DeeAnn Goudie performs the workout of the day at CrossFit Amundson in Imperial on Friday. (JOSELTIO VILLERO PHOTO) |
The CrossFit Games have been gaining plenty of momentum the past couple of years, and while many are barely hearing about them on television, or the exercise CrossFit from which it’s derived, it’s actually not new.
It’s also closer to home than one would think.
CrossFit started about 10 years ago in Santa Cruz by Greg and Lauren Glassman. With them were Greg and Mallee Amundson, who now reside in the Imperial Valley and own and operate their own gym — CrossFit Amundson, in Imperial.
“I didn’t have any intention of opening a gym here, it sort of happened,” Mallee said.
Their time in Santa Cruz was spent doing more than working out.
Both operated the original CrossFit gym in Santa Cruz for about a year after the Glassmans moved out of the area.
Mallee also works for CrossFit Inc. in its seminar department and helped plan it for a couple of years.
“It was less than 100 people that came to the event,” Mallee said.
Now Reebok sponsors it and it is still gaining momentum.
“It’s huge. We did it at the Staples Center this past year and it was televised,” Mallee said.
That exposure is helping Mallee and her gym continue to grow.
What started as working out from their one-car garage and cul-de-sac has turned into a large gym in Imperial.
“When cars would come by we’d move out of the way,” Mallee said of working out in their cul-de-sac.
Their new gym has plenty of equipment and space with lots of classes throughout each day, and Mallee said the interest is growing.
“It’s fairly intense, but it’s geared toward all athletic abilities or levels, so the cool thing about it is that it’s really hard to hurt yourself,” Mallee said. “It’s all functional movements, movements you do in everyday life.”
According to CrossFit.com, CrossFit Amundson is the only affiliated gym in the Imperial Valley.
It’s also closer to home than one would think.
CrossFit started about 10 years ago in Santa Cruz by Greg and Lauren Glassman. With them were Greg and Mallee Amundson, who now reside in the Imperial Valley and own and operate their own gym — CrossFit Amundson, in Imperial.
“I didn’t have any intention of opening a gym here, it sort of happened,” Mallee said.
Their time in Santa Cruz was spent doing more than working out.
Both operated the original CrossFit gym in Santa Cruz for about a year after the Glassmans moved out of the area.
Mallee also works for CrossFit Inc. in its seminar department and helped plan it for a couple of years.
“It was less than 100 people that came to the event,” Mallee said.
Now Reebok sponsors it and it is still gaining momentum.
“It’s huge. We did it at the Staples Center this past year and it was televised,” Mallee said.
That exposure is helping Mallee and her gym continue to grow.
What started as working out from their one-car garage and cul-de-sac has turned into a large gym in Imperial.
“When cars would come by we’d move out of the way,” Mallee said of working out in their cul-de-sac.
Their new gym has plenty of equipment and space with lots of classes throughout each day, and Mallee said the interest is growing.
“It’s fairly intense, but it’s geared toward all athletic abilities or levels, so the cool thing about it is that it’s really hard to hurt yourself,” Mallee said. “It’s all functional movements, movements you do in everyday life.”
According to CrossFit.com, CrossFit Amundson is the only affiliated gym in the Imperial Valley.
