FAQs

Greg Glassman, a former gymnast, founded CrossFit®, Inc. in 2000 and found the best way to achieve optimal fitness was not through specialisation but rather through “constantly varied, functional movement, performed at high intensity.” It combines elements of Olympic weightlifting, gymnastics, sprinting, rowing and core conditioning to improve overall fitness.

Constantly Varied
Every day brings a different workout (or “WOD”), incorporating any combination of these elements. You will squat, jump rope, swing kettlebells, deadlift, push up, row and handstand amongst an unlimited variety of movements. Each day will bring different exercises and new skills designed to prepare us for any task or challenge.

Functional Movement
There are plenty of misconceptions out there about CrossFit; the truth is much of what we do in our workouts mirrors activities in our daily lives. To the uninitiated, flipping a tyre looks like crazy, “he-man” work. But if you’ve ever had to move a mattress up a flight of stairs, you already know the movement. If you’ve ever lifted a heavy bag of dog food or fertiliser, no one needs to tell you the importance of stablising your back. Our goal at Niche is to make these day to day tasks easier, safer and more efficient using the skills and technique you learn in the gym.

High Intensity
“High Intensity” is a concept that at first can be difficult for new CrossFitters to grasp. It’s not about how long you spend in the gym, it’s the work put in during this time. You won’t find CrossFitters cruising on an exercise bike flicking through a magazine.

There is absolutely a science behind the madness teach, and whilst every CrossFit box is different in the way they program and structure classes, the concept remains the same. Overall, the aim of CrossFit is to build a broad, general and inclusive fitness supported by measurable, observable (movement standards), and repeatable results (recording times/scores and seeing improvements). The only way to prepare for ‘anything’, is to train for ‘everything’. Essentially CrossFit specializes in not specialising with the end goal of General Physical Preparedness.

One of the ways CrossFit evaluates ‘Fitness’ is via the 10-recognizable general physical skills (image attached). We don’t excel in gymnastics, we don’t excel at long distance running, or Olympic weightlifting. We develop well rounded athletes who are competent in all 10 skills. Our goal is to create balance as you are only as fit as you are competent in each of these ten skills.

The beauty of our sport is that we are all in it together, motivating one another. It’s a sport where the person last to finish the workout receives more high fives than the person first to finish.

One of the things that makes CrossFit so unique is our community of people from literally every walk of life: stay-at-home parents, students, CEOs, members of the armed services, accountants, you name it. At Niche CrossFit, our hallmark is inclusiveness, and we make no judgements, except to applaud you for your courage in walking in the door. Regardless of where you are starting, we will meet you right where you are and accompany you on your journey to fitness. CrossFit bodies – our bodies – come in every imaginable size, shape and age; and yet, our workouts every day, are designed for anyone to do them.

Yes, ANYONE.

“Scalability” is a word that you will hear frequently here at Niche CrossFit. During each class, everyone does the same workout, but that workout will always have several scaling options. This makes it possible for all of us – with our different body types, personal goals and levels of ability – to work alongside one another safely. We motivate one another, cheer one another on, and sometimes participate in some healthy competition. But, ultimately, every workout is yours alone. Your workout = your pace.

You can put your membership on hold if you are planning an extended absence. (3 weeks minimum and 8 weeks max)