"Never confuse motion with action," warned the master of adages, Benjamin Franklin. It's the philosophy at the heart of Federal Hill's new South Baltimore CrossFit, a largely machine-free gym that employs strength training for results in lieu of spinning, running and cycling.
The gym, one of a loose affiliation of gyms operating under the CrossFit name, held its grand opening on July 25 with free demonstrations, workouts, and coaching. According to owner Troy Venuto, South Baltimore CrossFit teaches patrons to use "big movements" employing joints and muscles such as squats, deadlifts, and clean-and-jerk lifts.
"It's the most complete program that I've ever found for improving your general physical fitness," Venuto says. "These are movements that professional athletes have been using for decades but that the average gym-goer is not exposed to."
New members are required to take a fundamentals program three times a week for four weeks to learn the basic movements (experienced resistance trainers may test out). They are then free to choose from a variety of daily classes, each of which lasts about an hour.
Community interest in the gym has been strong, says Venuto, who said the first fundamentals program is 85 percent full. Venuto, who lives in Federal Hill, set up shop there because of his neighbors' evident love for fitness. "On a nice day there a million people out there jogging," he says.
Venuto says the "big movement" method will solve any defects of the physique.
"If you come in overweight, you'll lose weight. If you come in scrawny, you'll gain muscle. The body is an awesome thing," he notes. "Give it the right moves and it will take care of itself."
South Baltimore CrossFit is located at 1800 South Hanover St.
Source: Troy Venuto, South Baltimore CrossFit
Writer: Lucy Ament