With the start of the new year, people all across the country are making resolutions — to lose weight, to save money, to quit smoking. The most popular resolution, however, is to exercise more. Gyms are suddenly packed with new members, most of whom won’t use their membership past mid-February. Why is that? For some, it’s a decrease in motivation or even an injury caused from the sudden overworking of the body. For others, it’s the disappointment at the lack of immediate results. Then there are those for whom the average global gym, with its rows of cardio machines and smattering of resistance machines, is just too boring.
Enter CrossFit.
Developed in 2000, this cross-discipline regimen exploded onto the fitness scene in the early 2010s and has since developed a cult-like following that includes all genders, ages and economic backgrounds — it’s even favored by the Marines and first responders. CrossFit combines elements of aerobic exercise, gymnastics and weightlifting and is designed to increase endurance, strength, stamina, flexibility, balance and agility.
To learn more about this unique fitness program, we sat down with Zach Luke and Analisa Marquez, founders of BLK LBL (pronounced “black label”) Fitness Club. Located at the southwest corner of 48th Street and Chandler Boulevard, BLK LBL has been open for five years and offers 60-minute high-intensity training classes for everyone from beginners to competitive athletes.
City Lifestyle Ahwatukee: What is CrossFit and how does it differ from a traditional global gym?
Analisa Marquez: CrossFit is a functional fitness program. Its athletes — that’s what we call all our members — don’t specialize in anything. They’re not just weightlifters, they’re not just swimmers, they’re not just runners or bikers. They’re good at everything. The essence of the program is functional fitness. We’re teaching you to be functional in your life.
CL: Why types of exercises does CrossFit offer?
Zach Luke: Wall balls involves squatting and throwing a medicine ball at a target. That movement alone comprises weighted squats and push presses, which translate into the barbell, which we’ll use for clean and jerks. There are AirBikes, which use air resistance, which will suck the soul right out of you. The toes to bar, which pretty much describes itself, takes you into gymnastics. You hang from a pull-up bar and swing your toes up to touch the bar. Then we go back and repeat all the movements. And we didn’t even talk about the dumbbells, the kettlebells, the rower or the skier.
Marquez: We don’t allow the body to adapt. One day you’re going to be doing long cardio pieces, the next day, we’ll be working on strength, and then maybe we’ll do a sprint-style workout. That’s what’s cool about CrossFit — you’re not doing one thing the entire time, and your body is always being tested.
Luke: CrossFit has such a broad level of movements, that your interest always stays piqued. There's always something to learn.
CL: CrossFit is about community. Can you elaborate on that?
Luke: One of the cool things about CrossFit is that there are many different levels of individuals in here. There are people who played high school or college sports, and there are those who never played a sport. Some people just want to get in shape in order to play with their grandkids. It runs the gamut of the bodies, and when we do our workouts of the day, no one is stuck in a corner. You're in the midst of the group, shoulder to shoulder, which makes a huge difference.
You’re seeing me at my worst, you're seeing me on my knees, you're seeing me sweating, you're seeing me in pain. That exposure shared among these individuals is undeniable, and bonds are created. And I think that’s where that cult of community comes from.
CL: How can I get started in CrossFit?
Marquez: Come on in and get your free trial. The hardest thing is getting people through the door because CrossFit, if you don’t know about it, can be intimidating. You need to trust in our process and us at least three months to see if this is something for you. CrossFit isn’t for everybody, but if it is, you will get addicted within the first week of your free trial.
BLK LBL offers a free no-obligation five-day trial for anyone who is interested in learning about CrossFit. For more information, visit blklbl.fit.