Henry and Amy Adderley are the new owners of LifeThyme CrossFit Gym on Dundonald Street, which they have been running for the past two months along with trainer and gym manager Taylor Smith.

CrossFit is a fairly recent fitness discipline — after its inception in California, it has been going — and growing in popularity — for about 12 years. Mr Smith has been a CrossFit trainer for seven of those years, and the Adderleys are now certified trainers.

Mr Adderley also runs classes for children, on Mondays and Thursdays after school, while Mrs Adderley looks after the administration for the gym. She said: “I joked for a while that I was the accountant among athletes! But it has been good to learn about the fundamentals.”

They also hope to add an additional trainers shortly.

Mr Smith explained: “CrossFit by definition constantly varies between functional movement and high intensity — so every day, the classes are a little bit different.

“The plan is to make everyone stronger, flexible and move better. We keep it exciting, and try new things.”

CrossFit is done in class settings in gyms — called ‘boxes’ — and so far, LifeThyme are running five classes a day, with plans to increase that number in the fall. Mr Adderley said: “We’ll be rolling out a sixth, early morning class soon.”

Who is a CrossFit client? “People in the class range from ‘weekend warriors’, to grandmothers to kids and teen athletes. We have mountain bikers and soccer players who come for cardio in the same class. We have people who just want to move better and want to be able to do more in their everyday life,” said Mr Adderley.

“One of our older clients was very excited, because she had been able to easily climb up a set of kitchen steps and get something down — before she had always had to hold on to something and be very careful with her balance.

“And another girl plays in American professional women’s football — she’s with the Portland Fighting Fillies, so she is training here.”

Mr Smith added: “It is good general preparation.”

Classes are more than just a way to get fit. “They are a community,” said Mrs Adderley. “They include any one, of any age, of any fitness level.”

And clients tend to challenge themselves, rather than see it as a competition, she explained. “We have people surpassing their own goals — and they do it safely,” she said.

“You can compete with yourself — and also support everyone else.

“In reality, what we find is that a lot of people get stronger and rehabilitate pre-existing conditions. More people are getting better than were ever getting injured,” adding: “And we can work around injuries — knee injuries, shoulder injuries.”

“Those who are fit, we can make them stronger and faster,” said Mr Smith. “ There’s always your first push up — then your first handstand push up. It’s such a wide range — but everybody is working towards the same goal.”

Mrs Adderley added: “There are all sorts of abilities in our classes. You see everyone cheering on each other.”

A typical CrossFit class will involve a strength-building component, using weights or body weight. “Then we do a little bit of mobility to make sure you can get in good positions. Then we’ll finish the class with ‘metcon’ or metabolic conditioning, to get the heart pumping,” said Mr Smith. Classes last about an hour. “It’s an hour where you target crucial areas of fitness,” Mr Adderley added.

His wife explained the philosophy of CrossFit is to train using movement that is functional. “If you’re doing a bicep curl, you’re using a muscle you would use for picking up a grocery bag — you’re using your whole body.” And Mr Smith added: “So instead of strengthening an isolated muscle, you’re stronger all over.”

The equipment includes barbells, kettle bells, sand bags, ab wheels and tyres — from car tyres to tractor trailer tyres. “And we do sled pushing,” said Mr Adderley.

Many people aim to improve their physical appearance through their fitness training. Mr Adderley said: “Appearance is a combination of eating and fitness. If you do CrossFit and watch what you eat you will improve your appearance. And if it’s your goal to go further and be a body builder, we can help you with that.”

Mrs Adderley said a part of their own goal is for young people to learn about fitness from a young age. “It’s amazing when you see them get into this. They’re learning the movements starting when they are seven years old — coordination, strength, balance and stamina. They see that fitness can be their sport.” In fact, CrossFit is nicknamed ‘the sport of fitness’.

In addition to CrossFit, they also open their ‘box’ for birthday parties for kids, setting up an obstacle course as well as games, and a small fitness class. “The workout is great! The kids get sweaty — and tired.

“That’s been well received!” said Mr Adderley.

If a person wants to try CrossFit, LifeThyme will offer a free class. Otherwise, clients sign up for a variety of payment packages. There is also a drop-in rate of $30 a class, and personal development sessions at $55 for 30 minutes, or $80 for an hour.

For more information, go to www.lifethymecrossfit.com, or info@lifethymecrossfit.com