Suffolk athletes are busy competing for the chance to prove themselves among the fittest on the planet.
Around 20 competitors are currently taking part in the CrossFit Open at Grange Fitness in Martlesham, battling their way through a punishing weekly workout for five weeks to try and qualify for the CrossFit Regionals in Europe.
From there, the very best will go on to compete at the annual CrossFit Games in California, where the elite of the elite battle it out for the right to be called the fittest man and woman on earth.
A relatively new sport, CrossFit is essentially the sport of fitness, seeing competitors of all ages, shapes and sizes take on various workouts against the clock.
Matt Brennan, managing director of Grange Fitness, explained: “Every Thursday night a workout is released and then we have until Monday to complete it and submit a score.
“If you want to try and qualify for the CrossFit Games there are set weights you must use, but everyone can have a go and we tailor weights to ages and abilities. The sport is right up there in terms of testing all levels of fitness and ability and combines gymnastics work with gym, cardio and core.”
Last week’s workout was called ‘17.4’ and required athletes to complete, in 13 minutes, 55 deadlifts (102kgs for men and 70 kgs for women), 55 wallballs, a 55 calorie row and 55 handstand push-ups.
“In terms of getting into the sport, number one there’s a great community aspect to it,” said Brennan. “Everyone is very supportive of each other. Secondly, you never get bored as the workouts are so varied and ultimately it’s there to test you.
“It doesn’t concentrate on your weight, it’s about the body and lifestyle change - it’s one of the best I’ve seen for getting people fitter and healthier.”
Brennan is also helping to organise the second Suffolk Games this year, bringing together CrossFit athletes and those from other sports to compete at Trinity Park on July 22.
That competition is for teams of four, while there’s another in October for teams of two. Visit www.suffolkgames.co.uk to get involved. If you’d like to try CrossFit, log on to www.grangefitness.co.uk.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here