When it comes to getting in a good workout and staying in shape, there are many fitness options for students to choose from both on campus and within the greater Bloomington-Normal area. However, one gym among them insists on setting itself apart from the rest.

CrossFit Bloomington–Normal, a 7,000 sq. ft. fitness facility located at 401 Bronco Drive in Bloomington, prides itself as “the fitness counterculture to America’s flawed exercise model,” offering a unique workout experience and coaching that is scaled to benefit any and all members no matter their current fitness level. 

According to Chad Hobbs, co-owner of CFBN, the facility’s overall environment is far different from that of a typical gym. 

“We use old school principles with innovative training methodology,” Hobbs said.

At CFBN, treadmills and rows of weight machines have been replaced by free weights, kettlebells, gymnastic rings, pull-up bars, tractor tires, and more. This “old school” equipment is geared toward helping members learn how to move their bodies to ensure the most effective results. This is the core of CFBN’s training methodology. 

“Rather than in a machine where there can be very fixed ranges of motion, we really try to preach moving in a very natural way,” Hobbs said. 

He added that one of the major reasons for the gym’s success is the strong community created through classes of group training and workout sessions. Rather than work out alone, Hobbs said members tend to get better overall results and a more satisfying experience when working out alongside their peers. 

Ryan Hansen / Daily Vidette Staff Photographer: Monday, during a class at CrossFit Bloomington–Normal, Jude Gentsch performed a stone to shoulder workout with a stone weighing 114 pounds. Gentsch has been a member of CrossFit for two years. 

“The community that is built is very key to our business … if you go into a ‘globo’ gym, you’ve got people with their headphones in just focused on their own workout. That’s fine, it’s just not how we do it,” he said. “I feel like we get more done with the groups than I ever did personally training with people,” he added.

While the thought of lifting tractor tires and cranking out pull-ups may be intimidating for many people, JJ Krupka, co-owner of CFBN, said the success of its members comes from their effective use of scaling, altering the intensity, and style of workouts to fit any individual from beginners to “beast-mode” athletes.

“Essentially, each person is starting from a different place, so we need to help them build their foundation … we try to put a person in the best position to succeed,” Krupka said. 

He added a major focus of CFBN workouts is to help members gain the strength and endurance to more easily accomplish the things they do in their daily lives. This is not something that can effectively be achieved just by working out on standard machines. 

“Machines are a science of muscle contraction, not human movement. A machine is not going to help you learn to move better in an everyday world,” he said. 

Hobbs stressed even with their unique training methods and equipment, an effective workout requires a genuine desire from members to want to improve. 

“If I can get through to them that they can physically do something, then all I ask is that they are open-minded,” he said. “If someone comes in believing they can’t do something and they are unwilling to try, then [CFBN] is not for them.” 

Krupka added that CFBN is dedicated to more than improving people’s lives from just a physical standpoint. Beyond providing coaching tips for better workouts, Krupka and the rest of the CFBN staff are also willing to offer members suggestions on how to lead an overall healthier lifestyle.

“We can help people as much as they want to be helped. Some people want to be helped with their diet, and some don’t want to be told what to eat at all,” Krupka said. “We are 100 percent on-board with the clean living lifestyle. We’ll teach people how to cook, show them how to shop … we’ll do whatever it takes to help [our members] get going.”