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Our Elite Staff is made up of Professional Boxers, Kick-boxers, Master Trainers, Yoga Teachers, Nutritionists & an American Ninja Warrior! 

Detroit’s revitalization has been focused on the return and creation of new businesses in the city. 

Getting in shape has seen a resurgence as well in Detroit and Jabs has become the hot spot gym in the city because of its unique offerings. 

“Building a boxing/fitness gym has a significant magnitude in the resurgence of Detroit,” said Fortune. “We take pride in building not just a ring of champions, but a life of champions, with the education of health, fitness, style, and boxing. We lead a fun, interactive way to jump-start a healthy lifestyle for Detroiters. We are doing our part by not only helping Detroiters look good but feel good as well.” 

Jabs Gym Birmingham offers 

Group Training 

One-on-one training 

Boxing training 

Boxing classes 

Fitness and Circuit 

BOYO™ 

BOYO™ is what sets the gym apart from others 

Zoom and in-person 

Fortune, who is a professional boxer by the name of Fortune 500, with ten knockouts under his belt, formulated the routine of high-intensity aerobics and yoga poses after experiencing the benefit of yoga. 

“Everyone thinks I’m crazy when I tell them about our BOYO™ classes. But being a professional boxer, I find yoga provides the perfect complement to the physical demands of boxing,” said Fortune, who’s fought on Showtime, Fox Sports, and Pay-Per-View. “It may not make sense to read about, but come try it. It’s a totally new spin on both boxing and yoga,” he continued. 

BOYO is a hybrid of boxing and yoga. Fortune and a partner developed two formats for the workout. The first of the two called BOYO X consists of 45 minutes of cardio boxing while the second 45 minutes is yoga. 

The second BOYO™ routine is a sequence of moves alternating between a high heart rate during cardio boxing while resting the heart rate during standing yoga moves for recovery, such the warrior pose. The intervals are designed and instructed by Fortune, who demonstrates the full sequences and allows the member to execute them at his or her own pace. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I don’t believe in luck overall. Instead, I believe success is like a bank; you only get what you deposit. 

Pricing:

• First Class is Free
• First Month $59
• Unlimited Classes $99
• Unlimited Classes $119 month to month
• Walk-in $20, 3 class pass $49 and 10 class pass $149

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: http://birmingham.jabsgym.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jabsgym_bham
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jabsgymbirmingham
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1F7gNv-QKERWO4maXS5-gA
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/jabs-gym-birmingham-6

Image Credits
Jabs Gym Birmingham