Home LifestyleHealthFitness Hoboken Girl of the Week: Jirina Harastova {of Phalanax Gym}

Hoboken Girl of the Week: Jirina Harastova {of Phalanax Gym}

by Kate Lombardo
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We’ve had so many fabulous women featured as our Hoboken Girl of the Week, and this week is no exception to the rule. Jirina Harastova was born and raised in the Czech Republic before moving to the United States. She moved to the Hoboken area and has been inspiring people in the fitness industry for more than a decade, where she trains and teaches a community of like-minded individuals for “train for life”— the mantra of her gym, Phalanx {located at 651 Observer Highway}.

 

Jirina Harastova photoshoot for new gym and more.

Snap Fitness JC

^that’s Jirina! We could definitely use a few fitness tips from her!

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Jirina opened Phalanx, in May 2014 with the goal of cultivating a community where strong bodies and minds are created —where judgment has no place. This positive mentality allows members to thrive by evolving and transforming their lives on a daily basis.

Hobbs Inc

Working out at the gym isn’t the only place the Phalanax crew gets together. They participate in team events like Tough Mudders and the City Race Challenge and vigorously train and compete in hybrid competitions like the Civilian Military Combine. In September 2014, the Phalanx team, The Beasts, brought home a Champion title in the Delta division {woo woo!}.

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^The Phalanx team after their burpee challenge

AXIS School of Dance

As if bettering individual minds and bodies wasn’t awesome enough, Jirina also makes sure to give back to the local community.  On January 31, 2015, they kicked off a 100 Day burpee challenge with 30 members. After 100 days, together as a team, they completed 185,600 burpees and raised nearly $10,000 for the Green Beret Foundation and their gym. They operate under the mentality to give back to those who give for us {love that!}

Jirina Harastova photoshoot for new gym, Phalanx, at 51 Harrison Street, Hoboken, NJ. Phalanx is a Greek word and means military formation from acient Greece.

Of course we had to ask our Hoboken Girl the Q’s of the week! Here are Jirina’s answers:

What is your favorite restaurant in Hoboken?

There are so many! If I had to choose one, it would be Zafra. Cozy and friendly atmosphere, Latin flare, consistent quality of food and one of the best “cafe con leches” in town.

Zafras

What is your favorite boutique in Hoboken?

Well, this is not really a boutique, but one of my favorite places to shop is Hoboken Pet for my fur baby, Blue. The owner is so amazing, friendly and knowledgeable.

What do you love most about Hoboken?

I love the local, resident & family-owned-businesses–those are the best. I love the active lifestyle of the residents. And, as a dog owner and a huge animal lover, I find Hoboken very pet friendly, and I appreciate that.

What is your favorite thing to do in Hoboken?

In addition to spending time with my friends that live here, my favorite thing is to train people. Changing peoples’ lives for the better, improving their quality of life, showing them their true potential and helping them pass their perceived limitations is my true passion. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing my clients come to me for help, trust me, take my advice and guidance, apply it and see the positive results.

How long have you lived and/or worked in Hoboken?

I have lived in Jersey City for 11 years and have worked in Hoboken as a personal trainer and coach for ten years. September 2015 marked my tenth anniversary with some of my clients. I am so blessed and grateful for their loyalty and friendship.

What is your favorite outdoor place to spend time in Hoboken?

The waterfront is my favorite area. It is absolutely stunning. When my alarm goes off at 4:00 am on some days for a 5:00 am training session, it is so worth it to be able to watch the sun rise from behind the NYC skyline. It is a beautiful sight and just makes me smile and feel good every single time, no matter what the season.

waterfront hoboken girl nyc hoboken

What is your favorite place to workout in Hoboken?

Hmmm, let’s see…. Phalanx of course! There is no other place I would want to train and no other people for whom I would like to train. We work hard AND we are such a warm and welcoming community. When a new member walks in, they are immediately drawn to the energetic yet family-like setting.

Where do you go out with friends in Hoboken?

I enjoy the restaurant scene in Hoboken. As noted earlier, I love Zafra for its coziness and awesome food. I also frequently visit Little Grocery on Jefferson Street for their comfort/home style food and family-like atmosphere. And, I enjoy the Pilsener Haus & Biergarten for their rustic European decor, the ability to be able to gather with a big or small group of friends, & the amazing food from my homeland.

pretzel biergarten

What is something you think needs to come to Hoboken?

Hoboken has made great strides over the years with their outdoor spaces. My hope is that Hoboken continues to invest in the beauty of the waterfront and in developing more parks throughout the city to provide places where people can just sit and relax, read a book or meditate, be surrounded by trees and flowers. People move at such a fast pace and work so hard—it would be great to have balance in their lives spending time surrounded by nature a little bit more.

It’s pretty clear Jirina has created an amazing community that has changed lives of her members. When her Phalanax family found out she’d be featured as the Hoboken Girl of the Week, they couldn’t wait to tell us more about her.

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 I have gotten noticeably stronger and more fit under Jirina’s thoughtful training techniques and I am also stronger mentally and physicallyJirina’s Phalanx isn’t just a gym, it’s a family, and I’m forever grateful I found it.

~Tom, age 32

 

I’ve been training with Jirina since I moved to Hoboken 3 years ago. I thought I was joining another gym, taking another class, like I always have done. And then I got to know her… You immediately realize the power of the presence you are in and suddenly you find yourself part of a community of people all striving for the same thing. I found in Phalanx a family of friends that one could only dream of, mental and physical strength in myself that I never knew existed, and a home in Hoboken that I enjoy every single day.

 ~Kelly, age 26

 

Finding Jirina and the Phalanx training program has super-charged my life-mind, body and spirit. I am strengthening muscles I never knew I had and the mental strength is just as transformative for me as the physical strength. Jirina’s spirit infuses all of us with positivity and determination. There is no saying, “I can’t do it”. With Jirina’s help, the support of the Phalanx family, and one’s own determination, “yes, you can!” Phalanx is a microcosm for how I hope the world to be-each of us lifting each other up as we grow.

~Cathy, age 52

Special Offer for Hoboken Girl Readers:

Jirina is offering a special for Hoboken Girl readers! Join between December 1st and January 31st and receive 15% all memberships and series by using the code hobokengirl. Click here to sign up!

 

*Sponsored*

Would you like to promote your business on HobokenGirl.com? Contact kate@hobokengirl.com for more information!

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