Prioritizing Your Health: Why now is the best time to start!

Prioritizing Your Health: Why Now is the Perfect Time to Start Working Out.

Life can be busy. Between work, family, and countless other commitments, many people feel they simply don’t have the time to work out. But investing in your health isn’t just about squeezing in another task on your to-do list—it’s about prioritizing yourself, laying a foundation for a better quality of life, and setting yourself up for a stronger future. At Crusher Fitness and Health, we believe that starting now can make 2025 your best year yet. Here’s why:

1. Your Health is Your Greatest Asset
Investing in yourself is one of the smartest choices you can make. A healthy body supports everything else you do, from chasing after your kids to thriving at work. By making time for fitness now, you’re enhancing your ability to keep up with life’s demands and improve your long-term wellness. Just as we invest in financial security, prioritizing health now will give you the best return over the years—energy, vitality, and the ability to continue doing what you love.

2. Invest Now or Pay Later
If you don’t prioritize your health now, chances are your body will demand health care down the road. Chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and joint issues are often the result of lifestyle choices. By dedicating time to fitness today, you’re taking proactive steps to help avoid costly and invasive health treatments later. Think of your fitness routine as preventive care—a way to reduce health risks and boost your resilience.

3. The Perfect Time is Now
There’s no “perfect” time to start; life will always be busy. Waiting for a magical moment only delays the benefits you’ll reap from fitness. By starting today, you’re setting yourself up to hit the ground running in 2025. With Crusher’s flexible schedule, including our 24/7 open gym, we make it easier to work around your daily demands.

4. Experience the Crusher Difference
At Crusher, fitness is more than just a workout; it’s a transformative experience guided by passionate coaches who are dedicated to your success. We’re more than a gym; we’re a community. Our coaches take the time to get to know you, understand your goals, and build customized training paths that meet you where you are—no matter your fitness level. With a mix of encouragement, expertise, and accountability, our team is here to help you push beyond what you thought possible. Our team doesn’t just want to help you work out; we want to see you thrive.

5. Health and Strength as You Age
We’re often reminded how much harder it can be to start new habits as we age, but staying active now makes aging feel less daunting. Investing in strength, mobility, and endurance today can help you prevent common issues like decreased mobility, loss of muscle mass, and lower energy levels down the road. Working out helps you feel more youthful, mentally sharper, and physically resilient.

6. Set Yourself Up for a Successful 2025
Imagine walking into 2025 with momentum, already feeling healthier and stronger. By committing to your fitness now, you’ll have the consistency, confidence, and discipline to keep going. Crusher’s programs and supportive community are here to give you that boost, helping you crush your goals all year long.
Make the Time, Make the Investment, and Reap the Rewards
If you’re ready to prioritize yourself and enjoy a stronger, healthier life, we’re here to support you. Crusher offers a range of fitness programs, from personal coaching to group classes and flexible access, making it easier than ever to find a routine that works for you. Remember: investing in your health today is an investment in the life you want tomorrow. So let’s make 2025 your healthiest year yet—starting now.

Reach out to us at Crusher to see how we can fit Fitness and Health into your life. You deserve it!

Athlete Perspective – Dave & Sue

What brought you to Crossfit/C44 in the first place?

Dave: I started in April last year for two reasons – Our daughter, Kate Fonseca, bought me a month of BootCamp, to help me get back in shape. Eighteen months before, I’d had cancer surgery. Our plan was to get me strong, so I could stand up to follow-up radiation in four months. I’m glad I did — it really helped me! And…I’m still here.LOL

Sue: Our daughter, Kate raved about Crossfit! I checked it out/visited Kate one time to observe…nope, that bar thing was not for me!! Then Kate informed me of a new class, C44! I gave it a try in June 2017 when it first started & I’m still there & love it!!

What was your 1st impression? How has that changed?

Dave: Honestly, it was “Wow, I’m really out-of-shape!” especially since most everyone else is the age of my kids! Now, I’m a proud member of the “silver sneakers” crew, and in a lot better shape!

Sue: Nervous, but wanted to strengthen my core & be healthy. Well, I’m not nervous anymore & definitely notice core strength improvement & feeling stronger!

What has been your most proud moment at Crusher?

Dave: Getting more fit is great, but I’ve enjoyed meeting & interacting with different people from the area. Even so, I’d feel really good if I could master muscle-ups someday when I grow up!

Sue: Increasing my weights & still finishing the WOD! The coaches are great in guiding you through the process.

What are you working on now?

Dave: The aforementioned muscle-ups, and perfecting my rope-climbing skills.

Sue: Improving my lunges & push-ups.

What’s your favorite Crusher memory?

Dave: Laughing at 6 AM classes with (Coach) Cullan!

Sue: When coach Geo asked me what rep I was at (as I was carrying a kettlebell on my shoulder), & I had totally lost count, so I responded that I don’t know…I’m just doing stuff!! Poor Geo!!

Do you have advice for someone who might be a bit nervous to give CrossFit or C44 a try?

