A Homewood gym owner is riding the CrossFit craze -- a fitness trend that is sweeping the country -- as he grew his business from a garage hobby into an affiliate with 200 clients in less than six months.

Forrest Walden, owner of Iron Tribe Fitness at 2809 Central Ave., recently announced a second phase of membership for his gym, which had previously been at maximum capacity. He's also scouting sites around Birmingham and beyond for expansion, with plans to open his second location in January.

CrossFit focuses on a variety of short, intense workouts that force the body to rapidly accept the new training regimen. It's become a hit with fitness fanatics, as well as gym newcomers.

CrossFit has grown from its origins in Santa Cruz, Calif., to more than 1,700 affiliates worldwide. There are more than 20 affiliates across Alabama, including eight in metro Birmingham.

"I think this is the future of fitness," Walden said. "It turns fitness into sport, and every day is a competition."

Walden, 34, is no stranger to the fitness world. He was a cheerleader and exercise science major at Auburn University, and has been involved in personal training since 1996.

He worked at a gym for a few years after college, then decided to open his own place. He opened his first Fitness Together franchise in Hoover in June 2001 and grew that into six area locations.

Walden then purchased territory rights for the Fitness Together concept in three states: Alabama, Florida and North Carolina, and developed 55 locations over that area.

"I found I was traveling all the time, and I felt like I had kind of lost touch with my fitness routine," he said. "At the same time, I started doing CrossFit and equipped my garage. It was a hobby. It was fun for me."

Walden regularly invited a group of about 15 friends to join him, and it took on a fight club type atmosphere, he said.

"I just realized the best part of my day was the hour I spent in this hot, 400-foot garage, and I decided I really wanted to pursue it because I fell in love with it and really wanted to grow it," he said.

Walden then sold his Alabama and Florida territory rights for Fitness Together, while he and a partner still own the North Carolina territory rights.

He opened Iron Tribe Fitness in February and was able to open the second phase of membership by offering more midday sessions. Membership currently stands at about 225.

CrossFit consists of varied, functional movements done at high intensity, he said, with diverse daily workouts, including elements of running, rowing, power lifting, gymnastics and more.

Workouts involve pull-up bars, ropes and rings, and most are timed, adding an element of competition to the process. Participants are competing against the clock and themselves.

Membership costs range from $150 to $295 a month, based on the frequency of the sessions. For an additional charge, members also can participate in other programs, such as a paleolithic food program -- centered on lean meat, fish, fruits and vegetables -- with meals prepared by an in-house chef.

Walden said he counts more people over 40 than under 30 among his clients, including some in their 60s and 70s, so it's not a trend for only the elite.

"I don't care if you're an athlete, or a single mother or a senior citizen. Everybody always tells me, 'I didn't know I was this competitive,'" he said. "People are getting unbelievable results."

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