The beginning of a New Year gym memberships always sky-rocket. New Year’s Revolutionists rush to the treadmills and stationery bikes to begin the weight loss process. However, as February draws to a close, many of those hastily attained memberships are being cancelled. New gym Crossfit Townie has an exciting new method to weight loss where fantastic results and new found confidence aren’t the only things that are gained.

Thomasville Magazine reached out to new owner and CrossFit enthusiast, Jonathan Watt, to discover what exactly is so great about the popular fitness trend. Plus, more information about the gym and what it really means to become a “member” of the CrossFit Townie community.

What exactly is CrossFit?

CrossFit is both a fitness community and strength and conditioning program. Our workouts of the day (WODs) combine weightlifting, cardio, and gymnastics in infinitely different ways to develop strength, conditioning, and an elite level of fitness. The community arises from performing these workouts with other people who help push and encourage you. We have former collegiate athletes and grandparents working out side by side, inspiring each other to do things they never thought possible. That’s the best part of CrossFit!

CrossFit seems to be a big trend in fitness, why do you think so many people are jumping on board?

CrossFit has finally made working out fun again. It’s like going to PE class when you were a kid with a bunch of your best friends. It’s more fun to train like an athlete than it is to just sit on a machine at a traditional gym. People are reaching their goals, getting fit, and having fun through CrossFit. What’s not to love?

What sets CrossFit apart from other fitness programs?

The coaching, the programming, and the community are what sets CrossFit apart. During every training session you have a coach there to guide you every step of the way, a specific workout designed to improve your fitness, and a community of people to support you and keep you going.

What would say to someone looking to try CrossFit?

Just give it a go! You don’t need to be in good shape to start CrossFit. That’s what we’re here for. We’ll teach you the basic movements and slowly crank up the intensity only when you are ready. The beauty of CrossFit is that truly everyone can do it. All you have to do is walk into the gym ready to work and we’ll take care of the rest.

 What made you decide to open a gym?

Opening my own CrossFit gym has always been a dream of mine ever since I started training others four years ago. I got my start as a trainer at CrossFit BlackBox in Tallahassee, FL and instantly knew that I wanted to find a way to someday turn this passion into a career. With the support of my wife Hannah, we decided to make the leap and open a gym in our family’s hometown. It’s been an awesome ride so far and we’re excited for the future. Every day I get to see people achieve their goals. There’s nothing else I would rather be doing. It’s a dream job, really.

What programs does the gym offer?

We offer CrossFit group classes as well as our CrossFit Foundations course to introduce beginners to our movements before entering regular classes.

What are the times for the classes?

We run 6 classes per day, Monday through Friday. Our morning classes are 5:30, 8:30 and noon, and our evening classes are at 4:30,5:30, and 6:30 pm. Saturday hours are from 8:00 am to noon and include a free trial workout, partner WOD , and open gym.

So, why should people choose your gym over others?

It’s not about where you train, but about how you train. Our gym doesn’t have rows of machines, fancy locker rooms, or tanning beds. Instead we have pull up bars, barbells, bumper plates, and wide open space for running, jumping, squatting, and lifting – moving your body the way God designed you to move. CrossFit will get you to your fitness goals, but it truly is the community that keeps you accountable and makes it fun. When you become a member of our gym, you become family and that means as a whole we are committed to each other’s success.

Are you ready to try CrossFit?

Stop by the new gym located at:

329 North Madison Street

Thomasville, GA 31792

Written by: Angel Lewis