Kevin Weiss

Peter and Jennifer Abreut have been operating a CrossFit gym even before the fitness movement became mainstream just a few years ago.

They have witnessed the rapid growth of CrossFit firsthand since they opened a 1,200-square-foot fitness warehouse — near the Tire Kingdom in Lutz — over six years ago.

At that time, their gym’s membership totaled about 20 members, essentially consisting of close friends and family members.

A lot has changed relatively quickly.

The Abreuts now operate CrossFit En Fuego, a CrossFit Inc. affiliate, which is housed in an 8,500-square-foot facility, at 3320 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

CrossFit En Fuego, a play off Peter’s Cuban roots and past experience as a firefighter, has nearly 200 members, and also includes a kids’ program for ages 4 to 17.

According to a report by the Harvard Business School, CrossFit Inc., is the fastest growing community of fitness service businesses ever.

In 2005, there were 13 CrossFit affiliates. That figure rose to over 12,000 in 2015, according to that report.

“When we started, not many people knew about CrossFit,” Peter said. “It wasn’t on ESPN. We just had to go out there and tell people. Now, we get people all the time that say, ‘I saw that on TV, and I think I want to do it.’”

CrossFit En Fuego incorporates a broad range of ages, body types and levels of fitness.

On weekdays, several classes are held from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m., and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. On Saturdays, the Abreuts offer a free class at 9 a.m.

The combination of a group (usually eight to 12 people) setting and hands-on instruction has made the fitness craze an attractive option, compared to the typical workout experience.

“You make friends when you come in and build a community…so you motivate each other through that, and you’re held accountable through your peers,” Jennifer said. “People are always together within a group and with a coach, so it’s almost like personal training.”

With new workouts plastered across a dry erase board each day, members can walk in without the worry of planning out an exercise routine.

“People love it because they don’t have to think. They come in, look at the workout of the day, and we guide them through it and work with them,” Peter said. “We’re going to teach you how to do all the movements correctly and make sure you’re moving safely, and getting the right kind of workout for your level.”

While some current or prospective members may have certain aesthetic goals — leaner build, more defined muscles — CrossFit’s focus is more about completing the workouts, and building off that progress to get faster, stronger and more flexible.

“It’s much more fun to take the focus off of trying to do something because you want to tone up, and then just try to do something because you want to get better or be competitive with somebody in your class,” Peter explained. “In doing that, I tell everybody, ‘Your body is going to respond, and it’s going to start changing. Your body has no option but to get in shape.’”

As opposed to running on a treadmill or gliding on an elliptical machine, CrossFit workouts are often based around Olympic weightlifting, gymnastics movements and traditional plyometric exercises, which involve jumping movements.

Everything from squat racks, monkey bar rigs, gymnastic rings, box jumps, rowing machines, medicine balls, kettle bells and barbells are used in the workout routines, which typically last an hour.

“We don’t use very many machines,” Peter said. “What we’re teaching is for you to move well. Putting something overhead is a lot different compared to if (a machine) just goes up and down.”

Every day, the routine changes. One day, members may find themselves using a jump rope and doing pull-ups. The next, they may run a 5K outdoors.

Not having the same exercise everyday helps keep members interested and on their toes, Peter said.

“We’re trying to be as balanced as we can. It’s called GPP—General Physical Preparedness, where you’re trying to hit everything at once,” he said. “That’s one of the cool things about it—you’re hitting all the fitness domains. You’re getting stronger, you’re getting faster, and you’re getting more aerobic endurance. You’re developing all that together, instead of specifying one thing.”

According to Jennifer, members have seen noticeable results—both body and mind— in as little as six weeks.

“Your body realizes how to recover from (the workouts),” she said. “With the interval training, your body releases the happy hormones (endorphins.) Within a couple hours after the workout…your body feels that extra burst of energy.

“I always tell them, ‘We’re keeping you out of that nursing home.’”

After several months, more substantial results begin to kick in, Peter said.

“I can’t even count how many members — after six to 12 months — have said, ‘My doctor just took me off three medications,’ or ‘I’m down 10 percent body fat.’ And that’s awesome to hear,” he said.

“The bottom line is, it does work,” he said.

Depending on the length of commitment, membership costs range from $135 to $165 a month.

Jennifer said some prospective members may initially be “scared” by some of the CrossFit exercises and movements, but they quickly realize the environment isn’t as intimidating as they perceived.

“The hardest part is walking through that door,” she said.

CrossFit En Fuego
What: Family-owned and operated facility featuring group workouts based on functional movements, reflecting the aspects of gymnastics, weightlifting, running and rowing
Where: 3320 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes
Hours: Weekdays from 5:15 a.m. to 11 a.m., and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Cost: $135 to $165 a month
More information: CrossFitEnFuego.com, call (813) 601-4183, or email .

Published March 2, 2016