CrossFit Pure

Why do I love CrossFit?
Because I have watched it change lives over and over again. I have watched CrossFit bring groups of people together to achieve the same goal that would have never met otherwise. I have seen real friendships form. I have seen pounds drop. I have seen people work harder than they have ever worked before and love every minute of it. I have seen illness healed and people able to come off of their medications. This is such a dynamic sport / health and fitness program that it gives back to you in ways you never would have thought. Most of all, its a lifestyle that we choose to live so that we can have a better quality of life.

Originally from South Florida, I was active and participated in many sports growing up. In high school I played football, wrestled and ran track. After high school I joined the army where I maintained a high fitness level. It was when I left the army that I adopted a sedentary lifestyle. In only a few short years I put on over 100 lbs and was terribly out of shape. I got myself back in the gym, lifted weights and did some light cardio on an elliptical or treadmill but wasn’t getting any results. Then someone suggested I try CrossFit.

I was introduced to CrossFit in early 2010 but was a little intimidated by the high intensity and thought I should get in a little better shape before starting. Almost a year later, with no progress on my own, I finally worked up the nerve to give CrossFit a try. My first workout was 10 Minutes of Cindy, an AMRAP of 5 Pull-ups, 10 Pushups, and 15 Air Squats. I thought to myself, this is simple. I would use a band with the pull-ups but pushups and squats, no problem. After 2 minutes and 2 rounds in I was completely gassed and only managed 4 more rounds in the next 8 minutes. Then it took me about 20 minutes to peel myself off the floor to go home. I knew immediately that the high intensity work involved in CrossFit would get me back in shape. What CrossFit has done for me in the last 3 years is remarkable. CrossFit has brought back a passion for friendly competition and a healthy lifestyle. But more than that, the sense of community, the friendships built, and the support I received in pursuit of my goals has been extraordinary.

Why I love CrossFit?

When I was a kid, all I wanted was to be an Olympic gymnast. Unfortunately, that dream didn’t happen for me. But through those 10 years of gymnastics I learned that I loved being strong, working hard, challenging my body and mind, being competitive, and doing cool tricks. These characteristics followed me through my athletic career and even still drive me today.

Diving ended up being my thing, which lead to several County Championships, a State championship my senior year, and a scholarship to the University of Georgia. Diving at UGA is where I was first introduced to organized and structured weight training and cross training. Here is where I learned the importance of a well balanced program involving strength, flexibility, technique, endurance and nutrition, all working together to make a balanced and safe athlete. I believe in this structure and try to continue these ideas in my own training and while training others.

Through these years, as I was growing as an athlete, I was developing my coaching abilities as well. I began coaching at 15 and continued to coach swimming, diving, and gymnastics all the way through college.

When I completed my diving career at Georgia I needed something to fill that athletic outlet. That’s when my brother told me about CrossFit. It was scary and loud but I gave it a try. Once I started, there was no looking back. It was everything that I needed.

CrossFit is an amazing arena. We work hard. We sweat a lot. We better our fitness and improve our future. We become part of a community where we find support and friendships. It’s still really loud but never scary...just awesome!!!

Why do I love CrossFit?

One of the main reasons I love it so much is the physical result I get from it. I’ve always exercised. Throughout college I did the one hour classes at Gold’s Gym and was able to maintain my girlish figure. I continued this membership as I started my career as a teacher. As I got older I noticed that my body wasn’t responding the way it did when I was in my early 20s. It became harder for me maintain my body and I found myself having to spend several hours a day at the gym. I saw some of my peers leave the same setting I was in and try CrossFit. I watched them develop lean muscle and become strong women. They were in way better shape than me! I would spend hours a day burning it up on the elliptical to stay in my jeans while they were talking about how sore they were from the workout that was only 10 minutes long the day before. That’s when I decided I had to try it out myself. I’m so glad I did because I’m in my mid thirties with two kids and I feel like I’m in the best shape of my life. And...I only actually make it to CrossFit twice a week.

Another reason I love CrossFit is the social aspect of it. Most CrossFit classes at PURE range from 10-30 people. Doing something physically intense and difficult as a group is binding. You feel as if you’re all on the same team. Not everyone is doing the same weight, or even the same exact movements. They are doing what is best for them. No matter the modification, you know everyone is giving 100% effort. It holds me accountable to grind it out. We hold each other accountable for effort and reps completed. When the workout is complete there is an unspoken sense of accomplishment as a group. It’s hard to explain, you really just have to experience it for yourself. It’s awesome and very unique, something you would never find at an L.A. Fitness, Gold’s Gym or even the best boot camp (all of which I’ve done).

