One member of Gallia CrossFit stores weights after engaging in lifting. CrossFit is a fitness program originally developed by Greg Glassman. CrossFit is promoted as a physical exercise philosophy and also as a sport. The exercise program incorporates elements of Olympic weightlifting, plyometrics, powerlifting, gymnastics, calisthenics as well as high-intensity interval training.
GALLIPOLIS — Gallia CrossFit, located on Third Avenue in Gallipolis, will be competing in the 2016 Reebok CrossFit Games Open that begins Thursday.
According to fitness center owner Mark McAdoo, the Gallipolis gym opened in its current location at 252 Third Ave. in November 2014. Previously, the gym was located on Jackson Pike.
According to McAdoo, the open is an online competition in its current form with worldwide participation. Individuals compete in five weeks' worth of competitive events in the first round. It begins Thursday night at 8 p.m. Engaging members post their results online. Individuals are judged by their peers and have a personal judge who records their movement totals, which are then certified through McAdoo before it is posted online.
Age groups compete in the competition. Ages 14 to 15 compete, as well as ages 16 to 17. The 18 to 39 category competes followed by 40 to 44, 45 to 49, 50 to 54, 55 to 59 and 60 and older.
Competitors must make every effort to perfect forms of exercise while trying to meet the competition standard of reps. Time may also be a factor in certain exercises.
According to McAdoo, the gym has roughly 70 active members. The gym is open from 6-9 a.m. most weekdays and 4-8 p.m. McAdoo said some people choose to attend twice a week while others attend every day. He said of his exercisers that about 15 regularly compete in CrossFit competitions.
The open competition serves as a qualifier for the next round. At the end of the open, scores are observed and individuals may move on to a regional round. The top five out of the regional areas may go onto the world stage round of competition. The final competition starts in July. McAdoo said that roughly 300,000 athletes could be expected to compete in the open.
McAdoo said that his gym hosts children's fitness classes but has also had 70-year-old exercisers in his gym.
McAdoo told the Tribune he expects some of his teenage exercisers to participate in the open and looks forward to seeing them prove their potential in the competition.
Dean Wright can be reached at (740) 446-2343, Ext. 2103.