Bill Bowen on Starting a 50+ Class

Mike Giardina sits down with Bill Bowen at the 2022 CrossFit Games. Bowen is a six-year CrossFit athlete who started his CrossFit journey after surviving a battle with cancer and prioritizing exercise and nutrition to improve his health. CrossFit has completely changed Bowen’s life, and now he has become a role model for others - both in his age demographic and in younger cohorts.
When Bowen’s primary care doctor retired, a new, younger doctor came in. After an initial examination, the new doctor started asking questions about Bowen’s ability to stay in such great shape. A year and a half later, after continued encouragement from Bowen, the new doctor decided to give CrossFit a try. He later joined an affiliate and committed himself to the 5 a.m. class. Since starting CrossFit, Bowen’s doctor has lost 30 pounds, and the doctor’s wife, who is a physical therapist, has received her CF-L1 and is coaching at a local affiliate. The three of them all went to the CrossFit Games to watch and celebrate what the highest-level athletes in our community can do. And Bowen feels like he is reciprocating what his doctor is providing him: health.
Currently, Bowen is a CF-L1 and is pursuing a CF-L2. He has started a backyard gym where he is taking on clients who are 50 years old or older. This is a demographic that is often neglected, Bowen explains. His goal is to go after the people who need CrossFit the most. According to the National Institutes of Health, 85% of older adults have at least one chronic health disease, while 60% have at least two. These people are right on the bubble, Bowen says. They can go either way with their health. To help them head in the right direction, Bowen recommends creating an extended onramp to make sure they build a strong foundation. Having a longer foundation period can help with building confidence and competence in CrossFit movements and methodology.
If you’re a coach or affiliate owner, try setting up a 50+ class in off hours between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. This is deadtime at the gym where you can make an impact on a lot of lives and possibly improve the bottom line.
CrossFit® - (www.crossfit.com/)

[@MULKAD]

Hey guys! Bill, your story is so cool! I started CrossFit 5 years ago. I will be 69 this year. I love CrossFit! I’m called the Queen at CrossFit Frostbite because everyone is younger than I am. It’s all good. I manage to keep up with them on my level. What you’re doing in your gym is wonderful. Yes, we can do more than we give ourselves credit for. Does it take a bit of time to feel comfortable? Yes, and the more we workout, the better our body will respond. Getting stronger and losing some extra pounds feels pretty great when we can be successful with CrossFit. Like you Bill, I feel like I’m 40 and am proud with how my body looks. This year my goal is to get stronger and to tweak the Olympic movements. CrossFit keeps my mental health strong too. Lots of energy and happiness can be had by all!

[@williambowden2340]

Awesome! Keep up the good work!

[@thegamethemovie9605]

Need one of these in my area👴

[@dudleywalden5493]

Heck yeah. I’m 56 and do the regular class. Keeps you young and humble!

[@youtubecity4375]

Hey Dudley, I'm 49 and did my first class yesterday,I'm sooo sore although I took it easy, been sedentary for about 6 years, I'm doing intermittent fasting with keto,any advice?

[@dudleywalden5493]

@@youtubecity4375 I’d say ramp up slowly. Much easier to pick too easy scaling options and slowly go harder then overdo it and get hurt. I’d put injury prevention as goal #1

[@youtubecity4375]

Thanks Dudley appreciate the advice!

[@williambowden2340]

@@youtubecity4375 Exactly what Dudley said. Here's another one. As you get more experienced with the movements and CrossFit in general, try and choose a scaling option that allows you to finish a WOD in the same time frame or number of reps as the younger set in the box. Don't worry about Rx'ing, just concentrate on getting the right stimulus from the workout. And HAVE FUN!

[@paulcharlwood702]

Never really been an athlete. Started Crossfit in 2019 to improve my fitness for my main sport of Scottish Coastal Rowing (look up Scottish Coastal Rowing Association if you want to know more). That was just after I had turned 56. Been doing it now for 3 1/2 years. Last night did a WOD, 30min AMRAP 5 Hang Power Cleans at 50kg (110lbs), 10 dumbbell Bench Press at 2 X 17.5kgs (77lbs total weight) 15 Deadlifts @50kgs, 200m row. Managed 8rnds +15 in the time. That works out at 11,450 kgs (almost 11.5 Metric Tonnes) moved and 1600m rowed. And of a class of 5 guys, all aged between 56 and 60, mine was the lowest round count. 50+? you can do it if you want to bad enough!

[@kathya.gambrell9824]

Classes should be based on ability - not age.