Batavia Cross Training

This is the second in a series of five stories about the honorees at this Saturday's annual Chamber of Commerce Awards Ceremony. The ceremony is being held at the Quality Inn & Suites in Batavia.

When Jessica Pratt saw a chance to own her own gym, she took it and she hasn't looked back.

Batavia Cross Training has become not only a popular fitness spot for her customers, it's become an important part of Genesee County's charitable community.

This Saturday, the gym will be recognized by the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce with a special Service of the Year Award.

Pratt said she was shocked and honored by the award.

“I’ve only owned the gym for two and a half years,” Pratt said. “It’s very humbling to be noticed already. I didn’t expect that.”

Pratt was approached by the old owner two and a half years ago, and said he was moving to Buffalo, and gave her the opportunity to take the gym over.

“I guess I was a risk-taker,” Pratt said. “I committed to it and we’ve done well. It has been my life ever since.”

Batavia Cross Training provides a different type of fitness for anyone and everyone, Pratt said.

The fitness program is for individuals who are committed to improving their fitness, whether it be to lose weight, run a marathon, or have endless energy. Through the program, members are taught to develop nutrition plans, set and reach goals, and how to maintain motivation. The program is for people of all ages, backgrounds and fitness levels. 

The gym is located at 34 Swan St. in Batavia and offers classes at various points throughout the day. There are different types of membership, including yearly, month to month, and trials. 

“I don’t do this to win awards,” Pratt said. “I do this because I like it and have fun.”

Pratt is 30 years old and lives in Le Roy. She said the community is so involved in helping Batavia Cross Training succeed.

“All of the businesses in Downtown Batavia and in Genesee County have helped out immensely,” Pratt said. “Even those donating to other events have been amazing.”

Pratt said she loves coming up with new ideas and running with them.

“I just want to keep doing what we’re doing and keep coming up with fresh, new, fun ideas,” Pratt said. “I want to keep moving in a good direction.”

Pratt wanted to thank the community and Batavia Cross Training Community members.

“I’m very happy to be able to help them and to have them support me every day,” Pratt said. “They’re the ones that are giving back. I put on the event and come up with the crazy ideas and they just support me. I love them all.”

Press release:

Batavia Cross Training is hosting its second annual Memorial Day Murph fundraising event beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 27.

Local law enforcement, first responders, active military, and veterans are invited to train alongside members of Batavia Cross Training gym to complete the Murph Challenge. For those interested in joining in on the fun, sign up today!

The Murph will consist of a one-mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 squats, then another one-mile run.

A $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a high school senior in Genesee County who will be pursuing law enforcement. If you or someone you know is interested, they can contact Batavia Cross Training or go to the scholarship department at their high school for more info.

Feel free to join us to cheer on the participating athletes!

All donations made during this event will be used for a scholarship for a Genesee County high school senior who is pursuing a law enforcement career.

Members of the local law enforcement community completed a competition at Batavia Cross Training on Swan Street called the Memorial Day Murph.

The competition is held at cross-training facilities across the nation in honor of Navy Lt. Michael Murphy, who died in Afghanistan on June 28, 2005.

The event is a competition and a fundraiser. This year, participants raised $1,625 for the family of Deputy Frank Bordonaro, who died in 2014.

Officers invited to participate by training for two months for the HERO workout. This year, nine teams of four athletes each competed, working together to help motivate each other and push through their limits in a grueling workout.

The workout consists of a one-mile run, 100 pull ups, 200 push ups, 300 squats, and finishes with another one-mile run.

Batavia Cross Training is owned by Jessica Pratt.