In Top Form

CrossFit HSE Builds Strength and Community

Writer / Rebecca Wood
Photographer / Whitney Moore

Walking into a CrossFit gym may be intimidating to some people. Timid individuals may imagine a studio filled with brawny men pushing overloaded barbells.

However, CrossFit HSE Owner Andy Davies debunks any such stereotype.

“We have all shapes, sizes, personalities and age ranges,” Andy says. “Anyone can walk in. We have people from ages 14 to 75.”

Making CrossFit accessible, welcoming and valuable to all athletes is important to the CrossFit HSE co-owners, Andy Davies, his wife Kaki Davies, and Alan Barnes.

They are longtime CrossFit athletes, but new owners at the Noblesville gym. The trio stepped into ownership on January 1, and they are excited to continue the gym’s commitment to fitness and community with some new offerings.

CrossFit HSE opened at its current location in 2016 and has drawn a big following since its inception. Through a monthly membership, patrons have access to unique group fitness experiences. The gym offers one-hour group fitness classes designed to build strength and cardiovascular endurance. In addition, a 30-minute Build class focuses on strength training, core work and cardio.

Along with group classes, CrossFit HSE provides personal training and nutritional coaching. CrossFit HSE also employees adaptive and inclusive trainers who work with individuals on the autism spectrum, and others with mental and physical limitations. The owners hope to continue to expand adaptive and inclusive offerings.

Educating women on self-defense is another passion for the owners. “We want women to be happy, empowered and strong,” Kaki says.

In February, Noblesville Police Sergeant Marley Pagel taught self-defense classes at CrossFit HSE. The classes filled quickly, and Kaki says the gym leaders hope to offer more classes in the future.

The owners also value serving veterans, active military members and first responders. Andy and Kaki have a personal connection to the Armed Forces, as both have military backgrounds.

Kaki is a major in the Marine Corps Reserve and a contract specialist for Veterans Affairs. Andy served in the British Army. They met while both were stationed in Kabul, Afghanistan. Upon leaving active duty, the couple decided to return to Kaki’s hometown in Noblesville.

Barnes also has deep-rooted connections to the community. He’s lived in Noblesville for almost two decades and owns Radiation Services, a medical imaging company.

The owners struck up a friendship at CrossFit HSE. In fact, they say relationships formed through CrossFit are common among members.

“These people are friends in the gym and spend time with each other outside the gym,” Kaki says. “CrossFit is the closest thing to military camaraderie.”

It’s the changed lives that keep the owners committed to the mission of their gym.

“I can’t count how many stories of changed lives we’ve witnessed,” Barnes says. “I’ve seen people on the brink of disaster change their lives.”

He recounts prediabetic individuals and others struggling with health issues who improved their health through nutritional coaching and fitness classes.

Barnes says he wants others to experience the benefits that can be attained through CrossFit HSE. “If they leave smiling, we’ll consider that a success,” he says.

CrossFit HSE is located at 10911 Greenfield Avenue in Noblesville. For more info, call 317-795-4361 or visit hsecrossfit.com.