CrossFit Kids Monroe send community support cross country

When they heard that recent flooding destroyed the CrossFit Upshot gym in southeast Louisiana, members of CrossFit Kids Monroe knew they wanted to do something to help.

So they worked with their coach, CrossFit Monroe co-owner Claire Winston, and organized a row-a-thon, which took place Tuesday, Aug. 30, at CrossFit Monroe, 17631 147th St.

Seven CrossFit Kids members participated in the fitness challenge, rowing as many meters as they could in 20 minutes. Pledges were collected either on a per meter basis or at a flat rate. -á -á

Winston owns CrossFit Monroe with Amber Andresen, the two having purchased the gym from previous owners Mike and Maj Hudson earlier this year. Andresen and Winston are both level 1 trainers and USA weightlifting sports performance coaches, with experience in competitive CrossFit challenges.

The idea behind CrossFit is to maximize health and wellness through functional fitness routines that combine gymnastics, running, rowing and weightlifting to build custom, high-intensity workouts. CrossFit boasts a results-oriented fitness program while offering a community environment, Winston said.

"It's a really tight-knit community,GÇ¥ Winston said.

As the coach of CrossFit Kids, Winston coaches 10-12 youth with the goal of helping them improve their physical and mental health through fitness. They came up with the plan for the row-a-thon to help CrossFit Upshot all on their own.

"It wasn't even my idea,GÇ¥ Winston said.-á -á -á

Located in Denham Springs, Louisiana, CrossFit Upshot was covered in six feet of water for two full days, which destroyed nearly all of the gym's equipment. Since it was not located in an official flood zone, the gym owners did not carry flood insurance on the facility. A gym representative has started an online fundraising page on the crowdfunding website GoFundMe, in order to help raise the funds needed to replace their equipment.-á -á

"Right now, that gym has a $20,000 goal to replace some of the equipment, and I think they're only up to four,GÇ¥ Winston said. "So it would be great to help them as much as we can.GÇ¥

For more information about CrossFit Monroe, visit crossfitmonroe.com.