CrossFit – A New Fitness Program for Everyone

By now, you may have heard of CrossFit, a revolutionary fitness program that started in California and is sweeping the East Coast. The program is adaptable, making it the ideal workout solution for anyone, regardless of age or ability. CrossFit combines weightlifting, sprinting, gymnastics, power lifting, kettlebell training, plyometrics, rowing, and medicine ball training. CrossFit focuses on functional movement. “Everyone needs functional movement,” says Renee Boyles, co-owner of CrossFit Winston-Salem and CrossFit Decree, “from the time you are a child until you are lifting your own groceries at the age of 80.” CrossFit is not your typical conventional gym. There are no StairMasters or treadmills.

There is one workout per day, done at different class times, in group or private settings. Renee and her husband Kevin opened CrossFit Winston-Salem in 2008 after years of training in a conventional gym environment. “Once we started doing CrossFit routines ourselves and for our clients, the results were so much better and we were having more fun,” says Renee. “Opening our own CrossFit affiliate was the next step.”

Their second location, CrossFit Decree, has just opened in Davidson County. Kevin and Renee are on a mission to change lives and bring fitness back to the forefront of the Winston-Salem community. “We see our only competition as hypertension, high cholesterol and obesity,” says Kevin. The success they have achieved at CrossFit Winston-Salem goes beyond shedding pounds and losing pants sizes. One client came to the gym overweight and diabetic. In less than 6 months, he has gone from taking 10 pills and 2 insulin shots per day to no medication needed. He is effectively cured of his Type II diabetes. They also trained a woman who had let fibromyalgia and cerebral palsy control her life. After 6 months of training with Kevin, this lady was able to run a mile, do box jumps and pick up 52 pound bags of dog food at the grocery store. These tasks all appeared insurmountable to her when she began CrossFit. The family atmosphere and competitive spirit of CrossFit play a huge role in these successes. “CrossFit is an encouraging atmosphere where people not only care about short term goals, but care about each other’s long term lifestyle changes,” says Renee. One can expect to find someone of every fitness level at most classes. The members range in age from 13 years old to 80 years old.

There are athletes and there are grandparents, all in the same class. “We want college soccer players to be able to do their jobs, as well as 65 year old grandmothers,” says Kevin. CrossFit Winston-Salem also offers CrossFit Kids for ages 5-12. CrossFit Kids presents a unique approach to fitness for youth. It’s CrossFit, geared and designed for children and their specific developmental needs.

CrossFit Winston-Salem is like a family. On Saturdays, the members gather for a community workout, which also includes anyone who is not a member and wants to try out the fun. The members get together outside of the gym on a regular basis to get to know one another better. “The community spirit at CrossFit Winston Salem is imperative to the huge success rate we have,” says Renee. “It’s encouraging to be surrounded by people who not only want to succeed, but want you to succeed with them.”