The Borders’ only CrossFit gym is holding an open day next Saturday.
RDAS CrossFit at Weavers Court, Forest Mill, in Selkirk will be open to anyone interested from 10am to 3pm when trainer Neil Davidson will answer questions about fitness and show what he and the gym have to offer.
He said: “Folk can come down, talk fitness, talk CrossFit and talk about their fitness goals.”
CrossFit is a strength and conditioning brand that combines weightlifting, sprinting, gymnastic moves, powerlifting, kettlebells, plyometrics, rowing and medicine ball training.
Neil, a former Marine, started doing the high intensity workouts, which originated in the US in 2002, about two years ago.
He said: “CrossFit workouts are constantly varied, they are functional movements which you use in everyday life and it’s all high-intensity. It makes workouts shorter and you gain benefits in strength and flexibility. I wish I’d discovered it earlier, I’m the fittest I’ve ever been. It’s good.”
The 47-year-old dad had already done a distance learning diploma in health, fitness and nutrition before starting up outdoor circuits at the town’s Riverside in autumn 2010.
He completed the CrossFit level one instructor course in London the following year before opening the gym that September.
The trained bodyguard also runs self-defence classes and recently introduced a kettlebell class. There is also 24-hour access to the gym for ‘CrossFitters’.
He plans to attend a session with self-defence guru Tony Blauer, who trains special forces around the world, at the end of the month to train in a new system combining fitness and self-defence.
At the gym next Saturday, there will be discounts for CrossFit inductions and for PDR self-defence courses booked on the day.
And money from refreshments, a raffle, a 500m rowing competition and CrossFit workouts during the day will go to Help Our Wounded Royal Marines.
The charity will also have a stall at the event.
Meanwhile, people of all abilities are invited to outdoor circuits practice at Yetholm later this month.
Anyone who wants to enjoy getting fitter is welcome to the session at noon on the village playing fields.
For more information email salgillespie@yahoo.com