For the first time, CrossFit Kids HQ provides guidance on a competition involving children. Dan Edelman tells the story.
Inside CrossFit Ridgecrest—which shares space with owner Janet Kowalchick’s place of business, Kowalchick Physical Therapy—kids of all ages cluster and flow like schools of fish, and adults bustle about.
Kowalchick’s intent is to deliver CrossFit Kids fun to children of every age to which our program caters. We’re talking ages 3 to 18, and we know how fun changes for kids as they get older. For the little ones, Kowalchick designs a compact but adventurous obstacle course called Isabella, built under and around the Rogue rig. Seven- through 11-year-olds must demonstrate good squats before encountering various challenges like boxes to scale or jump, burpees with hurdles to leap, and medicine balls to lift with a good angry-gorilla back.
What is most striking to me about CrossFit Ridgecrest’s throwdown is the spirit of the kids involved. Throughout the day, their camaraderie never flags. For every heat, they crowd close to the competition floor and remain engaged with the happenings, shouting encouragement as their friends and teammates put in the work. I’ve been involved in CrossFit since 2007 and I’ve seen and felt the fellowship it generates, but this is less sporting than it is familial. The kids seem genuinely in this thing together.
I like it and want to see more of it.