CrossFit Boom in Little Rock

January 8, 2013

Lauryn Lax

"My first goal after getting my box up and running this year … was to unite the CrossFit boxes in Little Rock."


There are now five CrossFit affiliates in Little Rock, Ark. Six months ago, there were only two.

CrossFit Little Rock, Rock City CrossFit, West Little Rock CrossFit, BAM CrossFit and Wellness Revolution CrossFit are banding together to transform the fitness culture — or lack thereof — of the city they call home.

“My first goal after getting my box up and running this year … was to unite the CrossFit boxes in Little Rock,” Jeff Jucha, 23-year-old owner of CrossFit West Little Rock, says.

“Before I started my box, it was really every box for itself. I think CrossFit is the kind of business where you can create a lot more good for the community and your business by combining resources and effort rather than competing with each other,” Jucha says.

“When I opened my doors in 2010, not many people here had ever heard of CrossFit,” Scott Morrow, 32, founder of Rock City CrossFit, says.

Matt Lambert is the founder of the first affiliate in the city, CrossFit Little Rock. He says he is “totally cool” with more CrossFit boxes next door. He believes there are more than enough people in Little Rock to support every affiliate.

“If anything, the box growth is helping each box spread the word of CrossFit. We all get along great and are planning on having events regularly throughout the year,” he says.

CrossFit Little Rock, Rock City CrossFit and West Little Rock CrossFit, along with the help of two affiliates in surrounding cities — CrossFit Legit in Benton and Sherwood CrossFit in Jacksonville — have joined together to form a CrossFit coalition.

The box owners hold monthly meetings where they plan upcoming events, brainstorm and discuss how they can better the reputation in the community.

“It's brought us tons of positive feedback and publicity … it’s something that is paying off tremendously,” Jucha says.

“The biggest challenge since opening CrossFit West Little Rock last May has been keeping up with demand for our box,” Jucha continues. “I was the first box in the West Little Rock part of town, with the other boxes (CrossFit Little Rock and CrossFit Rock City) about 20 minutes away. In three months, we had 70 members and needed more equipment.”

CrossFit West Little Rock was also the first box to throw a community get together for all local affiliates. Jucha invited CrossFitters from all over town for a day of workouts and food.

“We had 140 people show up on Labor Day for a charity WOD, barbecue and a lot of fun,” he says. “We have events planned as far out as April next year.”

Morrow says the coalition hosts “Hero Saturdays,” an informal competition at a different box on one Saturday of every month where CrossFitters come together for a Hero WOD. The day is complete with a barbecue and allows athletes to hang out with fellow CrossFitters from around the city.

In order to continue the CrossFit movement in Little Rock, Jucha believes local CrossFit neighbors must continue to work together and build relationships with one another, particularly with those affiliates who are newer to the community.

“It is a great thing for their area. My members now have friends at other boxes who now experience the same thing. They go out together, they hang out at events, they drop in at each other’s boxes on Saturdays for fun. It’s really rewarding to see that kind of growth in Little Rock and I would like to see it continue.”