CrossFit

As many of you are aware over the festive period I made a significant change with the my business. I became an affiliate owner with CrossFit Inc & subsequently my business name went from OrgaNick's Fitness to CrossFit OrgaNick. This was a proud moment for me as I fundamentally endorse the training methodology used by CrossFit.

Just a brief history on  CrossFit. It was born around the year 2000 in a small garage in Santa Cruz, US and was the brain child of Greg Glassman. Greg's background included being an Olympic gymnast. Sick of the gym culture in US, Greg's vision was to create a functional no-nonsense strength and conditioning facility where effort was at the heart of it's very meaning. There were no mirrors, machines or air conditioners and ego's were left at the door. The movements consisted of things that you would see at an Olympic Games - 400m sprints, clean and jerks, muscle ups, dips, squats, box jumps etc. All very functional and body specific movements but, ones that can be scaled to meet any individual's fitness ability. The people in that first CrossFit facility worked damn hard and got in unbelievable condition. It's  members also became the best of friends. Nowadays many of the iconic CrossFit workouts are named after some of those who busted their backsides in that small Santa Cruz box.

Fast forward 2012 and CrossFit has exploded around the world with over 3000 affiliates. It would be safe to say there is almost a CrossFit presence in nearly every part of the globe. From San Francisco to Sicily to Helsinki to Singapore people are going from it in old warehouses, garages and industrial spaces. Multi national brand Reebok has stepped on board as the official sponsor and have tipped in US$10million a year for the next 10 years for the privilege! The rumour around is Apple will also be a major investor shortly. The annual world CrossFit Games are held every year in the US and can now be viewed on ESPN. The winners of the respective men's and women's categories receive a cool $US250,000. 3 years ago the winner received US$5,000, 5 years ago the winner received a barbell set. It has certainly come a long way in a short space of time.

To me this is all nice but, if Reebok didn't come on board or there was no annual games it wouldn't be a bother. The thing I like most about CrossFit is the sense of community it builds. In contrast to going into a machine and TV laden gym where space in front of a mirror is harder to find than a piece of bacon in Israel and dialogue between people is scarce, you are always welcomed at CrossFit facility and get to know everybody's names fast. Workouts are done together and whilst there is always a winner that same winner will be the first to be encourae those still completing the workout. CrossFitters fall down but,  help each other up, we push each other to places we have never been but, also enjoy one anthers achievements and success.

 I like the CrossFit training methodology but, it is not the only one I study and implement. It has it flaws and is not for everybody. Some people are better suited to doing there 2 x per week steady state runs or going to a Zumba class. There is nothing wrong with that. You do need to be a certain type of character to do CrossFit as it is damn hard at times. However, those who are prepared to make it part of their lifestyle and to put in the slog than it has the ability to change your life.

My dream is too have my own CrossFit facility (box) and with hard work, planning and perseverance  I think this can be achieved within the next 9 months. Ideally a warehouse space within close distance to a park where I can still utilise the great outdoors as an alternate training venue. The warehouse facility will allow me to offer a greater range of exercises including rope climbs, odd object lifting and to also implement CrossFit Kids classes which I am passionate about doing. I would like to encourage kids using their bodies again and playing games instead of being glued in front of a computer or TV screen.

Until then my charter as a coach is to continually up skill my coaching knowledge and provide a holistic service that focuses on improved HEALTH. I want everybody to make get leaner, stronger and fitter via the workouts but, most of all I want them to improve all areas of your life not just something that we do a few times a week because we think we have too.

Well that is a little about CrossFit and my dream. Click here to see a video of  a colleagues facility in the US. This will give you more of an idea about what type of facility/environment I am looking at providing . If you have any questions about CrossFit please come and see me and I will be happy to explain more.

See you on the training track!

Nicholas