Getting in Shape With CrossFit | Video

Alexander Gorney | 7/13/2012

From Bowflex to Taebo, workout routines tend to come and go but there is one fitness conditioning program that is continuously growing by the day. CrossFit is a strength and conditioning program that pushes participants to the limit.

CrossFit, you may not have heard of it but it`s the fitness regimen that has taken the nation by storm.

"CrossFit is a constantly varied exercise program that`s very effective in getting you in the best shape possible," said Bismarck CrossFit owner Brian Reinke.

The CrossFit craze has grown throughout the country. Around 2,000 CrossFit facilities exist nationwide, which is more than double from the year before. At Bismarck CrossFit, enrollment has doubled since the start of the year.

"Most workouts are very brief but they are very intense. You can come in and today`s workout is 12 to 20 minutes long. Most people don`t understand, you can get in very good shape in that small amount of time," Reinke said.

With CrossFit, no workout is the ever the same. This workout I`m going through involves a circuit consisting of deadlifts, pushups, pullups and a 200 yard sprint.

Chris Padilla started doing CrossFit in November and since he joined he`s lost more than 40 pounds.

"CrossFit takes all the elements of fitness, whether it be cardio, endurance, respiratory endurance, strength, conditioning, flexibility, stamina, takes power, basically speed. Everything that deals with fitness and puts it into one big package."

My body was pushed to the limit by the third time through. Some critics are concerned the high intensity workout isn`t safe for participants once they become exhausted. But Reinke says coaches watch to make sure people don`t get hurt.

"We have five coaches here."

Regardless of age, size or physical ability, they say CrossFit can be done by just about anybody with the proper coaching.

"The trainers, they basically scale everything so you can do it. The level of pain is tolerable because you just look at what was just on the board and you say I just did that. I finished it. I did that. I finished it," Padilla said.

The workouts may be brutal, but the the end results may be just the opposite.

CrossFit has become so popular that there is even a worldwide competition that is now held annually. The competition is broadcast on national TV and actually takes place this weekend.

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