MARTIAL ARTS STUDIO PICKS UP MOMENTUM WITH NEW OFFERINGS

Services include range of classes, on-site massage therapist, writes Erin Petrow.

With a background in martial arts that started at five years of age, Kris Kembel was always interested in opening his own martial arts studio.

Kembel’s wife Joanne Horsley was quick with the encouragement and after they were given the opportunity to run selfdefence courses out of a rented space, it didn’t take long for Momentum Martial Arts to be born.

It began with the couple running small karate classes out of the gym at Tommy Douglas Collegiate. After spending a short time in a space on Fairlight Drive, they finally settled into Momentum’s longtime studio on 33rd Street.

Near the end of 2017, as class sizes continued to grow, they realized they needed to move to a bigger location to accommodate their growing Momentum family.

Horsley and Kembel have expanded their martial arts offerings extensively since the early days of teaching karate at Tommy Douglas. Now, they offer adult classes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), karate, Muay Thai, Krav Maga and a women’s kick-boxing class. Kids can also get in on the fun with offerings in karate and BJJ.

For those who are a little stiff after the workout, Momentum’s newest offering is an on-site massage therapist, who can bill directly to customers’ insurance providers.

Being part of the Momentum family means a lot more than training in martial arts. They also offer kids camps in the summer — with a lot more activities than just martial arts — and have regular movie nights, potlucks and even Nerf gun battles in the huge new space.

The community-based approach really sets them apart from other martial arts studios, Kembel says.

“We are a community first. We do extracurricular events all the time ... we go on trips together and do community events — it’s a lot more than just martial arts.” Horsley agrees.

“On or off the mats, people are there for you. It’s pretty amazing.”

Momentum Martial Arts Owners: Kris Kembel and Joanne Horsley

Address: 401 46th Street East

Hours: Monday and Wednesday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Website:

www.momentummartialarts.ca Phone: 306-244-5711

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YXE QUICK CLEAN

When Lindsay Quick opened YXE Quick Clean last summer, her focus was on detailing fleet vehicles — until more and more people stopped in to ask if they could drop off their personal vehicles. She decided to switch it up.

After having her own car detailed and finding expensive prices and a long, inconvenient wait, she decided to do things differently. She set a goal to offer all her clients affordable, convenient and professional service.

“I’ve had my vehicle detailed in Saskatoon before and it was hundreds of dollars ... and I was without my car for a day,” Quick said. “I just thought this was not OK, in no way is this convenient for my busy life and I’m not the only person who’s busy — there are people way busier than me.”

Each car at her shop has a turnaround time of two hours, so customers are not left stranded without a vehicle for a day. There are two drop-off locations — the year-round shop on Cynthia Street and a seasonal location at the Willows — as well as a mobile service that comes to clients.

It’s all as easy as going to the company’s website to book a spot. Quick offers a variety of cleaning options for the interiors and exteriors — everything from pet hair removal to UV protection for vinyl and leather. All forms of payment are accepted, including gift cards.

“It’s super reasonable and that’s the idea,” Quick says. “We also offer gift cards and those are especially popular around Mother’s Day and Father’s Day ... it’s a super hit. Even for my own father, he has everything and if he wants something he will buy it for himself, but a vehicle detail, it’s a service and I know he is going to enjoy that service for weeks.” YXE Quick Clean Owners: Lindsay Quick and Piotr Sztorc Address: 818 E Cynthia Street Hours: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Sunday with extended hours at the Willows location. Website: www.yxequickclean.ca Phone: 306-700-5599

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KAYLE NEIS Kris Kembel, who owns Momentum Martial Arts with his wife Joanne Horsley, says their business has expanded beyond a martial arts studio to become a community hub, complete with kids camps, movie nights, potlucks and even Nerf gun battles at their 46th Street East location.

LIAM RICHARDS Lindsay Quick, left, and Piotr Sztorc, owners of auto detailer YXE Quick Clean, offer a two-hour turnaround so people can get their cars looking good without having to give them up for an entire day.