CrossFit: A New Way To Workout

            In a gymnasium crowded due to the effects of a renovation, Greg Monivis Jr., a personal trainer at USF’s Campus Recreation, works out by himself in a isolated corner by some squat racks. “I’m already glistening,” he says after just a couple lifts of his kettle ball, a weight that looks like a large steel softball with a handle.

            People stop and stare at his workout in between their own lifts. He does not mind because he believes that he is getting a better workout from his “unorthodox” workout called CrossFit.

            CrossFit is a new style of workout that claims to be better than the traditional lifting of weights. “CrossFit is a type of training that uses different exercises that works all muscles in a body to increases someone’s strength, endurance, and speed,” said Joey Lteif, a CrossFit instructor at CrossFit-Sparta in Tampa.

            CrossFit combines several types of workouts to create more efficient workout. “It is different than a visit to gym where you just do a few exercises at your own pace. Our workouts could be pushups, sit-ups, or weights. It is a high pace, high intensity workout,” Lteif said.

            CrossFit takes several notions about training and puts them together. “It is basically taking a gymnast’s, a power lifter’s, and an endurance runner’s philosophies of exercises and combining them into one simple exercise.

             CrossFit is different from a standard workout because it is not just weights or just cardio. It is balanced fitness. “We are not going to be at the extremes at weightlifting or running,” said Sophomore Emily Cutolo, a microbiology major, “But, if you want a mixture of weights, cardio, and body weights, this is the place to come. It makes you better at everything but not specifically one thing.”

            Some of the exercises included in a single workout are 15 dead lifts, 15 pull-ups, 15 Handstand push-ups, this is where one leans against a wall upside down and then extends their arms off the floor for a push up, as well as 15 thrusters which is taking a bar squatting down and then lifting the bar over one’s head.

             The exercise does not take a very long time but is supposed to be invigorating.  “CrossFit designed to be short burst style workout,” Monivis said, “It is supposed to push you to the limit as you ca not do any more reps.”

             This has started to become more popular in recent years. Senior Mattew Donenfeld, an international studies major and a Marine in ROTC, believes it is here to stay. “I think it’s a revolution. I am in the military and I am seeing the conventional style of fitness they have been using since World War Two and going to functional fitness because they are realizing people are getting stronger and fitter through this type of workout,” he said.

             CrossFit users enjoy a communal workout that is hard to have in a regular gym. “Even if someone is having a bad day or does not want to do work out the person is going to do the workout,” said Lteif, “It is a good environment to work out in because everyone else is working out.”

             There is a strong bond with CrossFit users. “Here, it is a community. It is hard to break the bonds of a community. There is this community (at CrossFit-Sparta) and then community of CrossFit users at other gyms and we automatically feel that bond,” said Donenfeld.

             CrossFit-Sparta, which is the closest CrossFit gym to the USF campus, has shown a major increase in interest since they have opened. “It has grown. Four years ago when we started, we started with three to four members but has grown in the hundreds,” said Lteif. Cutolo expressed similar sentiments. “I was in the martial arts program with the owners before they opened. When they opened, they had only three to six but now they have about 250 so it has done pretty well in the three years it has been running.

            A workout at CrossFit is also quicker than a traditional workout. “I personally do not have an hour and a half to work out in a gym so CrossFit is designed to give you maximum results in a short period of time,” said Monivis.

            The program has gained most of its notoriety through word of mouth but the users think it will be around for a while. “I know that I haven’t seen it decrease in the four years we have been here. I do not see it decreasing at all,” said Lteif. Almost nothing will stop Cutolo going to CrossFit. “Unless something comes out that says CrossFit isn’t good for your health I don’t see it going away,” she said.

            There is good news for the future of the program. “I do not see CrossFit getting smaller any time soon. Reebok just invested 100 million in to the CrossFit organization and that shows just how big it is getting,” said Donenfeld.