In small towns like Grace, strength isn’t something you typically build in a gym. It’s being present for early morning wakeup calls to chase kids, feed cattle, check crops and more, resulting in days made up of good, honest work.

For the Campbell family, this lifestyle is exactly why they made the leap and opened their own functional fitness gym, Black Canyon Fitness, a gym specifically designed to meet the needs of their unique community centered around feeling better, moving more and living longer.

Michelle Campbell, along with the support of her husband Kade, bought the former fabric and crafts building, Joann, on Main St. to create their gym space.

“I have always had a passion for fitness,” Michelle said. “I want others to see how important it is for their health and longevity.”

The couple grew up active in sports and after-school weight room sessions were the norm. This ultimately became a commitment that carried into their adult routines.

In 2018, the Campbell’s were introduced to high-intense functional fitness, a program designed to combine strength and cardio into practical real-life movements.

“I never loved doing plain cardio,” Michelle said. “With functional fitness, you get both strength and cardio at the same time. I can make it incredibly challenging or ease up depending on how I’m feeling. I have never looked back since.”

The love for the program was undeniable, but opening a gym wasn’t exactly the plan, or simple.

Between raising three young daughters, caring for the family cattle farm and juggling day-to-day responsibilities, the gym construction process came slow and happened whenever they could squeeze in the time. Little by little their vision came together.

Big cities have endless gym availabilities, but they knew their small, rural community needed its own unique opportunities.

“I think fitness is very similar whether you’re rural or in a city,” Michelle said. “There may be few gyms here, but everyone is there for the same reason − to better themselves.”

For Michelle, the difference is how the workouts support real life.

Caribou County locals are predominately physical, consisting of demanding shift workers, ranchers and farmers. That lifestyle reality is what shaped the programming offered at Black Canyon Fitness.

“We want people to leave the gym feeling better than when they walked in,” Michelle said. “It should make their work easier and safer. I want them to have more energy and hurt less.”

The goal is far more than muscle building or shedding sweat.

“I really hope people notice the stress relief, better sleep, improved mood and confidence,” Michelle said. “But the biggest benefit is the community and belonging.”

The Campbell’s workouts can be adjusted to all age groups and adapted to any fitness level, even for those recovering from injuries.

“We all start somewhere,” Michelle said. “I’ll meet you at your starting point. Please don’t feel intimidated.”

If guided fitness isn’t your goal, open gym sessions are always an option for anyone wanting to train at their own pace and on their own timetable.

Fitness classes are available Monday through Wednesday at 5 a.m., 6 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. with a Friday morning class at 8:30 a.m. Gym hours are Monday through Saturday from 4 a.m. to 11 p.m. A child-play space is available with easy visibility from any spot in the gym.

While the memberships and milestones matter, the Campbells find the most success in being examples of a healthy lifestyle and consistent active movement to their young girls.

“I want to show my girls that you can chase your dreams,” Michelle said. “If you want something, you work for it. They might not understand that now but they will someday.

The Campbells invite all on the curiosity fence to just try it. In Grace, fitness isn’t a competition but rather showing up for yourself and each other for a better lifestyle.

Black Canyon Fitness officially opened on Monday, February 2, and can be reached at blackcanyonfitness@gmail.com or on Instagram @blackcanyonfitness.