After opening two years ago, Fourth Quarter Fitness quickly grabbed national attention.
Five members of the gym earned medals at the Ontario Classic Powerlifting Provincial Championship held in Hamilton.
“It’s really astonishing,” owner Codi Armstrong said. “I knew these guys and girls were strong when I met them, but watching them train and put in the hard work to get to where they are is amazing.”
Conrad Davies, Stephan Cascioli and Noah Ukrainetz took home gold medals, while Braden Dale and Teighan Mcyntre earned bronze at the event.
It was a bit of a shock to see so many of his powerlifters reach the podium after such a short time in business, but they definitely earned all the praise, Armstrong says.
“For many of them, lifting weights is a full-time job. When they aren’t lifting, there is someone across the globe working harder to take their title.”
Several lifters broke numerous national records in Hamilton, but the provincials aren’t sanctioned, the records will not enter the history books. Armstrong says the group will get their chance to break the records in April, when the powerlifters head to nationals in Newfoundland.
Armstrong, who resides in Fonthill, opened Fourth Quarter Fitness to bring a different approach to working out in Niagara.
After working at the Brock University gym and a cross-fit studio in St. Catharines, he got a first-hand view of both sides of the fitness industry.
“I decided to combine the two and get rid of the cookie-cutter mentality as everyone needs and a personalized workout plan,” Armstrong said.
“Everyone needs their own thing but not everybody can afford a personal trainer, so I try to bring that to everyone at the gym.”
Working six days a week while completing his degrees at Brock, Armstrong said it often doesn’t even feel like a job, as the passion to see others improve keeps him motivated.
“When we opened up two years ago, everyone started getting better at a faster rate. Now, many are moving onto the national level – which some will even compete at the worlds.”
One of those potential competitors is 15-year-old Ukrainetz, who Armstrong calls a powerlifting prodigy. The Welland native has already set numerous records and has his sights set on Finland, where the World Championship will be held.
With so many talented lifters coming from the gym, it also showcases the negative side of a growing sport inside Canada. While many competitors from overseas receive government funding while training, Canada’s contribution to athletes have been slim and far between, Armstrong says.
Hotel costs, plane tickets and other necessities for travel often set limitations on how well a gym can compete. That, paired up with many who have to hold full-time jobs while training, has slowed the progression of Canadians on the national stage.
Armstrong says he’s been lucky.
With many of his lifters living in the community, he says the support has been overwhelming and has helped provide donations to allow competitors to travel.
“We’re truly lucky to have such a great community who helps support and chip in with travel costs for many of the athletes.
“They are helping these men and women achieve their dream, while putting the town in the powerlifting spotlight.”
That spotlight continues to grow brighter as Fourth Quarter Fitness becomes a household name in the world of powerlifting.
For more information on the gym, visit www.fourthquarterfitness.ca.
