Silver Lions
June 5, 2025
Meet the Silver Lions: Redefining Aging Through Strength, Sweat, and Community
On October 1, 2024, we launched something truly special at 12 Labours Annapolis: the Silver Lions—a fitness program designed specifically for adults aged 55 and up. We kicked things off with a small but mighty crew of six athletes, all in their 60s and 70s. With a rich mix of life experience, personalities, and fitness backgrounds, this group is both inspiring and interesting and brings something special to our gym community.
The Silver Lions program is grounded in CrossFit’s proven methodology and supported by the latest research on aging and physical fitness. Here's what we know:
- Staying active later in life isn't just about fitness - it's about living well. Older adults who train regularly report a higher quality of life, fewer falls, and lower rates of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, hypertension and cancer.
- Many effects of aging can actually be reversed with consistent training. That's why we prioritize weightlifting, strength and mobility.
- Research shows elite older athletes outlive their non-athletic peers.
- Injury prevention matters: rotator cuff tears are the most common issues among older athletes, so we're smart and cautious with overhead movements.
- Perhaps most importantly, the social connection is a huge motivator for the community. The friendships built here are just as powerful as the workouts
We started slow and steady. Then week by week, they surprised us. They got stronger, moved faster, and pushed harder. So, we put more weight on the bars, increased the wall ball weight, and added height to the step-ups. They’ve done it all—deadlifts, push-ups, front squats, thrusters, burpees. They even crushed “Silver” Fran (21-15-9 DB thrusters to a box + ring rows), and everyone came in under 7 minutes!
Eight months in, the impact is undeniable:
“We thought we’d have to sell the house because stairs were getting too hard. But now? I can take the steps with ease—we’re staying put.”
“We emptied our parents' house—moved furniture, lifted boxes—and kept saying, ‘Thank God for CrossFit. We’d be dying if we hadn’t started.’”
This crew never backs down from a challenge—and let’s just say, bench press day, things get a little spicy with friendly competition.
They inspire us every single day. They’ve taught us that aging is just another chapter—and with the right mindset and support, you can meet it head-on and come out stronger. The truth is: we never stop becoming a better version of ourselves.
Join us. Be bold. Be strong. Be a Silver Lion.
MORE RECENT POSTS
Congrats to Nick Hinnerschitz for receiving AOTM at the Columbia District! Nick started CrossFit in September 2024 as a guest of Mark Sam Chee during bring a friend week. He was hooked after the week included rope climbs, snatches and split jerks even though he left with a nasty rope burn and the realization that he had no idea how to perform Olympic lifts correctly. Nick is a regular 6amer and loves strict gymnastics movements, deadlifts and GHD sit ups. When he first started he struggled to kick up to the wall and now can do HSPU! "What I love most about 12L is the people. It’s a very supportive environment where the coaches provide excellent instruction tailored to the needs of the athletes and the friendly competition during WODs brings out the best in people." Nick has seen changes in himself that he never expected and now is in the best shape of his life. He is excited to get stronger and continuously improve - especially on Olympic lifts. Congrats Nick!
Join The Un.Common Method at the 12 Labours Columbia district for a Hormones & Habits workshop, a powerful event built for women who want to feel strong, informed, and in control of their health during midlife. Whether you are navigating perimenopause, are post menopause or just want to learn more about his era of life, this is for you. This isn’t your average wellness workshop. It’s a real-talk panel + experience designed to help you thrive through this next season. Expert Panel diving into: - Hormonal shifts + hormone treatment options - Nutrition that supports hormones + muscle - Stress + sleep strategies that actually work - Movement that matches your phase of life - Q&A with our experts When: Saturday July 19th 10AM-12PM Where: 12 Labours Columbia District Sign up here: https://coach.everfit.io/package/TP017759 Presented by: Megan Knauer Nutrition Coach - PN1, NASM CNC Personal Trainer - NASM CPT Menopause Coach - GGS Colleen Cross Nutrition Coach - PN1 Menopause Coach - GGS Jillian Owens APRN, FNP-C her website is https://infinitewellnessmd.com/
12 Labours CrossFit is hiring an assistant manager with potential to be a full-time position. We are looking for a trainer with experience coaching group classes and personal clients in a 1-1 setting. This position will include coaching classes, meeting with potential new members, personal training and operational duties. Requirements: - Must hold a CrossFit L-1 Certificate - A minimum of 1 year experience coaching group classes - Flexibility during the week and available to work weekends if needed - Team player with an outgoing personality Compensation: - Hourly pay dependent on experience - Potential to be a full-time position Location: 12 Labours CrossFit, Columbia District 9017 Red Branch Rd. Suite A Columbia, MD 21045 To apply please click the link here
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