Since gaining the “freshman 15” isn’t ideal for anyone, students at the University of Miami are looking into other exciting ways to stay fit. CrossFit, a new trend surfacing the Miami workout scene, focuses on strength and conditioning in a way unlike anything you will see at a typical gym.

Still gaining recognition, CrossFit combines a number of different full-body workouts to build muscle and stamina while aiming to strengthen physical ability.

“We are not doing any new exercises or movements,” said Guido Trinidad, owner and head performance coach at Peak 360 CrossFit gym. “Many people may be doing CrossFit movements already they just don’t even know it, they’re just lacking the intensity level which it requires.”

A regular CrossFit class can last anywhere from five minutes to an hour. Workouts of the day, referred to as WOD, change daily so the muscles do not become accustom to the conditioning.

“It shouldn’t be looked at as just a workout,” said Dylan Malitsky, a sophomore who has been training with CrossFit for a few months now. “It should be looked at as a sport because it’s so much more than what someone does at a regular gym.”

Although UM has a new and improved gym right on campus, junior Noah Ohlsen feels that CrossFit brings something different to the table.

“CrossFit lets you focus on a bunch of different aspects,” Ohlsen said. “It’s weight-lifting combined with cardio, gymnastics and skills so you don’t have to work out one thing per day like at the gym when you go and only do chest or arms.”

Like many other college students, Ohlsen is passionate about sports and staying fit. When he discovered CrossFit last year he instantly knew that he found the competitive and athletic challenge he was looking for.

Senior Taylor Ponder shares a similar sentiment.

“CrossFit makes me feel absolutely amazing,” Ponder said. “I am constantly surprising myself with the things I am able to accomplish. I learned how much I love weightlifting, that I can do a handstand and that I can run a lot more and a lot faster than I ever thought I could.”

Although the typical CrossFit workout is not to be taken lightly, the training adjusts to personal ability and people of all different strength levels can enjoy it. CrossFit gyms also provide a number of trainers who are there to assist and motivate those working out.
“In a typical CrossFit class you will see over twenty people working out of all different ages and abilities,” Trinidad said. “All of them can use different amounts of weight and some might even be scaling the amount of time.”

Those truly passionate about this workout and sport can even participate in competitions at different locations throughout the year. The biggest competition of the year, The CrossFit Games, is a televised event challenging the world’s most fit man and woman.

So if competitive beer pong isn’t cutting it for your daily workout, or days at the gym are becoming dull, consider stepping up your fitness regime with CrossFit, the new workout.