Dave: Work into it slowly, and don’t be hesitant to scale the WODs (Work Out of the Day) down. As you get stronger, and your form improves, you’ll be RXing (doing the workouts at the highest level) in no time.

Sue: It’s going to be totally okay! The coaches are fantastic & really care how you’re doing. Have no fear! It’s worth it!!

— Dave & Sue M.


Where did Dave begin? Crusher Bootcamp

Where did Sue find her comfort zone? C44

Come see what we are all about. Your first class is on us!

Athlete Perspective – Amanda

What brought you to Crusher CrossFit in the first place?

I have Crohn’s Disease. Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease characterized by inflammation of the digestive or GI tract. What that really means is that my immune system is malfunctioning and overactive and that causes it to attack healthy cells in my digestive tract. This for me caused (what I called) ulcers in my ileum (where the large and small intestines meet) I had emergency surgery to remove a foot of my intestines when the ulcers formed an abscess. Then 2 Years ago I had surgery for the opposite of an abscess. This time it was a bowel obstruction. My intestinal wall was scared and narrow causing blockages. Treatments for this, steroids and just the fatigue that goes along with Crohn’s disease caused me to gain 60 lbs in 6 months. The surgery for this removed another foot of my intestine. I felt better after the surgery but still felt fatigued. The Ileum is where nutrient absorption takes place. When some of the ileum is removed this caused issues, including malabsorption of vitamins and nutrients for me mostly including Iron, Protein, Vitamin B12, and Vitamin D. I tried taking high doses of Vitamins and even Iron injections, but nothing that helped. I had gained 60 lbs, Was fatigued, and unfit. Sleeping all the time, not able to get through the day at work, no energy after work to play or spend time with the kids. And on top of that, I was on immune suppressants to stop my immune system from attacking my body. I had to do something.

Working out was what we came up with, we were planning on trying to get pregnant, and I knew that pregnancy would be difficult if I didn’t change the path I was on. I tried the gym next to my office building but quickly realized that indoor running on a treadmill was not something I would enjoy enough to keep me going back to the gym or that it would be something I would want to do long-term (I really hated it). I wasn’t sure where to start with the weights at the gym, so I tried a free hour with a personal trainer. It was not what I expected, and after that session, I could not walk, get up from bed or sit down for 5 days after, so I quit. One day I was buying groceries and checking out when this gentleman in line behind me commented on all the food I was buying and asked me If I had kids, I responded with yes I have 4, he looked and me and said: “and one on the way, congratulations.” I was not pregnant. Because of my recent surgery, I carried most of my weight gain in my middle so I will admit maybe did look a little pregnant.

After I got home from grocery shopping, I was on facebook and saw a check in at Crusher Crossfit. I had never heard of Crossfit, so I looked at the website, and I remember it saying something about working for people that never have worked out. It sounded good to me, so spurred by the gentleman at the grocery store, not having any idea of what Crossfit was, besides fitness, I signed up for the Bootcamp starting 2 days later.

Bootcamp was HARD for me. I was a little discouraged because I was the slowest and weakest in the class, but after the first day I wanted to come back, I wanted to keep working and learning. Once Bootcamp was over, I started coming to class every day, and even though I was still the slowest and weakest, I really didn’t care anymore. I was doing the movements, I was working on me, I was gaining confidence, I was motivated to keep going by how I started feeling. I was tired after the workouts, but I wasn’t exhausted all day. I felt better. I could tell on days that I did not work out as I did not feel the best. I was 36, pregnant, working full time, taking care of 4 kids and was for the first time in a long time able to get through the day without the issues that followed me with Crohn’s disease. I was feeling great. I credit my fantastic pregnancy to keeping active and doing Crossfit. Even after baby, I can see the benefits Crossfit has given me in my day to day life.

What was your first impression? How has that changed?

I started at Crusher Crossfit in late September 2016. It was a nice day, and the garage doors were open for the class that was before boot camp class. As I walked up to the box, my view was of men and women back squatting what looked like to be massive amounts of weights. My first thought was oh my goodness, what did I sign up for? My first impression was wow these people are amazing. That view was very intimidating for me. As time went on that first impression didn’t change, the men and women that come to class and do this are amazing. The change from that first impression is that I see myself in that group now.

What has been your most proud moment at Crusher?

I have so many moments. The first time I ran a mile or rowed a 5K. Every PR. The first time I did 5 rounds with 24 box jumps, (It was to a small box, but that was a big deal for me.). The first time getting up into and holding a handstand. Going from the wall to a box pushup (I remember the workout and who was coaching for this one). Participating in Oktoberfest 5 weeks after baby and one week after coming back. Getting up every time after falling down. Working out every day during my pregnancy past my due date. Not giving up, ever.

What are you working on now?

Right now I am working on general fitness. While I was pregnant I felt like I could do any workout, Run or row any distance or do as many reps as needed of any movement (scaled for the pregnancy of course) after baby I feel like I am back in Boot camp again… Once I feel ready to work on specific movements I want to work on Pushups and Box Jumps.

What’s your favorite Crusher memory?

