What’s up with all the CrossFit gyms in Lake Highlands? The truth is the gyms are essentially the same, but with different owners and exercise approaches. According to their websites the gyms all offer free Saturday classes at 9 a.m. for anyone interested in trying the program. Coincidentally all of the gyms opened in October, and they all present small class sizes, different exercises for each class, and a nutritional diet guide for participants. Only two of the gyms, CrossFit Lake Highlands and CrossFit Heat offer a children’s athletics program; CrossFit FCH says their program will begin in the summer. If you’re in the neighborhood and want to give one of these gyms a try, here’s the break down:
CrossFit FCH students working hard as they complete their exercises
CrossFit FCH, which stands for: functional movements, constantly varied, and high intensity, is located on Grader Street. It is family owned and operated by husband and wife, Donovan and Stephanie Berrier and their brother-in-law, Micah Shockley. The family first got into the affiliate when Shockley, an active U.S. Army solider, currently stationed in Iraq, told the Berriers about the facility and suggested they try it. “Prior to CrossFit Lake Highlands, opening up, there was not a whole lot of gyms or fitness centers in Lake Highlands that served the community, so we thought it would be a perfect opportunity for our CrossFit facility,” says Donovan Berrier. Classes are Mon.-Fri, 6 a.m., 7 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. For more information, call 214.770.8426
CrossFit Lake Highlands is located on Audelia. The gym’s owners are Lake Highlands’ residents Mark and Kristen Barnett, and Chris and Lisa Schmiedeke. In an interview with editor, Christina Hughes Babb, owner and coach Chris Schmiedeke says he thought CrossFit would change the attitude people have towards fitness because the gym provides better results in a short amount of time. Classes are Mon.-Fri., 5:30 a.m.-6 p.m. For more information, call 214.494.9348.
CrossFit Heat is located off Judd Court and Forest. The owners and trainers are Danny Canete, Bodie Sartin, Garret Hellinger, and Jeremy Borchardt. Owner, Danny Canete says the gym, unlike the other CrossFit gyms, which make participants pay for a start-up class, CrossFit Heat, allows participants to start slowly and learn the programs as they go with no start-up fee. He also says that anyone interested can take a class without a drop-in fee. Classes are Mon.-Tues. and Thurs.-Fri., 6 a.m., 7 a.m., 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., 7 p.m., and Wed. 5-7 p.m. For more information call 214.460.7615.
