This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Business & Tech

Boot Camp Workouts Move Indoors in Winchester

Mountain Strength CrossFit has just moved to an indoor space in Winchester.

For three years, Rich Borgatti ran a fitness boot camp outdoors in local parks. He and his clients ran and lifted weights in rain, snow, and sweltering heat. In between classes, Borgatti carted a huge set of dumbbells around in the back of his Jeep.

But all that has finally come to an end. Last week, Borgatti opened Mountain Strength CrossFit in a new indoor space in Winchester. The large open warehouse space at 70 Cross St. features a weightlifting area, plenty of room to move around and, most essential, a level floor.

The CrossFit system Borgatti employs combines aerobic exercise like running and jumping rope with body weight work such as pushups and situps, as well as strength training work using dumbbells, barbells, and medicine balls. The workout covers what Borgatti calls "general physical preparedness."

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

“We’re preparing for life,” Borgatti said. “People find the general day-to-day activities become easier.”

For some clients, that means climbing stairs or playing outside with their kids without getting winded. For others, it means running marathons faster, or finally getting their blood pressure down to the normal range.

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

Small group classes are offered one to three times a day throughout the week, and members can go to as many classes as they like. The workout changes daily. Borgatti writes each day’s routine on a white board, where he also records members’ timed workouts, as well as upcoming events. Each member keeps a journal to record workout performance, which allows tracking of progress over time. 

Borgatti emphasizes Mountain Strength CrossFit is more than just fitness classes. There are one-on-one training sessions, private coaching hours, guest speakers, and social events.

“We really are a community here,” Borgatti said. “You work out next to somebody else for awhile, they become your friend.”

For Borgatti, the CrossFit system is more than just a job. It has changed his life. A few years ago, Borgatti was a personal trainer and martial artist working as an IT specialist in Boston. His job was tied to the stock market and required him to be on call 24 hours a day. He was getting to work late, staying at the office long into the evening, and going through 6-packs of Mountain Dew on a daily basis. He was stressed out and out of shape, and realized something had to change. That’s when he started taking early morning classes at CrossFit Boston.

After awhile, his work life became easier and more successful. He started leading friends in informal boot camp sessions. Then he decided to become CrossFit certified. Finally, he left his IT job and became a full-time trainer and martial arts instructor.

“It feels fantastic,” Borgatti said. “I get to help people on a one-to-one basis. I get to see positive changes in other people’s lives. I get to feel like I’m really connecting people and bettering the community.”

Borgatti is excited about finally having an indoor home for his business. While classes have been running in Winchester for over a week, some of the space is still being developed. Borgatti has rowing machines on order. He also plans to install gymnastics rings, which will hang from the ceiling and allow clients to strengthen muscles using their own body weight. Borgatti’s longer-term plans include offering more classes and trainers, opening a pro shop, and incorporating his wife’s sports massage therapy practice.

Those thinking of joining Mountain Strength CrossFit can take advantage of a free private session or a free week of classes. Membership prices range from $159 to $279 per month, depending on how many classes per week members attend. A minimum three-month commitment is required when joining. Borgatti said that’s about how long it takes for new members to see positive changes in their fitness. After that, Borgatti said, most people want to keep going.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?