Make America Buff Again gymnasium promotes fitness and nutrition

The chill of the morning air and the sound of loud music signaled the anticipation of the first cross-fit competition at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center. On April 17, the San Quentin Exercise Movement Class teamed up with Make America Buff Again Gymnasium to strengthen the health and fitness of incarcerated people.

In a collaborative effort, San Quentin Medical and Mental Health staff and the CrossFit gym owners came to show their support for the event. They all had a common goal of bringing the community of residents and staff together to encourage physical activity.

“I wanted to support an event that draws people and knowing its happening here at San Quentin is important because it’s an equalizer that brings people together for a common theme, said CrossFit Gym owner Craig Howard Diablo.

The event took place on the facility’s Lower Yard basketball court with the objective to promote EMC’s mission to create a healthy environment using cross-fit as a way to help people reach their full potential.

“We are dedicated to transforming lives through fitness,” said Derek Diaz, the MABA Lab founder, “It’s all about creating environments where people can achieve their personal best.”

The excitement increased as the participants gathered to count down in kicking off the event. “Five, four, three, two, one,” the crowd shouted.

Each member of a randomly selected four-person team started the competition from designated lanes that stretched 94 feet, the length of the basketball court.

The competition required participants to complete a circuit of six exercises that consisted of pushups, squats, lifting, lunges, and sprints.

Each team completed rotations up and down the court within 20 minutes, as if on a relay race.

In three heats of competition that included 96 participants, resident team members C. Jaime, I. Garcilazo, C. Dominguez won the contest with San Quentin staff member S. Munshi.

They outperformed all 23 teams by completing nine full circuits as the first San Quentin Cross-Fit Champions. The second place winners included the rehabilitation center’s physical education teacher, K. Bhatt.

Clinical pharmacist Dr. Paul Ganaden and residents David Richard, Jessy Zetino, and Alex Yohn had recently started to work at SQRC as Medical Recreation Aids and EMC instructors for the diabetic and geriatrics fitness programs.

According to Ganaden, EMC originated to encourage residents living with Type 2 diabetes to use physical fitness as a way to manage the disease.

“All the ideas, all the vision, all the excitement and all the planning for this event goes to these guys,” Ganaden said.

According to Richard, the EMC have the goal to promote both EMC and CrossFit as viable programs with a primary mission to encourage the entire San Quentin community to work toward a healthy lifestyle with physical fitness informed about the importance of nutrition.

The San Quentin resident MRA team said they would like to achieve certification as CrossFit instructors and to start a Level One cross-fit program at San Quentin, according to MRA Richard.

“We would love to help bring a Level One CrossFit program to San Quentin,” said Wes Piatt owner of Coast Range CrossFit.

Richard said fundraising had already begun. Sponsors such as Derek Diaz, the MABA Lab founder, Craig Howard, owner of Diablo CrossFit, and Piatt entered into discussions to donate funds and equipment for the program at San Quentin.

He added that they have plans to expand the program beyond persons living with Type 2 diabetes. Using CrossFit sports, exercise training, and instruction can achieve this through modules in improving everybody’s health at San Quentin.

San Quentin physical therapists Tianna Meriage and Michele Wilson acted as line judges at the event. They gave their support and encouraged the residents in the competition. The therapists said their goal remained to inspire movement and healthy living.