Intense and vigorous workouts pull the North Shore community to the CrossFit Ko’olau program located in Kahuku on weekdays and Saturdays. CrossFit is a physical exercise program that incorporates elements from high-intensity interval training, Olympic weight lifting, power lifting, gymnastics, and other exercises, says CrossFit.com. Anue Santiago, a graduate of BYU-Hawaii, received her bachelor’s degree in exercise science in 2006. Santiago, a member of the CrossFit Ko’olau team, stated, “I wanted to try something that I haven’t done. Seeing the physical results women were getting got me curious. I’ve met some awesome people there and we feed off one another’s energy.” Santiago added she became hooked to CrossFit after the first day and now attends five days out of the week. Even though she is getting older, she said she feels stronger and can see physical changes in her body. According to crossfitkoolau.com, a variation of workouts and exercises are performed every day in the classes like jump roping, swinging kettle bells, throwing medicine balls, practicing pull ups, ring dips, pushups, and hand-stand push ups. Nicole Fiu, an undeclared freshman from Kahuku, has been a member of CrossFit Ko’olau since the beginning of summer. Fiu said CrossFit is different than working out on your own. “CrossFit challenges your limits.” Fiu added, “Everyone’s always trying to bring the best out of you, there’s so much energy in the gym and it’s nice because there is always someone there, doing the workout with you even if you’re the last one to finish off.”Redmond Mahe, a local from Laie, has recently started CrossFit this year. Mahe called joining CrossFit an easy decision because of the promising results he witnessed from his family and friends who are also apart of CrossFit. Mahe said, “CrossFit has helped me to discover the strength I never knew I had and has pushed me beyond limits I never thought I could endure.” Coach Greg Classman is the founder of CrossFit. Classman created this fitness program to optimize healthy living within high intensity workouts done through a communal environment, CrossFit.com states.CrossFit Ko’olau offers one trial class for free. Membership prices can be found at crossfitkoolau.com. The fee for students with a valid school ID is $100 a month, for unlimited classes.
Writer: Meagan Crowell ~ Multimedia Journalist
