Fenton, MI — November 18, 2019
The Open competition of the 2020 CrossFit Games is complete. The scores are in, the tallies complete, and the standings have been published. The Lasco Press has been covering the initial portion of the international competition for the past 3 years at local affiliate CrossFit Fenton. We have watched as everyday men and women come in after their day job and match their athletism against some of the fittest beings on the planet.
While a few Fenton athletes have put up some impressive scores. It’s not really so much about performing at world-class levels as it is about competing against yourself, and the benefits received from the entire CrossFit process.
Top Performers
That’s not meant to discount the efforts of top percentile who call CrossFit Fenton home. Last year in his first year of competition, 14-year old Matthew Manley finished 98th overall in the world and 39th in the United States among athletes 14-15 years old during the Open Competition. Earning him a spot in the next level “online competition.”
CrossFit Owners/Coaches Jamie Lasco and Mitch Babcock performed in the top percentile of the sport. Jamie finished 316th in the United States out of 9,340 competitors in her age group. Mitch placed 770 out of 54,589 men in America who entered this year’s open.
CrossFit Fenton
As we stated in this year’s article at the beginning of the Open Competition, the story we really want to tell this time around is about the gym and its members. Speaking to the impact CrossFit has on the lives of those who devote their time to show up and train without the spotlight of national or world rankings. Just the personal achievement of bettering themselves.
This year CrossFit Fenton had 87 individuals sign up to participate in The Open. That is more than the total membership of the gym three years ago. Why the impressive growth, we will let the athletes tell you that themselves. But just like the ownership and coach’s commitment to personal accomplishment, that passion permeates the atmosphere at the gym.
The 87 participants from CrossFit Fenton constituted the largest contingent of any CrossFit Gym in Michigan. In the CrossFit Games Affiliate Rankings Fenton also held the best average full roster of the 138 registered Michigan affiliates.
When narrowing down the rankings to the Top 10 scoring athletes from each Michigan gym, Crossfit Fenton was again ranked the #1 affiliate in the State.
Impressive statistics for a group of local men and women dedicated to one thing. Getting healthy!
The CrossFit Lifestyle
“CrossFit is a lifestyle characterized by safe, effective exercise and sound nutrition. CrossFit can be used to accomplish any goal, from improved health to weight loss to better performance. The program works for everyone—people who are just starting out and people who have trained for years.” That’s how Greg Glassman, CrossFit Founder, describes the essence of CrossFit.
CrossFit.com goes on to explain the elements of the CrossFit lifestyle.
THE WORKOUTS
The magic is in the movements. Workouts are different every day and modified to help each athlete achieve his or her goals. CrossFit workouts can be adapted for people at any age and level of fitness.
THE LIFESTYLE
Off the carbs, off the couch. The CrossFit lifestyle—a combination of diet and exercise—is the key to fitness and long-term health.
THE COMMUNITY
Your support network. At more than 15,000 affiliates around the world, people encourage and motivate each other in every class as they work toward their goals. Start training with friends.
Why it Works, The People Tell the Story
Here are a few of your neighbors who made the commitment to improve themselves using the CrossFit philosophy.
Erica Shoemaker
I don’t participate in the Open for any other reason than this! To see how I have progressed over the past nearly 2 years. I don’t put myself against any other athlete or ever expect to go beyond this level. But, to see that in 2018 I finished 63rd percent against all women in my age bracket worldwide. To see now that I finished 87th is pretty awesome and reminds me of why I do this every week and love this sport so much. And even more so my CrossFit family.
Cassie Shay
For 3 years I belonged to another gym, but I never saw any results. I joined CrossFit Fenton at the encouragement of friends and I was looking for help, motivation, and encouragement. I found that and so much more. I am stronger physically and mentally, I have lost 30 pounds, my self-confidence has grown immensely. They make it so easy, just show up and the coaches tell you what to do, and it works. The atmosphere is very lively, you get caught up in the energy given off, it’s exciting, they push you to be the best you can be.
Roger Sharpe
I never imagined myself going to a gym, in fact my wife talked me into it. I knew I needed to start focusing more on my health and fitness. But, I have never been what I considered to be an athlete and was quite nervous about attending CrossFit Fenton. My wife knew some people there, I did not. From the first visit, I enjoyed the social aspect of the gym and it made me want to come back regularly. I like the challenge of every day being something new, I have improved my physical strength, quit smoking, and started eating healthier. Workouts are a great stress reliever and the activity also sharpens my mind and makes me more productive. My wife and I attend together, it’s brought our relationship to a new level, gives us something to do together, we challenge each other, and together we are living an all-around healthier lifestyle.
The CrossFit Fenton Support System
When people talk about the members of the gym as a family, that is probably the best way to describe the atmosphere. Everyone is supportive, everyone is working towards the same goal, the social aspect of getting together is just as fundamental as the other parts of the lifestyle. While the gym provides the foundation, the other parts of the program are closely knitted together.
Billy Glowacki is a dietician, his wife April is a coach at Fenton CrossFit. Their business, “Unchained Potential“, is located within CrossFit Fenton. They assist people on the nutritional aspect of the CrossFit lifestyle and how what you eat impacts a person’s body as you begin to focus on better health. Your body needs fuel to run on. The octane, so to speak, of the food you eat, determines what the body does with the workouts you engage in. Like the atmosphere of the gym, Unchained Potential can help coach you into a more productive diet and healthier lifestyle that increases the horsepower of your body’s metabolism.
Some people fear the physical challenge of working out and use the excuse of an accident, their physical limitations, or their age as a reason to bypass a program of exercise and working to improve mobility. Every CrossFit workout is tailored to the individual and their specific needs. Health HQ, located adjacent to the Fenton Gym, with Dr. Mitch Babcock, Dr. Alan Fredendall, and Massage Therapist Christine Brown are there to assist clients in increasing their overall physical condition. Whether limitations are age-related, the result of trauma, or just existant from a lack of any form of physical conditioning.
No matter where you are along the path of life we all trod, improved health, greater mobility, better physical and mental fitness is attainable with the right type of assistance and encouragement. Visit CrossFit Fenton today at 14261 Torrey Road, Suite B in Fenton or call (810) 354-5025. It costs nothing to ask questions and the answers may be priceless when it comes to how you feel about yourself and others around you.
