Jessica Kuzma

I came to crossfit from a background in traditional endurance sport training. For several years, I thought it best to follow recommendations of “60 minutes of moderate intensity exercise most days of the week”. Cycling, running, always stretching, a bit of weight training thrown in for good measure: low weight/high reps. I had 3 or 4 standard workouts, I was getting bored, I had hit a plateau, and I was always managing knee pain. I thought I was ‘fit’ and healthy. Because I wasn’t interested in large gains in muscle and preferred cardio workouts, I didn’t see how Olympic lifting could be useful to me.

Crossfit was introduced to me by way of the Paleo community. I was pursuing a masters degree in nutrition and exercise science and heard about the crossfit community and its endorsement of paleo-type eating. I was intrigued. I decided to give it a legitimate try for 3 months and joined EmerFit.

I was skeptical at first: how can I get a better workout in a quarter of the time? But trying is believing and introducing the variability of workouts, maintaining high intensity at all times and targeting all muscle groups was a largely untapped resource for me. The biggest body comp result has been noticeable changes in my upper body and core. Additionally, learning how to ‘squat’ properly has strengthened knee damage brought on by several years of repetitive workouts without exercising counter-acting muscles.

I am stronger, I am not in danger of injury, and have still maintained a high endurance capacity even though I’m not seemingly ‘training’ for endurance sports. I’ve learned a great deal from the EmerFit coaches. They are very knowledgeable and talented at spotting weaknesses in form—my rowing technique has improved dramatically—and they are excellent motivators.

By combining cross-fit type workouts with a solid paleo-type eating plan, results are noticeable extremely quickly. I was amazed that within a couple months of working out at Emerfit I could sustain a new level of intensity and I could come back and do it again the next day.

It has also been exciting to see dramatic results in other members of the gym that have refined their diet after joining EmerFit. Fat loss is accelerated, energy, strength, and recovery are vastly improved, and the inflammation, injury, and sickness setbacks are removed. Proper nutrition is an essential component for optimal health and fitness, and EmerFit recognizes this vital link and does an excellent job introducing and explaining these concepts to new members.

They sponsor ‘Paleo’ and ‘Lean Out’ challenges, provide paleo-nutrition links and recipes on the website, sponsor seminars, and coordinate veggie-shares through local CSAs. All examples of how EmerFit endorses, supports, and educates its members on the importance of proper nutrition.

It is so refreshing to come into the gym and work out with like-minded friends who are inspired and continually reaching for higher levels of fitness supported by solid nutrition.

Jessica Kuzma, M.S. Nutrition and Exercise Science