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Kings Highway CrossFit Launches Be.Strong. Training Yard™️ & Strongman Program

July 12, 2022 by
Aerial view of the Be.Strong. Training Yard

Kings Highway CrossFit in Toronto is pleased to announce that the Be.Strong. Training Yard™️ is officially open! The outdoor training facility is located at the prestigious CF Sherway Gardens Shopping Centre, conveniently located at the intersection of three major highways (Gardiner Expressway/Queen Elizabeth Way/427). At 8,000 sq. ft., it is complete with all aspects of Strongman training, and select standard gym training equipment, such as squat stands, adjustable pull-up bars, barbells, slam balls, rowers, ski ergs and even a 15 ft. rope climb. The space has four, 100ft lanes, to ensure enough time/distance under strain for such Strongman implements as yokes, push sleds, pull sleds and farmer carries to be used effectively. The Training Yard also generates its own electrical power, and therefore has such comfort ammenities as Big Ass brand fans, timers, music, wi-fi, washroom unit and even an outdoor sink to wash your hands when its all over.

'The Strongman Problem': Spend two minutes talking to Kings Highway CrossFit owner and visionary/founder of the Be.Strong. Training Yard™️, Jonathan Bertrand, and you are bound to understand his views on how Strongman has been marginalized. In his own words: "Most gyms have some Strongman equipment, it often gathers dust, and when it is used, it is typically for those participating in open gym activity, unguided and unstructured with progress not typically measurable. From an affiliate perspective, Strongman programming is difficult to scale up to an average class size. Add to this the fact that landlords in large cities like Toronto are not favourable to gym tenants using large, outdoor, paved space (if there is any). Strongman training is noisey, it's larger than life, and honestly, best done outside in the sun. In northern climates like ours, the problem is made worse by the fact that the weather is best between June 1 and October 1 for outdoor training."

The Two Part Solution: Part 1 - Be.Strong. Training Yard™️: Be.Strong. Training Yard™️ is both a training space, featuring program that has a purpose. The space (Training Yard) is a fenced off, 8,000 sq. ft. facility, located in the outer parking lot of a major shopping mall with ample free parking for members, only 5 minutes south of Kings Highway CrossFit. The most important feature is space, and lots of it. Be.Strong.™️ is equiped with enough yokes and sleds to ensure that mulitple athletes can participate together in similar activities. Two shipping containers (40ft and 10ft long) protect the equipment when not in use. A 2,600 gallon water tank provides ample water for cleaning hands, rubber flooring and equipment. Squat stands (8 in total) are secured to the ground, and sit on top of a large, rubber mat covered training area. The inside fence perimeter provides a safe 100m track for longer farmer carries and heavy sandbag carrying. Music can be played loud, as we are in the middle of a large parking lot. Digital visual and audio gym timers, 'Big Ass' fans, and lane lines on the ground add a CrossFit Games style feel to the training. Here is a link to an Instagram Reel from our Grand Opening: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CfZbDvdgXGA/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Aerial view of the Be.Strong. Training Yard

The Two Part Solution: Part 2 - Be.Strong. Program™️ : The Be.Strong. Program™️ took some thought, and ultimately, was reversed engineered to both optimize the particpants experience, and to be measurable in terms of results. Participants in the Yard and Program can participate during the posted yard hours, there are no set class start/end times. The Yard is always staffed with one or more coaches that can provide small group and one on one coaching and instruction. Athletes select from 12 preset workouts. These diversified Strongman workouts were designed in collaboration with Logan Gelbrich, owner of Deuce Gym, a CrossFit affiliate that has more outdoor than indoor training space, located 2,500 miles away in sunny Venice Beach, California. Coach Logan, amoung other credentials such as being an author and mentor, has been a CrossFit Subject Matter Expert in the area of Strongman Training. We could think of no one better to work with on this project. The initial goal of each athlete participating in the program is to complete all 12 workouts and record the results. The extended goal is to retest these 12 workouts one, maybe even two more times before the end of the program season, which ends on October 1st. Professionally designed, personally coached and measurable, the Be.Strong. Program™️ meets all of the draft expectations we set.

'No longer a novelty.' For the Greater Toronto area, Be.Strong Training Yard™️ and the Be.Strong. Program™️ has elevated Strongman back to where it belongs, outside in the sun. Strongman training can now be properly executed in a purpose built facility, and you don't have to go all the way to California to do it! Strongman training is the ultimate total body workout. It improves grip strength in particular, which translates into better weightlifting and gymnastics back inside the gym. Truly, Be.Strong.™️ is a perfect summer addtion to your training. You will thank us in the autumn/winter season!

Ground Level View of the Training Yard

Severe pandemic health restrictions fully closed Toronto area indoor gyms such as Kings Highway CrossFit for a combined 440 days since the beginning of the pandemic. In response, owner Jonathan Bertrand, his wife Sandra Paonessa, and the Team at Kings Highway have been doing even more the past 2 years to bring summertime fitness experiences such as Be.Strong.™️ to life. The initiatives have helped to reactivate both exisiting and new members alike. Kings Highway CrossFit also offers members the opportunity to participate in exclusive Kings PoolWOD workouts at an outdoor City of Toronto pool. Says Jonathan: "What sets us apart is that we are a detail oriented operation!" Full membership at Kings Highway CrossFit has it's privledges year round, but especially in the summertime! Our coaches and management team work very hard to step outside the traditional limits of indoor training.

Kings PoolWOD is a Kings HIghway CrossFit membership benefit and summertime tradition since 2017

Be.Strong.™️ access is available to individuals and affiliates. Individuals who are Kings Highway CrossFit members can add the program to their membership for a nominal fee. Non Kings Highway members can join now at a special Morning Chalk Up rate of $99/mth plus tax (normally $149/mth plus tax). Individual drop-in visits are $25/visit plus tax, however use promo code: ' CHALKUP ' and save $10 off your first visit. Affiliates can arrange to host training sessions at the Be.Strong. Training Yard for a set fee of $249 plus tax for 2 hours of exclusive Yard access and training, with the support of a Be.Strong. Coach for up to 25 participants. This is an easy, positive, social/fitness event idea for any interested CrossFit affiliate to organize that is looking to host a fun, community oriented event at a safe, professionally operated, commercial grade facility.

Here is a link to an Instagram Reel from our Grand Opening: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CfZbDvdgXGA/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

For additional information or membership inquiry, please visit our website or email us at [email protected] . To book a drop-in, click here: https://kingshighwaycrossfit.wodify.com/OnlineSalesPortal/ViewSchedule.aspx?LocationId=4637&IsMobile=False&OnlineMembershipId=56935

Select: Be.Strong. Program; Enter Promo Code: ' CHALKUP '

Our Instagram is: @kingshighwaycrossfit

We look forward to training with you at the Yard!

Bring your sunscreen, training outdoors is the best!
Warm, bright early morning training session in progress.

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