Name: Paul DeMarco
Age: 46
Profession: Podiatrist.
Fitness goals: To stay active in a way that’s different, fun, and challenging between training seasons for triathlons and marathons. “You need to take a physical and mental break from just swimming and biking and running,” says DeMarco, who completed his first Ironman in fall 2008.
Workout of choice: CrossFit, a nonspecific, seriously athletic strength and conditioning program that stresses overall fitness through varied, high-intensity movements under a coach’s supervision. Workouts feature kettlebells, pull-up bars, gymnastic rings, weights, medicine balls, and more. CrossFit’s stripped-down, garage-gym aesthetic has made opening an affiliate easy; there are now 24 locations throughout the state and a rapidly growing cult following.
Location: CrossFit Off the Grid in Egg Harbor Township (crossfitoffthegrid.com).
Frequency/cost: One hour two to three times a week. Monthly memberships range from $100 to $175.
How’s it going? “I’m extremely satisfied. Classes at CrossFit OTG consist of a warm-up, a skills drill, and then the workout of the day, affectionately known as the WOD,” says DeMarco. “I start my days now checking out what the WOD is.” The WOD consists of several exercises done repetitively. DeMarco’s least favorite? “A killer called Angie. It’s 100 pull-ups, 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats.” DeMarco loves the culture at CrossFit, which is equal parts encouraging and competitive. “Everyone’s checking out each others’ times, so there’s plenty of friendly competition. You are also so well supervised. The coaches really stress technique and form.”
DeMarco is anxious to see how CrossFit will improve his triathlon skills. “CrossFit will make you better at any sport. I think it’s definitely going to help in my competitions. It’s made me more flexible, since your muscles and hip flexors can tighten up from running and biking. You lose some of your muscle tone during ‘tri’ training, so I’m building that back up. I’m getting stronger and putting more upper-body muscle mass back on. I feel more energetic. I’ve also surprised myself with how well I’ve been able to row on the rowing machine”—not that he’s looking to take on yet another sport any time soon.