The first day of summer, June 21, is about six weeks away. And if you’d like to shape up before you slip on your swimsuit this season, CrossFit Barrington says there’s no question they can help make it happen.
Owner and head coach, Brian Niven, promises results. “You need to make the correct eating, drinking and sleeping decisions along with coming to the gym and, within six to eight weeks, you will see a drastic difference in your body composition, especially if you haven’t worked out in a while. You’ll feel stronger in the first few weeks and then you’ll start to notice that your pants are fitting a little looser than they were before.
And Brian is quick to point out that CrossFit’s workouts are easily tailored based on individual skill level.
“People Google CrossFit and see these really fit individuals doing these really hard workouts and they don’t realize that every single workout is scalable for any individual who walks through the door, from a 63-year-old woman who comes in the mornings to the 4-year-olds who come to our kids’ classes to everyone in between.”
Using military-based fitness and training concepts, CrossFit Barrington provides strength and conditioning workouts scaled for all ages and fitness levels. The hour-long “workouts of the day” (or WODS, for short) include a mix of cardio, gymnastics and weight lifting. They deliberately change the workouts daily to make them more effective and Brian says this variety is one of the main reasons CrossFit is so successful. “You don’t get bored and your body doesn’t get used to it. So your body is constantly stressed and stress is the way that your body adapts and makes change.”
Clients also work out as a group, offering a built-in system of peer accountability that motivates each individual. “You come into the class and everybody knows your name and, if you don’t show up, they wonder where you are. I shoot you an email and I call you or they shoot you a message on Facebook and say, ‘Where are you?’ Every time our clients walk through the door, it’s a personal training experience.”
It’s that mix of peer accountability and personal coaching that is helping CrossFit’s clients achieve some of their biggest life goals. Here are three of many CrossFit Barrington success stories…
Robert Windon Loses Meds, Gains Energy
When Barrington Village Trustee and father of two, Robert Windon, started with CrossFit two years ago, his goal was, “To lose weight, stop taking medications for high cholesterol and, most importantly, live to meet my grandchildren.”
His father passed away at age 53 of a heart attack.
“I have been overweight most of my life, even as a high school athlete. And it has been harder to stay in shape without organized athletics. I fought high cholesterol until I joined CrossFit Barrington.”
Today, Robert says he “Cannot list all of the ways” CrossFit has improved his life and the life of others around him.
“I was taken off of my cholesterol medication that I have been on for close to a decade. I have more energy for whatever life throws my way and I am simply a happier person. This obviously makes me a better parent, husband and friend. I have also lost a significant amount of weight and am stronger than I have been in a long time which has given me more self-confidence in all areas of life.”
“While I still have a long way to go in my fitness and weight loss goals, I am in the best shape I have been since high school. I guarantee that if you show up, listen to the coaches and give everything you have, you will see results.”
Noreen Morgan Conquers Baby Weight & Kilimanjaro
Mother of two, Noreen Morgan, turned to CrossFit for her own set of goals. “One huge obstacle that I overcame this past year was shedding post baby weight. I gained 65 pounds with my second child. CrossFit Barrington helped me lose the last and hardest 20 lbs. There are so many super motivated people at CFB, it fosters a great environment to push yourself as well.”
But Noreen didn’t stop at shedding those last 20 pounds. Her new found strength took her all the way to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Noreen says CrossFit has been a means to an end, but her ultimate motivation comes from a more personal place. “Sounds cliché, but the motivation has to come from within. With a long-term goal like this one you have to really want it.”
Jim Bailey Achieves ‘Best Shape’ at 48
Jim Bailey and his two sons, Carter (17) and Griffin (14) were one of the first families to join CrossFit Barrington. “Not sure if my sons would admit it, but I think they respect me more by experiencing the challenges of CrossFit with me.”
“I had been a runner and lifted weights and did some swimming but this was something so different. The workout is different every day. The variety of workouts keeps you coming back but it’s really the camaraderie and friendships that you make through shared “suffering” that makes CrossFit fun and addicting.”
“Never before have I completed such difficult workouts but yet been so motivated to return for more. The health benefits are evident too in everyone. There are so many members that have made major visible changes to their psyche and this is due, not only to the workouts, but also to the healthy lifestyle promoted by the trainers and all CrossFitters.”
“I want others to know that CrossFit is for anyone that wants to work hard as well as for those who need a group to push them along. Age, size and body type make no difference. Every workout is scalable to all and everyone will cheer until the last person completes the workout. We are all on the same team.”
“I am 48 and stronger and in better shape than I’ve ever been and I would say this is a common statement that most can make at CFB. Try it out for one week and you will be hooked!”
Brian Niven is well suited for CrossFit’s military style approach to the discipline required for these workouts. He served as a U.S. Army infantry officer in both Iraq and Afghanistan before he retired from active duty in 2007.
After coaching friends out of his garage for two years, Brian opened CrossFit Barrington with his wife, Leigh, and business partner, Chris Bluse, in September of 2011.
They started the business with just 12 clients. Today, they coach close to 200 clients, offering over 40 classes a week in the morning, daytime, afternoon and evening at their location on Commercial Avenue in Lake Barrington. “We have every fitness ability in every single class.”
They also offer a Kids and Teens Summer Camp and a Foundations Class, which is a 4-week course geared toward newbies interested in trying CrossFit, but not ready to jump into a general class.
CrossFit is inviting all new members to try it out free for one week. They want to eliminate the “fear factor” and share the gym with others wanting to shape-up for the summer season or reach specific fitness goals today or any day of the year.
You’ll find CrossFit Barrington at 28066 W. Commercial Avenue in Lake Barrington.
To learn more about CrossFit, you’ll find them on Facebook at Facebook.com/CrossFitBarrington and be sure to check out their newly redesigned website at CrossFitBarrington.com.
CrossFit Barrington is also a featured member of our Barrington Online Marketplace here at 365Barrington.com. Visit 365Barrington.com/Marketplace/CrossFit-Barrington to read our Marketplace feature about the business and its background and to see all of our Marketplace members, visit 365Barrington.com/marketplace.
