This archive report was first published on 25 October 2019.
Unleashing Fitness Potential with CrossFit ¶
On a Friday afternoon in October 2019, First Power Fitness in Galleria Mall was buzzing with activity. The gym, owned by Bryant Swenson, a CrossFit level 2 certified trainer, was filled with people of all ages, from their 20s to 60s, all working out together.
Swenson, a serial fitness entrepreneur, had opened the gym in 2019, after moving from Utah in the States, where his first gym business had expanded thrice. He had brought with him six certified coaches, who had undergone rigorous training in Dubai, to ensure that the gym met the high standards of CrossFit.
So, what is CrossFit? According to Swenson, it's a hard thing to define, but it's a high-intensity fitness program that combines elements of gymnastics, weightlifting, and cardio. The goal is to make you competent in all areas, including speed, endurance, strength, power, and agility.
At First Power Fitness, the workouts are designed to be challenging, but not intimidating. Swenson explains that the intensity of the workout is defined by the individual, and the goal is to get you to a fitness level where you feel it as much as the expert does. The gym boasts a membership of 150 regular clients, with several members in their 60s.
One of the unique features of CrossFit is the emphasis on community. At First Power Fitness, members work out together, and the gym has a communal space with a snack corner dubbed Doré. The gym also participates in the CrossFit Open, a global phenomenon where people can watch participants do competitive workouts, and the best in the country are listed in order of points on the app.
For Swenson, CrossFit is not just about fitness, but about preparing people for life. He says, 'We train for life. If an emergency happens, I want to be able to help others and myself. I'm not in a rush to get business, I'm all about doing it right.'
