EP# 67: Empowered by Movement: Rebecca Casinghino's Passionate Mission to Foster Fitness and Community at Ardor CrossFit Fitness

What makes Rebecca Casinghino with Ardor CrossFit Fitness a good neighbor?

Discover the secret to prioritizing your health with today's inspiring guest, Rebecca Casinghino from Ardor CrossFit Fitness. Rebecca and her husband turned their shared passion for fitness into a thriving community hub on Wilbraham Street in Palmer. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned athlete, Rebecca's insights into the importance of movement, proper form, and personalized coaching will motivate you to take the first step—or the next step—in your fitness journey. Learn how their 24-hour facility offers something for everyone, from a 200-meter outdoor track to state-of-the-art equipment, and even a sauna to unwind after your workout.

Rebecca also tackles common myths within the fitness world, shedding light on the true risks of inactivity versus the benefits of staying active. With a focus on safety, small class sizes, and expert coaches, Ardor CrossFit Fitness ensures every member gets the attention they need to succeed. This episode is packed with valuable tips on preventing injuries, aging gracefully, and combating diseases through consistent movement. Join us for a deep dive into the world of fitness and discover how you can start making a difference in your well-being today.

To learn more about Ardor CrossFit Fitness  go to:
https://www.crossfitardor.com/

Ardor CrossFit Fitness
(413) 283-4455

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

This is the Good Neighbor Podcast, the place where local businesses and neighbors come together. Here's your host, Liz Lemon.

Speaker 2: 0:11

Welcome to Good Neighbor Podcast. Are you in need of some fitness techniques? Surprisingly, it might be closer than you think. Today, I have the pleasure of introducing your neighbor, rebecca Casanghino, with Ardor CrossFit Fitness. How are you today, rebecca? I'm well. How are you? Great. Thank you for joining us. We're excited to learn all about you and your business, so please tell us about Ardor CrossFit Fitness.

Speaker 3: 0:35

So we are located on Wilbraham Street in Palmer, technically Munson, so it's on Route 20. It is in between Palmer and Wilbraham Munson, so it's on Route 20. It is in between Palmer and Wilbraham. We're a 24-hour fitness facility. We have everything from small group classes. We also offer CrossFit as a membership in its own, so you don't have to do CrossFit, although of course I love it. I highly recommend it. It is for anybody. We have a 200 meter outdoor track, so if you want to be running or walking, you can be off of Route 20 and safe. There's all kinds of equipment, from Nautilus equipment to a free weight floor. We've got ropes for climbing, we've got all kinds of cardio equipment, so there's something for everybody. We also have locker rooms and a sauna and then great personalities and community here. So we're here.

Speaker 2: 1:32

That's awesome. It does sound like you guys have a lot to choose from, for sure. How did you get into the business?

Speaker 3: 1:39

Well, I got into this business with my husband. He is an exercise science, was an exercise science major and a collegiate athlete, so he's always been in this world of movement and strength and conditioning. He works well with athletes. He coaches soccer, so he's kind of always been in the world and then he's also a fun competitor also. So we've always kind of enjoyed being with our kids playing sport. We're kind of active in that sense.

Speaker 3: 2:15

And then we started in our garage in Brimfield doing Crossfit and broadened from there. We moved to a little box, a smaller crossfit box, over by the steaming tender in palmer. And then we just recently bought this building here on wilbraham street and um, it was renovated previously to be a full service gym and we thought this is great. We'll, you know, have something for everybody. We can have more space. We were kind of busting out of the seams at our old facility and needed a little bit of diversity. So we came here, we bought the building. We have some silent partners that have jumped in with us and supported us and loved what we did with CrossFit and thought, yeah, let's get on that. So the building is here and now we have just room for all kinds of growth and potential.

Speaker 2: 3:20

That's exciting for sure, Especially like your husband, and he can teach. You know he knows the techniques and how to do your forms properly. That's definitely important. What are the myths and misconceptions within the fitness industry?

Speaker 3: 3:35

I think the biggest misconception is injury and risk of injury. There's risk of injury in anything and there's actually probably more risk of injury in being idle and sedentary than there is in being active in movement. And movement is really what's going to kind of age us gracefully or keep us out of the nursing home longer, save off dementia All the diseases come back to movement and nutrition. So it sort of starts here and it's never too late to start. I think that's the other misconception. So biggest is injury and honestly it's our job. We've got great coaches here. It's our job to keep you safe and healthy and moving.

Speaker 3: 4:25

Injury is not great for business, so I try to avoid that for you. And CrossFit's a lot like personal training in the sense that classes aren't huge. We've got coaches on at all times, so there's eyes on you, watching your form, correcting you, helping you just get the work done. You're in and out in an hour. It's really a lovely way to kind of get it done. As far as staying on task and having some programming, it's always different and then you know the job is to keep you healthy and strong and moving in that direction.

Speaker 3: 5:08

And the other misconception is you know, like I'm too. I'm too. It's too late for me. I can't change my ways. Of course you can. Absolutely Everybody can change, even if it's just walking down the hallway differently or, you know know, picking up your groceries differently or getting a little bit more movement. Um, I have some of the best um what's it called feedback from people, um, testimonials from somebody just the other day who is 80 years old, started here in january and has made so many strides in just six months, and that warmed me. You know like it brought tears to my eyes that this person is getting more confidence and regaining some of his life back in just six months of movement.

Speaker 2: 5:51

So Right, that's amazing too, and the fact that it's for any age. I mean, you guys have so much to offer and it sounds so much fun, but outside of work, what do you do for fun?

Speaker 3: 6:05

I like to be outside. I was going to say I like to sit and do nothing, but that does mean by the pool, you know just kind of being outside. If I can do that, that's great. Also, I've got a family of three sons and they're all very active with excuse me, with soccer, so I can be found on the side of a soccer field pretty frequently and then just kind of staying, you know kind of local, exploring what's going on out there and, you know, meeting people. I just kind of like to chill out, hang out out, be with people and friends.

Speaker 2: 6:42

Absolutely, definitely, sounds like you have a lot of different avenues, you know, during work time and off time, so that's good. Let's change gears. Just for one moment, though, can you describe one hardship or life challenges that you rose above and can now say because of it, you're better and stronger? What comes to mind?

Speaker 3: 7:00

um, I think most initially, what comes to mind is simply um sort of finding your place, um, finding my place. I will say that I'm really lucky to have very supportive parents and a family, so I so I really have to work on myself and find some confidence in that sense and keep striving to lead the way, help other people and present, present. You know, in a way, that I want to be helping people and working that way Great.

Speaker 2: 7:39

Always striving to be better, that's for sure. How can our listeners learn more about Ardor CrossFit Fitness?

Speaker 3: 7:46

So we are on social media at CrossFit Ardor and we are right here on Wilbraham Street, 354 Wilbraham Street in Palmer. We also have a website, crossfitardorcom.

Speaker 2: 8:14

And then give us a call 413-283-4455. Absolutely Definitely. It sounds like a place where you can go and do different activities, keep it interesting and always keep moving forward. That's for sure, Rebecca. Thank you so much for being on the show. We really appreciate it and we wish you and your business the best, moving forward. Thanks, Liz, Nice to meet you.

Speaker 1: 8:31

Thank you for listening to the Good Neighbor Podcast. To nominate your favorite local businesses to be featured on the show, go to gnppalmercom. That's gnppalmercom, or call 413-414-5940.