KOTA KINABALU, Dec 10 – Sabah’s longest lasting functional fitness or otherwise known as “Crossfit” gym, celebrated their 10th year anniversary today.

Px5 was among the first fitness centres in Sabah offering Crossfit-style workouts back in 2013 when the trend took off massively worldwide.

Its owner, founder and coach Hadie Affendie Bin Hamdan said it was a challenge to keep the gym operating at its level in the last 10 years due to Covid 19 pandemic which had played a part in the shuttering of other similar gyms as well as the change of fitness trends.

“But thanks to the unwavering support, camaraderie and spirit of community amongst the gym family, we have managed to change lives, not just physically but mentally,” he said.

Hadie, a sports science graduate with a successful physiotherapy practice at the same location, first delved into the functional fitness industry when an injured client came to him with a Crossfit injury.

“I tried it and I really loved it for the high intensity workout. Because it covers many types of movements, I thought it would be beneficial as a whole to athletes,” said the 36-year-old father of one.

Hadie began offering similar workouts just outside his practice to a group of about 10 friends and family who would do the workouts together with minimal equipment.

Despite not being an official Crossfit affiliated member, Px5 gained popularity among niche sport athletes like ultimate frisbee players and also footballers, thanks to its strategic location at the Likas Sports stadium.

Gradually the group got bigger and he opened another lot nearby with more equipment, which could take on more members.

Even at the Crossfit peak in Sabah around 2016 with well over 10 registered gyms in the state capital alone, Px5 managed to grow its membership.

“The tough part was figuring how to accommodate more people with limited space and equipment and time.

“After about five years, I realised that Px5 was now overtaking my physio practice in terms of income as well as effort, and it was a turning point that ended with me putting almost full focus on the gym,” he said, talking about how his pivoted his business.

Like many other businesses who ended up shuttering, the gym took a hit during the Covid-19 pandemic and Hadie resorted to renting out equipment during the period while gyms were closed.

When the lockdown was lifted in stages, some people came rushing back while others found other passions but Hadie said his regulars never wavered.

“For every 10 people that came, only three would stay, but they would bring their friends. So we were never short of people,” he said, crediting his Px5 community for the unwavering support.

Aside from his loyal and varied clientele, Hadie said that the fact that he was a solo owner and committed to the gym full time might be what set him apart from other gyms which had started around the same time as he did.

“It is wholly owned and run by me, and it is my full time job. I don’t have other businesses to focus on so I can spend all my effort on this,” he said.

In the midst of opening a second branch in Jesselton Quay, Hadie envisions a bigger future for Px5 with a branch in every major district in Sabah.

“We want to be able to bring the love of fitness and community to all Sabahans,” he said.