How I Stay Fit as a CrossFit Gym Owner

My CrossFit Journey: Why I Choose to Do Hard Things

I started CrossFit in 2014 as a high school freshman. I needed to get fit for the upcoming baseball season, and that need led me to my first CrossFit gym: CrossFit Redzone. For 12 weeks, we trained there twice a week until the season began.

After high school, I took a break from working out. It wasn’t until I joined the military that I rediscovered CrossFit, and it’s been my go-to training program ever since.

In this blog post, I want to share with you why I choose CrossFit, along with some key insights into my fitness routine, including:

• When I work out
• What I do during workouts
• How I stay active when I can’t get to the gym
• When I take rest days

Why I Do CrossFit

I do CrossFit because it’s hard. I enjoy taking on tough challenges in the gym because it prepares me to tackle difficult situations outside the gym — both mentally and physically.

As a full-time business owner, my life is filled with unexpected obstacles. I’m constantly innovating, improving, and problem-solving. When I conquer a tough workout, I’m better equipped to face these challenges head-on. CrossFit provides me with mental clarity, keeps me present, and helps me stay grounded.

Life is going to be hard, no matter what. The question is: What kind of hard do you want to face?

• Choose challenging workouts, and life becomes easier.
• Choose comfort and idleness, and life becomes harder.

What I Do When I Work Out

CrossFit is a blend of weightlifting, gymnastics, and cardio, focused on constantly-varied functional movements performed at high intensity. These movements mimic real-life tasks like:

• Squatting
• Lifting objects off the ground
• Pushing things overhead

My workouts follow the same programming I offer to our members at CrossFit Showdown:

• Strength Training: Three times a week, paired with a short, high-intensity workout lasting 10-18 minutes.
• Longer Workouts: Twice a week, focusing on 20-40 minute conditioning sessions.
• Community Workouts: Every Saturday, we come together for a 30-minute (or longer) partner workout.

We keep things simple with programming from CompTrain Gym, which I’ve personally used since 2019, during my military service. It’s a system that has consistently helped me stay fit and improve quickly.

When I Work Out

While CrossFit workouts are designed to be constantly varied, the time I work out stays consistent.

I train at 3:00 PM every day — no matter how busy life gets. It’s in my calendar, and I honor that commitment. At CrossFit Showdown, members can easily schedule workouts through the Wodify app. For those who need extra accountability, you can also book a 1-on-1 session with a coach.

What I Do When I Can’t Get to the Gym

Sometimes, life gets in the way. When I can’t make it to the gym, I still prioritize fitness by running 3-7 miles, which takes anywhere from 20 to 60 minutes.

Since we’re closed on Sundays, I dedicate that day to running. If you’re looking to boost your cardiovascular health, running is a great place to start.

When I Rest

I believe that movement is medicine, so I aim to move my body intentionally every day. I rest when my body tells me to, but otherwise, I stay active daily.

While working out every day may not be realistic for everyone, aim to build a consistent weekday fitness routine and give yourself time to rest on the weekends.

Closing Thoughts

Fitness has changed my life. CrossFit has changed my life — and it can change yours too.

Movement is medicine. Do it often. Do it intentionally. And most importantly, do it with the support of a community and a coach.