What is the deal with CrossFit Women? It's a question I hear quite regularly around the gym and in the community. "There's all these women's events and workouts on the calendar - what gives?" "If it's the same tough workout why does it have to be separate?" My answer falls along the same lines when people are asked What's the secret to being Successful? It's never just one thing, there's not a secret or magical answer. But the Crossfit Women's program is growing rapidly, women are transforming their lives, and they're getting SIC FIT. So, I set out to get to the bottom of this question - What is the deal with CrossFit Women?

Erika originally joined the CrossFit Women’s program after a 3 month Crossfit hiatus due to an injury. She joined the program to train with Carey Kepler. "One thing that was most surprising to me was the level of independence that the CrossFit Women's program has given me. I have all the tools necessary to achieve my goals inside and outside of class, which is something that seemed impossible when I was working out by myself at a globogym."

When asked about the CrossFit Women experience Erika says she feels less "lost in a haze of conflicting exercise and nutrition fads. I'm doing things every week that I never imagined would be possible. There are no mirrors, we all know that we look like hell, because we've just been through hell (and survived). I know that with this group of ladies, it's the one place where I'm expected to be powerful instead of pretty."

Every day we are flooded with misrepresentative images of women through various modes of marketing and advertising - in magazines, on billboards, commercials, and who can forget the ever popular "reality shows" where the lighting is just right, cameras are always in place, and product placement is merely a coincidence. With the mass marketing of quick fixes, fad diets, and airbrushing, the idea of beauty, confidence, and real fitness can be easily lost. (Check out this Dove commercial on The Evolution of a Model)

CrossFit Women promotes strong bodies and minds, building relationships, improving the quality of life, proper nutrition, and overall wellness. Gone are the days of bicep curls and running on a tread mill for hours. CrossFit Women are lifting barbells overhead, swinging kettlebells, going heavy on deadlifts, and mastering the kipping!

Lizette is a runner who has been in the Austin running scene for "quite some time." "I would put in so many miles and not see a big difference in my body. I knew that I had to change things up to get myself out of my comfort zone." Since joining CrossFit Women she has lost 2% body fat and 6lbs. Lizette has also seen an improvement in her strength and diet. "The CrossFit coaches and success stories have taught me that the qquality and combination of food I consume makes you feel better, perform better and look better."

CrossFit Women not only work out together but they attend goal setting meetings where they set goals for their fitness, careers, and personal lives. They get together for nutritional meetings, hiking adventures, Sunday brunches and happy hour.

Since joining CrossFit Women Jasmine has gone from a size 8 to a size 4, she's lost 14 pounds and 7% body fat. Jasmine says CrossFit Women has strengthened her ability to push through mental barriers, not only in her workouts but her attitude in general. "It's reshaped the way I feel about fitness. I've spent thousands of dollars trying to be fit- on everything ranging from personal trainers, to dietitians, to women's only circuit training, to aerobics classes. Working out always felt like a chore and the results were all really minimal."

"After starting my Crossfit program, I started to like working out. Now, it's the best part of my day and I look forward to it all week. I like the sense of community. I like the challenge. I like that nervous and excited feeling I get before a WOD. Crossfit reminds me more of when I used to play sports when I was younger. I didn't play sports because I wanted to lose weight, I played sports because it was something I truly enjoyed. I truly enjoy Crossfit."

Blake had lost interest in keeping up a regular workout routine, when she was give a gift certificate to CrossFit Central for her birthday nearly one year ago, and hasn't looked back since. "It may sound extreme, but there's an undeniable connection between our physical health and our mental health, and I'm the happiest I've been in years. It's not about losing weight, but becoming confident and watching myself make progress every month, knowing that I can push myself hard and be stronger because of it."

The CrossFit Women classes buzz with energy, commradary, and achievement. It seems that the reoccurring experience is empowerment. The CrossFit Women program empowers women, not only in fitness, but in everyday life. When you achieve something that was deemed too intense for women or something you thought you weren't capable of - you can conquer the world. You can overcome your battles, fears, and mental barriers outside of the gym. Curious to find out what CrossFit Women is all about? Come to the next free CrossFit Women workout and get the experience first hand! Next Crossfit Women's workout - May 16th @ 8am.