Train Like a Pro at Region CrossFit!

People at any level of fitness can train like the pros through CrossFit, constantly varying, functional movements performed at a high intensity, tailored to the individual’s own personal level. “You push yourself to the level that you think you can,” stated Mark Belanger, owner of Region CrossFit. “All of our workouts we do can be done at easier levels.”

CrossFit training is a “mix of an Olympic weightlifter, a gymnast, and a runner,” Belanger went on to share. That mix makes up the three aspects of CrossFit; Olympic weightlifting uses a few Olympic movements and lifts, to increase strength, such as the Snatch and Clean & Jerk. The weight is customized to what each person can handle, building on the movements with kettle bells and medicinal balls.

Body weight movement is the second aspect, which consists of sit-ups, pull-ups and air squats, using the individual’s own weight to train and tone muscle. The third aspect, metabolic conditioning, is the cardio portion of CrossFit, which focuses on running or rowing.

CrossFit workouts are made up of numerous combinations of the three aspects. Each workout is given a girl’s name, titled after ladies who have trained with the founder of CrossFit, Greg Glassman. The “Fran” workout, for example, includes thruster (lifts) of 95 lbs (or tailored to what each individual can handle) and pull-ups, in repetitions of 21, 15, and 9, with the goal being to finish in the least amount of time. A different workout is performed every day, referred to as the Workout of the Day (WOD).

In more recent years, the workouts have been titled with the last names of guys who have lost their lives serving in Iraq and Afghanistan and police officers and firefighters who have died in the line of duty, the Hero Workouts. “Murph” was one of the first Hero workouts, named after Navy Lt. Michael Murphy. The “Murph” features 1 mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 air squats, and finishing with another 1 mile run. Usually this workout is performed while wearing a 20 pound vest or body armor.

“Everything is evidence-based in CrossFit,” said Belanger, as performance is measured by how many rounds you can do in a set time period, or how long it takes you to finish a set from start to finish. “It’s not about how you’re going to look, it’s about how you’re going to perform.” CrossFit is about becoming better at every aspect of fitness, not just focusing on one area.

“We build confidence here,” he went on to say, stating examples of clients coming in, having never been able to do a pull-up, and within two months, they can do one with ease. “All of my clients can run a 5K no problem…guaranteed in 20 minutes.”

“CrossFit is a whole close knit community,” Belanger shared, discussing various charity events the group participates in, such as raising money for breast cancer awareness. There is a also a competition known as the CrossFit Games, where athletes compete against each other for the title of Fittest Man or Woman in the World.

The CrossFit program is a great workout for everyone, regardless of experience; load and intensity are scaled. Visit www.regioncrossfit.com to find out more about what Region CrossFit has to offer. Try it for free with an introductory class and get started on a path to a healthier you!