CrossFit Gyms Growing in Oxford

An intense short workout.

By: Shannon deLoach

Email: jsdeloac@go.olemiss.edu

Shannon is a freshman journalism major in the Meek School of Journalism and New Media at Ole Miss.

“Lunges are part of the workout at Oxford CrossFit, the newest fitness center in town.” Photo by Shannon deLoach

CrossFit, a short and high intensity workout, is rapidly gaining popularity in Oxford.

Brady Williamson, owner of Oxford CrossFit, defines the program as, “a short, intense, constantly varied workout that never gets boring.”

Common exercises used in CrossFit workouts are pull-ups, burpees, power cleans, thrusters and box jumps.  One typical workout is called, “Grace” – it requires athletes to complete 30 clean and jerks as fast as they can.

Williamson and his wife opened their first gym in a small shed in their backyard in August 2011.

“I really had to just talk to people on the phone and get them to be able to find my driveway, and then even when they were in the driveway, they still couldn’t see the gym.”

Starting a new gym was not on Williamson’s radar. However, when membership numbers increased and class sizes grew, he began looking for a place to accommodate the growing numbers.

The new Oxford CrossFit facility opened on March 2 and is located off of University Avenue on 16th Street.

Betsy Kate Nicholas is a sophomore student at the University of Mississippi. She has been attending CrossFit sessions at Williamson’s gym for nine months.

“I choose CrossFit because no day of working out is the same. Every day is different. And you can get as much done during CrossFit in 15-30 minutes that you could do maybe running for an hour or longer,” Nicholas said.

Charles Allen, coordinator of fitness for the Department of Campus Recreation at the University of Mississippi, says that the intensity aspect is what sets CrossFit apart from other forms of exercise.

“A lot of CrossFit workouts are done for time, meaning you do a specific amount of work as fast as you can.”

Since CrossFit workouts are timed, each one is a competition. Allen says that this often helps athletes.

“It actually drives people to perform at a higher level of intensity, and as a result, they feel like they get better workouts.”

Time is of the essence for a college student and CrossFit does not tend to take up much. Some CrossFit workouts last less than five minutes.

With the new location now open and the backyard still being used, Williamson said that there will be slight differences between the two.

“We do have the opportunity to go a little bit heavier, a little bit more intense, and I have the use of a pool just right around the corner this summer, so we’ll be doing more running and pool work.”

Workouts begin as early as 5:30 a.m. and start as late as 6 p.m.  All needed equipment is provided for a membership fee of $55 per month.

For more information, visit www.Oxford-CrossFit.com.