When you enter the EL Wiegand Fitness Center, you are immediately struck by the facility’s impressive architectural design and abundance of state-of-the-art fitness equipment. To the right of Mount Weigand, a state-of-the-art fitness staircase, lies an open floor space known as the Functional Training Zone. This area is home to the University of Nevada, Reno’s CrossFit program and is the foundation of the EL Wiegand Fitness Center.
The Collegiate CrossFit program was established in 2009 at the Lombardi Recreation Center. The Lombardi Recreation Center is where the University’s Campus and Recreation Department, now known as the Department of Fitness and Recreation and Sports, was established. This year marks the milestone of his 15th anniversary of the CrossFit program, an impressive journey in establishing a culture of fitness.
When I arrived at the university in 2009, I had no idea there was a recreation center, let alone a CrossFit program. At that time, CrossFit was still new and social media was not widespread, so its existence was not well known. Like many students, I found myself adrift in search of connection on campus. The recreation center quickly became my outlet, a place to feel a sense of belonging and discover my path to a healthy lifestyle. It’s where I made lasting friendships and meaningful connections.
As I left the Lombardi Recreation Center and took a sip of water from the hydration station, I caught a glimpse of the activity unfolding in the center of the gymnasium. I’ll never forget what I saw. A pull-up apparatus was set up in the center of the floor, resting on a mat atop a wooden surface, surrounded by various groups of students, faculty, and staff, throwing weights over their heads at the direction of their coach. That coach happened to be Jim Fitzsimmons, professor emeritus in the Department of Fitness, Recreation and Sports. At that moment, I didn’t know that my life was about to change.
At the time, Jim noticed a trend in the fitness industry where students were becoming obsessed with Olympic lifting moves, and decided to get ahead of the trend rather than fight back, earning his CrossFit Level 1 certification in 2007. did. , Jim started class in the middle of the gymnasium. In his first class he had 4 people in attendance, but the next day that number doubled and the next day he had 16 people in attendance. Curiosity quickly grew and demand quickly outgrown the area. Jim knew the recreation center was in trouble because it needed more space and equipment. This ultimately led to the construction of the 108,000 square foot EL Wiegand Fitness Center. We highly recommend checking out the video, “University of Nevada, Reno: Health Culture” To learn more about the transition to our current facility, please watch YouTube.
The CrossFit prescription is constantly changing functional movements performed at high intensities. When someone asks you, “What is CrossFit?” the best way to understand its spirit is to ask, “What will you be doing tomorrow morning at 9 a.m.?” The best explanation is to actually experience it first hand. It’s more than just a fitness program, it’s a lifestyle where individuals push their bodies beyond their limits and challenge themselves beyond their potential. Through CrossFit, individuals not only increase their physical fitness, but also increase their cognitive abilities and strengthen the mind-body connection. It serves as a sanctuary for individuals seeking a pause from life’s external stressors, offering a structured outlet managed by a dedicated coach who guides you through detailed, planned sessions. Her CrossFit community at the university creates an environment that fosters friendships, fosters accountability, provides a sense of social belonging, and is conducive to overall health.
At the foundation of the university’s CrossFit community is an incredible group of coaches who have been with the program since its inception on the wooden floors of the gymnasium, or who have left and made an impact on the CrossFit world. It’s the coaches who really make our program feel like home. Their passion for the CrossFit methodology is contagious and keeps members motivated. I often see coaches leading by example, diving into each other’s classes and pushing themselves and their members to do their best. And they don’t leave after class, they stay there to offer tips on how to pull off difficult gymnastics moves or just chat about life. They are more than just coaches, they are friends and mentors who make our journeys beyond fitness and beyond even more rewarding.
I have lived and breathed this spirit day in and day out for 15 years. Past and present, students, faculty, and staff from a variety of backgrounds have dedicated themselves to CrossFit methodologies and processes. Fitness is not just a moment captured during college, but extends throughout a person’s entire life. It’s the expression of true health, and that’s exactly the kind of fitness culture that the CrossFit program at the University of Nevada, Reno, offers.
About the author
Alex Baker is the Facility Coordinator at EL Wiegand Fitness Center and embraces a lifestyle dedicated to fitness and health while advocating for others to do the same. Alex is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Kinesiology and aims to graduate in May 2024.