CrossFit Kids Class is “Super Fun!”

Here at CrossFit Salus, we love sharing our passion for fitness with the younger generation in CrossFit kids and CrossFit teens classes.

Promoting health, fitness and fun among children and teens, CrossFit Salus kids classes are for any child in the Monmouth County, NJ area who wants to get fit, stay strong for sports…and have a great time doing it. We offer classes for kids (5-8 years old), PreTeens (8-12), and CrossFit Teens (12+).

Many studies show that exercise is beneficial for school age children, and that kids can also reap the educational benefits of exercise, too!

And our CrossFit kids seem to think so, too. Hear what they have to say about it:

What Do You Love About CrossFit Kids?

We asked a few of our CrossFit Salus kids what they love about the class, this is what they said:

“I love that we come to get stronger and that we have fun all together.”
“It’s fun that I get to meet my friends to play and have fun.”
“Doing obstacle courses and learning how to exercise is super fun.”
“It’s fun, it’s so much fun! And it makes you healthy and strong!”
“I can’t wait to go to CrossFit kids so I can have more energy.”
“I like CrossFit Kids because we do different exercises all the time and everything we do is fun. I like that it keeps me healthy and strong.”
“We play games and we do pushups and jumping jacks.”
“I like CrossFit because you do cool moves.”
“I love the competition- like competing for times. Partners are a lot of fun too. I like learning new things that are challenging to me.”

What Do You Do in CrossFit Kids?

Here’s what the kids have to say about the exercises in CrossFit kids class.

“We get to do handstands, pushups or different kinds of stretches.”
“We do jumping jacks, thrusters and tire flips.”
“Jumping jacks, sit-ups and squats.”
“We love jumping jacks, I’ll show you how!”
“When we do a partner workout that we compete for time, I like running laps outside and I like the rower (and all of those with partners).”
“I like rowing and running days and I like Superman chest.”

Here’s what some of the parents have to say.

“As any parent of a child on the spectrum I did have a little anxiety about adding a new activity to my son’s routine. The CrossFit Salus coaches and community welcomed him with open arms and eliminated all my fears. CrossFit Salus has provided a structured and fun environment utilizing physical brain balancing activities. He is gaining patience, focus, core stability, strength and most of all confidence with every class he attends. I am so grateful for this beautiful community Coach Angela and Coach Gino have created.”

“Signing my kids up at CrossFit Salus has been everything I wanted it to be. My boys are not only getting cardiovascularly fit, they are learning how to dig deep within themselves and push through what is challenging to them. They also get to see that working out with new-found friends makes working out fun and worthwhile.”

“Just when I’m about to pull my hair out as my kids are bouncing off the walls (especially in the winter), I remember CrossFit Kids class is just around the corner. The coaches there do a nice job of sneaking in fitness so the kids have fun and burn off all their crazy energy. Plus, how cool is it that they get to do team workouts and cheer each other on, too!”

CrossFit Kids Registered Program in NJ

CrossFit Salus is a CrossFit Kids Registered Program. All of our CrossFit kids coaches have completed their Level 1 CrossFit Course as well as the CrossFit Kids Trainer Course. Find out more about getting your child involved. Contact us at info@salusnj.com.

Team Sports Strength and Conditioning

Calling all Football, Cheerleading, Soccer, Basketball athletes (and more!)! Take your team to the next level and help prevent injuries with team sports strength and conditioning training at Salus in Middletown, NJ.

What is Team Sports Strength and Conditioning

At Salus, we work directly with sports teams throughout Monmouth County, New Jersey to bring athletes together for a private strength and conditioning class built just for their team. Our coaching staff has worked with athletes involved in gymnastics, soccer, football, cheerleading, dance, softball, baseball, hockey, lacrosse and more.

Athletes have consistently found that training at CrossFit Salus improves their strength, power, speed, coordination, and endurance for their sport. We also focus on building strong team spirit with players working alongside each other and encourage team motivation and sportsmanship.

A team sports strength and conditioning program can benefit all athletes, both male and female. The benefits are numerous: it can help reduce the incidence of injury, reduce burnout, improve performance and improve team bonding!

