Below a Montreal underpass, an outdoor gym becomes the beating heart of a cross-cultural fitness community

const gi_content = ` [content] :skip ****** series project throw ****** :endskip [.slide] type: series [] :skip ****** photo with optional text ****** :endskip [.slide] type: photo photo-sm: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/underpass-gym/images/DJI_0265_portrait_sm.jpg photo-lg: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/underpass-gym/images/DJI_0265_lg.jpg photo-xl: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/underpass-gym/images/DJI_0265_xl.jpg fullscreen-mobile: true fullscreen-desktop: false [.text] [.+paragraphs] Call it Venice Beach North. Here, tucked beneath a highway underpass bordering Montreal’s Lachine Canal and the iconic Five Roses flour mill, an eclectic group of fitness fanatics have found community. [] [] [] :skip ****** diptych photos with optional text ****** :endskip [.slide] type: diptych aspect-ratio: 3-2 [.diptych] photo-1-sm: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/underpass-gym/images/1D2A6314_sm.jpg photo-1-lg: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/underpass-gym/images/1D2A6314_lg.jpg photo-2-sm: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/underpass-gym/images/1D2A0077_sm.jpg photo-2-lg: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/underpass-gym/images/1D2A0077_lg.jpg [] [] :skip ****** photo with optional text ****** :endskip [.slide] type: photo photo-sm: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/underpass-gym/images/1D2A0282_portrait_sm.jpg photo-lg: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/underpass-gym/images/1D2A0282_lg.jpg photo-xl: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/underpass-gym/images/1D2A0282_xl.jpg fullscreen-mobile: true fullscreen-desktop: false map: [.text] [.+paragraphs] The de la Commune outdoor gym, a City of Montreal initiative, started out like any other fitness park in the city – with stationary bars and benches. But a look past the flexing torsos and crunching abs reveals details such as lockers, slacklines and heavy tires. [] [] [] :skip ****** photo with optional text ****** :endskip [.slide] type: photo photo-sm: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/underpass-gym/images/1D2A8085_portrait_sm.jpg photo-lg: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/underpass-gym/images/1D2A8085_lg.jpg photo-xl: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/underpass-gym/images/1D2A8085_xl.jpg fullscreen-mobile: true fullscreen-desktop: false [.text] [.+paragraphs] During the COVID-19 lockdown, Youri Juteau, a lab technician at an engineering university, started using de la Commune’s outdoor facilities. Then, at a certain point, he brought equipment of his own “just to see what would happen,” he says. [] [] [] :skip ****** photo with optional text ****** :endskip [.slide] type: photo photo-sm: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/underpass-gym/images/1D2A6548_sm.jpg photo-lg: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/underpass-gym/images/1D2A6548_lg.jpg photo-xl: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/underpass-gym/images/1D2A6548_xl.jpg fullscreen-mobile: false fullscreen-desktop: false [.text] [.+paragraphs] De la Commune’s popularity skyrocketed, though few people using the gym knew where the equipment was coming from. Most still don't, and that suits Juteau just fine. [] [] [] :skip ****** photo with optional text ****** :endskip [.slide] type: photo photo-sm: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/underpass-gym/images/1D2A0837_sm.jpg photo-lg: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/underpass-gym/images/1D2A0837_lg.jpg photo-xl: fullscreen-mobile: true fullscreen-desktop: false [.text] [.+paragraphs] Along with Mr. Juteau’s contributions – since 2021 he has spent about $4,000 on the gym as well as building new equipment – a nearby construction site donated sheets of plywood and a sports organization gave a heavy bag. Other materials began to appear. Someone brought a vacuum and cleans the mat every week. No one knows exactly who. [] [] [] :skip ****** photo with optional text ****** :endskip [.slide] type: photo photo-sm: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/underpass-gym/images/1D2A6382_sm.jpg photo-lg: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/underpass-gym/images/1D2A6382_lg.jpg photo-xl: fullscreen-mobile: true fullscreen-desktop: false [.text] [.+paragraphs] The gym today, says Mr. Juteau, is a joint effort. The city funds upkeep but individual users can donate money, too. But it’s not a requirement. [] [] [] :skip ****** diptych photos with optional text ****** :endskip [.slide] type: diptych aspect-ratio: 3-2 [.diptych] photo-1-sm: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/underpass-gym/images/1D2A6052_sm.jpg photo-1-lg: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/underpass-gym/images/1D2A6052_lg.jpg photo-2-sm: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/underpass-gym/images/1D2A7275_sm.jpg photo-2-lg: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/underpass-gym/images/1D2A7275_lg.jpg [] [.text] [.+paragraphs] “It’s free, that’s the beauty of it,” says Mikaël Casol, a martial arts trainer who is now the gym’s self-described ambassador. [] [] [] :skip ****** photo with optional text ****** :endskip [.slide] type: photo photo-sm: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/underpass-gym/images/1D2A0063_sm.jpg photo-lg: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/underpass-gym/images/1D2A0063_lg.jpg photo-xl: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/underpass-gym/images/1D2A0063_xl.jpg fullscreen-mobile: false fullscreen-desktop: false [.text] [.