Fitness Factory in downtown Mansfield will be hosting a CrossFit Katana meet on July 19. Registrants are encouraged to register by July 4 to receive a free CrossFit Katana t-shirt.
The competition begins at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 19, with registration and weigh-ins starting at 8 a.m. Participants will compete in three lifts: The Squat, The Press, and The Dead Lift. The individual will have three tries to get as many reps as possible within a minute. Men and women will be ranked according to weight classes.
The top three performers from each of the women’s and men’s classes will be awarded medals. The top three pound-for-pound lifters from both men and women classes will receive samurai swords (katanas) as will the gym with the highest combined weight total.
“We’re hoping for 50 people this year. Last year we had around 40 and there were five states, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Ohio and Michigan represented,” noted Meet Director JP Pocock.
CrossFit Katana originated with Greg Glassman when he decided to start training in different areas of fitness. The idea is to forge a broad, general and inclusive fitness that is relatively intensive. In 2003, a blog started publishing simple content that would later influence today’s CrossFit. The content provided viewers with the date, a picture, the workout of the day (WOD), and some noteworthy information regarding the workout.
Pocock is the Meet Director and CrossFit Trainer for the event. Pocock has trained in several areas of fitness, including Jui-Jitsu which he studied in Thailand. He trains individuals in different areas of CrossFit, as well, including running, weightlifting, rowing, gymnastics, and powerlifting. He trained in gyms all over Ohio before landing a position at Fitness Factory.
“I love it here. The big space is so easy to work in,” said Pocock. Fitness Factory used to be located on West Fourth Street, across from the Carrousel, and moved to its current location at 67 N. Main St. in November of 2013.
“As far as the coolest places I’ve trained at, this is by far the coolest,” added Pocock. The gym is an open space with original wood floors and brick walls.
Fitness Factory offers a variety of classes, in addition to a full functioning weightlifting gym with 24-hour key access. Memberships start at $35 and increase in price depending on other services requested. For more information on registering for the CrossFit meet, contact JP Pocock at 419-610-4293 or visit their website. For more information on the Fitness Factory or to become a member, visit their website.
