OUR STORY
About Us
The Concept of RECREATE Climbing and Fitness…
Recreate Climbing and Fitness is family-owned and operated by Matt & Jen DeLong and Ryan & Lisa Howell.
Recreate Climbing and Fitness was founded by Lisa Howell and Jen DeLong who are both Montana natives and lifelong athletes. The dream to create Recreate came out of their love for recreation and holistic health and fitness. Seeing the great benefit they were getting from strength training and how it improved their ability to run, hike, ski, mountain bike and climb is where the concept for Recreate Gym was born.
Lisa Howell
Co-Founder
For fifteen years, I worked as a dental hygienist and loved the relationship aspect of working in direct patient care. Prior to dental hygiene, I worked as a human resource specialist for Montana State after graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from MSU-Bozeman. Go Cats! I have a wonderful husband, Ryan, and two beautiful children, Sawyer and Sadie. We live in Butte and also run an electrical contracting business, Wired Electric.
I have always made fitness a priority in my life, and have found group fitness training to be the most effective way to stay committed to a workout routine. Prior to group training, I trained for long distance running events and ran outdoors. Throughout my life, I struggled with various injuries brought on by my career and also years of running. I spent many years in physical therapy to correct these injuries. Through these trials, I have gained a passion for mobility training and injury prevention. I am certified in Functional Range Conditioning and have learned that prioritizing active rest and recovery is crucial to the long game!
Recreate is truly my dream gym – which is why you’ll see Jen and I, and our families, working out right along side you. We created the gym we wanted to belong to – we hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
Jen DeLong
Co-Founder
Hello, why name is Jen Delong. I’ve been involved in athletics and physical fitness my whole life. I have a love for physical movement and I have studied it from diverse perspectives. I graduated from the University of Montana in 2003 with a degree in History and Communications. While I was at the U of M, I competed on the University Track Team for four years. On the side, I got a minor in Contemporary Dance and went on the study dance for the next decade. I had the great honor to teach dance for five years, teaching all ages of kids to adults. Before I moved away from Missoula, I got the opportunity to dance with Bare Bait Dance Company, which was a highlight of my dancing career.
When I wasn’t dancing, you could find me rock climbing, mountain biking, snowboarding or strength training. I believe that all of the movement modalities I’ve been active in are complimentary and have improved my overall strength, skills and physical abilities. As I grow in experience, I believe strength training and functional fitness are foundational to living a vibrant and active life. In 2020, I completed a certification as a Health and Life Coach from the Health Coach Institute. In 2021, I competed in my first Spartan Race in Big Fork, Montana. It was an epic experience and I hope to make it a yearly event.
I’m a mom of three beautiful kids, Ava, Jude, and Adele and I have an amazing husband, Matt DeLong. My husband and I have been building businesses for the last decade. We are excited for this adventure with Lisa and Ryan.
