Author: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Tuesday, November 11, 2008

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Deanne Jenkins, a paraeducator at Tates Creek Elementary, started CrossFit training this fall. It's offered four afternoons a week at Henry Clay High School.

Twelve pull-ups, 21 squat thrusts while hoisting a 35-pound kettle bell overhead and a 400-meter run around the soccer field was the workout for Deanne Jenkins one day last week. And she completed each station three times in slightly more than 14 minutes.

“It’s just addictive. It makes you feel really good,” said Jenkins, a paraeducator at Tates Creek Elementary School, who started CrossFit training at Henry Clay High School this fall. “You don’t want your heart rate to go down, and you want to do your personal best.”

CrossFit is the principal strength and conditioning program for many police academies and tactical operations teams, military special operations units and professional athletes worldwide.

In Fayette County Public Schools, it’s available to all students and employees – free of charge. Participants gather anytime between 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday in the courtyard area at Henry Clay High.

“No matter what shape you’re in, there’s a starting point for you,” said Sgt. 1^st Class Brian Hunt, a Henry Clay JROTC instructor who runs the program.

“Basically, it’s a real hard, intense workout that leaves you feeling like you’ve worked out for two hours in 20 minutes,” said Hunt, who said CrossFit combines the best elements for gym rats and runners. “Everything is meant to strengthen the core. When you strengthen the core, you’re healthier.”

His Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps unit is the first in the country to be officially affiliated with CrossFit, and the kids’ dedication to physical training shows as the Raider PT team dominates in area competitions.

Team member Tammy Ung, a sophomore, believes in CrossFit. “It’s hardly anything like regular exercise,” she said, calling it a more effective way to work out.

CrossFit builds endurance, stamina and muscle. Henry Clay chemistry teacher Rachael Howard, who used to go to a gym, started the training last spring. “It’s made me a lot stronger,” she said. “I’ve been fit, but I haven’t been this strong since I was a lot younger and did gymnastics.”

It’s also a constant exercise, and the program has numerous routines that rotate.

“It never gets boring because there’s something different every day,” said Jenkins, who likes the convenience of exercising right after school at her own pace.

She found out about CrossFit through her daughter, a volleyball player at Henry Clay. Coach Dale Grupe sends his squad to Hunt for core exercises, jumping and quickness drills.

“You don’t have to spend a lot of time. We can bring our girls either before or after practice,” Grupe said. “We felt we were a lot stronger because of it.”

A half-dozen or so Henry Clay teams are taking advantage of the fitness program, from the boys’ basketball squad to the cheerleaders to the dance team. “Everybody that sees it, they want their players involved in it,” Hunt said.

His more than 140 students in JROTC participate in CrossFit at least once a week; altogether, more than 250 adults and teens are taking part in CrossFit this fall.

“Not everybody has the guts to come out here and do it,” said Ung, who also touts CrossFit as a confidence-builder. “You look in the mirror and you’re much more proud of yourself.”

Interested?

To get involved in CrossFit, simply stop by Henry Clay High School between 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Or contact workout coordinator Brian Hunt for more details.