CrossFit What’s it all about?

By Jaclyn Youhana

Though the fitness routine has been around nearly two decades, since 2000, CrossFit stereotypes have persisted. And yet, as of 2018, the United States had nearly 18,000 CrossFit gyms, according to Wodify, a gym management platform, and those gyms saw an average membership growth of 12 percent per year.

For the uninitiated, CrossFit mixes longer, endurance-focused workouts (think jumping rope or box jumps, which is jumping atop a stationary box) with shorter, strength-focused workouts like lifting weights, explained Mallory Shinneman, head coach at the area’s three Mad Apple CrossFit locations.

Jessica Henry has attended a CrossFit gym— called a “box” in CrossFit lingo—for about a year.

“I was having lunch with a friend who is my age and has a similar body type,” Henry said. “She mentioned she did CrossFit, and I was floored because I thought CrossFit was only for elite athletes.”

Henry was curious, so when she saw a box pop up in her neighborhood, so she sent the gym a Facebook message to see if she could watch a class.

“I can’t believe I ever went back because the wod (workout of the day) that night was so intense,” Henry said. “They were jumping from the floor straight up to really tall boxes, and I was like, ‘Oh, my God. I would never be able to do that.’”

That’s when the coach assured her she wouldn’t be expected to do that—CrossFit workouts are tailored to each individual. There are three levels, Henry explained, and a beginner might start at Level 1—or level half.

It’s those modifications that make CrossFit so accessible, said Kim

Wagner, who has practiced CrossFit for about five years.

“Just because I’m push pressing 85 pounds doesn’t mean you need to do that,” said Wagner. “You start at 35 just like I did.”

She names its safety as one of the reasons she participates; she had spinal fusion surgery and has 15 screws and three rods in her back.

“I have to be really careful in terms of what I do for exercise,” she said. “Everything (in CrossFit) can be modified and scaled to make it something I can do so I don’t injure myself.”

The reason people continue; the reason CrossFit works, Shinneman said, is the people. Each box has its own community to cheer one another.

“It’s much easier to go to the gym when you know your friends are going to be there,” she said. Plus, there’s accountability. “If you miss, people text, ‘Where are you?’”

Then, there’s the results.

“I’m stronger than I thought I was. I can even do a handstand. I’m really proud of that,” Henry said. “It’s been interesting to watch myself grow. Some people are stronger and younger than I am, and I can do things they can’t. There are times when my own body surprises me, and those are really reaffirming moments.” a