‘A COMMUNITY IS A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO AGREE TO GROW TOGETHER.’ – SIMON SINEK
WORDS & PHOTOS BY CHRIS TIESSEN
When Guelph native Greg Cox found himself with an opportunity to purchase Crossfit 1827 – the gym where he’d been an active member for four years – he jumped at it. After all, this Royal City community hub was like a second home for Greg: a place where he had forged many close friendships in the heat of physically-challenging, high-intensity fitness classes – as well as after-class chit chat. ‘It’s like ‘Cheers’ in here,’ Greg remarks (alluding to the classic sitcom ‘where everybody knows your name’) as we sip americanos from Lost Aviator Coffee Co in the gym’s bright and cheery lobby. As if on cue, a couple gym members who have just finished a morning class greet Greg and me with warm smiles and light conversation.
‘At Crossfit 1827 members really care about each other,’ adds Greg. ‘We applaud peers who are achieving personal goals, check in on folks who may be struggling, and support one another.’ Indeed, Greg himself has been known to touch base with members regularly, giving expression to the gym’s recipe of care and community by making sure that they’re getting the most from their memberships. Greg’s efforts are rewarded by the fact that membership at the gym has been at capacity for some time. Currently, the gym has 220 members (seventy percent of whom are female); class sizes are capped at twelve; and most members attend at least four classes per week.
When Greg leads me from the lobby into the space’s impressive 2,500 square-foot gym, I marvel at the shiny equipment, high ceilings, and loading bay doors that (in warmer climes) let a cool breeze into the space. It’s ‘Open Gym’ for the next couple hours, and a handful of Crossfit 1827 members are completing individual workouts. ‘Take a look up there,’ Greg tells me, pointing at one of the gym’s tall walls, covered with flags – over thirty of them, representing a different province or nation from across the globe. ‘Each of those flags signifies a region outside Ontario where members are from,’ he continues, a look of pride sweeping across his face. ‘Our gym really is a representation of diverse peoples coming together to achieve a common goal – and these flags attest to that.’
Crossfit 1827 is conveniently located just a few blocks off the Hanlon Expressway in south Guelph. The venue offers ample parking – and something else that members find extremely helpful: a loft overlooking the gym where members’ young kids are encouraged to do crafts, finish homework, or simply watch their parents work out below. And speaking of kids, Crossfit 1827 offers thirty-minute classes where five-to-nine- year olds train with lighter weights or body weight exercises, as well as hour-long classes that look a lot like regular adult classes for kids aged twelve and up. ‘It’s fantastic to see our younger members gain confidence in the gym,’ Greg remarks, ‘learning how to move around the space, load bars, and develop sound technique.’
He adds: ‘We welcome everyone here. Our product is community; our by-product is a longer, healthier life.’ Amen.
