Beyond Team Practice: Why Young Athletes Need Performance Training at AFAC Gym

Beyond Team Practice: Why Young Athletes Need Performance Training at AFAC Gym Whether your child is just beginning their athletic journey or already competing at a high level, building a strong athletic foundation can make a lasting difference. At AFAC gym in Thornton, Colorado, our Youth Sports Performance Class is designed for athletes ages 8–18, […]

Train for Life with Functional Fitness Workouts at AFAC Gym

Train for Life with Functional Fitness Workouts at AFAC Gym Many people head to the gym with goals like building muscle, losing weight, or improving endurance. While those are worthwhile objectives, there’s another type of training that can make an even bigger impact on your everyday life: functional fitness. Functional fitness is designed to help […]

Conventional Barbell vs. Trap Bar Deadlifts at AFAC Gym

Conventional Barbell vs. Trap Bar Deadlifts at AFAC Gym Walk into almost any serious gym, and you’ll eventually hear the debate: Should you deadlift with a straight barbell or a trap bar? It’s a discussion that has been around for years, and for good reason. Both exercises are exceptional for building strength, increasing muscle mass, […]

Minute-by-Minute Benefits of Walking at AFAC Gym

Minute-by-Minute Benefits of Walking at AFAC Gym Walking is one of the simplest forms of exercise, yet the effects begin almost immediately after you take your first steps. Every minute you spend walking triggers a series of positive changes throughout your body, from increasing circulation and delivering oxygen to your muscles to reducing stress hormones, […]

The Foundations of Form When You Exercise at AFAC Gym

The Foundations of Form When You Exercise at AFAC Gym Strength training offers far more than bigger muscles. A well-designed workout program can improve functional strength, support a healthy metabolism, increase bone density, enhance posture, strengthen your cardiovascular system, and even boost your mental well-being. However, there is one critical factor that determines whether you […]

The Science of Stretching at AFAC Gym

The Science of Stretching at AFAC Gym Stretching is one of the most commonly recommended practices in fitness, sports performance, and rehabilitation. Yet despite its popularity, many people perform stretches without fully understanding what’s actually happening inside their bodies. Whether you’re an athlete training for peak performance, a gym member looking to improve mobility, or […]

CrossFitters: An Orthopedic Surgeon’s Best Friend?

CrossFitters: An Orthopedic Surgeon’s Best Friend? Over the past two decades, CrossFit has evolved from a niche training method into a global fitness phenomenon. Its passionate community, challenging workouts, and emphasis on measurable performance have attracted millions of participants. Whether it’s discussing the latest WOD (Workout of the Day), chasing personal records, or celebrating new […]

Smith Machine Exercises You Can Do at AFAC Gym

Smith Machine Exercises You Can Do at AFAC Gym Many gym-goers overlook the Smith machine because they assume it only has a few uses. In reality, this versatile piece of equipment can be used to train nearly every major muscle group in your body. Whether your goal is building muscle, improving strength, or learning proper […]

Adventure Fitness Athletic Club Is Now an Official HYROX Training Gym

Adventure Fitness Athletic Club Is Now an Official HYROX Training Gym We’re proud to announce that Adventure Fitness Athletic Club (AFAC gym) is now an official HYROX Training Club. This exciting partnership allows our members to train for one of the fastest-growing fitness competitions in the world while becoming part of a global fitness community […]

From Playground Fun to Serious Fitness – Benefits of Jumping Rope at AFAC Gym

From Playground Fun to Serious Fitness – Benefits of Jumping Rope at AFAC Gym Jumping rope might remind you of recess on the playground, but this simple activity is far more than child’s play. In fact, it’s one of the most effective, versatile, and surprisingly fun workouts you can add to your fitness routine. Whether […]

The Mental Shift That Can Keep Your Workouts Consistent into Your 60s, 70s & Beyond at AFAC Gym

The Mental Shift That Keeps Your Workouts Consistent into Your 60s, 70s & Beyond at AFAC Gym There’s a version of fitness that burns itself out. You’ve seen it before. The packed gym in January that slowly empties by March. The person who crash diets before a wedding only to regain the weight months later. […]

Fast Twitch Muscle Fibers Shrink With Age, But Workouts at AFAC Gym Can Help

Fast Twitch Muscle Fibers Shrink With Age, But Workouts at AFAC Gym Can Help For years, many people assumed that aging affects all muscle the same way. But research tells a more nuanced story. While slow-twitch muscle fibers, those responsible for endurance, tend to hold steady over time, fast-twitch fibers, which power strength and quick […]

Taking Rest Days from Your Workouts at AFAC Gym

Taking Rest Days from Your Workouts at AFAC Gym As great as it feels to crush a gym workout, your body needs time to reset, recharge, and rebuild. For many people, though, taking a rest day can feel harder than the workout itself. Rest days are intentional breaks from high-intensity exercise that allow your muscles, […]

