I’ve had a lot of people ask me about CrossFit (What’s so special about CrossFit?  Is it hard?)  In a nutshell it is simply the most effective fitness program in the history of the industry.  Wade and I are both in better shape now at 36 years old than we were playing college sports.  CrossFit aims to prepare you for anything life throws at you, whether that is in combat, on the court, or in your own home.  It is a broad, general, and inclusive program; the fitness needs of a teenager and your grandmother are the same, they just vary in intensity and scale.

The CrossFit prescription is “constantly varied, functional movements, performed at high intensity.” Every time we enter the gym our trainers put us through a different workout of the day or WOD – you are NEVER bored at CrossFit. The workouts involve FUNCTIONAL movements, these are the movements of life. There is nothing more functional than moving large loads, over long distances, quickly.  So yes, it is hard – but it is also very fun!  CrossFit simply works, and the best part about it is the community. Crossfit is such a good example of how ordinary people can overcome enormous obstacles and achieve great things together.  But the only way it is possible is in community.

CrossFit Kids is not just a scaled down version of CrossFit, it is absolutely and entirely CrossFit geared and designed for a special population.  Kids and teens have specific neurological, coginitive, and motor developmental needs and CrossFit helps meet those needs. It can shape lives, reverse prevalent health issues, build strength, improve agility, give real self-confidence, improve balance and coordination, and improve cognitive functioning by building neurological pathways in the brain.  But above all we want our kids to associate excercise and fitness with – BIG FUN !!!!!

Our first CrossFit Kids class at Next Generation CrossFit with Caleb, Elijah, Sophia, and Sebastian.

Learning the air squat, it’s much harder than it looks.

Jumping pull ups on a weighted bar.

And finally, the kids did bear crawls (their speed and agility were improving every moment.)

I am home from the Level 1 Crossfit Certification in Ft. Worth (I’m in the middle in the black tank top.)  It was a tough, informative weekend with some incredible trainers.  Lisa Ray, Jon Gilson, Chuck Caldwell, Tony Budding, Dutch Lowy, and Major Andrew Thompson of Crossfit Quantico were all phenomenal teachers.

I felt like a pony among thoroughbreds, but it was an incredible experience. We were all instructed on the nine fundamental movements/ technique along with corrections for all of them.  The pattern for the day was instruction, performance, repetition, correction, repetition, more correction. Tired? Lactic acid overload? Good, repetition, more correction. It’s amazing how heavy an 8 ounce pvc pipe can become after holding it over your head for two days. I needed a whole day to recover.  We heard lectures on: What is Crossfit, What is Fitness, Nutrition, Glycemic Index, Sick-Wellness-Fitness Progression, The Nine Fundamental Movements, and Programming.  I am on information overload. I loved the format of experiencial learning, and I’m really looking forward to my Crossfit Kids Certification later this month.

If any of  you are still intrigued with this “crossfit” thing I’m taking a few people to the Saturday 11am workout for beginners.  It’s free, so come along!!!!

More incentive: I’ve been crossfitting for 5 weeks now and I’ve lost 10 over all pounds, lost 2% body fat and gained 2 pounds of lean muscle.  It just works!  Call me or email me if you want to go on Saturday.