Carlyle's Living Skies CrossFit has recently moved to a new location, but it continues to be a welcoming community of participants of all ages and fitness levels, eager to take on the challenge of working towards healthier lifestyles- and equally eager to welcome others to join them.
Instructors Carson Brady, Danielle Steele, Colin Wilson, Chris Humphries, Scott Nicholson, and Darren Swanson currently coach male and female clients “from teenagers to seniors,” according to Brady, with eventual plans to expand the gym's reach to include classes for even younger age groups.
“A lot of people have the wrong idea about CrossFit,” says Brady, who is also a CrossFit competitor. “CrossFit is for everyone and it's whatever you want it to be. If your goal is to lose a few pounds or to set a better example for your kids, or to be a better hockey player... The reasons are as varied as the people. But the beautiful thing about CrossFit is that it is universally scaleable to your abilities or any physical challenges you have.”
“In reality, it's functional fitness,” continues Brady. “For every age and every fitness level. We teach people to move properly and we teach them nutrition and mobility. The goal is to keep them strong and healthy- physically and mentally- for as long as possible, ideally throughout their entire lives.”
“A lot of the most profound adaptations and changes I've seen (in people) are not just the physical,” adds Brady. “It's between the ears. The mental shift is inspiring, too. People are happier. When they get out of bed in the morning, they're better-equipped to take on the day-whether that's at their job or whatever they do that day.”
“Their choices are more positive, too. Maybe instead of heading to the bar on a weekend, they'll choose to go for a run, instead.”
Brady knows of what he speaks and says the program has transformed his life.
“A few years ago-before CrossFit- I started out running a lot and trying to do random bodybuilding exercises. It wasn't very much fun for me. Cam Jarvis was running CrossFit then in Carlyle and told me I should give it a try.”
“By the end of my first class, I was hooked.”
“At that time, I was overweight and drinking heavily. I was depressed and feeling down about myself. Now I'm extremely happy. I get out of bed in the morning feeling better- but it's not only that that and it's not just me who experiences a positive change like this.”
Twenty-two-year-old Kenzie Craig agrees. The primary care paramedic says that CrossFit at Living Skies has enhanced all aspects of her life- including helping her meet the physical and emotional challenges of her career.
“I've been doing CrossFit for nearly three years now- mostly in Carlyle,” says Craig. “I was never originally into fitness or sports growing up. After high achool, I moved away and I gained some weight and suffered from depression.”
“CrossFit helped me to focus not so much on body image, but on what my body can do. As far as my depression, I'm now medication-free. It's an awesome support group and I've done things I never thought I could do.”
Instructor Danielle Steele echoes that sentiment.
Steele, who has been training with CrossFit for over two years, recently qualified as a coach, and says: “I hope people realize it's not a scary thing. As an instructor, I've had people come up to me on the street and say 'I'm in such bad shape' or 'I couldn't do what you do.'”
“When I started CrossFit, I couldn't do one sit-up,” says Steele. “When people tell me they can't do what I do, I tell them: 'That's because I've gone (to CrossFit) for two-and-a half years!'”
“And the benefits go beyond the physical,” laughs Steele. “As a working mom, it's saved my sanity.”
“When I first came to CrossFit, it was six weeks after I had my second child, my daughter, Jorja,” she says.
“People look at Carson (Brady) and Colin (Wilson) who've competed in CrossFit competitions throughout Western Canada and say: 'I can't do what they do,'” says Steele. “But neither can I. But it's a program that can work for everyone. I'm a mom and there are high school students who do CrossFit at Living Skies and men and women of all ages and abilities.”
CrossFit Coach Colin Wilson says: “Carson and I compete, but we train as competitors. If we didn't compete in CrossFit, we'd be training to be healthy individuals, which is something we want for everyone.”
“Whether you're 14 or 64, we can make any workout manageable for anybody,” says Wilson. “ You don't have to be able to do 100 pullups; you don't have to be able to do one pullup. It's a place where the community is really supportive.”
“We can accommodate anybody. In fact, if you're really strapped, you can bring your kids to the gym. We have a play area set up and I've brought our kids. My 4-year-old has played there while I work out and our one-year-old has sat in the stroller if either my wife and I are working out and one of us is busy. We don't have a babysitter at the gym, but if you're strapped, we can work it out.”
Brady says: “When someone comes to CrossFit for the first time, the first thing I ask them is what their limitations are. Our first priority is setting up a safe program for everyone who comes to (Living Skies CrossFit).”
“CrossFit gets a bad rap sometimes, because of the intensity factor,” adds Brady. “But what we work on is movement, consistency, then intensity- in that order.”
CrossFit is based on nine basic movements and 10 skills which have both a physical and neurological basis. The program encompasses elements of weightlifting, gymnastics, metabolic conditioning, mobility, sport and nutrition.
“CrossFit is not your 21-day fix,” adds Brady. “It's fitness for the rest of your life. We achieve that through community and having fun with each other. If it's not enjoyable, it's not sustainable.”
“It's really an adult playground, in a sense,” continues Brady. “You really carry a child-like joy through the day. The accountability and community provides a support system that's unrivalled.”
“We welcome anybody and everybody,” he adds. “Don't be scared to come join us. We're friendly and if you just want to give CrossFit a try, just call ahead to book your free class.”
“The first time's always free and we look forward to welcoming you to Living Skies CrossFit.” Living Skies CrossFit is located at Bay 2, Hwy #13 (near The Floor Store). More more information, or to book a class, call: (306)-577-1887 or check out Living Skies CrossFit on Facebook.
