CrossFit offers a focused alternative for fitness buffs

A new wave of cross training is now available for Houma fitness buffs that are looking to strengthen their body and increase their speed and agility.

CrossFit is a training regimen that uses all the aspects of cardiovascular and respiratory fitness programs. It also helps participants formulate a healthy eating plan to ensure lasting results.

Greg Glassman, a California gymnastics coach, initially designed the fitness program in the early 1980s for police academy trainees, tactical operations teams, military special operations units, martial artists and hundreds of other elite and professional athletic programs.

Brothers Ernest and Brian Ellender introduced CrossFit training to the Houma area a couple of months ago at James Academy of Gymnastics on Venture Boulevard in Houma.

“CrossFit to me is a no-nonsense approach to fitness, much like in my clinical psychology work,” explained Ernest, who holds a doctorate in psychology, which he currently teaches at Nicholls State University.

Brian has a master’s degree in English literature and also teaches at Nicholls.

Despite their formal education in other fields, the brothers decided to pursue a career in education and physical fitness.

Of the two, Ernest was the first to receive his certification in 2004 from the CrossFit Headquarters in Santa Cruz, Calif.; Brian followed in 2006.

So, how did a psychologist and an English instructor get to be such fitness buffs? Ernest’s primary passion for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu led him to CrossFit, and Brian is a longtime swimmer.

“When I first started out in Jiu-Jitsu, I appreciated the fact that I could get a great workout doing something that was so mentally challenging,” Ernest said. “But once I got into the complex methods of the martial art form, I soon realized that I needed to spend more time studying the techniques, which took me away from the fitness part.”

After about three years, a buddy introduced Ernest to the training regimen to take care of his fitness demands.

Four months into the program, he could already see results as his body adjusted to the combination of CrossFit three days a week and the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu regimen.

“I experienced fewer injuries due to stronger muscles and joints. I found CrossFit to be very soothing,” Ernest said. “CrossFit gave me the freedom to spend all the time doing what I love.”

The psychologist now holds a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Brian caught the CrossFit bug during a year spent with Ernest in California.

“I started going with my brother to Santa Cruz to try out the CrossFit program,” Brian explained. “I quickly noticed that the height of what I had previously considered to be ‘in shape’ paled in comparison to what many of the regular participants could do.”

Brian said he’s always had an appreciation for the variety of exercises that a coach can muster up. However, after swimming for so long, he wanted something different or at least an added workout to his normal fitness routine, and the training program seemed to be the perfect match.

Before CrossFit, Brian said he noticed that he was trying to set aside at least two hours to go to the gym a day for a tiring run on the treadmill. But CrossFit provided an extreme full-body workout that lasted a mere 30 minutes tops.

“I would go to the gym get on the treadmill, hook up my earphones and try to avoid the fact that I was doing exercise,” Brian said. “CrossFit, on the other hand, is focused on technique, which keeps my attention on getting the most out of my workouts.”

Equipped with all the techniques they need to train Houma residents, the two brothers have designed a workout program ideal for anyone.

“CrossFit is so universal that it makes it perfect for any committed individual, regardless of experience,” Brian said. “We’ve used the same routine for elderly individuals and all-round athletes. We just tailor the intensity levels to fit the person’s need.”

In their words, the program differs from a regular gym workout because it combines gymnastic skills and drills with Olympic weightlifting, powerlifting and multi-mode sprints for a total body workout.

There’s no machine lifting in CrossFit training, the brothers said. Instead, pupils learn the proper techniques for free lifting and dead-weight lifting.

Also, unlike at a gym setting, no one works out alone. Ernest, Brian and newest CrossFit trainer Junko Matsumoto Ellender, who is Brian’s wife, all teach the classes and team up for many of the workouts.

“In a gym, you pretty much do your own thing. If you want to run on the treadmill, you do that. If you want to lift weights, you can do that too. But here, we work together. The only differences are the intensity levels of the CrossFitters,” Ernest said.

Brian added, “You can call it ‘group motivation’ or ‘misery loves company,’ whatever. I know that the atmosphere of progress and learning about exercises is more effective by doing it with a group of similarly motivated people.”

CrossFit does, however, have some similarities to a gym workout. Like a gym, the trainers do not have a mandatory scheduled time for workout. CrossFitters can come in, work out at any of the available times and return to their daily routine, Brian said.

“We have everything they need here. All they have to do is take that first step by showing up and learning the movements and establish a consistent workout,” Ernest said. “There’s no wondering what you need to do. We have it all mapped out for you.”

CrossFitters have the option of working out four days out of the week, and each routine is different.

“Having a workout routine is your enemy. We like to mix all the elements of working out together to create a mixture of patterns and combinations,” Ernest said.

The classes are scheduled for Monday, Wednesday and Friday starting at 5:30 a.m. Each class lasts for 30 minutes. The morning session ends at 9:30 a.m. The trainers come back right after lunch from noon to 1 p.m.

On Sunday, Ernest has incorporated a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class for women at 3 p.m. A CrossFit class is taught at 4 p.m. The trainers end the Sunday workout with a mixed gender Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu session at 5 p.m.

Brian and Ernest Ellender lift Junko Matsumoto Ellender (Brian’s wife) to demonstrate CrossFit training. * Photo by SOPHIA RUFFIN