New Kalispell gym aims for purpose behind training

An abandoned truck repair shop in downtown Kalispell has found new life as a CrossFit gym thanks to a duo of fitness lovers, Jessie and Kyna Williams. 

The couple hope the gym, Switchback CrossFit, will be more than just a place to workout.

“We have had all ages and abilities come through the door,” said Kyna. “I would love to see us be a hub of the community, where people feel safe, emotionally and physically. This is a space that offers people an incredible reprieve from whatever they’re going through, where people can come to lift weights after a tough day at work, and gather with their friends to laugh off the week.”

 “We're training with a purpose and our purpose is to be better in the gym and outside of the gym,” Jessie added. “To be a better parent or a better employee.”

Jessie is a trained CrossFit coach and finished 120th in the world in his age group in the 2022 CrossFit Open. Kyna, also a lover of CrossFit, was a Division 1 cross country athlete at Northwestern University, where she was also the captain of her team. The couple met through a running group with mutual friends, and eventually, both ended up working at Nike. 

During Jessie’s time at Nike, he oversaw the development of the Nike Metcon CrossFit shoe and the Nike Romaleos Weightlifting shoe and worked and trained alongside athletes like Mat Fraser, Josh Bridges, and Sara Sigmundsdottir. 

But symptoms of corporate burnout began to creep in, and the couple knew that their true calling was to start their own business and inspire others with their love of fitness, sports, and the outdoors. 

“This is about serving the community, creating healthy lifestyles, and bettering people. This is our passion, we love this, and we care,” said Jessie. 

Opening a CrossFit gym was always in the plans, but it took a few years before Switchback could be fully realized. The Williams waited patiently for the perfect time and space to open up as they transitioned out Nike and began ingraining themselves in the community.

“We all live here in the valley because we, for the most part, love the endless recreation that it comes with,” said Kyna. “Whether you choose to get into Glacier every weekend, get up onto the mountain and ski, or you're wake surfing on Flathead, we're all doing these things and we’re training for something beyond just the one hour.”

For the Williams, CrossFit is the means to an end. As most of the movements done in CrossFit are also performed in real life, the ultimate goal is to provide a foundation for peoples’ hobbies and their everyday lives. 

CrossFit is a branded fitness regimen that involves constantly varied functional movements performed at high intensity. The main difference between CrossFit and other kinds of exercise, the couple explained, is the practice of ‘benchmarking.

“Everything can be measured or benchmarked with CrossFit, which brings in a scientific approach,” Jessie said. “It's not just going to an exercise class and moving and not knowing at all how much work you did. The other thing about measuring and scoring things is that you can turn it into a fun sport to appeal to somebody who is an athlete. There are lessons that you learn about winning and losing, and we're always trying to be better.”

This goal extends to the next generation, as Switchback plans to soon introduce a CrossFit Kids program. 

“We teach kids the form and the mechanics early on which will apply whether they join adult classes as they get older or if they're skiing on the mountain or just wearing a backpack and walking to school,” said Kyna. “Crossfit Kids is really a blend of movement and games and it's really fun. Kids bring you joy and this youthful energy that you won't find anywhere else.”

The building is designed with the intention to welcome people beyond the one-hour class and has a lounge that includes a fireplace, leather couch, and a TV that will stream recovery and stretching sessions. The space also boasts a kitchenette with a microwave and coffee bar, an indoor viewing deck with zero gravity chairs and Normatec recovery systems, showers, a kids room, and an up and coming “work from gym” bar.

“Fitness isn't just one hour of the day,” said Jessie. “Hopefully it's the best hour of your day because it's fun and social, but the big thing for us is connecting with others. It's actually not the healthiest thing to just become a workout machine in your garage by yourself. The relationships that we build in the gym, that's actually what leads to long term happiness. That's why you need to know the other members and your coaches, the people that care about you. The heart is a powerful muscle too.”

Switchback CrossFit is located at 33 Second Ave East in downtown Kalispell. To learn more, visit switchbackcrossfit.com or call 406-350-6939.

Reporter Summer Zalesky may be reached at szalesky@dailyinterlake.com.

Jessie Williams coaches a class inside the new Switchback CrossFit in downtown Kalispell.