One Academy is a 10,000-square foot training playground for fitness lovers. The functional training centre in Leslieville has 10 types of classes like Rise, Sprint and Lower Body & Abs.

Classes are structured to focus on specific areas of the body, like Lower Abs and Upper Body Jacked with classes starting at 5:45 a.m. going all the way to 8:30 p.m.

Co-founder Jesse Bruce calls himself the chief motivator. Having overcome challenges in his life, he found a community through fitness.

He went on to become an obstacle course racing (OCR) champ, and place first in 38 obstacle races. Bruce and his co-founders, Eric Vieira and Paulo Salomao, designed One Academy as a space to build all around athletes in the community.

That motto is infused throughout the gym with the words ‘We Are Stronger As One’ emblazoned in big gold letters on the wall.

Everyone who signs up is encouraged to set a goal, whether they write it down in a journal or post about it on the ‘I CAN’ wall.

Before you even get to the large obstacle course, you walk through a lounge area where you can sit and chat before or after your workout and enjoy a cup of Pilot coffee.

The Academy has one of Toronto’s longest Platinum Rigs, an adult jungle gym that presents a world of challenges for fitness junkies.

There’s a turf area, treadmills with 30 percent incline, rowers, bikes and free weights for serious functional training.

It has the capacity for 50 people to work out at one time. The facility includes a stretching room, and wellness services like acupuncture and physiotherapy.

Sprint classes focus on short bursts and explosive exercises in rotating stations with instructors telling you when to switch. The idea is to keep your body guessing by mixing cardio and weights with 15 seconds of rest and 35 seconds of go time.

It’s a high intensity workout that perfectly positions you to be in the fat-burning zone. If you’re up to the challenge, consider taking the signature Everest class.

The two-hour class consists of 400-metres to one-kilometre interval runs with lifts, exercises and obstacles and the option for times three-kilometre, five-kilometre and 10-kilometre runs.

The class isn’t easy, but allows you to track your progress as you build endurance and strength.

One Academy is a space that wants to give back. They work with 54 Division and Covenant House Toronto to bring youth from across Toronto to train for free twice a week at the Academy.

Prices at One Academy start at a one week trial for $20. A monthly unlimited is $199, drop-in classes are $25 or a 10 class pack is $225.