Avon Old Farms Graduate's CrossFit Gym Set to Open by Aug. 1

By John Fitts

Simsbury native Rob Olson was introduced to CrossFit during Navy SEAL Training in 2008.

Now after 6 years with the Navy SEALS, including 8 months in Afghanistan last year, he has come home to spend more time with his young family and start his own start CrossFit Simsbury in the old Wagner complex at 1285 Hopmeadow St. (Route 10). 

As a CrossFit affiliate, Olson, a 2004 Avon Old Farms graduate, will offer the company’s basic training philosophy with his own experience as a SEAL and a background filled with skiing and snowboarding, lacrosse, cross country running, football and more.

Using a combination of weights, calisthenics, gymnastics, ropes, sled dragging, tire flipping and more, the workouts are very practical, and will help people excel at other sports and everyday activities, Olson said.

“It’s functional movement that relates to real life,” Olson said.

CrossFit offers small group classes on the hour early to mid morning and again in the afternoon and evening. Clients who haven’t participated in the CrossFit system start with a prep class. 

The small instructor-led classes include a warmup, demonstration, exercise time and a cool down. Weight and other factors can be modified to accept people of various abilities and fitness levels, Olson said.

“You see a lot of great things with the class environment,” Olson said. “People tend to push themselves harder.” 

Healthy lifestyles and nutrition are also emphasized, he said.

Olson, who currently lives in East Granby, has been in the 8,500 square-foot space since July. He and others have been busy painting and doing other prep work in the space.

It’s his first business but he said the welcoming CrossFit community, friends and family that have helped out and experience in the military has given him the “courage” to open the facility.

He hopes to open by Aug. 1 and possibly offer some classes before that.

Helping him is coach Katrina LaClair, who will eventually lead a CrossFit kids program. 

For more information including schedules, hours, pricing and more, log on to http://cfsimsbury.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/CFsimsbury, call (860) 264-5705 or email rob@cfsimsbury.com.

The Facebook page offers many progress updates as well.