Building Healthy Habits

Local Gym Introduces Fitness to Kids and Families

Photo by Darrin Phegley

Henderson’s CrossFit Bending Iron, co-owned by couple Crystal and Matt Oliver, offers an inclusive space for families to exercise, connect, and grow together. Recently, they introduced the Bending Iron Kids Program to encourage younger generations to build healthy habits early. 

How it All Started

The Olivers’ journey to opening the gym began with Matt’s own passion for CrossFit, which he participated in for about three years before moving to Henderson from Memphis. After finding out Henderson — Crystal’s hometown — did not have a CrossFit gym, the couple decided to pack up and move to Henderson in hopes of opening their own CrossFit gym, which they did in 2015.

“There’s just, a lot of love and a lot of compassion for each other, and a lot of almost building this gym community where everybody knows each other and everybody’s supporting each other and rooting each other on,” Crystal explained.

Over the years, the gym has evolved into more than just a workout facility—it’s become a space where families and friends connect while working out and being active.

Inspiring Kids

The Bending Iron Kids Program, inspired by CrossFit Kids, provides a structured way for children to engage in physical activity in a safe, supportive environment. The program provides an opportunity for kids to gather for Saturday morning classes, where they tackle obstacle courses, participate in team challenges, and modify workouts to suit their age and abilities.

“It’s often easy when you’re in school and you have PE and you have sports and things that keep you active, but that is going to phase out at some point in our lives, and so just kind of opening those outlets to teach kids how to be active outside of school, how to play, but make it beneficial for your health is important,” Crystal said.

Fitness as a Family

The idea for the program grew as the Olivers’ children, eight-year-old daughter Claire, and other members’ children became involved at the gym. “We just feel like, you know, just moving your body and being really active — it’s just really important.” Crystal said.

Matt Oliver, who serves as the gym’s lead programmer while working as a firefighter, ensures that workouts cater to a wide range of fitness levels and ages.

Beyond the kids’ classes, the gym prides itself on being a family-oriented space. 

Crystal noted how so rewarding it is to see families working out together, cheering each other on and building a supportive community with one another — not just amongst the adults, but the kids too.

More Than Just Exercise

Maria Alcantar, a gym member and mother of nine-year-old Davis Buckman, praised the program’s impact on her son. “It’s really important for the kids to kind of grow up understanding fitness. And so it’s kind of a really fun community.”

For Maria, staying active at an early age isn’t just about physical fitness—it’s about setting a strong foundation for the future.

“You have to really be disciplined as far as paying attention to what you’re being told and following the instructions specifically like you’re told in order for you to be able to do what we’re asking the kids to do,” she said. “And so I think that just translates into all areas of their life.”

Maria said being part of the CrossFit Bending Iron community has also given her and Davis an opportunity to connect in a meaningful way.

She believes that instilling these habits now will set Davis up for long-term success.

“If you’re teaching them from a young age how important it is to follow the directions of your coach, then as they grow up, they’ll follow the directions of their teachers better,” she noted. “Teaching them this from a young age really just, I think, helps all aspects of their life.”

Looking Ahead

The program is currently gearing up for 2025, with plans to bring back the Bending Iron Kids Program and involve participants in the annual CrossFit Open. For now, the Olivers invite families to try out the gym and even bring their kids for the Kids program on Saturdays at 9:30 a.m.