The University of Cincinnati is home to a variety of intramural and club sports focused on promoting fitness and wellness for students. One of the more unique groups is the Functional Fitness club.
Healthy living as a college student can be difficult. Many students come to the University of Cincinnati (UC) having a previous background in doing high school or club athletics. Coming to UC, these students often find they feel like they are missing out on the movement and athletics these sports would bring. UC is home to a variety of intramural and club sports focused on promoting fitness and wellness for students. One of the more unique groups is the Functional Fitness club.
This club offers students the opportunity to learn and participate in the fitness regimen commonly known as CrossFit. Third year journalism and political science student Brianna Connock will serve as the president of the club next year. She first was introduced to the idea of CrossFit by her boyfriend, who founded the club, her freshman year.
Connock had previously only had a background in swimming during her high school years, but was looking for new ways to be active while in school.
“I was super nervous because [CrossFit] seems like a pretty intense activity and I had no background other than swimming,” Connock said. “I didn’t know how to lift weights. I didn’t know how to do anything that they were doing, but I went and I fell in love with it.”
The Functional Fitness club offers students the opportunity to learn and participate in the fitness regimen commonly known as CrossFit.
Connock’s love of CrossFit has stuck with her and now she hopes to bring the same love to other UC students. The Functional Fitness Club currently has about 20 active members who regularly attend group workouts and events. Though the sport can seem daunting given the physicality of it, Connock ensures that this is a club anyone can join.
“No matter what your background is, you’re qualified to do CrossFit and to join this club,” Connock said. “There are people at my gym and in the club who have never picked up a barbell before, they’ve never [eve] tried to work out before and they can do it.”
First year secondary education student, Halle Blackford, first discovered the club at the UC organization fair. Like many other members, Blackford was seeking a way to stay active in school and find a group of like-minded people who value healthy living.
“I feel that prioritizing healthy living during college can sometimes be difficult and having a whole club behind you, motivating you to be the best you can is such an amazing opportunity,” Blackford said.
Another appealing aspect of the club is being able to see your growth as an athlete. CrossFit is based upon levels that participants can train and work their bodies towards. These levels range from beginners to more advanced athletes, ensuring that there is a place for anyone who wishes to try the sport.
At UC, the Functional Fitness club is free to join. The group tries to create as many opportunities as possible with little to no cost to members to make fitness accessible to all.
“You can choose to pay a membership, but we understand that that’s not something that’s feasible for everyone, especially college students,” Connock said. “So, we try really hard to make it so you can still be a part of the club without paying a monthly membership. So, we will plan club workouts so like on nice days on weekends, we’ll go do an outdoor workout together.”
For those who do elect to purchase a membership for a CrossFit gym, the group coordinates workout times and offers rides to these workouts. The club also participates in competitions once a semester to give students the chance to showcase their CrossFit ability if they wish to do so.
The heart of the group is the support the members offer to one another as they work to achieve their own fitness goals. The accountability of watching each other perform athletically and stick to a regimen creates a close-knit bond between members.
“My favorite part about the club is the people and community that is involved. CrossFit is a safe place for so many people that allows everyone to come together with shared interests in healthy living,” Blackford said.
Students who are interested in joining are invited to check out the group’s Instagram page. @uc_functionalfitness.
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