If we were a rock band we would merely be considered a tribute band…
A few years ago, just a few days after I turned thirty, the CrossFit Journal about starting your own gym came out. My roommate and fellow Army buddy, Vinnie, and I were suffering through another CrossFit Workout of the Day (WOD) and decided that we should form our own affiliate. A handshake and the deal was done. We had formed “Buckeye CrossFit” on 15 July 2005. I really owe it all to Nick True, Man of Action. A long time buddy of mine who for the longest time would simply say, “CrossFit’s all you need.” No matter what exercise regimen I would concoct he would say the same thing. I am now a believer.
I’m just a regular guy, nothing special. I used to train folks at the YMCA and Bally Total Fitness (mostly to sell memberships!) and have spent my share of time gutting out Army training and various sports. Basically I’ve always been a fitness window shopper. My new workouts would usually be something I found in some men’s magazine that some celebrity would do that guaranteed washboard abs. Been there? I know you have.
Anyway, after I began doing CrossFit, fitness took on a whole new meaning. For once in my life I “hungered” for that next workout. I was doing the workouts I’d only heard about from some yesteryear weight room lore. Olympic lifts! Pull ups! Hand Stand Pushups! Me! I was beginning to feel strong in all planes from squatting to throwing things over my head. Most of the workouts took less than twenty minutes. Incredible!
Body, Mind and Spirit are the three cornerstones I was trained to pursue excellence in as a child at the YMCA. CrossFit pushes you to the limit and beyond in pursuit of these. Their schedule of three days of WOD’s and one rest day optimize your body’s potential. The rest day is only for your body, mind you. Greg and Lauren Glassman (CrossFit Founders and wonderful people) post thought provoking articles and encourage CrossFitters to read and post their thoughts to comments. Awesome!
My brother, Aaron Bartow, is our current training guru. He’s quite simply a physical freak of nature and has begun to take the MMA world by storm. He’s 4-0 and recently followed his first round knock-out of his opponent with a heart warming proposal in the octagon to his girlfriend of 10 years, Heather. She said yes! Congrats! He has a group of avid CrossFitters/Mixed Marital Arts Fighters in Canton, Ohio-our beloved hometown. We are still taking baby steps towards our goal of having a home of our own for all those doing CrossFit in Canton.
There have been many twists and turns since our initial founding, but we intend to take all of our interesting experiences over the past few years any apply them to what we hope is the best and most fulfilling CrossFit community in the world.
CrossFit is fun for all ages and abilities. If you want to change your lifestyle and be a part of a strong community, this is the place!
-Dennis Bartow
(AKA: tenacious “D”)