A new small-group fitness studio that uses smart technology to help keep weightlifting safe is expected to open in Santa Barbara next week.

Jacob Rauch and Sam Brown have combined their experience working with professional athletes and smart technology to open Connected Strength, a strength-training-focused fitness studio.

“Our guiding principle is really just making strength training more accessible,” Rauch said, “because the industry and the general population are aware of the benefits of strength training for muscle growth, bone mineral density, or strength, but it’s intimidating.”

Connected Strength is powered by Tonal smart technology, which offers a safe weightlifting exercise that will adjust in real time based on performance and progress. 

“You could take a class next to your mom, and you wouldn’t have to worry about changing the weights or having too low or too high of weights for you,” Rauch said. “It’s specific to everyone who comes in here.”

Rauch has been working for Tonal for three years. After working on pop-up events, Rauch had the idea to create a gym in Santa Barbara using the technology. 

Once enrolled at the gym, a person gets their own profile for signing in. The machines will give each user a suggested weight limit, and based on performance, will automatically reduce or add weight.

The weight comes from an electric motor in the machine that creates tension on the cables, which leads to resistance at the handle. Users can lift up to 250 pounds of resistance, according to Rauch.

The 50-minute classes have spots for eight people. Classes will start with a warm-up on a bike before heading into a core workout.

“The entire class, you’re just alternating between strength training exercises and the bike. … By the time you leave, you’ve done a lower body exercise, two upper body exercises, core exercise and cardio on the bike,” Rauch said. “So you have this full-body workout in 50 minutes, and then you’re out of here.”

Connected Strength is set to open Monday at 910 Philinda Ave., Unit D.

Golf Simulator Opens in Hollister Barbershop

You’ve heard of speakeasies, but have you heard of a secret golf simulator inside a barbershop?

Neighborhood Bunker opened last week inside Hollister Barbershop at 5879 Hollister Ave. in Goleta.  

Founded by Amanda and Brad Babineaux, Neighborhood Bunker offers a private and relaxing room where guests can practice their golf swing.

The pair got the idea to open a golf simulator room after seeing one in her brother’s garage. Brad Babineaux said he saw a for-rent sign at 5879 Hollister Ave., and when he called the landlord, he learned that Hollister Barbershop had signed a lease for the space earlier that day.

After talking to Alex Diaz, the owner of Hollister Barbershop, they realized the two businesses could easily coexist. 

“It’s a cool environment, and we wanted to be a part of that as well,” Amanda Babineaux said. “I think that’s more of what made us choose this space. We were looking to be solo somewhere else, but this just felt right, and we love Old Town.”

She said they envision people using the space for business meetings, hanging out or just trying to practice their golf swing in a judgment-free space. 

“It’s nice because you don’t have eyes on you here, so you can experiment, you can hit a bad shot and not feel judged for it, and you can really just get into it,” Amanda Babineaux said.

Roman-Style Pizza Restaurant Opens in Goleta

A new Roman-style pizza restaurant, Pegaslice, has opened in Goleta in the spot of the former Home Plate Grill at 7398 Calle Real, Suite C. 

Pegaslice offers thin and crispy rectangle-style pizza, pizza-style sandwiches, salads, soft-serve ice cream and appetizers.

It is owned and operated by McLeod Noormand, the latest in a long line of Santa Barbara restaurant owners.

His grandfather, Albert Noormand, was one of the original founders of Giovanni’s Pizza in Montecito in the 1980s. His dad has owned Giovanni’s Pizza in Carpinteria since the 1990s.

Los Agaves on Milpas Returns

After temporarily closing in May, the Los Agaves restaurant at 600 N. Milpas St. in Santa Barbara reopened on Tuesday. 

The Barber Shop Opens in New Location

The Barber Shop celebrated the grand opening of its new location at 429 State St. in Santa Barbara last Friday. 

Founded in 2016 by Jorge Salgado, The Barber Shop was originally located at 1233 State St. but moved at the end of June.