free


weights


“T


he needs of our grandparents and Olympic athletes differ by degree, not kind” – this is a


defining mantra of CrossFit, a concept founded 15 years ago by Greg Glassman in the US. And if you aren’t yet familiar with what CrossFit entails, there’s a strong chance you soon will be, as the trend starts to resonate further across the UK health and fitness sector. “I’ve been amazed at the rapid growth


of the CrossFit population over the past two years,” says Tony Buchanan of Absolute Performance. “When we fi rst started working alongside the CrossFit community, I think there were only 10–15 affi liates.” There are now around 40 clubs in operation across the UK. Buchanan identifi es the last 12 to 18


months as a particular period of growth in demand – a claim backed up by equipment manufacturers and affi liates alike. Matthew Evans of CrossFit Velocity in Swansea explains: “In the


40


UK, CrossFit affi liate numbers have nearly doubled within a year.” It is, at present, a concept still in


its infancy, as CrossFit Leeds’ Mike Rawlinson admits: “Affi liates tend to be small compared with the more well-known corporate gyms. CrossFit as a training programme remains fairly underground in the UK.” But the signs suggest that CrossFit


won’t remain underground in the UK much longer. CrossFit London (UK) is one site that embodies how the concept is starting to take hold: “We’ve expanded very quickly in our fi rst year of running a dedicated gym, to the point that we’re nearly out of space and are actively looking for a much larger venue,” explains co-owner Steven Shrago.


THE MAKE-UP OF CROSSFIT So what is CrossFit? A highly flexible training programme that aspires to the best physical standards, it encompasses movements and compound exercises to


Read Health Club Management online at healthclubmanagement.co.uk/digital


reduce body fat and increase muscle mass. There’s a strong emphasis on the use of free weights, although there is also a cardiovascular element. BJ Rule of Optimal Life Fitness


believes that CrossFit is part of a wider trend: “CrossFit utilises weightlifting and bodyweight, but also gymnastics, rowing and running. I believe the greater population is disaffected with mainstream health club and leisure facilities that rely on machines. CrossFit is real world, functional training.” Although it may initially appear


to target ultra-fi t participants, a key selling point is that everything is adaptable to the needs of an individual – albeit an individual willing to challenge themselves. Gareth Millings of Alternative


Fitness in Andover explains: “A typical CrossFit affi liate will have space and equipment that will enable its members to really push their fi tness boundaries


january 2011 © cybertrek 2011


©SPENSER DAVIES PHOTOGRAPHY/WWW.SURFPICWORLD.COM


GETTING CROSSFIT


Pete Hayman investigates the emergence of CrossFit in the UK


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84