Equipment For New Crossfit Gym

Hi! For those of you who don't know me, I am Zack Ruhl, Adaptive Athlete and Crossfit Gym coach. I fell in love with fitness at a young age and it eventually evolved into an infatuation with a different kind of workout, CrossFit. CrossFit has given me the confidence and motivation to be a better person and to encourage others to live a healthy lifestyle and unsurprisingly I market myself as a, "No Excuses" type of guy. I went to a local gym and was approached with an offer to be a personal trainer after a couple of formal classes. I graciously accepted and  took my first step into the world of training. I soon found out that I loved helping others just as much as I loved helping myself. I did not like the structure of the gym, however. The hierarchy system and the amount of people who did not have a passion for it gave me the motivation I needed to branch out and go on my own. I gathered a couple partners and opened my own gym. I got invited to an abilities expo in downtown Houston and I discovered a world unknown to me. There were tons of other adaptive athletes playing sports and YES! there were sports for other people like me.


I became more involved in the Adaptive community and learned there were others that had the same passion to become fit and in shape, but they were overcome by anxiety from traditional gyms that did not offer that personal connection between the coaches and members. The community of adaptive athletes inspired me and taught me something more valuable than I could have ever learned from my own personal experiences of perserverance.

Introducing Moshai Carter , she is 28 years old and at age 3 she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy.


She believes in my commitment to fitness and has this to say, "I was actually introduced to Zack through a mutual friend of ours. I had been having tons of pain. At the time I had been running at least two miles everyday and my doctor told me that instead of running I needed to increase my muscle strength in order to quell the pain a bit. I was venting one day when he told me about Zack. I was skeptical about him at first. I couldn't see how someone with out legs could help me with mine. He told me to give him a try and he's been a Godsend. I know it's beneficial! My entire quality of life has changed drastically most definitely! Zack has so much passion for his work and the biggest heart of anybody I know. He truly cares about the people he trains and believes in them maybe more than they believe in themselves. One day we were training and he was telling me about the chair he created and he told me that he didn't want a profit. He told me that the only thing he asked for was a new chair for himself and the ability to get chairs for his athletes when necessary. I couldn't believe it. He literally gives his own money to help others. No one would know it because he doesn't talk about it. I think everyone should know how awesome and life changing Zack has been for me. If anybody would have told me I'd be doing CrossFit and loving it six months ago, I would have laughed. Although I'd exercised before, it was at the most minimal level and I always shied away from sports out of fear. I spent most of high school behind a clipboard taking stats and wishing that I could be on the court. It was rewarding at the time, but his encouragement and patience has finally given me something I've always dreamed of - my own court! Thanks to you, I can finally say that I am an athlete. More than that, you have given me a whole new type of confidence and pride in myself and my abilities. For that I can never thank you enough!"

 
I wanted to give back to the community that so graciously took me in, so I devolped a program in my gym that offered free training to others who wanted to get involved with fitness but had disabilites. I have met so many inspirational people who strive to be better and healthier. I feel beyond blessed to be able to pass on my knowlege and expertise to them. This program is successful and my goal is to expand it. I have equipment, however some of it is old and a majority of it is not designed for adaptive athletes. What I have right now is suitable for the small classes I have, but it will not be sufficient  enough for my ultimate plan of expanding my program.

Meet Vanessa Marin, 28 she was in a car wreck at 18 years old resulting in a spinal chord injury leaving her paralyzed from the waist down.



"I was referred to Zack by Angel (Another Adaptive Athlete Coach) because I was looking for a gym where I could get help working out. Zack has really helped me push myself and see what I'm capable of doing, regardless of the wheelchair. It was a really rough transition. It's hard to go from being independent to having to depend on someone else for just your basic everyday needs like showering or getting in and out of bed. Not only has it helped me physically be stronger but it's especially helped with the practical aspect of it since Crossfit incorporates a good amount of functionality into its workouts. Zack is a positive influence on my life. I think Zack is amazing at what he does and although he may deal with a lot that he probably shouldn't at times, he always manages to push through it, show up and be a positive influence."

What I would like to do is raise money to purchase equipment designed for adaptive and regular athletes alike so I am able to take on bigger classes, resulting in me touching the lives of more people. I purchase what I can and I do these adaptive  classes for free because I know how hard it is to have a job when you have disabilities. 

This is another one of my athletes, Jesus Guzman, 18. On December 31, 2006 at the age of 10 he was involved in an car accident which left him paralyzed from the waist down. 


"After the accident I was pretty depressed and anti-social for quite a while. Eventually I came around and stopped being depressed and naturally started being a normal kid again. As I matured, I met someone who made me feel capable of leading a more productive and physical lifestyle. I went into Zack's gym one day and I was hooked. He understands exactly what I have to do and his knowledge and expertise are extremely beneficial. I feel like I am actually benefiting because of all the limits I overcome. I push myself beyond what I ever thought I would be capable of, physically and mentally."

 I would like to keep these classes free. I want bigger programs  with new directions so I can coach CrossFit and help others with disabilities. I also feel like there is  so much more room to develop and help others just like me and people who just want to live a better lifestyle.  The sure way to accomplish this is by getting more equipment so I can have more people at one time. Some of my members and I.
Any succesful gym owner will tell you that quality equipment is not cheap. A rower itself is around $1,100. That is why I am asking for this certain amount. I calculated it and that will help me get the basic necessities to give my new gym the boost it needs. I would really appreciate anything and every penny will go back into my gym so I can help even more people. This is my life. It has been a  personal experience and I have put a lot of myself into this effort.   I have already laid down the foundation for my dream but furthering this endeavor will bring it closer to reality.