EL CENTRO — RAW Cycling held its official ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, March 27, outside its studio, located at 510 Broadway in El Centro.
For Rosa Amelia Meraz, the official grand opening symbolizes a dream come true. Along with her husband and business partner, they now have four instructors, twelve bicycles, and a mat room—the small cycling studio is quickly growing and keeping busy.
Operating since October of last year, the owners—a married couple of fitness enthusiasts—have steadily built a social media following and a growing list of clients. Both are cycling and fitness instructors at their studio. Rosa Amelia teaches cycling, Pilates, and yoga, while her husband, Chris, a physical therapist, mostly does the cycling.
“In October of 2025, RAW opened as the only dedicated cycling studio in the Imperial Valley. But it’s more than a studio; it’s a community. It’s a space where people of all fitness levels can grow, heal, and get stronger—together,” according to a press release.
The couple wanted to bring the fitness amenities found in bigger cities down to their hometown and help people in the community get stronger together.
“Chris and I are runners. We love cardio, we love movement, and we love cycling. We saw that there was nothing like that in the Valley, so we wanted to bring that here. We’re proud to be the first and only cycling studio in the Valley right now,” Rosa Amelia said.
Rosa Amelia Wellness is the business name, and those initials are how the acronym RAW came about. Having worked in a government agency’s human resources department for over twenty years, Rosa Amelia shared that she became interested in low-impact fitness activities after suffering a back injury.
Rosa Amelia shared that “I was not always a fitness enthusiast, to tell you the truth. But a back injury I had over 14 years ago triggered something in me to do holistic healing. So I started with yoga and then moved into other low-impact fitness exercises like Pilates and cycling.”
“I always say that I left the boardroom to hit the studio floor,” said Rosa Amelia with a laugh. “I left my job to spend more time with the family, so I do the cycling studio full-time while Chris still has his physical therapy job and does cycling part-time.”
For those clients who have experienced injuries, Rosa explained that there are workouts that you can do without having to use heavy weights. “You can move your body in different ways,” she said.
The studio is housed inside an old and widely recognized gun shop building. Rosa Amelia said they had to make extensive renovations. She said, “We renovated the entire building, tearing walls down and making it really our vision for what it is now—the cycling studio.”
Sher Cowie, Imperial Valley Chamber of Commerce CEO, was in attendance at the event and said, “An unexpected fork in the road sparked a path towards healing for movement, one that led to running half-marathons and earning fitness certifications and ultimately building a business rooted in wellness. I can honestly say that this story resonates with me personally—after a motorcycle accident, I became a fitness and yoga instructor.”
“At the heart of RAW Cycling is Rosa Amelia, who brings her passion for yoga, cycling, and mindful living into every class. While Chris, with his background in physical therapy, ensures that there’s a strong foundation in movement and recovery,” Cowie said.
“Together, with their family, they’ve created something truly special—a place where wellness is a lifestyle. RAW is for everyone. You don’t have to be experienced. You just have to show up,” she said.
“It’s about real people building strength, confidence, and connection. On behalf of the chamber, we are proud to celebrate RAW Cycling Studio, not just because it’s the first of its kind, but because of the impact it’s making on the community. Congratulations—and thank you for inspiring the Imperial Valley to move, heal, and thrive,” Cowie said.
Cowie read a statement on behalf of the city of El Centro, saying, “We extend our congratulations on the ribbon-cutting of RAW Cycling Studio. This is an exciting addition to the Imperial Valley, bringing a new approach to health and wellness.”
The City Council commended Rosa Amelia and Chris and said they look forward to the positive impact on the community. Representatives from the state assembly and senate were in attendance to give some remarks and present the new business owners with certificates of recognition.
Members of the community were present at the celebration, as well as close friends and family, such as Maria Ines Quintanar and her daughter.
“Everyone who comes here leaves with a smile. All the customers get very excited and happy. It seems the community was waiting for something like this,” said Maria Ines, who happens to be Rosa Amelia’s sister.
“Through our time in working out, exercising, and staying fit throughout our lives, we decided to incorporate our passion into our community by opening RAW,” said Chris.
“We offer daily cycling classes. Customers can expect a high-energy, intense workout. You’re going to burn 400 to 500 calories in those 45 minutes. It’s music pumping, lights, and a whole club atmosphere. We also provide yoga classes and strength training in our Fit Room, with yoga-inspired moves,” he said.
In addition, the couple said, “We have commercial-grade bikes. Our bikes are hybrid, meaning that you can pedal with your shoes, or you can use our clip-ons. The booking includes that. So that means clients can come in and completely have a good workout, even as a beginner.”
Inviting the public to come try a class, Rosa Amelia said, “Here at the RAW, we’re not looking for the perfect body. We are looking for those strong moms, strong dads, and happy co-workers who want to leave their stress on the bike. It is a whole wellness movement. And we are there to help them in any way through their health journey.”
