Fitness For Athletes camp promotes active lifestyle

Published 5:06 pm Sunday, August 12, 2018

The second hour of a recent Fitness for Athletes camp at CrossFit Albemarle featured stretching, running and kettle bell exercises performed by a small group of athletes…a very small group.

Two to be exact.

Instructors and students switch places during an interval exercise.

“It’s been a good day so far,” said Brad Harrington, the camp director. “Obviously, we hoped for more participation, but we were a little later than the other camps in the area at getting our planning underway and our publicity out.”

The camp was proposed by CrossFit Albemarle owner and manager Scott Mauldin, who contacted Harrington about directing it.

“Scott let us put together the camp program, activities, and schedule,” said Brad, who, along with wife Kelly, was leading activities for the camp participants.

The Harringtons also teach at Gray Stone Day School, where Brad is the head men’s soccer coach and JV men’s basketball coach, and Kelly serves as the middle school volleyball coach.

While most summer athletic camps zero in on a specific sport, the Fitness for Athletes

Camp focuses on general fitness rather than any one specific game or activity.

“Our purpose is to help the participants develop the strength, speed, and agility that will serve them well in any sport they choose,” said Brad. “And at the same time, we want to exemplify and demonstrate the importance of a healthy lifestyle and encourage lifelong fitness.

“Looking to the future, we are excited about the potential of this camp program,” he added.

Toby Thorpe is a freelance contributor for The Stanly News & Press.