OCR = Obstacle Course Racing

OCR
Academy

Ottawa’s first and only obstacle training gym.

Fun, functional fitness

Friendly Community

Confidence & Life Skills

We want to help one million people overcome life’s challenges one obstacle at a Time. Why? Because We Can.

Over 7,000 square feet of wall to wall obstacles with a full suite of exercise equipment, an awesome cafe, a relaxing spa, and two state-of-the-art golf simulators. Convenient, safe, and family friendly environment less than 20 minutes from downtown Ottawa. Offering group classes, birthday parties, kids camps, personal training, and more, for the whole family!

About the Founder

Captain Josh

Overcoming Obstacles

Joshua was raised as a foster child who believed he was worth just 20$ a day. He had no full-time support team at home, he was a high school dropout, a booze hound, and a pill popping criminal who spent time in Innes Detention Centre. At his absolute lowest, he even contemplated suicide.

He was lost and had no sense of purpose. Fast forward to 2009 when he found fitness. Yes, it’s corny, but in his personal experience, the combination of a healthy diet and healthy living, gave him the tools to transform himself from an unhealthy 210lb – 25% body fat, to a lean 175lbs and 13% body fat. No formal training, no education, just a simple mindset.

“I now love myself enough, I love this life and I want to change.”

Anything that is fueled by anger or hate usually doesn’t last. He had to change his mindset towards himself and his life. He had to change some of the life traps he was facing and develop discipline to match his new-found passion for fitness. In doing so, he discovered his purpose.

What he found was Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) in particular the Spartan Race.

“It’s funny, this fitness thing brought me places I never would have gone when I was on the sauce. Places all over the world like New York and Texas to attend OCR races, and because I never got to go to high school trips, now I can through my passion.”

Joshua started off as a racer, then a volunteer, and eventually an employee for the Eastern Canadian Spartan Franchise. Traveling all over Eastern Canada building an obstacle course all while doing market research. After his time with the Spartan brand he developed discipline and he decided that the fitness game needed to change. People wanted a new way to get in shape. After every race he would speak to racers, asking how they liked it, almost all of their responses were “I love this race, but I really wish there was somewhere I could go train”.

That’s when the OCRA dream began and not because he wanted to be a capitalist, but because he wanted to practice the principle of reciprocity, he wanted to be an educator. He wanted to take something like fitness and health which can be very difficult for most and make it so people can understand it and make it fun. He wanted to inspire change, he wanted to help those who are in their darkest days to learn that they too can overcome life’s challenges “one obstacle at a time.”

He believes that we are all a reflection of those that we surround ourselves with and that we either win or learn, we never lose.

If you want to hear more of Joshua’s story or would like him to speak at an event, you can request him to attend your seminar at info@painistemporary.net

Meet The Team

HOW TO OVERCOME ANY OBSTACLE

STEP 1: VISUALIZE

Picture it first, and your body will follow.

STEP 2: PRACTICE

There is no perfect. Practice makes progress.

STEP 3: LEARN

There is no failure. We only learn lessons.

Ramps

Rings

Ropes

Bars

Walls

OCR Blog

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OCR REVIEWS

See what people are saying about Ottawa’s best Family Fitness Facility.

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 365 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Adam Radley 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My son takes classes here every week. He really likes the coaches and activities. He gets a great workout.

The facilities are well maintained and the location is clean.

It's a great place for kids to do kid things. He has attended birthday parties here and has really enjoyed those.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Mike Randell 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My son hosted his birthday here and had a blast. Very cool spots, all the kids really enjoyed it.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Zach 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. A great place to tap into your raw power. For Spartan and HYROX athletes, this is definitely the best place to train! Everybody is welcome, regardless of your age and fitness level! Coaches and staff are welcoming and encouraging. Truly the “best” OCR gym in Ottawa!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Megan Dams 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Kids had a blast, Joshua made the entire experience seamless and fun. Clean and comfortable for all.
  
 
  
  
 
    Verified by Trustindex  Trustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more

How Can We Help?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is OCR?

OCR Academy is Ottawa’s first and only obstacle training gym. OCR = Obstacle Course Racing.

