Newtown Brothers to Open Gym

Kurt and Kris Kling grew up playing sports in Newtown. Now these certified trainers are bringing their skills to their hometown by opening a new gym.

CrossFit RedZone is set to open in its location on Pecks Lane on April 1, said older brother Kurt.

"We played sports all our lives in Newtown," said Kurt, "so we want to see people from Newtown work out in our gym."

The brothers also volunteer their time running the strength and conditioning program for the NHS wrestling team.

"It is very cool because we both wrestled so it was working with our old team," said Kurt.

What is Cross Fit?

Kurt, 27, was introduced to the CrossFit type of training while in the military in Colorado Springs. After seven years in the United States Air Force, Kurt moved back to Newtown in the summer of 2011 and was disappointed not to find any CrossFit facilities in his hometown. So he decided to open his own fitness space to offer the community the type of training that has inspired him.

CrossFit is best described as "constantly varied functional movement performed at a high intensity," explained younger brother Kris, 22, who will graduate this spring from James Madison University in Virginia.

This type of training is based on movements performed in real life rather than machines, which isolate only certain muscles, said Kris.

"Machines aren't natural movement," said Kurt. "You may end up teaching your body an unnatural moving pattern."

CrossFit workouts are designed to use everyday movements performed at a high intensity, explained Kurt.

"You'll never spend more than an hour at our gym," said Kurt, noting that by the time clients are finished with the intense workouts, an hour is enough.

"We were made to sprint and hunt, and we don't do that anymore," said Kurt. "CrossFit brings our bodies back to our naturally intended state."

The New Facilities

The Klings looked for a space for months, said Kurt. The gym finally found a home at 31 Pecks Lane, which is the Tier One property that formerly housed some town offices. The same property is home to the adjacent Pecks Lane Cafe.

The brothers wanted a place where clients would have enough inside space to workout but could also run outside. Renovations are underway to create a 2,000-square-foot "box," said Kurt, referring to the open floor plan of the gym.

"When you walk into the space, you're going to want to play with everything," he said with enthusiasm.

Workouts are built utilizing body weight, free weights and gymnastics. The only machine in the facility will be a rowing machine, said Kurt.

The gym will offer a variety of classes, as well as individual and group training. Kris is being certified for CrossFit Kids, so the gym can offer classes for kids as young as 6 years old.

Memberships will be available, with discounts for students and families, as well as law enforcement and military clients.

CrossFit RedZone is located at 31 Pecks Lane, Unit 3. The gym will be open daily beginning April 1, 2012. Call for hours: 203-383-9793.