Prevent Injury

Youth athletes often experience many changes in life and in sport through their growth and development process. While early sport specialization has trended towards becoming prevalent in the youth athlete, it is vital to expose individuals to a variety of movements to help them become a well rounded athlete.

This can also help to prevent injuries due to overtraining and overcompensation.

This is why youth athletes need to work regularly with a qualified strength and conditioning coach to ensure these potential injuries don’t become an issue.

Some studies find that kids who specialize in a chosen sport tend to engage in higher levels of vigorous exercise than their peers and may be more likely to sustain injuries, such as stress fractures, tendinitis and ACL tears.

This study, published in the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine, helps to explain some of the dangers of sports specialization. “Athletes who focus on one particular sport tend to practice more frequently and intensely compared to athletes who do not.”

The recommendation?

Replace some of their sport-specific training with different forms of exercise, such as conditioning.

A common fear among parents is that if their children don’t play more and more, they’ll fall behind in their sport and won’t ultimately be as good of an athlete. The study says, “But it may actually be the opposite. If children do too much, they may get injured and fall behind.”

Strengthen Your Athletic Performance and Gain the Winning Advantage

Working with a professional coach who specializes in strength and conditioning for athletes is important not only to help prevent injuries, but also to improve athletic performance. Resistance training, stability, coordination, movement efficiency and mobility can have a big impact for a young athlete.

By working with professionals, athletes can improve their speed, agility, quickness, conditioning and range of motion. With a well-designed strength and conditioning program, athletes will see what their body is capable of and what they can accomplish, enhancing a sense of self-confidence and body image. This advantage not only helps them in their sport, but in all avenues of life.

Plus, we know how to make exercise fun! They’re still kids after all, exercise should have an element of fun and not feel like a chore. Our coaches like to mix things up to help athletes prevent physical and mental burnout.

Schedule Your Small Group Strength and Conditioning Series for your Team Sports

At Salus, we offer Kids and Teens Fitness classes throughout the week that athletes can join at any time.

If you are interested in keeping your group together, Private Team sports strength and conditioning sessions are one hour dedicated entirely to that team’s specific training. Cycles last anywhere from four to twelve weeks depending on the team’s needs. Our coaches can work with you to find the best days and times to meet your players’ needs.

*From elementary to high school and travel teams, various ages are welcome (typically ages 9 and up).

Contact Coach Angela at info@salusnj.com for more information or to receive Team pricing.

Maxson & Joshalynn Athlete of the Month

We couldn’t be more excited to share this month’s featured Athletes of the Month! Max & Joshy have, of course, been doing CrossFit since day one. From flipping car tires in the prekids class to learning double unders in the kids class to clean and jerking a 60 pound barbell in the preteens class…they are now officially old enough to graduate once again to the CrossFit Teens class! But, it’s not just their physical strength that has developed over the years. We have witnessed them experience breakthroughs mentally and emotionally… which we’ve seen carry over in all aspects of life.

So proud of you both! Congratulations on being featured Athletes of the Month!

How and when did you start CrossFit?

Max: I started CrossFit Salus at the year 2012 and I started because my parents go to the gym and they inspired me to go.
Joshy: I started in 2012 and when I was 2 years old… because of my parents.

How is your performance changed since you started at CrossFit?

Max: My performance has changed cuz I am now I feel able to do pull ups and heavier weight heavier barbell movements and I’ve actually been able to do more double unders.
Joshy: My performance has changed a lot. Now I can do a lot of kipping pullups. I can do pretty heavy weight for weightlifting and I’ve also gotten better at my double unders.

How has your body changed since you started a decade ago?

Max: My body has changed because I can clearly see the muscle growing on my body now…more than I did when I was younger. And I’m able to perform things that I couldn’t do before.
Joshy: For me, I definitely see more muscle on my body!

How does CrossFit impact other activities like gymnastics or basketball?

Max: CrossFit has helped me to jump higher and it’s easier to block people in basketball or score layups in basketball…so I thank CrossFit for that!
Joshy: For me, CrossFit has helped me a lot in gymnastics. I can also do a lot of things in track. It’s like a big circle, CrossFit helps me with my legs a lot and you need strong legs for track and gymnastics. CrossFit has also helped me learn how to breathe correctly in my other sports.
Max: Also, after I’m done sprinting, I’ve learned how to control my breathing so I can recover faster.

