Crossfit has been around for a number of years but has grown exponentially in the last five years. The first Crossfit Games Open was held in 2007. This year over 200,000 athletes participated worldwide.

If you don't know much about Crossfit, it likely means that you don't know anyone who does it. If you do, you are aware that it is all they talk about. We have strange terms and acronyms for our special world, which leaves many wondering "What is so great about Crossfit?"

Last month, Chicago had it’s first LGBTQA fundraiser at a Crossfit affiliate. Crossfit Defined hosted WorkingOUT at its Lincoln Square location The event sold out quickly and 40 teams of two were split into two divisions, one using heavier weights and stricter movement standards and the other a bit more forgiving (Rx and Scaled). There were two different workouts, both pretty grueling, before the awards ceremony at everyone's favorite gay sports bar in Chicago, Crew.

What is it about Crossfit that is so amazing that it draws in and keeps so many followers? Each team, made up of guys and girls of various levels of fitness and experience, left it all on the floor, many of them doubling over on the ground after one of the 12-minute workouts. Each and every athlete, volunteer and spectator cheered for every last competitor until their final rep. The support that Crossfit athletes give and get from each other is what sets it apart from other types of athletics. There were gay and straight athletes working out with each other and supporting each other like family. The best part of the event was that all the proceeds from the day were donated to The Trevor Project, a suicide prevention hotline for LGBTQ youth.

To learn more about Crossfit Defined and future events please visit the Web site.