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For Pat and Blanche Hurt, atmosphere and support is everything. When they first came to Crossfit, Pat was impressed. “When you walk in the door, it’s not a typical gym,” he says. “Guys aren’t throwing weights around; it doesn’t smell like sweat.” He and Blanche immediately appreciated CrossFit’s welcoming entrance. Being able to see in and check out what everyone was doing also made a difference, as did the neatness of the layout and equipment. But what really struck Pat and Blanche was the wide variety of people who have found their home at CrossFit. They appreciated the family-friendly feel, but as Pat says, even with that low-stress atmosphere, “when you come in here, you work hard.”
Being able to meet and work with other athletes working toward similar goals was a big part of the appeal for Blanche. Initially, she felt daunted by the heavy-lifting, body-builder-type athletes in Crossfit’s pictures, but it wasn’t long before she realized that most of the people who were working out around her were in her boat and just wanted to feel and look healthier. “It was intimidating initially to go into the 5:30 class, but I found it to be more encouraging than discouraging,” she says. “I think that if a person is open and willing to work and listen, that’s the key.” Feeling comfortable within her environment has really allowed Blanch to flourish, increasing her fitness level and achieving positive results, including more muscle and more energy. “Because of the new muscle mass, some of my clothes don’t fit the same way, which is actually a good thing,” she says, “It’s been a positive experience all the way around.”
But Blanche isn’t the only one achieving positive results. In the eight-week Whole Life Challenge, Pat, too, made leaps and bounds. He lost a lot of weight and gained muscle tone. Today, he feels better about himself. “The key for me is to check my ego at the door,” Pat says. “When I come in with an open mind and am willing to learn, I learn something new every time I come in, and that’s what makes a person successful.”
This wife and husband team are doing well and looking good. Great job, Pat and Blanche!