OCR Academy is about fun. Remember running, climbing, jumping and playing as a kid? You were getting TONS of awesome exercise – and it didn’t even feel like it, did it? We want you to run, jump, play – and feel like that again!

OCR Academy is about fitness. When we’re fit, we’re ready to meet each day and fulfill our responsibilities with focus and energy. When we’re fit, not only do we survive – we thrive. Fitness is important for our bodies, for our minds, and for how we meet each day.

OCR Academy is about life. Physical fitness is integral to a healthy life. That includes being active, building mental and physical resiliency, and making healthy food choices. We work with you to build all that. We even have nutrient-dense food choices – like fresh coffee, Kombucha, and protein-packed energy bars – at OCR Cafe for you. Just in case you get peckish post-workout.

What are the OCR Academy Rules?

We have as much fun as the next person, but safety first. Here we have a few rules that must be adhered to at all times while on our course.

– 3 points of contact: Maintain 3 points of contact on the climbing obstacles at all times (that’s 2 feet and 1 hand or 2 hands and 1 foot)
– Weights and Lifting Equipment (16 + or with adult supervision): We offer a wide array of weight lifting equipment for your use – however if not used properly it can lead to serious injury (and damage to the equipment)! Please ensure anyone under the age of 16 is supervised by an adult – and feel free to ask a staff member if you’re trying for the first time!
– Occupancy Limit: Maximum number of people on our spider crawl, dip walk, and slip ramp at one time! Ask a staff member on your arrival which obstacles those are.
– Slip Ramp: If you climb up you’ve committed to going off the back! There is no sliding down the slip ramp. We offer a big mat for jumping down (if jumping down break your fall by landing on your feet and butt) or 3 ladders if you want to climb down (remembering the 3 points of contact!)
– Feet below your shoulders: At OCR we are racers and not acrobats! For your safety please do not flip or hang upside down on the obstacles. We keep our feet below our shoulders at all times.
– Hanging Obstacles: Our rigs are known as hanging obstacles because all of the obstacles hang from the rigs. Do not climb on top of the rigs, there’s nothing to see up there.
– Bathroom: We keep it clean for you, please keep it clean for us!
– Food: No outside food or drink please. We have a cafe that has awesome treats and coffee.
– Climbing Rope: As named the ropes are for climbing and not swinging around. Please only climb!
– The Most Important Rule of All: Have Fun!

What Obstacles and Equipment are at OCR?

Monkey Bars
Free Weights
Warped Wall
Ninja Steps
Row of Walls
Spider Crawl
Green Rig
Rope Climb
Tarzan Swing
Multi-Grip Rig
Slip Ramp
Cardio Equipment
Weight Lifting Equipment
Traverse Wall
Devil’s Staircase
Cold Plunge
AND MORE!

What is Obstacle Fit Kids?

Obstacle Fit Kids (OFK) is a strength and conditioning program designed to effectively teach the Obstacle Fit methodology to children aged 7-13 years old through age appropriate instruction and cueing. In a group setting, kids participate in fun and engaging workouts that deliver measurable results. This prepares them not only to be well rounded athletes but also awesome people as well. *Kids 14 and older can join our adult classes.

What Makes OFK Different?

OFK workouts consist of constantly varied, functional movements that deliver a fitness that is varied, inclusive, and totally awesome (VITA) and are scalable for any participants at any level. We base success on effort rather than comparison. These kids are training for life, not a small, sport specific skill set.

Your coach has studied how to teach Obstacle Fit to children using age appropriate methods, and have years of experience working with youth under their belt.

How do OCR Camps Work?

Overcoming summertime boredom one obstacle at a time. Here at OCR Academy we are bringing back recess. Kids are designed to run, jump, climb, swing and crawl. They are not meant to sit in front of a screen all day. That is where we come in. At OCR Academy camp is like any other camp, except we incorporate our awesome obstacle course.

OCR Academy Schedule

OCR ACADEMY

Come check us out! Stop by for a coffee and see why OCR is one of the most popular spots in Ottawa for family fitness.

Address: 1140 Morrison Dr #107
Ottawa, ON, K2H 8S9
Call: (613) 726-0909
Email: info@painistemporary.net

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