PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Aroostook Iron CrossFit is commemorating Veterans Day on Wednesday, Nov. 11 with a special workout and would like to invite the community to join in. While the workout is open to anyone interested, veterans and active military service members are being extended a special invitation.
“We would love to have past or present military members join us,” Jenna Norton, head coach at Aroostook Iron, said. “We’ll be doing a CrossFit Hero workout, as will other CrossFits across the country, in tribute to Navy SEAL Senior Chief Chad Wilkinson. It would be an honor to do the workout alongside those who served.”
Wilkinson died by suicide on Oct. 29, 2018, due to post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries from his two decades of military service.
An aspiring mountaineer, Wilkinson originally created the workout that now honors his memory to train for a 23,000-foot climb in Argentina.
The workout is 1,000 box step-ups with a weighted backpack though many local CrossFit members will forego the weight, use shorter boxes or partner with someone to complete the reps together.
“We have lots of options to make sure any fitness level can participate,” Norton said. “And while 1,000 steps is tough, there is something special about being in a group, all grinding it out, and thinking about our military service members and what they’ve sacrificed for us.”
Anyone interested in trying the Veterans Day workout at Aroostook Iron is encouraged to come. Classes are at 5 and 6 a.m., noon and 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. inside Omni Fitness at the mall in Presque Isle. To ensure access, email AroostookIronCrossFit@gmail.com with the time you’d like to attend.
