These days, Jennifer Stanley finds herself bickering with her husband over something she never has before: Which of them will get to go to the gym?
A mother of two (and occasional contributor to Richmond magazine), Stanley has always tried to maintain a balanced lifestyle, and it's been a constant challenge. "Going to the gym was always drudgery — but now I cannot wait to go."
What made the difference? Stanley says it's the camaraderie she now shares with her workout buddies at CrossFit Swift Gym (2512 Gayton Centre Drive), which opened in November. Developed by Richmonders Jen Grabham and Keith Overstreet (previously trainers at a local YMCA), CrossFit hosts 45- to 60-minute full-body, group workouts, which Grabham and Overstreet oversee and vary every day. Workouts range from Olympic lifting to rope climbing.
Stanley describes CrossFit as a "garage-type gym," adding, "There are no TVs, no Dance Dance Revolution and no coffee bar." And no mirrors — which she says adds to the community feel. The most valuable part of her experience here, however, is the encouragement she receives from her pals: "There's an incredible positive energy." CrossFit even fuels encouragement online, by maintaining a blog where people can post their day's results and get affirmative comments back.
"I love to teach at CrossFit," Overstreet says. "I can't think of anything more rewarding than when women, who've done nothing physically, or maybe a treadmill with minimal results, come in and say, ‘Can we do something with the barbell today?'"
CrossFit runs on a punch-card system ($150 per 12 classes), and newcomers can participate in the first class for free. For more information, visit crossfitswift.com or call Grabham at 339-4032.
