Mitchell Adams proving a big hit at Crossfit

And due to his success in the up-and-coming United States-born sport, which combines aspects of weightlifting, gymnastics and mono-structural activities (anything from running, cycling or swimming), Mitchell Adams has now made his hobby a business and is regularly competing against the world’s best.

Adams, from Cannock, founded Wolverhampton CrossFit in 2013 and is now helping many others in the region increase their stamina and health by means of the workout.

One unexpected high-profile customer was none other than Wolverhampton Olympic hero Kristian Thomas. The gymnast was keen to test out the sport after learning of its gymnastic elements and stopped by at Adams’ HQ in Wednesfield and instantly became involved.

As the gym – alongside Adams’ competitive performances – go from strength-to-strength, the 25-year-old former Norton Canes High School student can now call Olympic bronze medallist Thomas his business partner.

Adams’ goal for 2017 is to finally break the sport’s homeland. This month, he will travel to Madrid for the fourth time to compete in the European final stage of the Reebok CrossFit Games.

Qualifying itself was no mean feat, ranking as first in the United Kingdom and 19th in Europe, with just 30 spaces available.

From there, the top five in the Spanish capital will make the CrossFit World Championship finals in Wisconsin. It is the first year the games have been moved away from San Francisco.

Not bad for someone whose aim was to improve his rugby four years ago.

“I got competitive after trying it out and then just got better at it,” said Adams.

“It was just before I turned 21 when I started and from there I saw an opportunity to set a gym up. I took that opportunity and it’s been competitive.”

Now Adams, whose mum Tracey, dad Lee and 16-year-old brother Nick also practise the sport, is giving back as he aims to push the sport throughout the West Midlands.

He coaches alongside close friends Samantha Downing and Andrew Jones, who are also joint-owners.

He also teaches part-time public services at Walsall College.

Members range from all ages. One of Adams’ students is 62-years-old and now ranked fourth in the UK for their category.

“I coach about 21 hours a week,” he added. “I have groups and private sessions and we do CrossFit gym workshops.”

Adams tasted CrossFit coaching for the first time at a nearby gym in Cannock before feeling the urge to pursue the business and establish his own coaching set-up.

Mum Tracey added: “Mitchell went to a gym to try it and then decided to do it himself. He’s a good lad and very humble.

“He’s completely self-driven and so motivated with so much focus – the interest has gone through the roof. He’s not managed the final stage (America) yet but he’s beaten guys that have.

“His brother Nick is getting into it and has potential but he’s balancing it around his GCSE work. I’ve done it for two years and lost two stone training five times a week. His dad does, too.

“People should come along. The difference between normal gym workouts is the camaraderie and sportsmanship elements. The whole thing builds up your spirit.

“The highlight was probably someone telling me that they’d been going to another gym for about three years yet spoke to more people in a week doing CrossFit.”

For more information and to get involved with Adams’ and Thomas’ CrossFit classes and to learn more about the growing sport, visit https://www.crossfitwolverhampton.co.uk/