CrossFit gym opens in East Syracuse

VILLAGE OF EAST SYRACUSE – The local area’s newest CrossFit gym welcomed people into its pack with an open house earlier this month.
CrossFit Loup, located in the back part of Suite B at 6508 Basile Rowe in East Syracuse, held its opening get-together the morning of Saturday, July 1 and officially began operating as a business the following Monday.
With the “Loup” in its name referring to the French word for wolf, the gym specializes in group or one-on-one workout regimens that involve strength and conditioning and emphasize constant functional movement at different intensities. Its approach incorporates weightlifting, gymnastics and other exercises that build up the core and the upper body.
The owner, Eastwood resident Pat Commeret, said he first got into the branded fitness methodology of CrossFit as a high schooler in 2008. Later, as he made his way through college, he used CrossFit to complement his participation in lacrosse, boxing and soccer until it eventually turned into his main competitive outlet.
Commeret spent the next decade as a personal trainer, becoming more and more passionate about the sport and its philosophy centered around testing and pushing one’s physical limits. He said he also appreciates that CrossFit is “universally scaled” in that he’s seen people of all ages partake in it.
“The other thing about CrossFit that makes it very attractive to people and easy to come back to is you work out as a group,” Commeret said. “Working out as a group is so much easier and more fun than working out by yourself in a gym with your headphones in.”
Mary Ann Pierce, another one of the trainers at CrossFit Loup, was introduced to what is now her fitness regimen of choice about a dozen years ago.
Having just reached the age of 60, she said CrossFit has helped her to clear her mind, ease stress and stave off the physical decline that others might start to feel at that same point in their lives.
“It kind of keeps me in my world as far as being able to do all the physical work I need to do,” Pierce said. “Going up and down the stairs, spreading mulch around, taking the dogs for a walk, grabbing groceries and picking up a grandchild in your arms without throwing out your back—all those things that, as we age, sometimes become difficult if you’re not fit.”
She said that CrossFit Loup is a no-judgment zone where the people are encouraging and helpful and you can progress at your own pace.
“This is your safe place,” Pierce said. “You can come in here whatever level you’re at, and you can start with 100 pounds or something smaller like 15 pounds.”
Among Pierce’s responsibilities at the new gym is her coaching of the 5:30 a.m. class for people to attend before work if they enjoy waking up early like she does.
Commeret said he looked forward to getting the business up and running after wrapping up the buildout process, which he said moved along with the assistance of his friends and family members.
CrossFit Loup’s staffed gym hours are Monday through Friday 5:30 to 6:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. as well as Saturdays 8 to 11 a.m. Open gym is seven days a week for 14 hours per day.
For more on the gym’s schedule and other information, visit crossfitloup.com.