Suggested Exercise Swaps to Try at AFAC Gym

Suggested Exercise Swaps to Try at AFAC Gym Just because you see everyone doing a certain exercise on the gym floor doesn’t automatically make it the most effective option for your goals. While plenty of traditional movements can absolutely build strength and muscle, some alternatives may offer subtle advantages, like being easier to progressively overload, […]

AFAC Gym Wins BusinessRate’s Best of 2025 and 2026 Thornton Gym Award

AFAC Gym Wins BusinessRate’s “Best of” 2025 and 2026 Thornton Gym Award Adventure Fitness Athletic Club (AFAC) is proud to celebrate an incredible milestone, being named the BusinessRate Best of 2025 and 2026 Thornton Award Winner in the Gym Category. For owner Susan Schaffner, this recognition is more than just an award, it’s a reflection […]

Increase Inner Thigh Strength With Sumo Squats at AFAC Gym

Leg day is one of the most important parts of a balanced fitness routine. Strong legs support everything from athletic performance to everyday movement, helping you walk, climb stairs, lift objects, and maintain stability throughout the day. Yet many gym-goers rely heavily on traditional squats alone when training their lower body.

While classic front and back squats are excellent for building strength in the quads and glutes, they don’t always place as much emphasis on the inner thigh muscles. That’s where the sumo squat shines. With its wider stance and turned-out feet, this squat variation specifically targets the adductors, commonly known as the inner thigh muscles, while still strengthening the entire lower body.

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about sumo squats, including what they are, how to perform them correctly, the muscles they work, their benefits, and tips for getting the most out of this powerful exercise at AFAC gym in Thornton, Colorado.

Secrets of the SkiErg Machine at AFAC Gym

You may already be familiar with the rowing machines at the gym. But there’s another powerful piece of equipment worth adding to your routine: the SkiErg. Like the rower, the SkiErg is designed to mimic an outdoor activity, in this case, Nordic skiing. Nordic skiing includes cross-country skiing and has been used for both recreation and competition for centuries while providing one of the most demanding full-body workouts in sports.

Of course, strapping on skis and heading into the mountains isn’t the most practical way to get in a daily workout. That’s where the SkiErg comes in. This machine recreates the same powerful skiing motion indoors, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of Nordic skiing without leaving AFAC gym in Thornton, Colorado.

Train the Way Your Body Was Meant to Move with Free Weights at AFAC Gym

When you head to the strength training area at any gym, you’ll probably notice two primary types of equipment: machines and free weights.

Machines rely on cables, pulleys, and weight stacks to guide your movement along a fixed path. This added structure can help control the exercise and reduce the need for stabilization.

Free weights, on the other hand, include tools like dumbbells, barbells, and kettlebells that move freely through space. Instead of guiding you through a preset track, they allow your body to move naturally. That means your muscles must not only lift the weight but also control and stabilize it. The result? Movements that more closely resemble how you lift, carry, push, and pull in everyday life.

If you’re looking to build strength that translates beyond the gym floor, free weights are a powerful tool to incorporate into your routine at AFAC gym in Thornton, Colorado.

Should You Get a Workout Partner at AFAC Gym?

Working out isn’t always the hard part, but sticking with it can be. Between busy schedules, low-energy days, and competing priorities, even the most motivated gym-goers can struggle to stay consistent. Yet the rewards of regular exercise are too important to ignore.

Consistent physical activity has been linked to stronger heart health, lower stress levels, improved mood, sharper thinking, and a reduced risk of chronic illnesses such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. Exercise doesn’t just reshape your body, it strengthens your mind, boosts your immune system, and improves long-term quality of life.

If you’ve been looking for a way to increase your physical activity and stay consistent at AFAC gym in Thornton, Colorado, one simple change could make a big difference: finding a workout partner.

Fitness Needs Met Across Generations at AFAC Gym

Walk through the doors of AFAC gym on any given day and you’ll see a wide range of ages sharing the same space. A high school athlete might be finishing a speed workout while a retiree heads to a Strength and Conditioning class. A busy parent squeezes in strength training between meetings, while a college student experiments with a new lifting routine they saw online.

While everyone comes to the gym for health, the why and how behind those workouts vary greatly by generation.

Time changes us. In our younger years, we’re building strength, confidence, and habits. In midlife, we’re balancing careers and families while working to maintain what we’ve built. In later decades, the focus shifts toward longevity, independence, and quality of life. That said, everyone has different goals and abilities regardless of their age.

From teens to retirees, AFAC gym in Thornton, Colorado, supports members through every stage of life, because fitness should evolve as we do.