Josh Davis was at his new CrossFit gym in Bradenton, CrossFit Lena, when “15.4” was announced last Thursday. He’d set up a big screen and grilled food so that his clients could watch the latest Crossfit Open workout announcement before participating in the international competition.
“It was a good way to keep up with the competition and have people meet people,” said Davis, 29.
Most recognize CrossFit as a training regimen that promotes high-intensity workouts involving gymnastics and weightlifting. But many don’t know about the CrossFit Open — in which CrossFitters from around the world complete in the same workouts against each other — all from their hometown gym. During the five-week Open, workouts are announced on Thursday nights, and participants have four days to complete the workout and post their scores online to see how they compare to CrossFitters near and far.
We caught up with Davis, a Lakewood Ranch High School graduate who opened CrossFit Lena this past December, before he completed “15.4” (the fourth workout of 2015) Saturday. Davis himself is a tough competitor — he made it to the 2014 Southeast CrossFit regionals and entered Miami’s Wodapooloza this year.
Watch Davis and CrossFit Lena coach David Pederson tackle a workout involving handstand push-ups and 185-pound cleans:
Unravel: Why did you decide to open a CrossFit Gym in Lakewood Ranch?
There are numerous CrossFit gyms in the Sarasota-Bradenton area, but I thought right off Lena and State Road 70 would be the perfect spot. It also has some meaning to me because my CrossFit career actually began on that road. Years ago there use to be a CrossFit gym right off of Lena. That is where I started CrossFitting. After that gym grew in size, they relocated further south. When I knew I wanted to open a CrossFit gym, I just knew going back to my roots would be best.
Unravel: How does something like the CrossFit Open change the atmosphere in the box?
The beauty of the Open is it just enhances the atmosphere. Everyone pushes themselves a little harder over the five weeks. People try things they may not have had the courage to try before. And when those people are doing that, our community comes together to cheer them on. It also is a great, fun way to have competition.
Unravel: What is the value of a competition like the CrossFit Open?
There are numerous values for participating in the CrossFit Open, no matter your skill level. The first is the courage that is demonstrated during the five weeks. There are so many high-skilled movements within CrossFit, and there is also a lot of really challenging workouts programmed. People try things they may not have had the courage to try before. People also push themselves harder to get every rep possible. Competition — that’s another great thing about the Open. These five weeks show you where you stand among the region, the world or even your friends. Everyone loves competition, and this becomes a friendly way to compete with people all over. You learn the areas you are strong at and the areas that need improvement. It makes you want to train harder and improve for the next year.
Photo by Rachel O’Hara
Unravel: How did you personally get exposed to CrossFit, and what made you want to devote your time to it?
I was working with my uncle and he parks his work truck in the industrial area right off Lena Road. One day when we were parking his truck I saw people running with 45 pound plates on their backs. I was curious about what they were doing so I walked in after work and asked what it was all about. It sounded fun, so I came back the next day. My first day was Grace (CrossFit workouts often have names. This one is 30 clean and jerks for time.) I walked in and did well. Right then and there I knew this was something for me.
Unravel: Describe the CrossFit Lena experience in three sentences.
CrossFit Lena is a fun, laid back community. We help people reach their fitness goals, whatever those may be. We pride ourselves on teaching great form, and a great understanding of movements that will help every member not only in the gym, but in life as well.
IF YOU GO: 5317 Lena Road Unit 107 | 961-3402
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