New workout sees high popularity
LA CROSSE, WI — “You hate it while you’re doing it, then afterwards you can’t wait to come back and do it again.”
That’s how gym co-owner Selene Teitelbaum described Crossfit, a relatively new workout that she offers at Crossfit La Crosse.
Crossfit is an exercise routine that utilizes body weight instead of machines during intense bursts of strength training. According to Teitelbaum, it’s a work-out for anyone at any fitness level.
“It doesn’t matter if you’ve never worked out a day in your life, never played a sport, or the exact opposite,” Teitelbaum said. “You can scale down from the highest elite level to a beginner level, which is why it’s cool.”
According to Gundersen Health Systems Exercise Physiologist Robin Koopmeiners, the exercise can yield results long after you’ve left the gym.
“Since it’s so intense, you’re throughout the whole day burning more calories than you would normally, if you were to do a different exercise routine like sit-ups,” he said.
He added the intensity of the work-out can deter people from using it.
21843450“I’ve seen more people get injured using Crossfit than using weights normally.”
Teitelbaum, though, disagreed. She said while the work-out is a tough one, your mentality about it is half the battle.
“The hardest part is walking through the door,” she said. “Once you get in here, you’re going to get a great workout and you’re going to get destroyed every day, but it’s awesome all at the same time.”
