I remember the first time I watched a CrossFit video. It was the infamous Nasty Girls. I sat staring at my computer screen, my jaw slightly dropped open, following three women as the moved through movements I had only seen men perform - and only professional gymnasts and athletes at that! As they shook out their arms from the intensity of the workout I examined the situation more closely. These women weren't body builders! They were petite, healthy, beautiful, and lifting powerful weight! I sat back in my chair and thought, "Wow! I want to do that!" Followed directly by the thought of "There is no way I could do that!" I moved a little closer to the screen and hit Replay.

Many misconceptions exist regarding fitness and health that have etched their way in our brain. For most people these thoughts are extremely difficult to reverse. After believing and living by one standard for fitness it is often difficult to rearrange your mindset and follow a new method of fitness. Unfortunately, billions of dollars go toward representing and further fueling these misgivings and so called "fitness tools" that are often targeted toward women. “Stay away from fat. Opt for the nonfat snacks. Avocados and cheese are high in fat – it will go straight to your thighs!” “Lifting weights will make you bulky, stick to cardio” And who could forget the ab belt offered on infomercials, “Flip a switch and the belt does all the work – you’ll have stronger abs in days!” as they flash to a women folding laundry wearing her ab belt. (For the record, my roommate bought one of these in college and it didn’t work - it was closer to an electric shock than a workout.)

Before I discovered CrossFit, I like many people was a member of a big box gym. I would get in my 30 minutes of cardio and hit the machines for my strength conditioning. I would check out the weight section of the gym, but didn’t really know what to do once I got over there. Sometimes I would emulate what I saw another person do the day before – which mean bicep curls, and lunging with dumbbells. So I stuck to cardio. That was my fitness. and I believed I was fairly fit, until I found CrossFit Central.

Inside the CrossFit Program people were doing pull ups, push ups, lifting barbells, and swinging weights. These were things I had never attempted and I truly thought if I joined the CrossFit program I wouldn’t lose weight or tone my body. Instead I thought I would become bulky and have big muscles. For someone who has only lifted a 15lb dumbbell, never been shown how to perform a correct pushup, let alone pull ups - the CrossFit Indoor Program was a little intimidating. I’m not one to easily admit when I can’t do something nor do I believe that women are made for certain exercises and men are better equipped for others. But I call it like I see it and I assumed this was something for athletes or people aspiring to be athletes, not for someone who just wants to be fit.

I had read all of the literature that states CrossFit is designed for everyone, that it does not specialize, and is a program that is scaled to everyone’s fitness level - I thought this was all brilliant! Just not for me. That was however, until I finally tried a class. That’s all it took - one class and I realized that the manner in which I viewed fitness for many years was wrong. CrossFit is fitness in it’s purest form, and it truly is for everyone – especially women. I still have to use a box to do my pull ups, but my box has become shorter since beginning CrossFit, edging me closer and closer to a full blown kipping pull up! I sometimes still need to revert to pushups on my knees and my dips on rings are assisted by the tips of my tennis shoes; however, three days a week I load weight on to barbells push it up over my head, jump on jump boxes, and proudly write my time on the board amongst the other CrossFitters. Every couple of weeks I am able to increase the weight I use or finish the workout faster than the time before. The best part -even though I'm lifting weights I’m not getting bulky! Instead I’m in the best shape of my life! I'm going down in size and my body is appropriately becoming healthy and proportionate.

The CrossFit Women Training is designed with all of these hesitations and preconceived notions about what fitness is in mind. They are by no means easier or less intense than the non-gender specific programs. The CrossFit Women’s Only Program will provide an environment that welcomes women who have never previously lifted weights, women of all ages, and experience levels. Inside Women’s Only Training you will find women who are new to CrossFit working out beside females who are marathon runners triathletes, and experienced CrossFitters. This is true fitness for women! Anything you once thought was unobtainable or even if you assumed something wasn’t for you – you now have the opportunity to do it! It is a program that is designed for this very purpose. There is no experience necessary, only a strong desire to be fit and lead a healthy life.

“This program will encourage women to grow in fitness as well as other areas of their life. We call it a fitness program but you gain so many more benefits than just a tight butt and good lookin’ arms. You get friendship, an outlet to relieve stress, as well as a freak'en good time!” Carey Kepler, CrossFit Central CoFounder and CrossFit Women’s Program.

“Women are so strong and when you get them together and everyone is encouraging you to push hard, you know you can take it to the nest level. Plus, when everyone is trying to reach a goal, not necessarily the same goal, but one that is hard to reach yet attainable, the support from other women really puts things into perspective and gives a new meaning to success... especially when someone can relate to what you are going through outside of the gym.”

Elements for the Women's Only program will begin in June and classes will start in July. CrossFit Women will help you get fit, reach your goals, and set new ones for yourself. You will find your best fitness in this program. Aside from working out with a group of inspirational women CrossFit Women will also be holding social get-togethers, including Wine Night, Nutritional Mixers, Happy Hour, and free CrossFit Women workouts. The program's calender will also list upcoming events and races that CrossFit Women will be participating in.

Through this program you will get fit, embark on new adventures, and discover true fitness for women. Why not try it out? You'll be surprised at what you're capable of.