Always Something New In CrossFit

Bryant Powers on the rings. Nathalie Walker photo nwalker@midweek.com

Bryant Powers loves CrossFit. But he had no idea that when he left the Army and opened CrossFit Oahu in 2006, that it would grow to what it is today – five gyms across Oahu and classes packed with students of all ages, shapes and sizes, and from all walks of life.

Originally from Maine, Powers was stationed at Schofield in 2004 serving in the U.S. Army Infantry. He discovered CrossFit in 2003 on the Internet and would do the workouts on his own.

When he arrived in Hawaii, he started training with a group at Kapiolani Park and then added work-outs at a friend’s garage in Kunia.

Eventually the group got bigger, and CrossFit Oahu moved into a warehouse in Waiakamilo. But they quickly outgrew the 1,300-square-foot facility, and in 2008 relocated to its current 6,500-square-foot location in downtown Honolulu at 556 Reed Lane.

So what is CrossFit? It is constantly varied functional movements executed at high intensity. Whether you’re a beginner or advanced, each workout is scaled to your ability.

“The workouts are different every day, and it’s a mix of body weight, weightlifting and cardio movements,” explains Powers. “I just love doing it. There’s always something new to learn. I don’t compete, but we have people in our gym who do go to the CrossFit Games. We also have people who do it for longterm fitness.

“I’ve always been an athlete. I grew up wrestling and doing gymnastics. But from CrossFit I’m way stronger than I’ve ever been.”

Other CrossFit Oahu locations are CrossFit Kailua (167 Hamakua Drive, near Boots and Kimo’s), CrossFit Waipio (94-1388 Moaniani St., next to the Surfvivor store), CrossFit Kaneohe (46-026 Alaloa St. Unit G, behind Windward Mall), and CrossFit Pearl City (98-425 Kamehameha Hwy. next to Easy Music Center).

Free introductory classes are offered every Tuesday at 7 p.m. and on Saturdays at 10 a.m. For more information, visit crossfitoahu.com or call 685-7630.