Successful Veterans Only Gym Expanding to Helena

I've gotten to see the success and the heart of the Adaptive Performance Center (APC) firsthand. Needless to say I was very excited to see that the nation's first of it's kind veterans only gym is now expanding to the capital city of Helena, Montana.

Karen Pearson and Mitch Crouse started the APC in Billings, Montana to use physical fitness and camaraderie to try and stop veterans suicide. As they told David Jay with KTVQ-TV, the gym first opened in March of 2020, but since the facility is a rehabilitation center they were allowed to stay open and continue serving veterans.

In addition to having gym equipment specifically designed to move with you during your workout (something that is important for veterans with neck, back, and knee problems in particular), the APC has hosted classes and trainers for veterans. One of my favorite classes is the boxing class put on by fellow Army veteran Richard Shepard (seen in the right in the photo below)

Here is the details on the upcoming open house in Helena for the launch of the APC in Helena:

APC Helena will host a Community Open House on Monday, January 30, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Tuesday, January 31, noon to 7 p.m. Opening Day is slated for Wednesday, February 1, at 8 a.m. The facility is located at 2475 North Cook Street, Helena, one block east of Montana Avenue.

According to a press release from the APC flagship headquarters in Billings, the new Helena facility includes a large weight machine room, motion cage, yoga room, separate cardio and free-weight rooms, and a lounge.

The APC released added:

The operation is supported through grants from the Harnish Foundation, Gianforte Family Foundation, Bentley Foundation, and Montana Community Foundation, and community sponsorships and fundraising events. A Staff Sargent Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant helps fund personal trainers, veteran liaisons, peer mentors, an occupational therapist, and contracted massage therapists and acupuncturists at both locations. APC is also staffed by volunteers committed to the APC motto, “Making the Impossible Possible.”

Hope to see you all at the APC in Helena on Monday.

For more information on Adaptive Performance Center, or to volunteer, visit https://www.adaptiveperformancecenter.org/ or call the Billings facility at 406-281-3848.