Alumni Award News

BY EMMA DEANS

No ellipticals, treadmills, or stationary bicycles crowd the new fitness center at 778 Portland Road in Saco. Weights, bars, and rope–instead of machines–stand out against the black floors and walls. The 2,500 sq. ft., open-concept facility is dedicated to what Saco resident Kathryn Larochelle ’04 describes as “people-powered fitness.” Kathryn, along with Roger Levasseur, opened CrossFit Rising Tide in April 2015 after their membership in a CrossFit in South Portland inspired them to bring the fitness regimen to Saco.

Founded by former gymnast Greg Glassman in 2000, CrossFit combines weightlifting and gymnastics. The CrossFit phenomenon now boasts more than 11,000 affiliate gyms worldwide and a signature competition called the CrossFit Games that crowns the “Fittest On Earth.” Maine hosts 24 CrossFit gyms, also known as “boxes. 

Roger described the program as “functional fitness in one hour, scaled for anyone’s ability and constantly varied.” He programs each workout session and provides coaching. On any given day a workout might include kettlebell swings, push-ups, squats, running, lunges, or bench presses. New members take five one-hour introductory sessions to become acclimated with the movements and build a foundation for proper technique. A free community class is offered on Saturdays from 10-11 a.m.

Kathryn describes that, in the years since Thornton Academy, she’s found a life-altering passion: “I did not used to be athletic. CrossFit changed me. It gave me confidence.” After high school she attended Spa Tech Institute for cosmetology and worked as a hairstylist for nine years. She still cuts hair in a studio called Salon at Rising Tide, located right next to the CrossFit.

Kathryn said the best part of being a member is the strong sense of community, “everyone is very supportive of one another…we’re like a family.” She is excited that several Thornton Academy alumni have already joined her CrossFit team and she is proud to watch members improve their fitness and gain strength. “People are often changing their goals from ‘I want to look a certain way’ to ‘I want to feel a certain way,’” she said. 

Left photo: Kathryn Larochelle ’04 (back row, second from left) and Roger Levasseur (back row, far left) pose with some of their members from CrossFit Rising Tide. Right photo: the 60 members of CrossFit Rising Tide range in age from 14 to mid-60s, and come from many different backgrounds and abilities.