Raise the Bar with Marlboro CrossFit

Walking up to the garage-turned-gym may be intimidating at first, with pull-up bars, barbells, weights and monster-truck tires lining the walls. But is about reaching goals, for all who enter the door.

Whether it be weight loss, strength or conditioning, CrossFit's philosophy is that anyone can reach a goal with a personalized fitness plan and cross-training regiment.

"We describe it as 'constantly varied, high intensity, functional movement," said Bill Halick of Marlboro Crossfit. "This means that the workouts will be different on a daily basis (no boring routine), high intensity means you'll know you're getting a good workout (sorry, no reading magazines on an exercise bike) and functional means you're working your body in a way that produces strength you can use in real life."

Halick said a simple excercise like the squat is an exampe of functional movement, improving muscles used every day such as when lifting a grocery bag.

Members recently participated in the CrossFit Open, a step toward qualifying for the CrossFit Games, essentially searching for the "fittest person on earth."

"But don't get intimidated your average CrossFitter isn't headed to the games, they are just regular people looking for a work out that provides visual results," Halick said. "There is also a really positive communal aspect to CrossFit that is evident in our members and their attitudes toward each other."

While CrossFit is often used for military personnel and police academy training, the program is universally adaptable.

"If you seek to look and feel the way you always dreamed you could, MCF will get you there.  It's that simple.  You show up, you plug in, you work hard and you look forward to it tomorrow," Halick said.

Interested members can visit the Marlboro CrossFit website.

Membership rates:

• 1 month unlimited: $170/month
• 2 months unlimited: $150/month
• 6 months unlimited: $135/month
• 12 months unlimited: $125/month
• 1 month, 3x per week: $140/month
• 3 months, 3x per week: $125/month
• 6 months, 3x per week: $115/month
• 12 months, 3x per week: $105/month