New CrossFit facility opens
CRANBERRY TWP — A common view of working out may include lifting weights or waiting for a treadmill to open up. But a new training facility which uses no machines has people forgetting about late night snacks as they notice results.
CrossFit RITE at 802 Thomson Park Drive opened in February and offers a not-so-typical workout that gives anyone the chance to workout side by side at a pace they feel comfortable with.
Lisa Lehman of Mars trains at the new facility and said she gained five pounds of muscle and has been eating better after starting the program.
“It is the best workout ever,” Lehman said as she was catching her breath after the workout. “It pushes you harder than you ever thought you could be pushed.”
“It pushes you to not have those potato chips at night or that glass of wine.”
Owner and lead trainer of the facility Christi Novak said the program uses shorter more intense workouts that focus on real-life movements, such as jumping, pushing and pulling, so people can find themselves stronger in everyday life.
Novak said that a typical workout begins with a warm-up, which is a slow-paced skill or strength builder. Then moves on to a super fast-paced workout. And the workout ends by having participants stretch out.
“Number one, there are no machines. You are the machine and you generate your own power,” Novak said. “I push people but in a fun way. I’m not going to pick you up, I’m going to lift you up.”
Novak, who earned her master’s degree in information science from the University of Pittsburgh in 2004, opened her business on Feb. 1 and said the facility hosts an open gym Monday and Wednesday 5 to 6 p.m. and Saturday, 8 to 9 a.m.
Erin McClymonds of Cranberry Township said Novak made modifications to her workout to accommodate her physical limitations that resulted from a horse accident that broke her neck several years ago.
“It is good because lots of people have injuries and still want to work out,” McClymonds said. “The workouts are the best mix between strength and cardio, plus it gives you a huge boost in your confidence.”
McClymonds said the team spirit is the best part of the program and that there was no competition as everyone encourages each other to do their best.
RITE, which stands for, Ritual Is The Enemy, came from a thought that keeps workouts constantly changing where people never get bored and the body is constantly changing, Novak said.
“I take pride in getting to know all of my members,” Novak said “The beauty of having smaller classes is having someone watch your form and advise you along the way.”
Jamie Reddinger of Mars said, “I wasn’t sure at first if it was for me. Once I got used to it, it became addicting. I never got results like this from any other fitness program. I can’t wait to come every week.”
The facility will begin hosting classes in March for children ages five to 12, because Novak, who has a five- and a seven-year-old, said she wants to get children used to being active.
“I can’t wait to shape the new age of the athlete, but in a fun way,” Novak said.
