Fifteen years ago, Lief Larson and his wife signed the lease for Carson City’s first CrossFit gym, a relatively new idea in the fitness landscape in 2011.
Since that time, Carson City CrossFit has continued to expand while remaining true to what Larson said is the ethos of CrossFit: improving functional movement holistically, whether someone is an active-duty military member looking to bulk up, or a grandmother in her 70s who wants to remain independent for as long as possible.
Last week, Larson and their crew celebrated the gym’s 15th “birthday” with a party that began by going through the very first workout the gym ever held back in April of 2011. Then, they did a “beer mile” race in the alley in which participants had to drink a beer (or for many, a sparkling water) every 400 meters until they reached the end of their mile sprint. Then the crew turned to a brisket barbecue and a cornhole tournament while talking about how the gym has changed over the years.
For Larson, the milestone was a moment to reflect on how far the gym has come since its early days as a passion project.
“I would say this started as a hobby,” Larson recalled. “We had a passion for CrossFit and wanted to help people.”
In 2011, Larson and his wife, both working full-time jobs and living in South Lake Tahoe, rented an empty warehouse space in Carson City to introduce the area to a relatively new fitness methodology.
At the time, the local fitness landscape was heavily dominated by big box gyms packed with cardio machines and isolated weightlifting equipment. Early CrossFit had a “garage, kind of grungy, hardcore” reputation that intimidated some people, Larson said, but it took off quickly across all demographics. At their gym, they have current clientele ranging from Larson’s three-year-old grandson, to a 73-year-old grandfather wanting to stay fit.
Today, the gym has slowly taken over neighboring suites in its building, transforming from a crammed sliver of a warehouse into a sprawling community hub.
While CrossFit is often associated with elite athletes or bulky weightlifters, Larson emphasizes that his gym’s core mission is everyday functionality. The programming is intentionally designed around natural, compound movements rather than the isolated muscle exercises common in traditional bodybuilding.
“It makes no sense for elderly people to do bicep curls,” Larson said. “But it does make a lot of sense for them to do a deadlift off the ground.” He explained that the ability to squat properly translates directly to getting out of a chair or using the toilet independently as we age, and a deadlift is simply the safe, natural way to pick a dropped object off the floor.
In a single group class, a law enforcement officer might be working out alongside a great-grandmother. While the intensity and weight vary — scaling from heavy barbells to PVC pipes or simple bodyweight exercises — the foundational movements remain the same for everyone.
“Our goal isn’t to get everybody to [the fittest athlete’s] level,” Larson said. “It’s a goal to get everybody to improve.”
Beyond the barbell, Larson advocates for straightforward nutritional habits, frequently reminding his members that “you cannot out-train a bad diet.”
Larson said their ethos is simple which makes it easy to adhere, unlike fad diets with significant restrictions. Their advice is to eat meat and vegetables, nuts and seeds, some fruit, little starch, and no sugar. Larson advises clients to “shop the perimeter” of the grocery store, avoid chemical preservatives, and entirely cut out added sugars — as much as is feasible at least. Any improvement is the goal, no matter how small.
He said the shared commitment to challenging workouts and healthy living creates an environment that Larson said they embrace wholeheartedly, even if CrossFit itself sometimes carries a “cult” label. He said he’s aware of the reputation CrossFit sometimes carries, but doesn’t shy away from it; he prefers the term “culture” which he said simply means a group of like-minded individuals who train hard together.
“This place looks a lot different than say Anytime Fitness,” Larson said. “Nobody wears headphones in here … we cheer everybody on ’til the last person’s finished. So, you feel a camaraderie.” He said by stepping into the “pain cave” together, members forge a unique, family-like bond built on self-accountability and mutual support.
As the business has matured, so have its operations. Over the years, Larson has navigated the difficult challenges of raising rates to survive inflation, standardizing coaching credentials, and adapting to modern social media marketing.
Now 47, Larson is preparing for the gym’s next chapter by slowly handing over the reins to his stepson, Jake, who currently serves as the general manager.
Over the next few years, Larson plans to equip Jake with all the necessary tools to succeed, ensuring the gym’s core methodology and focus on personal relationships remain intact.
Despite the rise of competing high-intensity fitness franchises, Larson is committed to staying true to the original CrossFit methodology that has proven successful for his members.
Even after a decade and a half in business, Larson said he refuses to become complacent. Whether it’s replacing worn-out equipment, starting new programming to reach new demographics, investing in professional development for his coaching team, or simply striving for a cleaner facility, he said they are constantly looking for ways to push the gym forward.
“I feel like we’re just getting started, to be honest,” Larson said.
