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Thursday, March 28, 2024

New CrossFit gyms open around town, focus on safety

What started out as an exercise gig in a one-car garage has evolved into a 5,000-square-foot gym.

Sherman Merricks, owner of Dynasty CrossFit, began training with four pull-up stations in his garage. 

As the CrossFit scene in Gainesville grew, so did his business.

Dynasty CrossFit is moving from its previous 700-square-foot gym to a larger one at 3737 SW 42nd Ave. 

Two more gyms, or “boxes” as CrossFitters call them, are also springing up this year.

“It was time for us to get a bigger spot,” Merricks said.

Visionary CrossFit, which doubles as a gym and art gallery, opened about two weeks ago at 716 N. Main St., owner Jesus Martinez said. The gym sits about half a mile away from CrossFit Gainesville.

Also opening within the next month is CrossFit Lead at 1022 NW 76th Blvd. 

Owner Caleb Whitfield, a former CrossFit Gainesville member, said there were only two CrossFit gyms around when he started training in 2009.

“All of a sudden more started popping up. It’s the fitness scene nationwide. People are getting away from traditional gyms,” Whitfield said.

Although the trend is picking up speed, the high-intensity training athletes go through to compete in CrossFit tournaments has sparked a controversial discussion.

Nick Drago has been doing CrossFit since he was in high school. The 20-year-old UF applied physiology and kinesiology junior is now a competitive athlete and coaches at CrossFit Gainesville, lcoated at 1126 NW Second St.

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He said injuries are generally seen when training for competitions, not during regular day-to-day workouts.

“I’ve never actually coached anyone and seen them get an injury,” Drago said. “The few people that have had little injuries here and there — it’s from training to almost an extreme level.”

Paul Borsa, an associate applied physiology and kinesiology professor at UF, said beginners should ease the workouts.

“It places high forces on the muscle, which can be a risk for muscle strain,” he said. 

“That could be a potential danger for someone who is not accustomed to that type of exercise.”

[A version of this story ran on page 8 on 1/12/2015 under the headline “New CrossFit gyms open around town, focus on safety"]

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