CrossFit YOW now open in Barrhaven
We often get asked – what is CrossFit? At CrossFit YOW (Ottawa’s airport code in case you’re wondering), we believe that the best way to answer this question is by having you come in to experience it for yourself. However, we’ll attempt to explain CrossFit the best we can, but please remember, we aren’t poets…
CrossFit is defined as that which optimizes fitness – constantly varied, functional movements performed at high intensity. Originally, CrossFit began as the principal strength and conditioning program that efficiently trained the physical preparedness that is needed for police tactical officers, military special operations soldiers, champion martial artists, and hundreds of other elite and professional athletes worldwide. Basically, there is no fitness program like CrossFit in the world.
That being said, CrossFit has evolved over the years as a fitness methodology that not only physically prepares, strengthens and conditions the soldier, but also does the same for mothers, fathers, high school students, grandmothers, grandfathers and everyone else.
CrossFit is a fitness methodology that is by design, broad, general, and inclusive. This means that elderly individuals, perhaps with heart disease and high blood pressure, perform the same workout routine as elite athletes, their routines simply vary by degree, not type. All the workouts are scaled by load and intensity, specific to the individual’s fitness level and ability, however we don’t change the program. Our goal is to prepare individuals for as many physical tasks as possible over the course of varying durations of time. This could be as simple as completing an air squat (no weights) or as complex as running and then immediately transitioning into a weightlifting movement. We all need to pick up items from the ground and we all have to put weighted items overhead during the course of a regular working day, therefore CrossFit is a program that will prepare any individual for any physical contingency, as well as, for the unknown and the unknowable.
We at CrossFit YOW also agree that CrossFit is ‘the community that spontaneously arises when people do workouts together.’ We believe that the communal aspect of CrossFit is the key component of its effectiveness. We’re not just looking to open a business in Barrhaven, but we want to be an integral part of the community and support people in becoming the best version of themselves, whatever way we can – and that goes beyond fitness. Everyone in the CrossFit community strives to be a bit better everyday, bolstered by the constant support of their coaches and other athletes in the gym. Our worst enemy is usually ourselves – it’s an ongoing battle, but when you walk into CrossFit YOW, most of that self-doubt WILL disappear. With that positive push, that we sometimes need, you will meet your goals. CrossFit is not about fitting into a certain type of ‘mold,’ it’s about each individual’s journey to find his or her own mold.
Lastly, at CrossFit YOW, we believe CrossFit is an investment into one’s future. As a society, we are told and conditioned to save money for a down payment on a house, invest in mutual funds for retirement, contribute to a pension plan so that we may be able to retire and live out our days comfortably. However, if your vessel is not as prepared as your bank account, how comfortable do you think retirement and your quality of life will be? Our goal is for our athletes to not just be healthy individuals, but to be FIT individuals – and yes there is a difference. CrossFit teaches individuals to be capable of commanding their bodies to perform any task they want on any given day. Evidence has shown that anyone consistently doing CrossFit is becoming more agile, flexible, accurate, and coordinated; and has more stability, endurance, stamina, and power. They’re also generally faster and stronger than they have ever been. Usually our greatest successes happen when others participate in our goals and that’s what CrossFit is bringing to Barrhaven. Whatever your goals, you won’t be on your own and we guarantee that CrossFit will change your life. We’re first and foremost a community and you’ll rarely, if ever, see turnover in our staff – they’ll always be apart of the community and be there for you, with the other members, for years to come because that’s what a true community is all about.
Come in for a free trial, talk to our coaches and other athletes, and experience the community that is CrossFit. Please visit us on www.crossfityow.com. Hope to see you soon!
