By Rian Cole BA, BEd, CF-L2
An elite hockey player, a soccer mom and an elderly woman all walk into a CrossFit gym. That’s it, there’s no punch line …
There is a common misconception that you need to be “fit” before you can start CrossFit, but the reality is that there are entry points for anyone; no matter their fitness level or background. At CrossFit Belleville (CFB) our members range in age from 5 to 70. Some come from a background in sport, some are rehabbing injuries, and some had never touched a weight before starting out. Whether they wanted to improve performance, to lose weight, or just to try something new they have all found something at CFB that keeps them coming back week after week: results and a sense of community.
Our members all have different goals, but it is our belief at CFB that CrossFit is one of the best ways to achieve all of them. One of the main reasons that people get hooked on CrossFit, even if they didn’t like to workout before, is because they start to see results right away. Athletes are constantly learning new things, lifting heavier, moving better, and generally feeling better about what their bodies are capable of. Everyone from our beginners to our elite athletes continue to find new ways to improve and grow. That is because Crossfit is infinitely scalable to any athlete. However, the idea is that we scale movements by degree, but not by kind. An elderly woman doesn’t need to do 100 burpees as fast as possible, but I want her to be able to safely get up off the ground if she happens to fall. Just like not everyone needs to deadlift 500lbs, but they need to be able to bend over and safely pick something up.
The idea of CrossFit can certainly be intimidating to those that have never tried it. When you research CrossFit online the results are filled with six-pack abs and crazy workouts. However, that’s not really what CrossFit is about. It’s about finding an hour in your day to hang out with friends, get sweaty and see what your body can do. The social aspect of our gym is the other main reason our members come back for more each week. There’s a coach that knows you and asks about your day, other members become your friends, and the gym becomes your happy place. Even on days when the gym seems like the last place you want to be, it’s worth the trip to have a laugh and sweat it out with your pals.
Interested in joining our CFB fam?
Head to crossfitbelleville.ca or send an email to
Photo Cred: Sarah Lewis Photography
