Ricky Frausto, founder of CrossFit Omaha, was inspired by the intensity and style of the CrossFit work out. A former strength-conditioning coach at the University of Nebraska Omaha, Frausto knew of many work outs but nothing like CrossFit.
“The work outs are multidisciplinary. It’s not about moving or even getting sweaty,” said Frausto, “it’s about teaching concepts and utilizing them, like gymnastics, Olympic sports, rowing, biking, running and then mixing and matching them.”
CrossFit is a term to describe a type of workout, a specific approach to fitness and community. CrossFit Omaha is just that, only it has been around the longest and has the largest Crossfit community, looking to surpass 300 members by the end of the year.
CrossFit Omaha got its first location in August 2008 when they became “an actual business.” Frausto and his first business partner Joe Westlin started CrossFit Omaha in the UNO weight room where they formerly coached talented athletes.
“It was a big step,” said Frausto, “we were able to focus more on people and getting them in.”
They then teamed up with owner Bryce Teager to finally make CrossFit Omaha a fitness gym and they are about to expand even more.
Every day is different at CrossFit Omaha. A member can choose from 7 different class times taking place that day, knowing that the next work out will be different than the previous one. Along with unique work out classes and education seminars, members of the CrossFit Omaha community participate in regional and nation-wide competitions and games to compete against the best of the best and find out who is the strongest man and woman in the world.
“We’ve been a part of all CrossFit games from ’08 to ’11 and placed in all of them,” said Frausto, “we’re well known and highly respected for it.”