IdeaPaint and CrossFit: My Workout
Ever since our launch back in 2008, we knew that IdeaPaint could really help innovate gyms and athletic centers. Every gym we've seen has a need for a large dry-erase surface to track performance, sign-up for classes or equipment, set goals, make announcements etc; especially a surface that is flexible, dynamic and high-performing (like the athletes who work out there). Luckily, CrossFitters thought the same exact thing. Soon after we came on the market, we had increasing interest from the CrossFit community. About a year ago, CrossFit Fenway was being built in downtown Boston and the owners inquired about using IdeaPaint in their new “box,” and that is where it all started.
It wasn't long before our whole team was in the gym to celebrate the new walls, and get a taste of what CrossFit is all about (see fuzzy photos).
CrossFit is a full-body strength and conditioning fitness program used in nearly 1,700 gyms worldwide and by many fire departments, law enforcement agencies and military units. I like to say it is a fusion of strength workouts and cross training. One of the main tenants of CrossFit – and what I love about it - is that you get small group personal coaching that is extremely peer driven. You are always being supported and challenged by your fellow CrossFitters during each and every workout. It builds great camaraderie, which creates a very tight community atmosphere. Nonetheless, the workouts are intense, and it actually reminds me of the workouts I did while I was participating in college athletics.
Every CrossFit gym needs a whiteboard solution because they publicly track each workout and individual times. In doing so, each CrossFitter gets to not only see how well they are doing against one another, but more importantly, against themselves. It's a critical element in the journey towards reaching our fitness goals. I use it to gauge how quickly I should be finishing a workout.
Since CrossFit gyms can pop-up anywhere, they need a low-cost solution that is commercial-grade, but flexible enough to accommodate different spaces. With IdeaPaint, you get exactly that. At CrossFit Fenway, they were able to create the maximum amount of dry-erase space to benefit its members. They utilize multiple walls in the strength room, the main workout area, and even their own office. They actually use two of our great color options - Orange and Light Green! In the main workout area, they have one IdeaPaint wall that tracks all workouts and individual times, but my favorite, is an adjacent wall where they have all members write their personal goals. It is a great motivating factor for all the members of the gym!
CrossFit is rapidly expanding, and these gyms have truly embraced the benefits of using IdeaPaint. We are now set up in a partnership with Again Faster Equipment, the main equipment supplier for the CrossFit community. I would encourage anyone, regardless of your skill level, to try out CrossFit gym near you – it's an awesome experience!
Kudos to our friends at Again Faster for pulling this video together!
- Chris
Contributed by IdeaPaint Sales Consultant, and devoted CrossFitter, Chris Doney
