From huge chain gyms to upscale Pilates studios, the Hudson Valley is familiar with fitness. Yet in Wappingers Falls, Peach Physique fills a niche as a fun and inclusive boutique studio that doesn’t take working out too seriously. The women-owned fitness spot has pioneered its own method of fitness that blends techniques from barre, Pilates, and yoga to tighten, tone, and lift participants, all in an inviting environment.
Opened in December 2023, Peach Physique is the product of partners Patricia John, Jocelyn Drew, and Alaina Drew. The trio are all former Manhattanites who left the big city to build new lives and bring business, community, and wellness to the Hudson Valley. While Jocelyn and Alaina Drew are the owners of online candle company Bijou Candles, Patricia John, affectionately known as “Head Peach,” has over 25 years in the fitness industry. John has previously worked with a variety of clients, including television personality Al Roker, and she specializes in personal training and group fitness.
For John, starting her own fitness studio has not always been on her mind, but after moving to the Hudson Valley and teaching classes at other workout hotspots in the region, she realized the need for something like Peach Physique. With Jocelyn and Alaina Drew being regulars in many of her fitness classes, the three naturally came together to start the Wappingers Falls studio, each bringing a different strength to the table from marketing to design to fitness plans.
Peach Physique is anything but your average workout class. Each session is 45 minutes and utilizes The Peach Method – a technique developed by Head Peach Patricia John. Her method blends elements from all kinds of exercise, employing bands, light weights, and barre along the way. The combination of moves works the core safely and effectively to correct posture and tone muscles, all with low impact exercise and perfectly curated music.
As an inclusive studio, the fitness classes at Peach Physique are suitable for all ages, all shapes, and all intensity levels. For John, her favorite part of the job is bringing her students joy and confidence as she sees the progress they are making each week. “More than a fitness studio, Peach Physique is a community where every workout is a celebration of movement, and where exercise is not just about physical goals but a conduit to joy, wellness, and a fulfilling lifestyle,” says John.
Although the best part about working out at Peach Physique is that no prior experience or skill is necessary to participate, the studio recently added more classes of varying difficulty levels so that there is something for everyone. Try the Pure Peach for the basics, Peach Plus for more of a challenge, Peach Jam for a more energetic and dance-forward class, and Peach Punch for a session that’s more kickboxing-geared.
In the future, John hopes to add more promotions and packages to cater to specific needs and groups such as brides, since there’s an unending supply of wedding venues in the area. Further down the line, after growing the current business and spreading the word about the studio, Peach Physique hopes to expand in the Hudson Valley to larger studios with more space for classes.
In the ever-expanding Village of Wappingers, this fitness studio is the perfect addition to the handful of women-owned businesses that currently thrive within the community. Peach Physique truly is a place “where fitness meets fun – and everyone’s invited to the party!”
Peach Physique is located at 2653 East Main Street in Wappingers Falls.