How do you describe CrossFit to your friends?

Max: Well, mostly I say that you should come to my parents gym and get buff like me.
Joshy: I tell them it’s like a fun class where you get to workout and it’s not a boring class. It’s fun because of the way the workout is designed, the music and being with my friends.

What keeps you motivated to keep going?

*Both point to Mom*
Max: You. But also just the fact that if I keep working out, I’ll build muscle.
Joshy: If I go, then I’ll be strong and I can prove everybody who called me weak, wrong.

What is your favorite exercise?

Max: My favorite exercise is jump rope.
Joshy: Kipping Pull-Ups

What advice would you give somebody new who walked in to CrossFit?

Max: I would tell them to go with the flow and try your best because nobody judges you.
Joshy: If they were scared, I would tell them that it’s going to be ok and I would also partner up with them and help them.

What is your next goal to accomplish?

Max: Probably being able to do six or seven strict pullups in a row.
Joshy: My first goal would be get a PR on the clean and jerk (higher than 55#) and also I would like to get 15 kipping pullups in a row.

If you could design you own workout what would it look like?

Max: It would start with strict pullups, then pushups then calories on the rower, double unders and end with more pullups.
Joshy: First I would have kipping pullups, then we would have to do handstand walks, then run around the building then deadlifts!

What’s your favorite thing to do for fun?

Max: Playing Minecraft and basketball in the front yard.
Joshy: Going on my new beam.

What’s your favorite healthy meal?

Max: Wahoo’s
Joshy: Sushi

What’s your favorite fun meal?

Pizza!
Pizza!

If you could be a superhero who would you be and why?

Max: For a superhero I would probably be Doctor Strange because – if you think about it – he has basically every superpower because he can open up different universes and he has (or used to have a timestone).
Joshy: Millie Bobby Brown because he’s an actor in a movie that I really like and she’s a kid/teen and I’d love to be in a movie like a kid, too. Or maybe Captain Marvel because she can do everything. She’s really radical.

What is your most favorite inspirational or motivational quote?

Max: This is from a book: “It’s not what you have, it’s what you don’t have that counts.” Meaning you have to work together with others to solve something – like the mystery in the book.
Joshy: Don’t Be Afraid To Work Hard Enough To Find Out How Good You Can Really

What’s a fun fact not many people know about you?

Max: I don’t think many people know that I was born at 10:33am in Oxnard California.
Joshy: Something a lot of people don’t know is that when I was born, I had to stay in the hospital for 21 days. So even though I was born first, Max got the first ray of sunlight.

Athlete of the Month: Stella Regina Gets Stronger for School Sports!

As school kicks off this month, we thought it was an appropriate time to feature one of our amazing CrossFit Salus Teens athletes. Stella has been WOWing us for almost three years now! She started with the motivation to get stronger for school sports, but she also has the goal to crush the CrossFit Teens Open workouts next month. She’s one of our most consistent athletes, and the results show!

We are beyond excited to feature Stella this month! Her drive and determination is inspiring. Keep up the good work, Stella!

September 2019 Athlete of the Month: Stella Regina is Stronger for School Sports

1. When and why did you start CrossFit?

I started in 2017, but I was on and off because of school sports.

In January of 2019 I started up again and have been doing it straight through since then!

I started because my mom did it and it looked cool and fun!

I also wanted to become stronger for school sports.

2. How has your performance changed since you started CrossFit?

I am stronger and I am able to use more weight and perform the movements better.

3. Are there exercises you can do now that you couldn’t do before?

I can now do pull ups!! and I couldn’t even do one when I started.

4. How has your body physically changed since you started?

I am stronger and have definitely gained muscle but I’ve also had a huge growth spurt and grew three inches since 2017.

5. How has CrossFit changed you in other ways?

I am able to perform better and feel stronger in school sports and on runs.

When I am frustrated or stressed, WODs are the best way to clear my head!

6. How do you describe CrossFit to your friends at school?

A fun and challenging way to workout and become stronger.

7. What keeps you motivated to continue? What’s your “why”?

The fact the I am seeing improvements on my lifts makes me motivated to continue.