+paragraphs] Griffintown, where de la Commune is located, is a dynamic and diverse neighbourhood, where immigrants from Brazil, Cuba, North Africa and France – among other places – work out alongside native-born locals. “There’s something magical about this,” says Mr. Casol. “You make so many friends, you meet people, it’s good for the community.” [] [] [] :skip ****** diptych photos with optional text ****** :endskip [.slide] type: diptych aspect-ratio: 3-2 [.diptych] photo-1-sm: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/underpass-gym/images/1D2A6585_sm.jpg photo-1-lg: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/underpass-gym/images/1D2A6585_lg.jpg photo-2-sm: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/underpass-gym/images/1D2A5895_sm.jpg photo-2-lg: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/underpass-gym/images/1D2A5895_lg.jpg [] [.text] [.+paragraphs] The preferred practice here is calisthenics, or using one’s own weight to strengthen. A standout example of this type of exercise is the human flag pose – imagine hanging from a bar, and then turning the bar 90 degrees, maintaining the body in a straight line. “In my opinion, people that do calisthenics develop the most beautiful bodies of all,” says Alexia Dion, a gym-goer who works as a tattoo artist. There is a well deserved flourish of exhibitionism that goes along with much of the action. The sun streams into the space for a few hours a day, slicing between nearby condo towers, etching the bodies in gold. [] [] [] :skip ****** photo with optional text ****** :endskip [.slide] type: photo photo-sm: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/underpass-gym/images/1D2A8038_portrait_sm.jpg photo-lg: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/underpass-gym/images/1D2A8038_lg.jpg photo-xl: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/underpass-gym/images/1D2A8038_xl.jpg fullscreen-mobile: false fullscreen-desktop: false [.text] [.+paragraphs] Evgenii Zvernov discovered the gym in early 2022, four months after arriving from Russia to work in computer graphics in Montreal. While working out he met Ilya Zhulinsky, a Ukrainian who is also a recent arrival. Despite the tensions between their homelands, they shared contacts and started working out together. “Isn’t that how it’s supposed to be?” Mr. Zvernov says. [] [] [] :skip ****** photographer bio ****** :endskip [.slide] type: bio label: About the photographer photo: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/underpass-gym/images/roger_lemoyne_bio_5_4.jpg photo-credit: Photo by Mickaël Casol bio: Roger LeMoyne studied cinema at Concordia University, then toured Canada with a rock band before turning to photography. Since the 1990’s, he has been documenting conflict, human rights issues and international aid worldwide as well as life in Canada. He lives in Montreal with his wife, who is a physician, and their two children. [] :skip ****** credits ****** :endskip [.slide] type: credits [.+credits] Photography and story by Roger LeMoyne Interactive design and development by Christopher Manza Photo editing by Theresa Suzuki Visuals editing by Liz Sullivan Editing by Lisan Jutras [] [] [] `; // custom header art window.tgam.meta.photo_desktop = "https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/underpass-gym/images/1D2A5700_xl.jpg"; window.tgam.meta.photo_mobile = "https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/underpass-gym/images/1D2A5700_portrait_sm.jpg"; window.tgam.meta.video = ""; window.tgam.meta.caption = ""; window.tgam.meta.credit = ""; // custom header parameters window.tgam.meta.headline_overlay = true; window.tgam.meta.headline_overlay_vertical_position_desktop = "bottom"; window.tgam.meta.headline_overlay_horizontal_position_desktop = "left"; window.tgam.meta.headline_overlay_vertical_position_mobile = "bottom"; window.tgam.meta.headline_overlay_gradient = true; window.tgam.meta.two_column = false; window.tgam.meta.swap_column = false; window.tgam.meta.full_width = true; window.tgam.meta.narrow_width = false; window.tgam.meta.dark_background = true; window.tgam.meta.dark_background_colour = "#0a0a0a"; window.tgam.meta.centre_headline = false; window.tgam.meta.large_headline = false; window.tgam.meta.sans_headline = false; window.tgam.meta.label_text_colour = ""; window.tgam.meta.label_box_colour = "#a00f19"; window.tgam.meta.label_text_colour_overlay = "" ; window.tgam.meta.label_box_colour_overlay = "#a00f19"; window.tgam.meta.audio_bar = false; // gi only properties window.tgam.meta.banner = true; window.tgam.meta.banner_overlay_dark = false; window.tgam.meta.banner_overlay_gradient = true; window.tgam.meta.banner_border = false; window.tgam.meta.caption_background_colour = ""; window.tgam.meta.caption_text_colour = ""; window.tgam.meta.full_height = true; window.tgam.meta.headline_overlay_gradient_opacity = ".8"; // display overrides (optional): window.tgam.meta.display_head = "An exercise in community"; window.tgam.meta.display_deck = ""; window.tgam.meta.label = "Underexposed"; window.tgam.meta.byline = "Photography and story by Roger LeMoyne"; window.tgam.meta.byline2 = ""; window.tgam.meta.creditline = "The Globe and Mail"; // gi lazy images window.lazySizesConfig = window.lazySizesConfig || {}; Object.assign(window.lazySizesConfig, { lazyClass: "gi-lazyimage", loadedClass: "gi-lazyimage--loaded", loadingClass: "gi-lazyimage--loading", preloadClass: "gi-lazyimage--preload", errorClass: "gi-lazyimage--error", autosizesClass: "gi-lazyimage--autosizes", expand: 1000 }); !function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r