By Bill Bittar
Kevin Quinlan had always kept in shape as an athlete growing up in Fairfield. Soccer was his main sport and one he played at Fairfield Prep. The Naval Academy and six years of active duty in the Marine Corps were also physically demanding. Owning a fitness club seemed like a natural fit for Quinlan.
It was while searching for workout routines on the Internet in 2008 that he discovered CrossFit. The Marine founded CrossFit Stone Bay, a non-profit military CrossFit affiliate, and served as a head trainer until he left the armed services in 2011.
"It was fun," Quinlan recalled. "We had great results and once I started training other Marines, I realized my passion in helping people through fitness."
Quinlan, who is married with two daughters, started CrossFit Trumbull on Corporate Drive in Trumbull in 2011, before moving his business to 477 Main Street in Monroe this summer. It is now named CrossFit TriTown.
"CrossFit Monroe was taken, so I picked CrossFit TriTown because we're in the middle of Monroe, Trumbull and Easton," he explained.
CrossFit is hosting a Grand Opening at its new location at Clock Tower Square on Sept. 7 from 9 a.m. to noon.
Quinlan said it will be like an open house, where visitors can check out the gym, ask members' questions and take part in a class. There will also be a raffle with prizes, including a free month's membership to CrossFit.
So far, CrossFit has around 130 members with five to 15 people per class.
The CrossFit Workout
Aside from free weights, CrossFit TriTown's gym has a lot of open space.
"We have no machines," Quinlan said.
CrossFit takes the most effective training methods from a whole spectrum of sports and puts it together, according to Quinlan.
From 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. the gym holds several one-hour workouts a day, so if you miss one, Quinlan says you could catch another. Each class does the same routine for the day.
"We create a new and challenging workout every day so that you no longer are left on your own to decide what to do in the gym!" literature on the gym says.
It starts with a warm up, then there is strength development, high intensity conditioning, a cool down and stretch.
A coach guides members through every workout, giving one-on-one attention throughout. CrossFit also provides a free 100-page nutrition manual.
Quinlan touts the sense of community among CrossFit's membership, as friendships have led to get-togethers outside the gym, including outings for rock climbing, bowling and pot-luck dinners.
He said, "It's a super group of people, who make newcomers feel welcome."
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