Put It Up Crossfit

Put It Up Crossfit is one of Orem's newest and most exciting gyms. The owner and head trainer is Seth Berbert. I first met Seth several years ago when we were both working as personal trainers at a local gym. He told me he wanted to start his own gym and with hard work, he has made that a reality. He started his facility with humble beginnings, but over time it has grown and he now has many loyal clients who are excited about the results they are getting.

Seth is an intimidating specimen at 6'4" and 230 pounds with single digit body fat, but he is also one of the nicest guys I have ever met. He is a giver and really cares about his clients. He is passionate about fitness and helping people get in shape and improve their conditioning.

CrossFit is a popular trend in fitness these days. It focuses on functional full body exercises as opposed to isolating single muscles on machines or spending hours on a treadmill. It utilizes Olympic style lifts, kettle bells, sleds, ropes, and a variety of other equipment. The workouts are very intense and effective. CrossFit has gained a loyal following of men and women who have made great progress when it comes to improving their fitness levels.

Some might think this type of workout is just for big muscle heads, but women love CrossFit too and get great results from it. It can benefit everyone from elite athletes to beginners who haven't worked out in years who are looking to get in shape. One of the things that impresses me most about Seth's facility is the camaraderie and support that the members have for each other. It's almost like a big family and that is very unique compared to your average gym experience.

It might sound strange that I'd promote the services of another personal trainer who might be considered my competition, but I am really impressed with this gym and when I need help with my own conditioning, I look to Seth. Put It Up CrossFit is located at 1061 N State Street in Orem. They just recently expanded their facility to make room for all their members. Swing by some time and check them out. You can also learn more about the gym at their website here.

Community Action

Community Action Services and Food Bank does not fit into my usual category of businesses I normally review since they are a non profit organization, but I'd like to highlight some of the work they do for the community.

The most noticeable service Community Action provides is operating the food pantry. They act as the food bank for Utah, Summit, and Wasatch Counties. They also assist with heat and utility programs for low income families. I was recently surprised to learn that nearly 10% of Utahns live within poverty levels.

It's admirable to provide food for those in need, but I am even more impressed with their efforts to address the root of the problem of poverty. Some of the other services offered include community gardening, and counseling services for home buying and mortgage counseling as well as many other educational programs to assist people to get out of poverty and achieve self reliance.

Because Community Action is a non profit organization, they rely on donations from the community. You can donate food, do volunteer work at the center, or make financial contributions, but I think the funnest way to promote and help their cause is by participating in their annual 5K race. This year, the race will be held on May 26th. Proceeds go to the center and there will be lots of great prices given away again this year which have been donated by local businesses.

You can register for the race at this website. If you procrastinate, you can still register the morning of the race as long as you do so before the 9:00 start time. Community Action is located at 815 S Freedom Blvd. in Provo and you can visit their company website at communityactionProvo.org.

The Briar Rose String Quartet

Today I'd like to feature a business that can improve the ambiance of any activity. Having a string quartet play background music can add character and and class to any event.

String quartets are typically associated with weddings, corporate events, receptions, dinners, and concerts, but they could probably even class up events like Wrestling, Nascar, and Superbowl parties. Okay, maybe it's not for every event.

The Briar Rose String Quartet was started by Emily Ricks and it's members are all professional musicians with advanced degrees in music performance. Although they are most frequently asked to play classical music and dress in concert black, they are very versatile and can adjust their dress and music style to create the atmosphere you are looking to achieve. These styles might include classical, pop, swing, religious, or even ragtime.

Although classical music is their forte, they have a huge repertoire and styles of classical music that they perform. Since they are all accomplished musicians, you won't be stuck listening to the Pachabel Cannon repeated over and over throughout the evening. Their experience allows them to help their clients plan what music would be most appropriate for their event if they are unsure.

Live music performance can make a huge difference in how one feels. It can add class, refinement, and sophistication to an event, which is something we are typically deficient in as a society. If you'd like to make a social event you are hosting more memorable and classy, then you should contact the Briar Rose String Quartet. 

J. Kirk Richards Art

J. Kirk Richards is a man of many talents. He is best known for his paintings, but he is also a musician, sculptor, writer and illustrator of children's books, and he has even made music videos. As a youth, Kirk was a talented musician, but during his teenage years he decided to change his emphasis and pursue a career in art.

Cherubim and a flaming sword

Kirk's work has a distinctive look to it. His paintings frequently portray religious themes, but he also works in landscapes and portraits. His versatility allows him to paint both traditional classical forms and more abstract images. There is also quite a range of sizes to his art work. His smallest portraits have been just inches and his largest painting is 6 feet tall and 18 feet wide. His paintings are also know for their beautiful custom frames, which are works of art by themselves.

Last Supper

Painting is not jut a hobby for Kirk. He graduated from Brigham Young University in 2000 with an art degree and has been supporting his family as a full time artist since then. Kirk lives in Utah County, but also has a studio in Redmond, Utah. His success in not limited to Utah. His work is featured in art shows and personal collections across the country.

Christ and the palsied man

Here is a time lapse video clip of Kirk in action painting one of his famous mother and child portraits.

Kirk's website can be found at jkirkrichards.com. If you haven't seen it, you should check it out. Viewing great art is a good way to improve the quality of your day.