Values

We believe that every person’s health and wellness are priorities. We believe that mental health is just as important as physical health, and physical movement promotes mental health. We feel strongly that every person should have equal access to health and wellness, regardless of income or social status.
We think that keeping the small family feel is important and promotes a strong sense of community and commitment to that community. We want each and every person that steps through our front door to feel welcome and embraced with our coaches and members.
We foster kindness and respect. We shake hands, we hold doors for people, we take care of our gym space, we inquire about how things are going with members and we listen.
Name and Logo: CrossFit Vertical
CrossFit is functional fitness. Its primary goal is to improve the health and quality of a person’s life through constantly varied movements that aim to make everyday tasks, like carrying groceries or getting yourself up from the floor, manageable, even as we age.
Vertical stems from several different aspects of who we are.
- Vertical is an important position to achieve in Olympic lifts, which are practiced routinely in CrossFit. Olympic lifts are full-body movements that increase the stability of joints, explosiveness and flexibility.
- Vertical is also a direction Jana and Andy frequently pursue with their kids and friends in the Adirondack High Peaks, as well as other hiking areas in the world. They are passionate about hiking and the outdoors, and this passion served as further inspiration for their logo for CrossFit Vertical.
- Vertical suggests upward movement, and Jana and Andy think it’s important to constantly push themselves to be better in the lives they were given. They strive to be more compassionate people, better role models for their kids, better athletes, and more dynamic and well-informed coaches.
The five peaks… Jana and Andy are fortunate to have three amazing, intelligent, funny, charismatic and spirited children. The five peaks represent their family of five.
Meet Team Vertical
Jana’s dad used to say: “You’re only as good as the company you keep.” We think we’re keeping some good company with these solid humans…

Jana Leyden
Co-Founder, Level 2 Coach
When I found CrossFit in 2013, I experienced a paradigm shift that was life-changing. Exercise became a “team” sport again.

Andy Lonsky
Co-Founder, Level 2 Coach
CrossFit has now become less of a competitive nature and more of “How can I use this functional fitness in my daily life?” “Move well to live well” emphasizes this, as CrossFit Vertical wants you to not only become fit but to use that fitness in your daily lives.

Janessa Ciaschi
Level 2 Coach
Finding CrossFit was a transformational experience for me.

Laura Hayduchok
Level 1 Coach
Every day, I’m blown away by the determination shown by every member who walks through the door. There’s nothing like seeing a room full of people dig deep and find the will to do one more rep when their lungs are on fire and muscles are screaming.

Jon Husson
Level 2 Coach
I look forward to being part of this community’s fitness journey and helping every member conquer their own unique challenges.

Rachel Kissinger
Level 2 Coach
I want to help other people enjoy fitness, move correctly, enjoy workouts and to make their bodies and lives healthier.

Heather Cooper
Level 1 Coach
I am excited to know that with CrossFit, I will be able to take care of and play with my grandchildren without the typical limitations that aging can impose.

Melissa Brechner
Level 1 Coach
I always walk out of the gym happier than when I walked in, and it is because of the people that are there with me. As a coach, I love to watch people work hard and make progress regardless of the amount of CrossFit experience they have.

Stacey Caskey
Level 1 Coach
My goal in becoming a coach was to expand upon my knowledge of functional fitness so that I could enhance my own programming but in doing so I am now inspired to share this wealth of information with people like me, people who might be intimidated to take that first step.
Our Canine Team Members
Ellie Oly