Sports Crossing

New Year's resolutions are lame. Want to quit smoking? Stop today. Want to lose weight? Stop eating and start exercising. Been looking to start an exercise routine and improve your quality of life? I have a fantastic suggestion, but first a tidy bow to wrap up our area bowl games.

The University of Tulsa dominated the Hawaii Warriors (62-35) in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl. What was the storyline? For America, an exciting, high-scoring game on Christmas Eve.

For the local, out-of-touch media? Whining about sportsmanship. TU had the audacity to score a touchdown with 1:16 left in the game. Someone show me the outcry. The only complaining was our local white knights defending ... well, not sure who or what they were defending.

Coach Todd Graham apologized. Pfft. He should have onside kicked and tacked on a field goal. Better to be remembered as a bully than not remembered at all.

Next Oklahoma State soundly defeated Arizona (36-10) in the Valero Alamo Bowl. Wide receiver Justin Blackmon annihilated the competition in every game this season. He turned in another stellar performance on the big stage.

What was the storyline exiting the game? For America and educated football observers, an exhilarating performance by one of the countries best. Also, when will Coach Mike Gundy make a decision on his offensive coordinator position?

For the local, out-of-touch media? More whining about sportsmanship. How dare Blackmon not sprint in a straight line when he scores a touchdown? It was an embarrassment to Poke fans everywhere. Or was it?

Did you hear any fans or media members outside Tulsa mention the pre-touchdown celebration? Why so angry? He's a kid. Let him play. No penalty was called. No harm, no foul.

This is a prime example of fabricated media stories. Honestly, these "chest-pounders" cannot be that clueless. No chance they are truly that out of touch with real sports fans. Perhaps they are reaching for a storyline a bit too hard.

Cross Fitting

Americans are inundated with grotesque amounts of advertising for P90X. You know, the workout DVDs that promise to get you ripped and shredded. You cannot listen to ESPN Radio or most sports talk without having one of the yappers proclaim the greatness of the program. P90X is a staple of infomercial land.

I have news for you. In order to use the P90X system, you must be in great shape. Sure, the guy on your TV says you can pause the video when you get tired, but you'll be there for three hours.

A much better option is CrossFit. CrossFit is not as popular, but only because it is not advertised in the same vein.

"I'm an accountant," said Joe Day, trainer at CrossFit-Owasso, 102 South Atlantic, Suite C. "I come in and do it because I want to get in shape and also like helping people get in shape."

He motivates and assists all ages and physical abilities. On the Thursday we spoke, a 13-year-old girl was in the 5:30pm class. They also have 70 year olds enrolled in the program.

The Owasso facility opened Dec. 15, 2009. Owner and certified CrossFit instructor Laurie Garrison decided to spread the word.

"A friend of mine has some Tulsa police friends and we went out to (a CrossFit gym) in Tulsa a couple of years ago and I was hooked the first day I did it," said Garrison, "even though I was about to pass out."

Firemen, policemen, military personnel and mixed martial arts fighters are just a few of the people who use the CrossFit regiment.

"My brother-in-law introduced me to it," said Day. "He was special forces. That's what he did with his squadron to stay in shape."

He tried it out and was addicted. The camaraderie and family atmosphere pushed the CrossFit program to the next level for him.

You can check out crossfit.com for information on the program. It is a national web site that local gyms like the one in Owasso use to baseline their daily workouts.

Do not be intimidated by the workouts online. Everything is catered to your ability. Pull-ups are a staple of the regimen.

If you cannot do a pull-up, it's no problem. "That's what those bands are for," Garrison said, pointing to straps hanging from the pull-up bar. "Everything we do is modified."

Perhaps a workout of the day calls for 100 push-ups. Beginners might be required to do 25 for now until they get their confidence, strength and endurance built up.

"When they first come in here, we put them though baseline which is a 500-meter row, 40 squats, 30 sit-ups, 20 push-ups and 10 pull-ups," Garrison said.

Then an assessment is made on your ability. Workouts are curved to suit your fitness level.

"No matter what your level, you can scale it," says Day. "That's the big thing. People shouldn't be worried about the shape that they are in. They do not need to get in shape to come do Cross Fit - that's what we are here for."

The workouts of the day are often named after fallen soldiers. Nate Hardy was a Chief Petty Officer killed on Feb. 4 during combat operations in Iraq back in 2008.

"Nate" is now the name of a workout consisting of two muscle-ups, four handstand push-ups and eight two-pound kettlebell swings.

A typical week consists of three days on and 1 rest day. Of course, they cater to your needs and body. Maybe a Monday, Wednesday, Friday standard workout week is better for you.

Check out CrossFit-Owasso.com for information on their gym. Tulsa currently has four CrossFit affiliated gyms along with one in Bixy and Jenks too.

If you are tired of being asked to spot an oily guy or having Mr. Buff questioning your bench weight, perhaps CrossFit is for you.

Only one way to find out.