Locally and internationally, CrossFit has become a trending fitness routine that strays from the typical cardio and weights.

Originally founded in 2000, CrossFit is a strength and conditioning program practiced by groups ranging from the everyday athlete to military special operations units. This internationally recognized fitness routine is offered at Champaign’s own CrossFit CU. 

Owned by Sky Sanborn, CrossFit CU is located at 305 Tiffany Ct, #3 — about a 12-minute drive from the Illini Union.

CrossFit CU started out as a few guys practicing the workout in the basement of First Christian Church three years ago, and has grown into a gym that sees between 50 and 80 members on any given day, according to Brandon Lovett, the current head coach. 

CrossFit CU provides CrossFit training programs tailored to all skill levels, Lovett explained. 

“There are no restrictions, and the workouts are infinitively scalable to allow anyone who wants to perform the workouts to do so,” he said. 

Ashleigh Orton, an athlete who trains at CrossFit CU, was featured in CrossFit CU’s Athlete Spotlight series.   

“It’s constantly one of the most frustrating and exhilarating aspects of my life — it can be painful and borderline psychotic,” she said in the Athlete Spotlight series. “It makes me push boundaries that I didn’t even know I had set … and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Lovett said that CrossFit workouts are run similar to a sports team. CrossFit CU views instructors as coaches instead of personal trainers to ensure that participants move safely, efficiently and effectively through their workouts, he said.

CrossFit workouts are short and intense, and each day features a different routine, called a Workout Of The Day, or WOD. Lovett referred to WODs as “the main event or game” of the training session and they are posted on the website the night before.

The gym’s group workout sessions last one hour, and include a warm-up and cool-down before and after the WOD. Saturday’s Team Workout Of the Day lasts an hour and 15 minutes.

Bryon Maxwell, coach of Core CrossFit in downtown Phoenix, Arizona, said he participates in the international CrossFit Games.  

“Anyone in the world could compete in the games,” Maxwell said. 

CrossFit athletes gather to compete in the Games every summer. After the first set of challenges in the 17 global regions, the top 60 men and women of each regions move on to the next round.

“At regionals, the top three from the 17 regions move on to the final round,” he said. “Finally, there is one female and one male victor who win a quarter of a million dollars cash.” 

Those interested in joining CrossFit CU can make an appointment by phone or email and receive a free intro session and workout to see if they like the program. From there, they can decide if they want to make what CrossFit CU calls an “Athlete Investment.” Participants can choose from a variety of packages and prices, ranging from a once-a-week membership to an unlimited membership. 

Some memberships include one-month unlimited sessions for $125 per month, and one-month three sessions per week for $110 per month. Discounts are offered for households and fire department, military and law enforcement officials.

CrossFit CU is open six days a week, with eight sessions available on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, and seven sessions on Fridays. Wednesdays are CrossFit CU’s open gym day. They hold a two-hour session in the morning and three-hour session in the evening. Saturday’s Team WODs are held in the morning. 

Whether one wants to try out a new type of workout or work toward becoming a better athlete, CrossFit is an activity open for all individuals. 

Kayla can be reached at [email protected].