By Kathy Gilbert, Chattanooga Times/Free Press, Tenn.
Jul. 3–EDITOR’S NOTE: CrossFit instructors contact participants via Web site and e-mail only.
Could CrossFit — a fast-paced, Internet-based, total-body personal training system — revolutionize fitness?
Hundreds of thousands of fans worldwide certainly think so.
“For broad, general, inclusive fitness, there is no better methodology or approach,” said David Stout, a Chattanooga martial arts instructor who became Chattanooga’s first certified CrossFit affiliate last December.
Since 2001, CrossFit (www.crossfit.com) has spread via word of mouth and the Web from soldier to soldier, police officer to fire marshal, karate fan to kung fu fighter around the globe, proponents say.
“It is entirely a grassroots movement,” Mr. Stout said.
Short, grueling workouts designed to push bodies to the limit as fast as possible are posted on the CrossFit Web site daily.
All exercises are videotaped and demonstrated.
Equipment is minimal.
There are no fees.
Participants are encouraged to post their performance and results to the site.
“We want people to come in, try the program and provide feedback so that it is a constantly evolving program,” Mr. Stout said.
Last month, Mike Alley and Katrina Fomich launched Get Built Chattanooga, the area’s first CrossFit gym, in the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Business Development Center.
“I don’t believe you have to have someone holding your hand to get an effective workout. My goal is to teach you how to do the workouts,” said Mr. Alley, a National Strength and Conditioning Association certified personal trainer at the Fairyland Club in Lookout Mountain, Ga.
CrossFit workouts use moves from Olympic and power lifting, martial arts, gymnastics, traditional physical education exercises such as pushups and pullups, running, rowing, swimming and even parkour.
The method’s appeal comes partly from the high intensity of the workouts. CrossFit also relies heavily on sports and competition.
“CrossFit is, quite simply, a sport,” the Web site states.
All workouts are timed, and participants are constantly working against the clock, their best time and other CrossFitters, Mr. Alley said.
Still, all moves are scaled back for safety’s sake. All ages, all levels of fitness and both genders are welcome, Mr. Stout added.
Marc Mayes, a 32-year-old physician’s assistant at Siskin Hospital for Physical Rehabilitation, began doing CrossFit about a year ago. He learned about the Web site while studying martial arts with Mr. Stout at Gracie Jiu Jitsu.
At the time, his routine included three-hour bicycle rides. Then his wife had a baby, and time became limited.
Today, he follows the Web routines and comes to Get Built Chattanooga’s free Saturday class.
“This is a way to get a really good workout in 20 to 40 minutes, and it affects every facet of exercise. When I get back on the bike I go farther, I power up the hills and in running I’m a lot stronger,” Mr. Mayes said.
Blake Coddington, a 17-year-old rising senior at McCallie, said he enjoyed hurtling down Finley Stadium’s field carrying a sack of kitty litter and pushing a pickup across First Tennessee Pavilion last Saturday.
“School workouts are tough, but this is definitely a butt-kicker. You almost forget you’re working out. It’s more of a game,” he said.
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