Pullman residents drawn to CrossFit

Owner of Pullman CrossFit Mike Kinkade gives a tour of his business. Kinkade originally started CrossFit to manage pain after multiple surgeries.

CHRIS ARNESON, Evergreen columnist

Former Cougar alumni and MLB player Mike Kinkade opened Pullman CrossFit, a communal workout option on the Palouse, over two years ago.

“CrossFit is functional movement constantly varied with high intensity,” Kinkade said. “And being able to do things in a full range of motion.”

Pullman CrossFit works hard not to intimidate its customer base by making the process of signing up for a class as simple as possible.

“All you have to do is show up and we take care of programming,” Kinkade said.

Potential participants should ready themselves for a bevy of physically-strenuous activities. Pullman CrossFit offers plyometrics, gymnastics, strength training, Olympic lifting, cardio and all different rep and weight schemes, Kinkade said.

Another benefit of Pullman CrossFit is the coach to individual ratio that allows for closer attention to be paid to technique and motivation. Kinkade said the average class size is eight to 12 participants.

“It’s like personal training in a class setting,” he said.

Kinkade explained that CrossFit has gained mainstream popularity because it continues to show results.

Pullman CrossFit attendees have found that the CrossFit community is accepting new members no matter where they choose to work out, Pullman local Sarah Falk said.

“I was just in Asheville, North Carolina, and dropped in on a CrossFit gym; people were super friendly and welcoming,” Falk said.

Falk has been attending Pullman CrossFit on a regular basis for a little over a year since moving to the Palouse.

“I started doing CrossFit a few years ago when I was living in Seattle,” Falk said. “The sport is similar to rugby, which is also very community-oriented.”

RACHEL SUN | The Daily Evergreen
CrossFit attendees use their strength to climb up ropes as a physical training exercise.

Some CrossFit devotees love their sport for logistical options that they cannot find at other venues.

“I like the variety and doing the complicated lifting that you can’t do at regular gyms,” Falk said.

Another Pullman CrossFit regular Cory Carpenter has been attending Pullman CrossFit almost since it opened.

“I wanted to do something different,” Carpenter said. “I became interested in fitness again.”

He explained his passion stems from tangential benefits that may not be as easy to measure.

“You are working out to be better at working out,” Carpenter said. “It is the sport of fitness, you are competing with yourself, and the community is very motivating.”

Pullman CrossFit offers classes from 5:30 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Friday workouts begin at 5:30 a.m. and wrap up at 5:30 p.m. Saturday’s “Workout of the Day” begins at 9 a.m., and Sundays feature open gym from 6 – 7:30 p.m.

“If you are on the fence about it, give it a shot; you can drop in whenever, and Mike will let you try it out,” Carpenter said.