The third reason I love CrossFit is because it really is a sport. I swear it’ll be in the Olympics one day. I grew up in competitive sports. I always loved being part of a team! Even in college I played intramural sports. Then I had to graduate, grow up and do this thing called life. So back to the Gold’s Gym. I talked myself out of going to the gym so many times because it was mindless, boring and socially isolating to do the elliptical for 45 minutes. Exercising started to feel like a chore to me. A chore that I had to work at for more time than I had to yield any positive result. Introduce CrossFit! CrossFit is the chance to have that competitive team feel back! It’s team-like, intense, and never the same workout twice ("constantly varied"). Your main focus becomes performance goals instead of cosmetic aspirations like washboard abs or buns of steal. Because of the competitive atmosphere and the motivation to hit THIS weight or get THAT many more reps on the benchmark WOD than the last time, you get the physical results that you used to try for day after day...WHILE YOUR’E HAVING FUN!

Why do I love CrossFit?
Because it will change you. It will change you in ways you can't imagine. Being a bit introverted by nature, it was quite a jump to feel comfortable in a group setting. Now I am coaching and leading classes! And I am not the only one. My own daughter has really blossomed and built strength and confidence due to CrossFit. There is something unique about the CrossFit group setting that really helps push you beyond what you think are your capabilities. It is that support group or "community" that is so unique.

"No one is done until everyone is done" is an honest representation of that support. Everyone there wants you to succeed. Genuinely!
And it is FUN!

Why do I love CrossFit?

Because of the community! As an adult, it can be difficult to find that "team" who supports you and motivates you. The CrossFit community is one of the main reasons I love this sport. I love the high intensity training and the strength training, but it is the people at Pure that keep me coming back every day. In addition to the friendships formed, I have seen a positive transformation in my overall health. CrossFit encourages this healthier life style through exercise and proper nutrition, and the community holds you accountable and encourages you every step of the way. I am forever thankful for the impact that CrossFit and my Pure family have made on my life.

Why do I love CrossFit? 

One of the main reasons I love it so much is the physical result I get from it. I’ve always exercised. Throughout college I did the one hour classes at Gold’s Gym and was able to maintain my girlish figure. I continued this membership as I started my career as a teacher. As I got older I noticed that my body wasn’t responding the way it did when I was in my early 20s. It became harder for me maintain my body and I found myself having to spend several hours a day at the gym. I saw some of my peers leave the same setting I was in and try CrossFit. I watched them develop lean muscle and become strong women. They were in way better shape than me! I would spend hours a day burning it up on the elliptical to stay in my jeans while they were talking about how sore they were from the workout that was only 10 minutes long the day before. That’s when I decided I had to try it out myself. I’m so glad I did because I’m in my mid thirties with two kids and I feel like I’m in the best shape of my life. And…I only actually make it to CrossFit twice a week.

Another reason I love CrossFit is the social aspect of it. Most CrossFit classes at PURE range from 10-30 people. Doing something physically intense and difficult as a group is binding. You feel as if you’re all on the same team. Not everyone is doing the same weight, or even the same exact movements. They are doing what is best for them. No matter the modification, you know everyone is giving 100% effort. It holds me accountable to grind it out. We hold each other accountable for effort and reps completed. When the workout is complete there is an unspoken sense of accomplishment as a group. It’s hard to explain, you really just have to experience it for yourself. It’s awesome and very unique, something you would never find at an L.A. Fitness, Gold’s Gym or even the best boot camp (all of which I’ve done).

The third reason I love CrossFit is because it really is a sport. I swear it’ll be in the Olympics one day. I grew up in competitive sports. I always loved being part of a team! Even in college I played intramural sports.  Then I had to graduate, grow up and do this thing called life. So back to the Gold’s Gym. I talked myself out of going to the gym so many times because it was mindless, boring and socially isolating to do the elliptical for 45 minutes. Exercising started to feel like a chore to me. A chore that I had to work at for more time than I had to yield any positive result. Introduce CrossFit! CrossFit is the chance to have that competitive team feel back! It’s team-like, intense, and never the same workout twice (“constantly varied”). Your main focus becomes performance goals instead of cosmetic aspirations like washboard abs or buns of steal. Because of the competitive atmosphere and the motivation to hit THIS weight or get THAT many more reps on the benchmark WOD than the last time, you get the physical results that you used to try for day after day…WHILE YOUR’E HAVING FUN!