I want to keep getting better.

8. Favorite lift or WOD?

My favorite lift is a power clean!

My favorite WOD was a recent one I did that was the Labor Day wod. It was the longest i’ve ever done at 60 minutes and I could do it alongside my mom 🙂

It was challenging but such a great feeling to finish it.

9. What advice would you give to a newbie just joining CrossFit Salus?

Just push through even though it’s really hard.

Eventually you will start getting used to things. Although it will still be hard, it will also be a lot of fun.

10. What is your next goal to accomplish?

I want to be able to RX a WOD in the open!

11. If you could design your own WOD, what would it look like?

If I made my own WOD there would be multiple types of movements like pull ups and cleans and running!

12. Favorite thing to do for fun?

I like to hang out with my friends and my family.

13. Favorite healthy dish….and favorite “splurge” meal?

I love broccoli with rice.

I also eat pasta and pizza and ice cream all the time so it’s not really a splurge 🙂

14. If you could be a superhero who would you be and why?

I would be supergirl so I can fly and be extra strong.

15. Favorite motivational quote?

“It’s going to be hard but hard doesn’t mean impossible”

16. Interesting fact not many people know about you.

I can tie cherry strings in a knot with my tongue!

Celebrating YOUR Success

Every month we feature a new “Athlete of the Month” like Stella, at CrossFit Salus. This is a member who has stuck out to us one way or another because of their amazing progress, grit, gains and community.

We love featuring these athletes – they inspire and motivate us every day. Do you have someone in mind? Let us know!

Read their stories to help you stay focused and motivated, too.

Athlete of the Month: Trade Girgus

Five years old. FIVE! That’s when Trade started CrossFit in the CrossFit Salus Kids program. Now, he has evolved into a well-rounded CrossFit Salus Teens athlete!

Coach Gino says, “Trade is focused and responds to coaching with consistency. With the support of his parents Mark and Amy, he comes in prepared for every class, with a strategy and ready to challenge himself to be a better version of himself! I’m very proud of his progress and look forward to seeing him continue to thrive.”

Thank you for motivating us to try our best every day, Trade!

Meet our CrossFit Salus Teens superstar Athlete of the Month, Trade Girgus…

1. Trade, when and why did you start CrossFit?

I started CrossFit when I was 5 in the kids class where Coach Angie taught me all of the basics. This got me to where I am today. I had started CrossFit because of my dad when he first signed me up.

2. How has your performance changed since you started CrossFit?

I have gotten much stronger and my skills have improved a lot since I started. Some of the things I can do now I wouldn’t even have thought of doing when I first started.

3. Are there exercises you can do now that you couldn’t do before?

A few of the things I couldn’t do before I started were pull-ups, handstands, jump rope and toes to bar, but after I kept practicing I became stronger and learned new skills and become better at stuff I had already learned

4. What’s your favorite thing about CrossFit?

My favorite thing about CrossFit is the great feeling you get after finishing a very challenging workout, especially when you feel that you tried your hardest and did good.

5. How has CrossFit changed you in other ways?

CrossFit has changed me in many ways.

One way CrossFit has changed me is in sports, it has made me a better athlete.

Another thing CrossFit has done for me is it has made me aware of how I eat. Because of this, I make better decisions when it comes to food.

6. How do you describe CrossFit Salus Teens to your friends?

I tell them that is it very fun and it is a good way to get exercise and to stay healthy.

7. What keeps you motivated to continue?

My dad pays for it, so I make sure I go to every class I can, LOL

8. Favorite lift?

Some of my favorite things to do in CrossFit Salus Teens class are deadlifts and pull-ups.

9. What advice would you give to a newbie just joining CrossFit Salus Teens?

I would tell them to always try their best and to keep doing it, because the more you practice and continue with it the better you will get and the more fun you will have.

10. What is your next goal to accomplish?

My goal is to get better at double unders and to be able to do a handstand push-up.

11. If you could design your own WOD, what would it look like?

First there would be no running, LOL.

It would probably consist of pull-ups, sit-ups and rowing.

12. Favorite thing to do for fun?

My favorite thing to do would be to go to Disney World with my dad.

