"Folks at Rec Center are funny, inspiring supportive, and to a large degree, the reason I signed up for the Open, even though I'm not winning a thing."
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CrossFit … Rec Center?
Yep. Rec Center CrossFit in Los Angeles, Calif., clearly took a different approach to affiliate nomenclature. This CrossFit Games season, as they rally their members to register, RCCF seeks to match their Open attitude with their box’s casual name.
“So many CrossFit names are hardcore, intimidating and scary,” said Erika Curtis, an owner of RCCF. “We wanted something that was more along the lines of, ‘Get your coffee next door, come work out, catch up with friends.’ The goal (when we opened) was to have people come in and not think we’re crazy.”
So, The Rec Center CrossFit was born. Today, they’ve grown to approximately 150 members ranging from attorneys and butchers to underwear designers (for your viewing pleasure), Grammy winners and writers, with nearly one-third of them already registered for the 2014 Open.
Located in the heart of the Arts District of downtown Los Angeles, RCCF is owned by husband and wife duo, Charlie and Erika Curtis.
Erika, who left her job with Lululemon to pursue running their affiliate, was never a competitive athlete. As an “average Jane,” her singing and dancing background with the American Musical and Dramatic Academy often attracts many local artists potentially intimidated by the sport. Charlie, on the other hand, uses his background as a Georgetown football tight end to reignite local former athletes’ passions for lifting and training.
“Everyone and their mom is welcome here. Dogs, babies, everyone,” said Erika, who is expecting her first child one week after the first Open workout is released.
The Rec Center has become a family affair.
“We have a member who brought in both his sisters, his brother-in-law and niece. They drive all the way from Downey just to come to Rec Center,” Curtis said.
When imagining The Arts District in Los Angeles, filled with award-winning restaurants, galleries and fashion houses, it may be strange to picture muscular athletes leaving the box to buy a coffee with heavy cream at Handsome Coffee Roasters.
“We brought elite fitness to people who never thought it possible,” Charlie explained.
The majority of the affiliate’s members had never picked up a barbell before starting CrossFit.
“About 95 percent of our members never heard of CrossFit and stopped by because they live or work in the area,” Curtis said.
A few even came to the box with health issues like diabetes, gout and heart problems, but were ready to join after talking to Charlie and Erika.
“These are the members that make us really excited about our job. They come in really ready to cut the bullshit and we fully get behind that person’s progress,” Erika said.
When it comes to qualifying for the SoCal Regional, members believe they have a lot of work to do before attempting the podium.
“A few of us who did the Open last year wonder how we even got through the workouts because we were all so new to CrossFit,” said member Diane Orozco, a grant writer for public education and parent empowerment.
Since this season will be the first time many Rec’ers have a chance to compete in the Open, Charlie has been programming previous Open workouts to show they are meant for everyone.
“People are sometimes intimidated by the CrossFit Games and anything related to competition, so by having everyone do the old Open (workouts) they realize that they can be a part of it this year,” Charlie said. “I have been trying to add more basic time-priority couplets and triplets with fundamental movements because I think that’s what we’ll see in the Open.”
Charlie’s inclusive attitude in programing has had a positive effect on his members.
“I do like the competitive nature of the workouts and scoring,” member Kaelen McCrane, a couturier for The West is Dead apparel said. “But I certainly have no aspiration of making it to Regionals. Mostly, I want to improve on my own scores and percentages from last year, but the Open does keep you motivated knowing that you're representing your gym, your region, even your country.”
Rec’er and Los Angeles city planner Craig Weber doesn’t let his asthma get in the way of his workouts and uses the members of Rec Center to motivate him to get outside of his comfort zone.
“Folks at Rec Center are funny, inspiring, supportive, and to a large degree, the reason I signed up for the Open, even though I’m not winning a thing. It doesn’t seem like it will be as much fun to just watch everyone from the proverbial sidelines,” Weber said.
As a vegan in a paleo-centric world, Jared Stein said he enjoys Rec Center because the coaches and members always seem like they’re having a good time.
“This community is truly welcoming of all people and doesn’t ignore you if you’re new or not inherently good at CrossFit,” Sten said. “I’m not doing it to compete with other athletes. I’m doing the Open because I want to see how much progress I’ve made in a year. That’s what I love about CrossFit: everything is measurable.”
Several of the athletes simply enjoy the competition and camaraderie of participating in something much bigger than just another workout.
“The Open adds an extra element of competition not necessarily to be the best but to do your best,” Orozco said. “Last year, (another member) PR'd her snatch, after several attempts, at the very last second of 13.1. You totally thrive off competition, and what better way to compete than among some of your favorite people?”
Noelle Pinola has participated in a few local competitions but thinks the Open is special since it lets her see how she stacks up in the region and the world.
“It really puts it all in perspective,” Pinola said. “Just when I think I'm strong there's the next person that’s much stronger than me. So it just lets me know I can improve that much more. Definitely humbling!”
