CrossFit Bigfork opens up shop

Growing up, Isaac Lee was never much of a weights guy.

He eschewed pumping iron in favor of cardio-driven athletics, like basketball and track.

But that all changed five years ago when the 39-year-old got roped into “bring a friend day” at a local CrossFit gym.

“I liked that it challenged me and there was the potential to work on things I wasn’t good at, and I enjoyed the way I felt after the workout — and then couple that with the community,” Lee said, recalling the high-fives and “good jobs” he received from other participants.

CrossFit is a fitness phenomenon that has exploded in popularity across the country since founders Greg Glassman and Lauren Jenai introduced the regimen in 2000. There are more than 7,300 gyms in the U.S. alone and over 13,000 worldwide in 120 countries.

CrossFit is a combination of varied functional movements — think pushups, squats and box jumps — done at a high intensity for time. Each class is structured around a WOD, or workout of the day, which might include anything from rowing or sprints to deadlifts and burpees. Class participants can scale movements based on their skill level and before joining a group class, newcomers must also undergo a series of one-on-one classes to make sure they have a solid understanding of core CrossFit moves.

For Lee, CrossFit was a game-changer.

“It awoken something that I didn’t know was deep down inside,” he said. “As my body was changing and my mind was changing … it led to my finances getting in order, my diet getting in order, my relationships improving.”

A few years after getting bit by the iron bug, Lee turned his focus from the competitive aspects of the sport, to the”why” behind his practice.

“The reason why I really want to do this is to live a longer, happier, healthier life and live at full capacity in my 90s, if I should live that long,” Lee said. “You think about your parents slowing down and it’s a little sad to me and I want the best for them. When I see one of my clients come in and reverse that in their life … it’s a feeling worth living for.”

He opened the doors to his own CrossFit gym, known as a box, in December 2017 with the objective of bringing functional fitness to a wide age range.

“The intensity piece I think scares a lot of people away, but I think people are really doing themselves a disservice by avoiding it,” Lee said. “I want people to know this: before the intensity comes we first make sure that we have solid technique, and then we’re consistent with that technique and then we bring the intensity.”

CrossFit Bigfork member Brant Beaudry, 29, started doing CrossFit in his early 20s and was excited to learn that a box was opening near his workplace in Bigfork.

“I usually go to the morning class which is at 6:30 a.m.,” Beaudry said. “When I show up to work I am just ready for the day and very awake. I feel good and I feel accomplished, and that’s just been an awesome jumpstart to every day.”

He also enjoys the team environment he’s found in CrossFit Bigfork.

“I also really liked the team camaraderie and accountability — I have a hard time just going to the gym by myself and working out sustainably,” he said.

The box offers classes in the morning and evening four days a week along with a 9 a.m. class on Saturday. Lee also hopes to add an additional WOD slot in the afternoon geared for the 55-plus age group.

“CrossFit is a scary word and I understand that, but anybody can do it and it’s not scary. It’s something that just seems intimidating,” Lee said. “What I want to do is break down the walls there and show people that whether you’re 18 or 90, you can do this.”

For more information about CrossFit Bigfork, visit www.crossfitbigfork.com.

Reporter Mackenzie Reiss may be reached at 758-4433 or mreiss@dailyinterlake.com.