CrossFit HQ, Noah Ohlsen Working with Miami Mayor to Bring CrossFit to Local Community
A new fitness initiative is brewing in Miami, Florida, where city officials are working with CrossFit HQ to bring the sport to people of all ages and backgrounds.
The Miami initiative is being spearheaded by CrossFit HQ and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez’s office, along with support from Games athlete and a Miami native Noah Ohlsen, and Rogue Fitness, which is donating equipment.
Remind me: Miami has been home to one of the most exciting and well-attended events in the whole CrossFit season— Wodapalooza. The fitness festival is typically held in the winter and draws elite level athletes, along with all types of athletes in the community.
The initiative kicked off earlier this month at Moore Park. Mayor Suarez participated in a workout and Ohlsen was present as well helping to lead the event. The event had different equipment such as rowers, echo bikes, ab mats, and dumbbells.
- “Mayor Francis X. Suarez is creating a fitness initiative to expose fitness and CrossFit to people of all ages and abilities, who might not have access to this style of training, or CrossFit gyms,” said Dave Castro. “He wants Miami to be the hub of this initiative and would love to see it spread across the country to other cities.”
- “Rogue Fitness donated a variety of items to help with the training and local affiliates have also leaned in to support with equipment for the kick-off event.”
Castro added, CrossFit HQ is not providing financial support, “but are supporting it with guidance, advice, and connecting them with key players like local affiliates, local athletes and partners.”
- On whether the initiative could be scaled for other cities, Castro said: “Yes, it could be expanded to other cities but the scaling of it is going to require local leaders leaning in and making it happen, taking ownership of it. This isn’t something we are going to cities with at this point and starting for them, but we’re more than happy to help with executing on and starting a program if cities reach out to us.”
Separately, Ohlsen said he’s optimistic for the continuation of the events and believes the city will rely on local CrossFit affiliates to “keep the momentum going.”
- While a calendar of future workouts has not been set, he plans to be a part of it as much as he can.
- “I’m hopeful that they’ll put in something that’s a little bit more consistent and regular,” said Ohlsen, who is a member of Peak 360 located in South Miami.
- If the initiative is held once a week, “I’d come down and coach a free class for whoever from the community wants to come out. I’ve got friends that would also be willing to do something like that. I think we’re just waiting for the continuation of it to take shape a little bit more.”
The bottom line: The Miami fitness initiative is a great opportunity for people from all backgrounds to get exposed to CrossFit who might not otherwise come across the sport. However, the follow through from the mayor’s office and from CrossFit HQ will be pivotal to its success.