Doing Friday Night Lights and Oktoberfest. I enjoyed cheering for my fellow athletes and being cheered on. The atmosphere made me what to try harder and be better I really enjoyed competing.

Do you have advice for someone who might be a bit nervous to give CrossFit a try?

Don’t be intimidated by it. Everyone has had a first day where everyone else looked Awesome. They all had to start somewhere, Everyone has things they are good at and things they need to work on. We are all there working toward a goal and supporting each other.
Picture Above: “This is one of my favorite pictures taken on my due date. I don’t look really pregnant in this picture, but you should see the side of view.”

— Amanda R.


Where did she begin? Crusher Bootcamp
Come see what we are all about. Your first class is on us!

Memorial Day Murph

Push Up Prep

Are you ready for Memorial Day Murph? Join us in our annual Push Up Challenge! Perform the amount of push ups shown, on each day. Notice there are options to scale, as well as options to step it up a notch! On your rest days, be sure to go for a jog and practice your running. To continue your practice with pull ups and air squats, we advise you coming to the box 4x a week and getting your workouts in. See you at the Murph!

Click below to check out the Crusher Push up Challenge Calendar and get started!

16_May_Calendar

Keep your Kids Active

DIY Kids Obstacle Course

Want a fun activity for your kids that will help get them moving?

You can create a backyard obstacle course… all with things you already have at your house!

The way kids exercise is by jumping, rolling, running and overall playing. Here are a few ideas to get you started!

  • Cones – Use these to run around, zig zag, or even jump over
  • Hoola Hoops – These can be used to jump through, pick up and hoola hoop, or do an action in them like “Squat” or “5 Jumping Jacks.”
  • Slide – Put a slide mid way through the course – every kid loves a slide!
  • Inter tube – Jump in and out
  • A Towel – Lay this out and when they reach the towel, they do a forward roll on it!
  • Step Stool – Climb it and Jump off (be sure it isn’t too high depending on age)
  • 2×4 – Lay it out and they can work on their balance… think balance beam

As you can see, there are many different items that you probably already have at home! Anything you can think of to jump over, crawl under, roll on, balance etc.. It will work.

Now get your creative juices flowing and go create a fun obstacle course for your kids! {If it is hot – add a sprinkler!}

Next on the agenda? Have your kids rearrange the course you built, and create one on their own.

Teens Who CrossFit – Alec

Up to the Challenge

Alec – Junior at Waconia High School


What brought you to CrossFit in the first place?
I think the biggest thing that brought me to crossfit is the community. Crossfit is a very challenging activity but with the community there supporting you it feels a lot easier and more inviting.

What was your first impression? How has that changed?
At first I was very intimidated of Crossfit as a whole but after working through on-ramp and relearning everything, I felt way more confident and I became way more interested in Crossfit

What was your first “proud moment?”
My proudest moment at Crusher was when I got my first bar muscle up and ring muscle up in the same day

What are you working on now?
Right now I’m trying to get more hip movement in my snatch and clean and jerk.

What is your favorite Crusher Memory?
My favorite Crusher memory so far has to be my first open workout. It’s so fun to see everyone there cheering you on like a sports game.

 

Teens Who CrossFit – Makenna

Teens Who CrossFit

“I Want to Get Better”

Makenna – Junior at Mayer Lutheran High School


What brought you to CrossFit in the first place?
My dad was the reason I first started. He kept telling me to try it and eventually I got so annoyed that I gave in!

What was your first impression? How has that changed?
I was terrified of everyone in the beginning. I wanted to stick with coach Jen because she was the first person I knew. Now I love going and seeing everybody and getting to know them. It makes the workouts more fun!

What was your first “proud moment?”
My first proud moment was when I did my first banded pull up.

What are you working on now?
I am working on everything. I just want to get better.

What is your favorite Crusher Memory?
My favorite Crusher memory was the first partner workout I ever did. Coach Jody was my partner and I was really struggling at the end so Joe G did burpees and box jumps with me until I finished. That was actually the day I decided to stick around.

 

Athlete Perspective – Tiffani

CRUSH YOUR GOALS

Tiffani has been a member since March of 2015. She set a goal to get in shape and live a healthier lifestyle. Mission accomplished, and now she is taking it to the next level. Meet Tiff:

“6 months ago I walked into Crusher CrossFit intimidated and scared to death. My intimidation quickly melted by the friendly faces and awesome coaches that helped me with my journey. At the same time I also started a challenge at work called move your marker. They measured my body weight, body fat, glucose, and cholesterol levels. I’m proud to say because of Crusher I definitely moved my markers! I got my final measurements at work yesterday and I am down over 30 pounds, 15% body fat and four pant sizes! My glucose and cholesterol levels have also greatly improved. Thanks to crusher I am so much stronger emotionally, mentally, and physically. I still have more goals to accomplish, but who would have thought at 40-years old I would be getting into the best shape of my life?! I now think of myself as a strong, athletic woman capable of anything! Thank you Crusher!

 


Where did she begin? Crusher Bootcamp
Come see what we are all about. Your first class is on us!