20 Sep 2016 CrossFit: Improving lives one WOD at a time

by Callie Sterling
Jaison Sterling photos

The evolution of CrossFit, a strategic method of organized exercise, has had unwavering success in Arkansas.

CrossFit’s founder and CEO, Greg Glassman, advanced his practices and principles to perfect a well-rounded fitness program that has spread throughout the world. CrossFit consists of moderate to high intensity endurance workouts including weightlifting, metabolic conditioning and gymnastics.  

Workouts Of the Day (WODs) can contain running, gymnastics, weightlifting, rowing, jumping rope and more.

According to CrossFit.com, the Natural State is home to more than 50 CrossFit affiliated gyms, otherwise known as a CrossFit box. A few Central Arkansas CrossFit boxes include Refine CrossFit in Conway, CrossFit Align (CFA) in North Little Rock, New Breed CrossFit in Cabot, 501 CrossFit in North Little Rock, CrossFit Maumelle, CrossFit Little Rock and many more reputable facilities.

“CrossFit is constantly varied functional movement at high intensity,” said Refine CrossFit trainer Sydney McGehee. “Our bodies were created to move, and that’s exactly what CrossFit is.”

CrossFit combines 10 components of fitness, always giving athletes an area to improve. There’s constantly a challenge for athletes of all fitness levels. Lindsay Burks, co-owner of New Breed CrossFit, believes that CrossFit is the best fitness program available because it covers a wide variety of fitness skills.

“CrossFit incorporates 10 aspects of fitness, including cardio, balance, flexibility, speed, agility, to name just a few,” Burks said. “I love that CrossFit can be scaled and modified to fit any fitness level. There is always something to work on, and always areas that even the best athletes can improve in. CrossFit is all about the journey and improving your individual abilities.”

The staff members at CrossFit facilities are fully committed to assisting athletes that are interested in making healthy strides by focusing on exercise that benefit a person’s everyday life.

“CFA helps people get in shape because our fitness program aims to improve all aspects of fitness: strength, agility, coordination, balance, accuracy, endurance, stamina, power, speed and flexibility — all while having a great time,” said CFA owner and trainer René Hooper.

Many individuals are afraid, intimidated and nervous to try CrossFit. There is often a stigma surrounding it. People often believe that they must already be in top-notch physical shape before attempting CrossFit. Every workout can easily be modified to fit anyone’s physical abilities.

“CrossFit is for anyone and everyone,” said CrossFit Maumelle manager Shannon Phillips. “Not every CrossFit gym has hardcore athletes; it is often just regular people that want to get in shape. Every CrossFit box is a little different, but overall, the community is very fun-loving, interactive, supportive, positive and fun. You work hard and all sweat together, but at the same time it is fun.”

CrossFit classes are held in a group setting, yet individual coaching and specific directions are given to each athlete.  

“At CFA, we train you as a team, but we coach you as an individual,” Hooper said. “We understand everyone has some sort of nagging pain, muscle imbalance or some sort of limitation. We care about fixing this. This may involve having you modify something to address a weakness, require you to complete the appropriate progression in a skill before advancing or adding weight and possibly working closely in a team effort with a physical therapist.”

CrossFit can serve as a catalyst for additional healthy lifestyle changes, such as nutrition improvement efforts.

“It can absolutely inspire participants to make efforts towards an overall healthier lifestyle,” Burks said. “Sometimes people start CrossFit just wanting to get in better shape, or they may have a weight loss goal; then they really end up loving the atmosphere and the results.

“If someone starts to get really committed to CrossFit, they want to perform their best during workouts. I have seen people quit smoking because that is something that is holding them back during workouts. Often, our members improve their nutrition because they want to feel their best while at the gym and even during average everyday tasks.”

Many CrossFit boxes offer a complimentary trial session for potential new gym members. With more than 50 CrossFit affiliate gyms in Arkansas, there are many options for individuals looking to find a CrossFit family.

“I might be biased, but I believe the community at my box is one to be rivaled,” McGehee said. “The exercise aspect is certainly working towards improving a person’s health, but the relationships that are made during CrossFit also have a huge impact on quality of life.”