Moncton gym emphasizes mental health benefits of exercise

At True Training in Moncton, members are focussed on working out their body and mind.

True Training, a Moncton gym owned by Craig Hatto, emphasizes the mental benefits of workouts like CrossFit and Hyrox.

“There’s a lot of benefits to it. It definitely reduces anxiety and those types of things a lot of people experience these days, so it’s very important to get in and be active every day,” said Hatto.

Hatto’s personal transformation and experiences led him to compete in a Hyrox competition in Houston.

“There is a group of four of us that went down, and we signed up, trained for about four or five months before that. I was about 40 pounds heavier and could run, you know, maybe 200 meters. This race involves running about nine kilometers overall,” he explained.

Chris Hogan, a member of True Training, highlights the mental advantages of the gym.

“It allows me to shut off my brain for an hour a day. It’s work, busy life’s busy, kids keep you busy. It’s nice when I walk in here…if your physical fitness is just important, your mental fitness, they go hand in hand, and take care of your body, take care of your mind, the rest takes care of itself,” he said.

Jeff Leach also attests to the impact of the gym on his mood and productivity.

“I’ve gone times without coming to the gym, and I find that my mood isn’t nearly as good. I’m kind of more down. I don’t have the same amount of energy. I’m not as productive at work,” he said.

Hatto is proud of the supportive community at True Training.

“Just how everybody supports each other, how we all want to do better and keep ourselves and other people accountable, you know, as we go through these journeys, there’s always highs and lows, but you know, it’s great for to be able to share with people and have them support you at the same time,” said Hogan.

For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.