At CrossFit Rock Solid in Downingtown, PA, young individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities gather to engage in a fun and safe athletic program. Coached by Ashley Long, Philadelphia’s 2023 Champion of the Year, a Best Buddies advisor and Autistic Support Teacher at Kennett Middle School, and Lauren Morton, an Occupational Therapist, these kids are empowered through exercise each week alongside their peers. The gym serves as a supportive environment where each kid is pushed physically, socially, and mentally in a safe space to gain confidence and strength. Many athletes are also members of the Best Buddies friendship programs at their respective schools and this class serves as a different way to socialize and connect with peers from around the area.

Uniquely Abled Fitness was started by Christiana Siegelin, who has been closely tied to the disability community since she was five years old when her sister Briana was born with Down Syndrome. Growing up, she watched Briana overcome the doubt of so many others and have to tackle many more obstacles than her neurotypical peers just to prove herself. Christiana realized that people simply needed to interact with the disability community in order to see and value the capabilities of IDD individuals – and wanted to do something to help make that happen.

In school, Christiana studied exercise science and kinesiology. Through an adaptive CrossFit course in college, she finally saw people with physical disabilities represented but simultaneously saw a gap where the IDD community could enter the CrossFit world.

She started training Matthew, the son of her coworker at the time, who has Down Syndrome and became the first athlete she worked with. Through the immense progress Matthew made not just physically, but socially and within his household, Christiana knew she wanted to formalize this program to benefit even more individuals like Matthew within her community.

The Uniquely Abled Fitness class grew from just one athlete to 22 in her local gym, gaining traction when featured by a CrossFit journal. People began reaching out, wanting to launch their own chapters across the country. Enter CrossFit Rock Solid’s weekly classes.

Through the small class sizes, everyone is able to work closely while still receiving one-on-one support when needed. Many members of the Rock Solid and Kennett Middle School community volunteer their time to help class run smoothly and make sure everyone has a smile on their face – even when knocking out rounds of sit-ups.

Class began with a group warm up on the rowers – a game of red light green light to build listening skills and test reaction time. Next, a midline workout consisting of sit-ups and planks, building up muscle and focus switching between rest and work periods.

For the last portion of class, a new skill was taught – ring rows. Athletes were given a few minutes to practice the new skill with individual attention and coaching on safe form before getting into a circuit of ring rows, squat jumps, and medicine ball slams. With each rep, kids built occupational skills, discipline, and community while laughing through it all.

Seeing the pride within each student – whether through a simple smile and high five at the end of class or a run over to mom to share how many ring rows they completed – illustrated the impact of Uniquely Abled Fitness perfectly. This same pride is felt by the onlooking parents who witness their child’s confidence grow each week. The mind-body connection this class fosters for this population is truly incredible and the unconditional support Coach Ashley and Coach Lauren provide is evident from the second you enter the gym.

Since its humble beginnings, Uniquely Abled fitness now includes 8 chapters around the country and in Canada and officially has earned its 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. Christiana’s main goal remains at the forefront: creating inclusive spaces in all aspects of life and providing young athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities to thrive not only physically, but achieve social-emotional growth as well.

To learn more or find a chapter near you, visit https://www.uniquelyabledfitness.org/