Plastered against the windows of the entrance to an intense workout company in Scottsdale is a sign that reads: Motivated People Only.
CrossFit Scottsdale, started by husband-and-wife team Luke and Najla Kayyem in 2008, is striving to provide the best results to their clients while building a positive community atmosphere.
The CrossFit method shies away from typical workouts seen at traditional gyms. Instead, it focuses on sessions that involve strength and conditioning training programs with exercises that are executed at high intensity.
“It may look a little intimidating, but we scale everything,” says Najla Kayyem, co-owner and coach. “We’ve got a very wide spectrum of skill-level, from at-home moms to military personnel; everybody can benefit.”
Classes are led by one of the three coaches and workouts are kept under an hour. Some are even as short as 10 minutes, depending on the intensity level. Routines are constantly varied so that different muscle groups are worked and progress can be made.
CrossFit Scottsdale features a new Workout of the Day, or WOD, which often is named after a CrossFit member. The WOD is performed in class as directed by a coach and can also be found online for those who are unable to make it to class.
All of the coaches at CrossFit are trained to enforce basic nutrition policies to their students. Members are taught that proper nutrition maximizes recovery and refuels their body after workouts.
“Accountability is big here,” said Tiffany Divelbiss, CrossFit nutritionist and coach. “Whether it’s showing me a food journal or talking to me about what they ate, it helps our clients stick to their plans.”
Food and Fuel classes are offered for free along with cooking seminars that suggest quick and easy food to pack for on-the-go meals.
CrossFit Scottsdale even offers members a chance to meet with a coach for one-on-one grocery shopping at Trader Joe’s to help choose the right foods to fuel their bodies.
Not only is nutritional support readily available to members, but CrossFit Scottsdale also works to foster a strong sense of community.
While stretching out before the WOD, new and returning members introduce themselves and tell how long they have been attending CrossFit Scottsdale.
Along with building community, accountability is highly valued.
“We have agreements with them,” Najla Kayyem says. “We’ll call, e-mail, or even call them out on Facebook; anything to help them achieve their goals.”
At the end of each workout, members record their personal fitness goals and time frames on a whiteboard that is openly displayed so that they can be held accountable.
“It was really difficult for me to get started,” says Don Wong, who has been going to CrossFit Scottsdale for more than a year. “But being a part of this community and people who are motivating and encouraging has really helped me reach my goals.”
CrossFit Scottsdale Connections, a once a month networking event held over lunch, creates even more of a sense of community among coaches and members.
During lunch, members and coaches learn about each other’s professional lives in addition to their fitness life and network their businesses with one another.
CrossFit Scottsdale also offers a kids program that focuses on teaching teamwork, fitness and nutrition at a young age.
“We’re changing people’s lives,” Divelbiss says. “They’re not here for a workout. They’re here for a full lifestyle change and because of that we get results really quickly.”
CrossFit Scottsdale memberships run between $99 and $289 a month. For more information visit www.crossfitscottsdale.com or call (480) 922-3253.
