Beginning a fitness program, any fitness program, is a daunting task for most people. The inspiring folks at CrossFit Luminis aim to transform that apprehension into motivation to change your life.
CrossFit Luminis has been changing lives for over a year now. It’s exactly what happened to Owner/Head Coach James Byerly when he came across the program by chance over four years ago. While waiting for his young son at school one day, James saw a CrossFit Gym across the street and walked in. That chance encounter literally changed James’s life.
“I was just an average Joe before I got going,” admits James. With bum knees and weighing in at over 220 pounds, he was a little worse off than the average Joe. That all changed once James began the CrossFit program. “CrossFit is about mastering performance for everyday life and gaining self worth. It’s the physical and mental challenge (that makes CrossFit so worthwhile),” says James. He wanted to make a difference, not only for himself but for others as well. What began as a garage group of 3 workout partners quickly grew into an almost 70 member gym in under 9 months.
CrossFit is the brainchild of Coach Greg Glassman of San Diego California. His concept involves an endless variety of quick workouts that guarantee fast results. High intensity plus varied functional movements make up the bulk of the program. Members can workout on their own at home by following the internet “WOD – work out of the day,” but most seek out a licensed CrossFit affiliate so they can enjoy the sense of community and camaraderie that a gym provides. The program was developed to enhance an individual’s competency at all physical tasks.
A quick look at the CrossFit Luminis gym in Tumwater might seem overwhelming to a beginner, but its members pledge it is everything a gym should be. It is about performing the basics in a thirty-minute time frame in a positive non-intimidating environment that keeps members coming back up to six times weekly.
After an initial assessment of fitness and ability, each individual embarks on a program that is scaled to his/her own personal fitness level. From Olympic athletes to Olympia housewives, every member is communally coached and supported to positively change their lives.
According to Byerly, CrossFit improves cardiovascular and respiratory endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, speed, coordination, agility, balance, and accuracy.
“This is the only time in my life when my mind is completely focused (on doing one thing),” exclaims Melissa Ruiz, a devoted member turned coach. “I leave physically drained yet mentally relaxed.” A typical CrossFit workout involves a 10-minute warm-up followed by a 20-minute workout. Focusing on short but intense anaerobic exercise builds endurance. “Routine is the enemy,” asserts Coach Greg Glassman. He also states that, “our specialty is NOT specializing.” The CrossFit atmosphere is constantly changing, stimulating its participants and eliminating the dreaded monotony of long repetitive workouts. The thirty-minute average workout makes it easy for anyone to commit to the program and stick with it.
Carl Turcotte, another one of James’s dedicated coaches, exclaims, “it’s life changing because it makes you better physically and mentally; it brings out better character and it brings people together.” Members come from all walks of life yet they all share a common goal, to make a positive lasting change in their lives. Case in point is a member who went from a size 16 down to a size 8 in just four months by participating four times a week. Participants average between 3 to 6 workouts weekly at CrossFit Luminis.
CrossFit Luminis is so much more than just a space with barbells, and Coach James is excited about its future. He plans to offer CrossFit for Kids as well as an unlimited membership rate in the new year. The gym recently moved into its new and larger space at 2911 Ferguson St SW, Suite B in Tumwater. For more information on how you can join CrossFit Luminis and it’s goal of “building a fit community,”please visit their website or call Coach James at (360) 584-8642.
