A new fitness trend has found its way into the healthy lifestyle community. CrossFit is a blend of strength and cardio training. Such athletes work on their cardiovascular/respiratory endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, speed, agility, balance, coordination, and accuracy. Lifting, running, biking, climbing and much more are all incorporated into CrossFit in one way or another.
At first glance CrossFit looks intimidating and scary, but many become motivated by the strength and determination a sport such as this one creates. Diana Deshields, West Virginia University senior and CrossFit Ridgeline member, said “The first month of it wasn’t the best because I was at a beginning level compared to others. Throughout this time though everyone continued to motivate me and would tell me that I will get there one day.” The CrossFit community is known to be like one big family that works together as a team.
There is an overwhelming amount of success stories people have shared that involve CrossFit. One in particular that caught my eye was a story on a 17-year old guy who used CrossFit to turn his life around after being diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis, a form of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. He used the diagnosis as motivation to join the CrossFit community and push his body to the fullest.
Another success story comes from Diana Deshields who was encouraged by her sisters to get back into fitness. After being out of athletics for a couple years she became unhappy with her body, and decided it was time to make a change. With her sisters help, she was introduced to CrossFit and has been doing it ever since. “I love doing Crossfit and I get really happy with the progress I’m seeing with my body”, said Deshields.
West Virginia University offers a workout similar to CrossFit called BODYPUMP. The hour long class is the most successful group fitness program in history. BODYPUMP is proven to be “the world’s fastest way to get in shape” by research which has confirmed fat-burning effects as well as an increase in endurance, strength and ‘wellness’ benefits. Participants are asked to arrive at least ten minutes before class begins. Class times vary from month to month, but schedules are posted both online and on the bottom floor of the Student Rec Center.
Mountaineer Health 