Local Gym Sponsors a Military-Style Workout as Fundraiser

It’s easy to thank a soldier for their service.  It’s a lot harder to put yourself in a soldiers’ boots and feel what it’s like to be physically and mentally tough to serve their country.

CrossFit Union of Sudbury will give its fundraiser participants a taste with a grueling workout, all in the name of donating money to a local charity, the Lt. Scott F. Milley Ranger Foundation.

The Foundation is named after a local Sudbury soldier, Scott Milley, who was killed in action on Nov. 30, 2010 at the age of 23. Affectionately called Scooter, Milley excelled both at academics and athletics at Lincoln-Sudbury High School. The Foundation supports military soldiers and families in need, financing scholarships for soldiers, as well as helping military families with flight and lodging accommodations when a soldier is injured or killed in action overseas.

Gus Vello, co-owner of CrossFit Union, said two of the trainers at his gym are friends of the family, which  is how the two came together to put on the event.

“It’s an honor to help and get involved,” Vello said.

The workout planned for the day may not be for the faint of heart, but Vello said despite a participant’s fitness level, him and his trainers would do anything to accommodate them.

“The workout is really tough,” Vello said, “but beginners are welcome, we’re happy to modify it to fit everyone’s needs.” He explained that the gym in general doesn’t deter novices from participating in its activities.

“It really doesn’t matter what level you’re on, as long as you try and get better,” he said. 

Vello said the fundraiser is not just to work out but have fun while doing it. In order to participate, those interested in partipating must bring a donation of $25 or higher.  The event begins registration at 7:30 a.m. this Saturday. After a warm up, the workout starts with a rotation of exercises, beginning with a 500 meter farmers carry. 500 meters is a little over a quarter of a mile, and the farmers carry, as Vello demonstrated, is carrying two weights of 25 pounds each for men and 15 pounds each for women. Also a part of the exercise is a 500 meter weighted run, meaning participants will carry a weight while doing the exercise.

“The workout is supposed to make you feel as though you’re a soldier on a mission,” Vello said. “A soldier carries a 55 pound rucksack while they run for miles. This workout, you’re carrying 35 pounds if you’re a male, 25 for females. It’s important to keep that in mind. Soldiers do a lot more, but we don’t always remember that.”

Vello also said the event is about helping the foundation, but also helping the participants as well. “We focus on the community here, so despite your fitness level, we’re cheering for everyone to do the best they can instead of comparing performances to each other. We really want people to succeed.”

“After this workout, you’ll feel as though you accomplished something, you’ve done something really hard,” he said. When participants do really well for themselves, they’re encouraged to write their name and times on the board, a badge of honor for completing the workout.

The workout is called Scooter WOD or work of the day. For a donation of $25 dollars or more, participants will satisfy their thirst for physical accomplishment, but more importantly, it will be in the memory of a local fallen soldier.

The first heat of the day begins at 8 a.m. and will be on a rolling basis as participants arrive. Shaw’s and Sudbury Farm will provide fresh fruit and water, while Sudbury Pizza will also be providing food. T-shirts for the fundraiser will be given to all participants.