Friday Night Lights underway at Cornfed CrossFit

Competitors at Cornfed CrossFit in Newton kicked off the first of three rounds of competition in the world-wide Cross Open during Friday Night Lights March 12.

A new workout is released on CrossFit.com on Thursday, and then athletes are given until the following Monday to complete it in front of a judge. Once complete, they can submit their scores and see how they rank against other CrossFit athletes around the world.

Cornfed CrossFit General Manager Holly Stadelmann said they are encouraging everyone to take part in the competition, whether they are members of the gym or not. People can register whether they have a full range of equipment or are just working out from home, opening the competition to anyone who wants to participate.

Cornfed CrossFit hosting the Friday Night Lights event just gives people an avenue to compete locally and have support around them as they complete the CrossFit challenge.

“What we’re hoping to get out of it is for the community to get together to breathe heavy, sweat and have fun, but also be a part of something big where we can bring everybody together whether it be in China or Iceland, just all around the world. It’s a great way for us to connect,” Stadelmann said.

Stadelmann likes to say CrossFit is for anyone, and people should not be intimidated by what they think the workouts will be like. Everyone does the same movements, but they can be modified to each individual’s ability.

“A lot of people tell me they have to lose weight before I even try CrossFit. So not true. I recommend that they come here without any background of working out so that we as trained coaches can teach them the proper way, the proper body mechanics, everything that they need to have a safe workout and build that foundation,” Stadelmann said.

She has been doing CrossFit for about two years and was originally skeptical of trying the workout. Stadelmann was a personal trainer at the YMCA and enjoyed her classes there. People would continue to encourage her to try CrossFit so she signed up for the free, two-week foundations course at Cornfed CrossFit.

It wasn’t long before she was hooked, and Stadelmann began to extend her skills beyond the beginner course. The owner, Josh Britton, approached Stadelmann and asked if she had ever considered getting certified as an instructor.

“I thought really, you would want me to train and he said, ‘Absolutely. You have a great knack for it,’” Stadelmann said. “I love working with people. I love inspiring them, motivating them and getting them active.”

Things progressed from there and Stadelmann has since moved into her role as the general manager, helping with the day-to-day operations and teaching all of the daytime classes.

Cornfed CrossFit, which was established in 2016, recently moved into a bigger facility. It is still located at 200 E. 12th St. S. but is now on the east side of the building, facing Hy-Vee. For those wanting more information, visit cornfed-crossfit.com.

Contact Pam Pratt at 641-792-3121 ext. 6530 or pampratt@newtondailynews.com