13. Favorite healthy meal….and favorite “fun” meal?

My favorite healthy meal is grilled chicken, broccoli and brown rice.

My favorite “fun” meal would be a plate full of tacos.

14. If you could be an animal, what would you be and why?

If I could be any animal I would be a squirrel, so I can throw acorns at people and get away with it.

15. Favorite motivational quote?

“Today I will do what others won’t, so tomorrow I can do what others can’t.”

16. Interesting fact not many people know about you.

An interesting fact not many people would know about me would be that I love cucumbers.

Celebrating YOUR Success

Every month we feature a new “Athlete of the Month” like Trade, at CrossFit Salus. This is a member who has stuck out to us one way or another because of their amazing progress, grit, gains and community.

We love featuring these athletes – they inspire and motivate us every day.

Read their stories to help you stay focused and motivated, too.

CrossFit Salus Teens Summer 2015 Athlete Prep Series

CrossFit Salus Teens Summer Athlete Prep 8-Week Series

The CrossFit Teens summer sport prep series is for anyone 12 – 19 years old.

This 8-week series is scheduled to start on Monday, June 29 and run through August 19 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Cost is $200 for the 16 sessions ($12.50/class), with a 10% discount for additional children in the same immediate family.

Classes will be coached by Gino Salveo.

What you will own after eight weeks:

• A flexible, mobile, functional body – the foundation for injury resistance.• A strong body, with strength that’s useful – you must be strong before you can be explosive.
• Quickness born of improved neuromuscular coordination and motor patterning: “crawl-walk-run-sprint.”
• Knowledge of nutrition and how to fuel the athletic body, daily and for training and competition
• Confidence in yourself and in what is best for you – ability to resist outside pressure for weight loss or gain.
• Increased work capacity

The CrossFit Teens summer program will consist of eight weeks of programming for motivated junior high and high school athletes. From the first day of assessment through the eights weeks of focused work, we will be building a base of strength, speed and agility, culminating in strength gain, improved explosiveness, athleticism, and confidence. Through body weight exercises and basic barbell work to Olympic style weightlifting, plyometrics and speed, agility and quickness drills and mobility, the athlete will be well prepared physically for their next competitive season.

Contact Gino@CrossFitSalus.com to sign up your teen today (include name of your teen and age)!

Athlete of the Month Colin Hayward

CrossFit Teens classes can be challenging and intimidating for many. It takes a level of dedication and a willingness to want to get better. That’s what Colin did, he showed up consistently, worked on mobility and worked hard in class to get better. He was the overall most improved for the 8 week program and I am proud of him. ~Coach Gino

When and why did you start CrossFit?

I started CrossFit on June 30, 2014. My family spent Memorial Day Weekend in Wilmington, Delaware. We saw a CrossFit gym and watched the people running outside and I saw all the equipment. I asked my parents if I could join a CrossFit gym for the summer. I wanted to get in shape and learn how to exercise correctly. My mom saw that CrossFit Salus had a program for teens so I signed up.

How has your performance changed since you started CrossFit?

My performance has changed because now I know how to do a pull-up correctly. I also learned how to stand when lifting and how to do squats.

Are there exercises you can do now that you couldn’t do before?

I learned how to do a double under, which is an exercise with a jump rope. This exercise works on your legs and your speed.

How has your body physically changed since you started CrossFit?

My body feels stronger since I started CrossFit. I also feel good about myself and how I look.

My body feels stronger since I started CrossFit.

How has CrossFit changed you in other ways?

After going to CrossFit I was able to fall asleep faster. I realized that working out is fun and makes you feel good.

How do you describe CrossFit to your friends?

I tell my friends that CrossFit helped me learn how to lift and do other WOD’s that I had never heard about. CrossFit Salus has an awesome teaching staff that makes class fun and they teach you the right way to lift.

Favorite WOD or lift?

My favorite lift is the Hang-Power Snatch, jerks, and Hang Power Cleans.

What advice would you give to a newbie just joining CrossFit Salus?

The advice that I would give a newbie just joining CrossFit Salus would be that you should have a good breakfast and drink lots of water before class. Have fun and give it your all.

Have fun and give it your all.