A New Fitness Equation: (CrossFit + Community) ^ Family

"CrossFit plus Community Raised to the Power of Family"

The power of family... it's quite profound. And we're seeing something out of the ordinary at Daybreak CrossFit: Families are discovering fitness together.

We are all guilty of it, and in fact, it's not necessarily a bad thing... we like our time alone. Away from the family to decompress, re-group, re-energize, and even get a little guy or gal time with our friends. Whether it's running, cycling, yoga, pilates or what have you, many of today's fitness programs are utilized to "get away".

CrossFit boxes ("box" is our lingo for "gym") provide that respite from the daily grind, and connect like-minded fitness seekers with one another. This common bond, or "community" is part of the secret sauce of CrossFit and is the primary source of motivation and accountability. 

Here at Daybreak, we certainly couldn't be more pleased with how the quickly our community has formed. In fact, it was 60 members strong when we first opened our doors last November, and is now in the hundreds of members who mostly hail from Sudbury, Wayland and Weston.

And there's a reason why growth has eclipsed industry norms. Two words: Mel Ockerby. Mel is co-founder and head coach at Daybreak and has been competing in and coaching CrossFit for almost 5 years... that's veteran status in the CrossFit world, which has seen the number of gyms grow from around 20 in 2006 to almost 10,000 today. Mel also works on CrossFit Headquarters Level 1 Seminar staff traveling the world training and certifying aspiring gym owners and coaches. 

This background gives her the unique ability to customize the daily workouts (called "WODs" for Workout Of Day) to any age, any athletic background or for any previous injury or ailment. And with the aging population of the Metrowest area... you can see why the "wiser" suburbanites seek her out.

But what's even more special at Daybreak is the phenomenon of families signing up in droves. With over 20 years combined CrossFit experience, Daybreak's staff has never seen anything like it. Rather than our members seeking refuge from the rigors of everyday life, we're seeing them invite their everyday life into the box!

Take Daybreak member Rich Lynch of Sudbury. Rich is a long-time rower who wandered into Daybreak CrossFit looking for an off-season supplement to his crew training. It wasn't long before Rich got hooked and signed up his son Brian who runs track at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School. Soon after that, he brought in his daughter Meaghan, who then pulled in the vast majority of her fellow Lincoln-Sudbury High School Field Hockey team. Rich explains it by saying, "It’s been great having Meaghan and Brian at Daybreak. They both participate in various sports at LS and CrossFit has been a good off-season work-out. Mel’s approach to coaching works really well for all of us and it’s been fun having a little competition in the family."

Then there's the Brown family who recently moved to Sudbury. The Browns were active CrossFitters at a nearby box, but once they learned of Mel's presence in the area, they signed up with Daybreak even before they bought their home. Not only do Bill and his wife, Sara, attribute much of their sanity to the "outlet" that is CrossFit, but Sara says, "I continued CrossFitting throughout my pregnancy knowing I was going to deliver Keegan (their daughter) naturally. Mel modified and supervised each workout to keep me and Keegan safe." Bill goes on to say, "Watching Sara's grit and determination working out while pregnant was amazing, and to have her and Keegan by my side at the gym was very motivating."

Finally, there is the Clarke family. Kevin Clarke is Daybreak's most "seasoned" member at age 67 and, along with his wife Kathy, attends classes 6 days a week. Kevin and Kathy were skeptical that CrossFit was right for them until their daughter Sarah, who has been CrossFitting for 2 years, convinced them to meet Mel and give Daybreak a try. Sarah transferred to Daybreak after her former CrossFit gym left her unfulfilled. "It's all about the coaches," she says. "And Mel just gets it. So much so, that she inspired me to want to coach, and I am now learning from one of the best in the business." Sarah is now being mentored by Mel to coach at Daybreak, but she'll continue to trade jabs with her Dad during workouts.

At Daybreak CrossFit, the fitness equation has really taken a turn for the better. A good dose of community, quality coaching, and a proven CrossFit regimen really does do wonders for most people. But when you add in the "Power of Family"... well, now you've got something special.

For more about Daybreak CrossFit and its adult and kids classes, please visit http://daybreakcrossfit.com.