Seventeen-year-old Hayes Willard from Bloomington became a globally ranked competitor in the CrossFit Games, finishing in 8th place in the finals during the first week of August in Madison, Wisconsin.
CrossFit is a high-intensity interval training that involves movements from every part of the body. “The fun part about CrossFit is every workout is different,” Willard said.
Workouts can include strength, conditioning and aerobic exercises. Willard said she was a gymnast when she was younger, so her favorite CrossFit movements are gymnastics moves.
In order to prepare for the CrossFit Games, Willard said she trains six days a week, twice a day, for three hours each session. One day is completely off and one day is for active recovery that gets her body ready for the final two days of the week.
Training is not always fun, she said, but her support team at the gym makes it easier.
The gym Willard has been training at for the CrossFit Games is Be Strong in Bloomington, which is home to CrossFit BloNo. Willard said she loves the community the gym has formed under its owner, Drew Whitted.
Along with her gym community, Willard has the support of her family.
“My dad was really the first one in our family to start [CrossFit],” said Willard, adding when she was 11 years old, her dad started a CrossFit kids class for 12-18 year-olds, and she was mad she was too young to join.
“Every day, I’d wait, it was two months until I turned 12, and I would go and watch. And I’m like, ‘I’m going to do this. I’m going to show [my dad] that I can do this,’” Willard said.
Mmost of her training is preparing for the CrossFit Games season. The games began with the worldwide open in February that is open to anyone. Competitors went through multiple three-day elimination rounds until they were in the top 10 of their age group.
The CrossFit Games did not let the contestants know what the events would be until a few days before the competition. “You don’t really know what you’re doing until you get there,” said Willard. “They’re different every year.”
Willard said she struggled on the final day of the Games, which explained why she finished in 8th place out of 10 girls. “It really was eye opening to me to see [my] weaknesses happen, like see them exposed,” said Willard, “I have something to work towards next year.”
For anyone looking to start CrossFit, Willard said “Do it and have fun! It can be such a great thing.” She said she has had both joyful and sad moments in her own journey, but overall it has been a special thing to see herself grow.
“Find a good community, stick with it, stay committed, stay disciplined and you’re going to go far,” said Willard.
