In a time where a physically-fit image is at its peak, people are constantly looking for new forms of achieving an active lifestyle that in turn improves their well being and physical conditioning. The Crossfit program is one of those exercise systems that is growing in popularity across the country, and the world. The question is will they be able to dominate the world of universal fitness centers?
Crossfit is core strength and conditioning program, designed to elicit as broad of an adaptation response as possible. “It is an attempt to optimize physical competence in cardiovascular and respiratory endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, speed, coordination, agility, balance, and accuracy” says Greg Glassman who writes for the Crossfit website and Crossfit Journal.
Pete McCall in the blog for Ace GetFit says that Crossfit is “an intense exercise program featuring dynamic exercises like plyometric jumps, and Olympic lifts while using non-traditional weightlifting equipment such as kettlbells, sand-bags and suspension systems or water-filled implements.”
Crossfit classes feature new workouts every day called "Workout of the Day" or "WOD". It includes a warm-up, a skill development segment, and a high-intensity workout that lasts around ten to twenty minutes.
The workout is done as a class, so you have the peer pressure to perform well from yourself and your trainer, but also from the others in the class. Unlike your typical weight workout at a universal gym, the Crossfit program challenges in more areas than just strength, the athlete needs to develop endurance, flexibility, agility, speed, stamina, coordination, and balance. Because of this, you will discover your strengths and weakness in many areas that you didn't even know existed.
“With Crossfit I learned power lifting moves, and how to become as physically strong as possible without losing speed and agility, and mental toughness. Even as an athlete when I was younger, I never pushed my body as hard as I have in Crossfit” says Katy Duggan who before being introduced to Crossfit participated in yoga classes and boot camp style training, “it will change your life in more aspects than health and fitness, it motivates you to be a better person and tackle what you think is impossible”.
Advantages from Crossfit include different workouts every day, and you have someone leading you through the workout. This is great for those who are unfamiliar with universal gym equipment, don't know the basics of putting together a workout, and are unable to afford a personal trainer.
Another big difference is Crossfit gyms are generally located in warehouses or garages; this provides the room necessary for the appropriate equipment and fitness tests during each WOD. Crossfit workouts require introduction classes in order to learn and master the correct movements. A disadvantage for Cross Fitters is they are also more prone to major and minor injuries because of intensity and difficulty in training sessions.
Universal fitness center such as Bally Total Fitness, Gold’s Gym, or wellness centers in universities are located inside an air conditioned building, usually divided into many areas including: main workout areas, cardio areas, group exercise classes, swimming pools, spas, personal training and many other services that vary between gyms.
Main workout areas consist of free weights and exercise machines. You will also find a variety of cardio equipment with small TV’s attached to them so members can enjoy their workouts more.
Group exercise classes are a great advantage for many fitness centers. They range from a wide variety of physical conditioning to flexibility. Many fitness centers offer spas and swimming pools, and for those who are looking for that extra push they offer private personal training sessions.
Advantages of universal fitness centers include equipment availability, the fact that there is a machine for every part so it makes easier to target specific muscles. The fact that the gym has a perfect temperature allows you to go through a workout without suffering consequences of overheating, or dehydration, and the probability of injury is lower in the gym.
“I enjoy working out as part of a stress relieved time of peace, time of relaxation where I empty my mind. From one set to the next, without over exhausting my body, just feeling good from pumping iron and exercising your muscles” says Walter Oliva who is an avid gym user.
Many people who workout at universal fitness centers also workout at Crossfit gyms; they do this because it brings change to their normal workout routine, and makes it more enjoyable to live a healthy active lifestyle.
Megan May who is a personal trainer at a local universal fitness center, chooses to train at both a Crossfit gym and universal gym. She uses the gym for a more focused strength training workout and Crossfit for a more functional cardio type of workout. “Because I am a competitive athlete, I like Crossfit because it offers that competitive arena with every workout. I also like the raw, rugged, tough feeling I get by doing workouts at Crossfit.
One of the similarities between both Crossfit gyms and universal fitness centers is cost. Both gyms tend be expensive depending on their location and amenities. However, luckily for students, cost doesn’t need to be an excuse as to why we can’t live an active lifestyle.
Universities usually have health and fitness centers where students are able to use the facility while enrolled in school. There is a fee included in tuition that covers the usage of the health and fitness centers and other school amenities, such as pools and gyms with proof of proper identification.
As Crossfit gyms continue to expand, many universities across the country are developing Crossfit programs. According to the Crossfit Journal, Dr. Andrew Hatchett who is a professor of Kinesiology at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette has been given the opportunity to teach a Crossfit course as part of his curriculum.
The Lombardi Recreational Center, an on campus fitness facility at the University of Nevada in Reno, offers a Crossfit gym as an alternative to their regular fitness program, and The Kansas State University Department of Kinesiology offers a Crossfit program which is available to students and members of the community.
For these universities this is a great opportunity for students, athletes and non-athletes, to get started on a fitness program of their choice, and begin to develop an active lifestyle.
As of now, there are no Crossfit programs being offered at the University of Miami. The university does offer a new state of the art fitness facility, as well as a swimming pool which are both available to currently enrolled students and staff members, and for those who want to get that extra challenge, there is a variety of Crossfit gyms all over the Miami area.
One important thing to remember is that students and community members have the availability to choose from a variety of fitness facilities, and although Crossfit gyms are quickly gaining popularity in many communities, will they be able to dominate in the world of universal fitness centers?
