BARx opened with one simple goal in mind……to create a cool place to work out with our friends. Now six years in we can proudly say that BARx is still our favorite place to hang out with a group of people who continually humble us with their kindness, inclusiveness and positive energy. For us the obvious next step was to make it easier to include athletes of all abilities in our community and offer the benefits of CrossFit training to anyone who has the desire to train hard. With the help of Bob Portell and his daughter Josie, our first adaptive athlete, we have set up BARx ADAPTIVE TRAINING. Check out Bob and Josie's story below.
"Our mission is to provide our adaptive athletes with the necessary equipment, qualified trainers and a fully accessible facility that will allow everyone in our community to train together. We will offer specialized health and fitness opportunities for children and adults with disabilities in a family-friendly environment AT NO COST to the adaptive athlete."
No matter what your fitness level or physical limitations, you will find a warm welcome at BARx CrossFit. You’ll find people who cheer for you when you take on new challenges, commiserate with you after tough workouts, and celebrate with you along every step of your fitness journey. What brings us together is our common dedication to a constant pursuit of a healthier, happier life, developed partly, through fitness.
Bob and Josie Portell - The Father/Daughter duo behind BARx Adaptive
The BARx adaptive program began somewhat serendipitously after co-founders Monica Lohnes and Bob Portell crossed paths at a Crossfit competition for kids in the Spring of 2018. Bob’s 13-year-old daughter, Josie Portell, has spina bifida and was entered in the competition that day, and Monica worked closely with Bob to help plan specific adaptations for all the events. Everyone in the gym that day, from the competition organizers to the other participating athletes to the spectators, walked away feeling awed and humbled by her performance. Something special had just taken place, but it was only the beginning.
After that competition, Monica and Bob took it upon themselves to begin developing a long-term adaptive program in concert with the owners and coaches at BARx Crossfit and a seemingly endless supply of dedicated volunteers. The combination of Monica’s passion for fostering an inclusive fitness environment for people with disabilities and Bob’s endless dedication to creating fulfilling athletic endeavors for his daughter was a match made in heaven. Working around their full-time jobs and other obligations, these two threw themselves heart and soul into this project, and in the process, they created an enduring program that is truly exceptional.