CrossFit Craze Comes to Diamond Bar

Diamond Bar Crossfit might be a new spot where locals go to get into shape, but those looking for the typical gym experience won’t find it there.

Instead of the treadmills, elliptical machines, and weights that are so much a part of a fitness center, the cross fit gym features a few rowing machines, some pull up bars, jump ropes, and wooden boxes.

CrossFit is a strength and conditioning program that involves everything from running to gymnastics to plyometric jumps.

Brian Holley, co-owner of Diamond Bar Crossfit, said the WOD, or workout of the day, changes every time, keeping things unpredictable.

“They don’t know what their workout is going to be,” he said.  “That’s kind of how life is.  You don’t know what’s going to happen.”

Holley, 25, and business partner James Hahn, 29, opened Diamond Bar Crossfit in late February.  Their gym is located a couple of doors down from Kmart in the site of the shuttered Payless Shoes.

Both grew up in the area and wanted to open their gym close to home. 

Holley, a U.C. Berkeley alumni who played professional football in the Arena and United football leagues, graduated from Diamond Ranch High School. Hahn, a former Marine and UCLA graduate, went to Diamond Bar High.

Hahn’s cousin was Holley’s roommate in college and that is how the pair met.

Holley said one of the aspects of CrossFit he enjoys is that it emphasizes functional fitness.  The exercises prepare those he and Hahn coach for the physicality that is part of everyday life and offer a workout people can take with them anywhere, he said.

“People in their garage can do it,” he said.  “You can do it at the park.”

Hahn said for a long time, he worked out at a conventional gym, but that took so much time.  With CrossFit, he said he can get an intense, full workout in less time.

“They encourage us not to have an active workout go over 45 minutes,” he said.  “Of all the benefits, time efficiency is a very important thing.”

During a recent workout session, members go through a grueling 18-minute workout, not including rest breaks. They jump on the rower while Holley times them.  They do pull-ups on the bar and jump rope. Then they once again hang from the pull up bar for abdominal work that involves kicking their legs up as high as they can go.  The object is to do as many rounds of the workout as they can in about 20 minutes.

How many of each exercise they did is posted on a board on the gym’s wall so members can see their own progress, as well as how they stack up against their peers.

Thuy Le, a Phillips Ranch resident, said during a recent class that the workouts are tough but really good for results.

“In two weeks, I already feel so much better,” she said.  “It’s like you’re getting a private session every day.”

Holley and Hahn offer a free community class on Saturdays to introduce potential members to CrossFit.  So far, Holley said the community has been supportive and membership is growing steadily.

“We’ve had a resounding welcome from the community so far,” he said.  “CrossFit is about community.  The members make this place what it is.”

Business: Diamond Bar Crossfit

Opened: February 2013

Location: 303 S. Diamond Bar Boulevard, Unit M

Hours: Monday-Friday, 5 to 10 a.m. and 3 to 7 p.m., Saturday 9 to 11 a.m., Sunday, closed.

Phone Number: 909-610-9634

Website: http://www.diamondbarcrossfit.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DBCrossFit?ref=ts&fref=ts