For students looking to get in shape but lacking the equipment, space and support to do so, there is a new fitness program in Searcy known as CrossFit. It was begun this past July by Jessica Hefley, Harding’s assistant director of admissions, and her husband, Rob, along with Kevin Chism, the Harding Bison football team’s offensive line graduate assistant. CrossFit is a national affiliate with more than 2000 CrossFit facilities worldwide. The community-oriented workout program incorporates military physical training with other forms of exercise that do not specialize in one single routine but utilize several techniques.
“My husband and I wanted something more challenging with a class setting, yet still for everyone of all shapes, sizes, ages and fitness levels,” Hefley said. “We started offering CrossFit classes this past July for free at Harding and used the old Harding weight room. We moved into our own facility in October. It’s a big warehouse, nothing fancy, but there is plenty of room to stretch out in.”
Unlike fitness programs that come on DVDs, CrossFit provides a live instructor at every class to act as a personal trainer for participants, working with them at their own levels, according to the Searcy CrossFit website.
Chism is the certified CrossFit instructor for Searcy and Hefley said they are in the process of hiring another trainer.
Though the program is only a few months old, Hefley said the program has been growing with each month.
“We had a hundred members after two months,” Hefley said. “And we are adding more each month.”
Senior Easton Valentine and junior Auburn Valentine are two siblings and Harding students who both got involved with CrossFit during the last few months.
Auburn said she joined CrossFit first and said she enjoys having each routine laid out for her to follow each day as well as the supportive community.
“The group of people you work out with every day are people who impact you the most,” Auburn said. “The encouragement flies through the roof and ups your confidence and stamina.”
Easton said CrossFit was a “perfect combination of exercise emphases” that really helps him get a well-rounded workout.
“[CrossFit] combines powerlifting for straight-up strength and muscle mass, gymnastics that work with your body weight and involve a lot of reps, providing muscle tone, and also conditioning and cardio,” Easton said. “It encompasses all things that would be considered fitness.”
CrossFit meets at 921 Hastings Ave. every morning Monday through Friday, with morning class times at 5, 5:30, 6, 6:30, 8 and 11 a.m. and afternoon classes at 4:30, 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. The cost is $50 a month to participate, though Harding faculty and students get a 10 percent discount. The first three classes are free to those interested and new clients go through an “on-ramp” routine to test their skill levels and fitness needs to easily transition them into the class. Check out Searcy CrossFit on Facebook for more details.
“To those interested in the program, I would say that CrossFit offers something for everybody,” Easton said. “I’ve spoken to some people who say they feel kind of intimidated by the sound of the workouts and what people have to say about them. I was even a little intimidated a bit when I showed up the first time by myself, but the people were so warm and encouraging, I soon came to feel comfortable and excited about showing up every day.”
