FTX CrossFit, Wheaton

Andres Schwartz, a US Navy SEAL veteran, casts a bemused gaze at a group of accountants, stay-at-home moms, and pharmaceutical reps as they scramble, sweat pouring into their eyes, to follow the "Build, Body, Burn" boot camp class. He follows them around the large open space at his state-of-the-art fitness facility where groups grapple with a variety of body-weight exercises. His unblinking gaze cants toward the ceiling watching a pupil struggling through a final set of push-ups. He strolls, arms behind his back, over to a group whose neck tendons strain in unison as they heave against medicine balls, slam balls, and kettlebells, the last step in the grueling circuit.

By amassing these functional training fixtures, Andres and his team of trainers prep guests to punch through life's everyday roadblocks. FTX is a military acronym for 'Final/Field Training Exercise', the tests that ensure military units are ready for an upcoming mission and deployment. FTX CrossFit, brings that concept to the gym, challenging exercisers to complete realistic, if somewhat exaggerated, physical challenges without cheating or cloning a stunt double.

The "Build, Body, Burn" boot camp class focuses primarily on body weight exercises, with FTX’s focus on proper mechanics and range of motion to ensure the best results. The class starts with a thorough warm-up that changes based on the movements being used that day and is followed by a period used for strength work with the body. Form and positioning is also taught to make reps safe as well as knowing how to properly scale them as necessary. Then comes the focus with a high intensity workout that is performed for 15 to 30 minutes. Lastly, there’s a cool down, which is an important element to good recovery.