CrossFit gyms to get luxurious

The fitness method developed in the 70s by Greg Glassman has spawned a new breed of so-called 'boxes' that embody the same no-frills architecture, although they are starting to shake up the CrossFit culture by gradually embracing luxury.

New Yorkers anticipate the opening of CrossFit Solace this September, which, if the name bears any foreshadowing, will incorporate yoga and other workouts traditional CrossFitters would consider as being secondary to fitness. That's not all: CrossFit Solace has blow-dryers. A typical CrossFit gym might not have even the secondary amenities of a high school gymnasium; rather, the pride is in having all the full span of barbell weights available and the emphasis is on the energy in the community of regulars.

The trend began in West Hollywood, California, where Brick Los Angeles opened a registered CrossFit gym with state of the art equipment. From there, they opened Brick New York in Manhattan and now Solace promises an approximately 7,500-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility including a physical therapy room and 900-square-foot yoga studio.

Amenities include towel service, disposable razors and grooming products by Gilchrist & Soames. Founding memberships are available, and a Pre-Launch Founding All-Access one-year membership is available for $2,400, pre-paid. Because CrossFit is not a franchise, its independent gym owners are free to design their gyms as they see fit, as well as determine pricing structure and fitness programs, but most have kept to a utilitarian plan that emphasizes fitness before everything else.

Being able to offer CrossFit training is a question of employing CrossFit licensed trainers and paying an annual fee to CrossFit, Inc. In Las Vegas, the City Athletic Club, a recipient of the Cond Nast five star distinction award, offers CrossFit training and is one of few luxury clubs worldwide to do so.

Yet, as CrossFit boxes reach more affluent neighborhoods, like the Reebok CrossFit Louvre, located at the Louvre Museum in Paris, France, luxury is likely to add a new dimension to the method. After CrossFit caught on as a training method, the CrossFit Games began in 2007. The final rounds of the 2014 Reebok CrossFit Games are taking place this week in Carson, California.

What is CrossFit?

CrossFit is a fitness regime that is aimed at optimising physical competence in these 10 areas:

• Cardiovascular and Respiratory Endurance,
• Stamina,
• Strength,
• Flexibility,
• Power,
• Speed,
• Coordination,
• Agility,
• Balance
• Accuracy.

In Glassman's own words about the fitness regime, 'The magic is in the movement, the art is in the programming, the science is in the explanation, and the fun is in the community.' Read more...

With inputs from AFP

Image source: AFP

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