Written by Christy Michell, CFL1
One of the funniest things about being a gym owner? You can spend hours at the gym every day and still struggle to squeeze in your own workout!
When my husband and I opened our CrossFit gym in 2021, we had a 2-year-old and a 4-month-old. Even working part-time, our days together felt short. I realized I needed to be intentional with our time together. That’s when I started working out with them.
In a world where schedules are packed, screen time is abundant, and quality family time is harder to come by, working out as a family has become one of our greatest gifts.
Here are four reasons making space in your week for CFD FitFam might be one of the best fitness (and parenting) decisions you’ll ever make.
1. Quality Time with Purpose
Between school, work, extracurriculars, and the daily hustle, it can be tough to justify taking another hour away from your family just to fit in a workout. On top of that, adding the cost of childcare to a gym membership isn’t an option for everyone.
CFD FitFam offers a unique solution: get your workout in and spend undistracted, meaningful time playing, moving, and learning alongside your kids. It’s a win-win for your health and your family.
2. Healthy Habits Start Early
“Children are not a distraction from the work. They are the most important work.”
— Dr. John Trainer
What a gift it is to work out beside my children and instill in them a love for movement, strength, and well-being. Our kids are constantly talking about “getting big and strong,” and they’ll even eat their veggies (most of the time!) because they want to be like Mom and Dad.
Kids are always watching. Mine have seen me hit a new PR on my power clean, and they’ve also seen me fail halfway up the pegboard for the 50th time. What sticks with them isn’t just whether I succeed or fail. It’s the fact that I try hard things, and that others cheer me on – no matter what.
3. It Builds Confidence—for Everyone
There’s something powerful about finishing a tough workout as a team. Whether it’s your 4-year-old nailing their first bear crawl or you holding a handstand for the first time, family workouts give everyone a reason to celebrate effort and growth.
For kids, hearing “You’re strong!” and “You did it!” from their parents builds real, lasting confidence. And for us adults, it’s refreshing to step outside our usual parenting roles and become teammates, allowing our kids see us work hard, cheer each other on, and even struggle a bit ourselves.
4. Movement Becomes a Shared Language
CrossFit gives you and your kids a new way to connect. Fitness becomes a shared interest, not just something “Mom does at the gym.” It becomes a part of your family culture, and it gives you something to talk about, laugh about, and grow in together. Studies show that families who engage in shared activities at least once a week report significantly higher levels of emotional closeness, communication, and overall satisfaction in their relationships.
CFD FitFam is more than just a workout. It is an opportunity to include your kids in what matters most to you and to model healthy habits that will serve them for life. Everyone’s heard the phrase “the days are long, but the years are short.” It may make you roll your eyes, but it is true! Working out with littles is just for a season. I know that one day my kids will be older and in school, so my workouts will look different. But for now, I’m embracing the season of life I’m in and letting them join the fun. I want to help other caregivers do the same. That is why I created CFD FitFam, a 6-week commitment where you and your child will experience the joy, connection, and growth that comes with a consistent, kid-friendly fitness routine.
Join me for CFD Fit Fam starting November 3rd at 10:30am and each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday following at 10:30am. (Break for Thanksgiving and Christmas week). The class is open to CrossFit Dwell members and non-members.
Stronger families start here.
Register here: CFD FitFam Registration