There's a CrossFit Gym in Concord???

My mother once told me that miracles, good and bad, won't come to you until you are ready to receive them. I have had plenty of both in the past year so I often feel in a perpetual state of "ready." It took me four months, however, to receive the miracle that is White Mountain CrossFit. I wasn't ready last July to accept Skye Butman's invitation to join this "really cool gym." I was happy for her of-course, as a coach I am always happy when my former runners maintain their athletic lifestyles and it was clear that Skye loved her new gym.

My state of readiness for the miracle that would be White Mountain CrossFit became complete sometime in mid-November. My friend and co-worker Robyn Grant had started going to the gym and the change in her physique was profound. More than that, however, was her enthusiasm about the people, the workouts, and the coaching she was experiencing. My curiosity got the best of me and I went with her one Wednesday to watch a class.

When I walked into the gym, located in on South Main Street, I have to admit I felt like I was walking into a scene from "A Bronx Tale" thinking to myself, "so this is where mafia folks get 'made in Concord.'" I am not sure what I thought this gym would look like but it was clear at first sight there was no fluff. Just metal things, and ropes and large large tires and  a plethora of weight lifting paraphernalia. I took a seat on a stack of tires and watched the class. That was Nov. 16, 2011. My life as I knew it, would never be the same.

First of all, you don't need to sign up for a set class time. There are classes offered on the hour almost all day. Each class, or workout is the same on a given day, but never the same day to day. I have been going for just over three months and have only repeated a workout once. This continuous variety in the workouts keeps your body from adapting to the program, thus maintaining maximum benefit from the workouts. I go three times per week. Each class is an hour long and consists of stretching and warming up, chin up or push up progression work, one Olympic lift, and a conditioning workout. These conditioning workouts may or may not use equipment but in general take typically non-aerobic exercises and make them absolutely aerobic. The challenge is exhilarating!

Secondly, you will meet many police officers, firefighters and military personel at CrossFit. This training philosophy is widely used by these organizations. You will also find alot of women young and old. My favorite 1 p.m. class time typically  consists of all women. We range in age from roughly 27 to 50 and work together like a well oiled machine. There is a lot of camaraderie at CrossFit, a feeling of being in it together. I am continually amazed at the dedication, courage and willingness to hurt that exists in my new found CrossFit friends. Given it's ties to the military, and the participation level of firefighters and police officers this familial feeling shouldn't be a surprise, but I am continually taken aback by the support I receive in the gym.

Third, the staff at "The Mount" are dedicated, qualified, educated and most of all funny! The stand-offish deadpan approach of Jon Farwell, perhaps one of the best workout programmers I have encountered is in direct opposition to the boyish glee and encouragement of co-owner Brad Newbery. Both of these men give excellent instruction and encouragement and clearly believe in what they do. Supplementing this dynamic duo are Tom and Jenn who round out the expertise with dry wit and excellent instruction.

There are a variety of alternative training programs in existence these days. My step-daughter is a fan of bootcamp and gets up at 6 a.m. daily to attend class. My mother does yoga and spin class. There is zumba, kickboxing, pilates, you name it and people are doing it in droves. But CrossFit is different. Aside from the 18 lbs. and 11-inches I lost in just six weeks (over the holiday season no less) there is the unique programming, the corresponding dietary program that emphasizes nutritional balance and common sense, (which I have yet to fully master) the varied levels of participants ranging from formerly sedentary regular folk to highly competitive elite athletes (yes, you can actually compete in the CrossFit Games!) and the gym itself, sandwiched between a saw shop and a number of auto repair shops.

I have been an athlete all of my life. My passion as a coach has always been leading young people on a journey to find their passion in life...so perhaps what contributes to my love of CrossFit and what it has opened up for me is that I was lead to it by a former student/athlete... so thank-you Skye, and you are right, this is the best gym ever!