Serious 'Movement' to Unfold at New Jefferson CrossFit Location

A new business plans to embrace the greater Jefferson community while offering workouts designed with a “community feeling” when Crossfit opens at 219 Espanong Road.

'We are Jefferson'

Owned by business partners and in-laws Pete and Amy Ricciardi, CrossFit J-Town plans to open up around Sept. 1.

“We’re going to have brand-new equipment, including a shower and changing room that will be put in,” said Pete Ricciardi, 39. “We’ll have a facility that’s state of the art.”

With the facility, Ricciardi is keeping a Jefferson Township theme, utilizing its falcon mascot and keeping the blue and gold colors.

“This is unlike any of the businesses in the area,” said Ricciardi. “We are Jefferson.”

“We wanted to get the community involved,” he added. “And the pricing reflects us wanting to (do so).”

These prices, as the owner noted, are extremely competitive with other CrossFit outlets, and a cheaper presale rate will be honored through the first month of business.

At $85 per month for one year, $95 per month for six months or $150 per month for couples for unlimited training (on the presale rate), CrossFit J-Town is set up to allow “all people to come try it out,” said Ricciardi.

However, the owner did acknowledge that prices would go up as the fitness outlet expands toward its full operational status. 

In terms of staff, the training center has three coaches, and a fourth will probably be hired, according to Ricciardi. His sister-in-law Amy will become a coach once she’s officially certified.

To become certified these ‘J-Town’ coaches need to complete the CrossFit level one course, which includes two days of intense training involving movements, ideals and nutrition. Also, a test is administered on the last day. From there, they can retain a five-year certification. 

Exclusive Features

A unique variable within this new business is a segment for children.

“They (the kids) get to learn about nutrition and workout,” said Ricciardi. “We’re looking forward to bringing this in, because there’s not really anything like that around.”

Also, exercisers may utilize a program, called ‘on-ramp’ for beginners, that is offered.

“It’s great for anyone who’s new to CrossFit,” said the J-Town owner. “They get to learn skill development, get exposed to basic movements, learn about nutrition, form and safety. There’s two classes per week for four weeks at $150 with a free t-shirt at the end.” 

The Latest Sensation

CrossFit has become a staple for fitness gurus throughout the nation. It began around 1974, but was not fully utilized until only a few years ago.

According to the J-Town owner, in CrossFit, workouts are laid out as follows:

The workout area is called a box; the trainer is called a coach and members are called athletes. It focuses on constantly varied movement at high intensity, and it helps “prepare you for everyday life.”

It is full-body workouts that are intense but shorter in duration than the average person’s common, mainstream ‘dumbbell’ workout.

“It provides for more of a community feeling,” said Ricciardi. “When you come into the box, you complete a programmed workout. The movements are taught and done together, and everyone is cheered on (with the last person being cheered the most).”

“It’s not just a gym,” he added. “We’re tight-knit and supportive. If you’re scared and say to yourself ‘I can’t do it,’ note that workouts are scalable to anyone!”

A Look at the Owner

Ricciardi’s fitness experiences date back decades, but he picked up CrossFit about a year and a half ago, after already being a personal trainer at a local gym for three years.

A full-time detective with the Boonton Township Police Department for 12 years, Ricciardi is also a physical conditioning instructor at the Police Academy and boot camp class instructor (which will also be taught at ‘J-Town’).

He’s certified in TRX suspension training, and offers personal training and coaching.

“I just love fitness,” said Ricciardi. “And love being able to help people.”

T-shirts will also be sold at the locale on Espanong Road, along with Progenex supplements, offered at a reduced 10 percent off, if bought using the code “CFJT” off the J-Town website, www.crossfitjtown.com.