Do you ever get bored with your usual workout routine? Do you find the weight lifting section of Beauchamp intimidating? Or just feel completely lost at the gym? Freshmen CrossFit trainers Lauren Carlos and Kayla Benson are here to help.
This semester, Beauchamp is offering a new fitness class called Pilot Fit, which incorporates CrossFit-based workouts led by Carlos and Benson. Though they are freshmen, they both have had years of experience of doing CrossFit. Both Benson and Carlos are CrossFit Level 1 trainers and received their coaching certification from CrossFit Advantage in Lynwood, WA.
“I had knee surgery when I was 12,” Benson said. “My mom wanted me to start CrossFit because I lost my physical and mental strength for soccer. She told me I had to do it for three months and if I didn’t like it I could quit, but I actually fell in love and I’ve been doing it ever since.”
CrossFit is a branded fitness regimen that began in the year 2000. It incorporates a variety of exercises and movements that follow principles of high intensity and constant variation. There are 12 foundational movements that CrossFit workouts are built on, and no two workouts are exactly the same.
Benson was certified as a Level 1 CrossFit trainer in August 2017. To get a Level 1 certification, trainers have to take a two-day course where they learn the 12 functional movements and how to conduct a class. Trainers have to pass a test at the end of the course in order to receive their certifications, Benson explained.
“I did a lot of shadowing,” Carlos said. “I would shadow other coaches, take notes, and observe. Little by little they would have me start coaching different parts of the classes until eventually they had me coaching full classes.”
Pilot Fit is open to students with all levels of experience. According to Carlos, she and Benson practice relative intensity, which means that the intensity of each exercise is specific to your own level of fitness. This way, everyone is able to go at their own pace.
“My best tip is don’t be intimidated,” Carlos said. “You’re capable of more than you think you are, and the more you come, the easier it will get and the more motivated you’ll be.”
Pilot Fit is different from the other fitness classes at Beauchamp because you constantly move throughout the gym to work on different things. A typical format for a Pilot Fit class begins with a warm-up, moves to a strength and skill piece and ends with a cardio piece. Students can attend on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 7:30-8:30 a.m. and Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
There are several health benefits to doing Pilot Fit, but one of the perks is the community aspect. Students can work together to reach their goals and cheer each other on in the process.
“In PilotFit there’s really an emphasis on community and working toward a common goal,” Carlos said. “I think there’s something really fascinating about seeing other people reach their goals and having people support you in your goals.”
