A giant tractor tire. Gymnastics rings. A rainbow of different colored kettle bells. Oversized, weighted beach balls.
The odd assortment is just some of the ways that Crossfit gyms get hearts racing and muscles pumping.
There are also good old-fashioned barbells, push-ups, squats and pull-ups, said Jesse Thompson, the owner of Everett’s newly opened Crossfit gym.
Unexpected routines, a supportive group environment and personalized attention along with unusual moves — like flipping over that oversized rubber tire — are all part of the appeal of an increasingly popular fitness phenomenon.
Originally developed for police academies, the fast-paced, hard-driving regimen has been adopted by the civilian crowds. There are nearly a dozen Crossfit-affiliated gyms in Snohomish County, according to the national organization’s website.
The downtown Everett location opened in June. About 60 people pay a monthly fee to take scheduled classes there, Thompson said.
Each workout is recorded on a big whiteboard, so it’s easy to track progress from one week to the next.
“Everyday I get to see people make personal gains and feel better about themselves,” he said. “It’s very fulfilling.”
While each day’s regimen is different, a class typically is asked to do a warm-up then some type of whole-body exercise lasting about 20 minutes. The workout is tailored to each person’s ability, so a teen athlete can sweat it up alongside an out-of-shape, middle-aged, desk-job guy or gal.
Group classes tend to rally around each other; there are plenty of high fives to share.
When I joined one other person for an introductory class, we ran halfway around the block, then did three sets of push-ups, squats and modified pull ups. First we did 21 repetitions, then 15, finally 9. To round out the workout, another short run. I finished in just under nine minutes and was dead tired.
Had I committed to registering with the gym, I’d redo the same workout in about a month to see if my time improved. Thompson promised me it would.
Like any new exercise regimen, experts say it’s important to start carefully. Many people think the sore muscles and reinvigorated spirit from Crossfit workouts make this exercise better than others.
“Nothing’s better, it’s just new,” said David Renne an exercise physiologist who runs the Wellness program for Providence Regional Medical Center Everett. “That’s no knock on it.”
He said people’s bodies and muscles need about four weeks to adjust to any new fitness regimen.
“The body requires a prep phase,” he said. “Leave the workout knowing you could do more, but don’t.”
Crossfit, like other strength-training plans, has its place alongside more cardiovascular-oriented activities, Renne said.
And before starting any kind of intense physical activity, people should check with a doctor, especially if they are recovering from an injury or illness.
Nicole Rodland, 29, of Everett, tried Crossfit recently for the first time after her friends encouraged her to go.
“I love that it’s fast and that you have a trainer telling you what to do,” she said. “It eliminates the step of thinking.”
The workouts can help athletes improve their game, but really it’s about the long term, Thompson said.
“It’s the sport of life,” he said.
Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3447, jholtz@heraldnet.com.
Learn more about Crossfit
Crossfit gyms offer fast group workouts under the guidance of a trainer. Monthly dues at Crossfit Everett, 1302 Hewitt Ave., start at $115, which allows you to attend three classes a week, to $150 for unlimited visits. A foundation class for beginners costs $200 for a month.
Weekday classes are offered hourly beginning at 7 a.m. For a complete schedule and for more information, call 425-212-9944 or go to evercrossfit.blogspot.com. General information about Crossfit, including links to other Snohomish County affiliates, can be found at www.crossfit.com.
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