A CrossFit class in Nampa, Idaho in the USA is showing kids and young adults with special needs that exercise can be fun. Snake River CrossFit Special Edition is a unique idea that really seems to be taking off.

Three fitness enthusiasts – Brianne Laverty, Andrew Taghdiri, and Meg Morton – saw a big need for this in our community.

“We have a kids program here, but it’s kind of intimidating, lots of noise. What we decided is they kind of needed their own space and they can have quiet music and they can wander and play. It’s really cool to see the kids take baby steps and we can adapt stuff,” Laverty said.

The kids love the program because the trainers make exercise fun.

“All of a sudden they are doing this whole new thing that they have never tried before,” said Morton.

“In our other lives, Bri and I are teachers, so also just following directions, social skills for these kids, learning to be a part of a group taking turns.”

“It’s all something that they can transfer into their everyday lives,” she added.

For parents like Thad and Lori Petersen, this class is huge for their daughter, Rachel.

“It’s all around a really good experience for her,” said Thad. “It’s really helping with her coordination and her muscle tone. It’s making her stronger and more fit, it’s helping her grow.”

Laverty says it is so much more than just an exercise class.

“It’s this whole new community for these kids to be a part of,” she said. “Seeing the kids form friendships too, is really cool.”

This class is open to young people of all ages and all abilities, and they will work with families that are unable to pay for the class. It’s on Saturdays, and the program lasts 6 weeks. It starts back up again on February 6.

“We’re still trying to bring as many families here, we just want them to be able to give it a shot,” said Taghdiri. “We want them to come and just experience it.”

For more information on Snake River CrossFit Special Edition check out their website.

Source: KTVB.com