What brought you to CrossFit in the first place?
Peter, with a weighted chin up of 73 pounds.
I had been a long time member at another local gym. I would “work out” 5-6 days a week doing stuff that I thought would make me stronger for the activities I like to do. I began to realize it would be more beneficial for me to find a trainer/coach type program. My son, Matt Gillis, became a member of CrossFit and would tell me about the workouts. This seemed to be exactly what I was looking for. I met Kenny and signed on to CrossFit Sandpoint.
What was your first impression? Has that changed?
My first impression was that if this doesn’t kill me or cripple me it’s going to be really good. As it turns out CrossFit is tailored for a wide of range of abilities and fitness levels. I was able to fit in and progress. Kenny and his coaches have always made sure that we are performing movements correctly. With confidence I can tell you that the workouts, coaching, encouragement and daily challenges are so amazing.
What was your first success?
I was so pumped when, during a CrossFit Open WOD about 3 years ago, I did the required number of Double Unders to complete the round and continue the workout. It was not a pretty sight but I did it. I thought “there’s no way I’ll get through one round. I’ll time out while failing on the DU’s.” Up to that point in time I had only done one DU at a time, or one every other jump for a total of 4 or 5. I came away from that day knowing I could do things that I never thought possible. That attitude has permeated other aspects of my life in great ways. I approach things as thought I am a mature 31, not a nearly 62 year old.
What are you working on now?
My agenda at the gym is to show up every day geared to working hard and pushing as hard as possible. I am interested in improving flexibility, becoming more durable over all and gaining strength. I want to continue waterskiing an average of 150 times per summer, snow skiing 50 plus times each season and surpass the 41 rides I made riding up the Schweitzer road last summer. I believe hard work at CrossFit makes that possible.
What’s your favorite CrossFit Sandpoint memory?
I can’t say I have a favorite memory per se. When I think about Sandpoint Crossfit and Kenny I think about great workouts, especially when they kick your butt. I think about excellent coaches. I think about great friendships made. I think about the joking, the kidding around, the support, the team spirit, the encouragement that comes from my teammates when you’re working hard. It’s an exhilaration that’s hard to beat!