 |
| "The Rig" at Maltese Crossfit, which recently moved to a new, larger facility. |
If you're expecting plasma screen TVs and comfy couches, look elsewhere. Spartan is probably the best word to describe the 5,000-square-foot gym.
Sam Harmer, an Idaho Falls firefighter who started the gym in his garage four-and-a-half years ago, says the hundred or so people who come to classes do so to work hard on strength and conditioning.
"It's a different mentality," he said. "It is hard. It never gets easy. There's no end in sight to what you can do."
What keeps people coming back is camaraderie and shared sense of endeavor. "It's a good community of people who are very supportive of each other. They help push each other," he said. "Everybody goes through the same kind of ordeal."
The concept of Crossfit emerged in the 1990s as a way to keep soldiers, firefighters and police in shape for anything. But whether it's a firefighter lifting a 200-pound person or a 65-year-old woman lifting a 25-pound sack of groceries, the principles of across-the-board strength and conditioning training are the same. Everything is scalable and relative to a person's capabilities.
It was first commercialized in 2000 in California by Greg Glassman.
Harmer has three trainers who conduct classes Monday through Saturday, starting at 5:30 a.m. on weekdays. Anyone can schedule a first hourlong class for free. While the work is hard, the amount a person does is based on what kind of shape he's in. Nobody, beginner or veteran, is going to get pushed beyond what he or she can do.
The oldest person taking classes at Maltese Crossfit is 75 years old. Although contracts are available, most people pay month to month, between $75 and $100. "If you're not here, I really don't want your money," Harmer said.
Membership is growing, and they are looking at adding a second class to the Crossfit Kids program.
To find out more, call (208) 360-9423 or e-mail info@maltesecrossfit.com.
