We are right in the middle of our yearly intramural Kantok Throwdown competition. A competition like this really highlights the difference between a CrossFit gym and other types of gyms. There is a long tradition in other types of sports of volunteers and family members helping out with various activities, but it isn’t something that generally happens in a traditional gym.
In a competition like our Throwdown, there are so many people working to make it a great event. The coaches are obviously going well above and beyond to make everything run smoothly, monitoring all the scoring, and coming up with amazing ideas for popup competitions.
Each year the gym is split into teams and the teams are given team captains. These guys work almost as hard as our coaches. It is an interesting phenomenon that CrossFit gyms inspire the kind of volunteering and dedication that has traditionally been a part of community sport.
That’s what is really at the heart of this difference between CrossFit gyms and other gyms. The CrossFit community is really at the centre of it. That’s what inspires people to want to turn up for each other, and what makes the coaches and team captains keep putting in the extra effort.
We have recently had a pop-up challenge where people have shared their memorable moments and it’s amazing how many close friendships have been formed through people meeting at our gym. The captions all speak about how supported by these friendships they feel and how inspiring they have found their co-members. The photos of all the weddings, the trips away, and the occasional party, along with the pictures of moments shared with family and friends at the gym really show exactly what it is that sets us apart – our community.