Denali Gymnastics continues to expand for booming population and growing demand

WASILLA— Much like the ever-growing Mat-Su Valley, Denali Gymnastics & Fitness Inc. outgrew itself and expanded to meet the ever-growing demand, taking over the Rock on Climbing rock-wall facility, rebranding it as Denali Fitness.

“I think we needed to expand. We were busting out the seams over there,” owner Sandy Reynolds said. “Nothing’s ever the same around here. It’s always changing with Denali.”

This nearby acquisition is one of many ways Denali is moving onward and upward to reach all new heights while maintaining the same old family feel and philosophy, according to Reynolds.

“We can offer more to families with this building,” Reynolds said.

Director Ryan Childers is one of several coaches at the main facility and the new one, overseeing much of the day to day operations and projects with fellow director, Melissa Chan. Childers said that in addition to adding rock climbing to Denali’s list of activities, their new facility also features several personal training classes, including Olympic weight training.

“There’s a wide variety of classes,” Childers said.

Childers said that they purchased Rock on Climbing six months ago. He said that the close proximity (about 176 yards away) to their main facility was ideal. He said that although the facility is fully operational, they still have more construction and remodeling ahead.

Childers said they are currently in phase one, which includes adding a new doorway at the front of the building, expanding the CrossFit area and also expanding the bouldering area. The bouldering area is lower than the other rock walls and does not require harnesses.

Childers said that the phase one projects are expected to finish within the coming months. He said their facility has already changed hours and is now open seven days a week due to the high demand. Moving forward, Childers said, he wants to continue to extend their reach and provide more programs.

“It is always pretty exciting to be able to be legitimately competitive with the Lower 48,” Childers laughed.

Reynolds said her daughter, Amy is married to Childers who has been in the gym since he was 11 years old. Reynold’s other daughter, Chan has been in the gym since she was 4 years old.

“Everybody grew up in the gym. It’s a family thing. It always has been,” Reynolds said.

Reynolds said a staff of more than 70 follows the same philosophy as her kin-colleagues. They have a list of workplace philosophies posted as a daily reminder. These core principles are titled, “The Denali Way” which essentially boils down to one word: family. This means the Denali staff is expected to treat their coworkers and customers all like a relative, according to Reynolds.

Chan said that moving forward, she wants to continue growing Denali as a “great environment for families to be in.” She said that there are several employees who’ve been there for many years and so many staff members show their dedication in so many ways.

“We have employees that commute from Anchorage,” Chan said.

Reynolds bought Denali more than 30 years ago after her friends decided to move on.

“Why? For the kids,” Reynolds said.

Her kids were part of the Denali gymnastics program and at the time, it was the only gymnastics facility in the Valley so she didn’t want that experience to be lost on them or any other child out there.

“We wanted to step in. It was something for me, the kids and the community,” Reynolds said.

Denali moved around several times before finally settling at its current location in 2002. Childcare has been a long-standing staple of the “Denali Way” and Reynolds said that service is expanding too.

“Every one of them is exposed to gymnastics. Those are seeds we’re planting,” Reynolds said.

Construction for expansion for childcare is expected to be complete around January, according to Childers.

Due to the earthquake, Denali had to push hosting the 2018 Alaska State Compulsory Championships for girls to Saturday and Sunday at their main facility. Denali is also set to host a CrossFit competition Jan. 18 and 20, 2019.

For more information, call 907-373-3488 or see denaligymnastics.com.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com