Carmen Vicente and Lucía Franco, breaking stereotypes through CrossFit
Carmen Vicente and her partner Óliver Hernández were pioneers in introducing this sport to the islands, with the creation of CrossFit Lanzarote in 2012. In recent years, thousands of people have passed through their centre, attracted by this new fitness activity that is gaining fans all the time. CrossFit, with its philosophy based on the spirit of self-improvement and companionship, is on trend, and even more so in Lanzarote, where the excellent weather conditions make it possible to practice outdoors.
It’s a sport for all ages and types of people, as there are people who are 50 or 60 years old, there are a lot of 15-year-old girls who are starting and it really gives you a lot of confidence, because it raises your self-esteem – Lucia Franco
“CrossFit is more than just lifting weights and doing sit ups until you’re out of breath. CrossFit is also a philosophy of life in which a healthy diet and healthy lifestyle habits are also part of the training.” This branch of functional fitness was born at the turn of the century and combines a wide variety of exercises with an intense level of execution, using techniques from, among others, Olympic lifting, gymnastics, kettlebell and calisthenics.
Carmen highlights the fact that women have been very involved in CrossFit since its beginnings. “This sport has broken with the stereotype of gyms, where more men than women were usually found.” It is a sport in which “both sexes share exercises, weights and hours of training.”
“It’s important that those who practice this discipline do so with the aim of improving their quality of life, with no other rival than their personal wellbeing.”
Carmen and Óliver are the organisers of the Lanzarote Summer Challenge, an event that takes CrossFit outdoors, taking advantage of the unique setting offered by the Island of Volcanoes. Its eighth edition will be held on 27 and 28 August in two iconic locations in the capital, Arrecife: Playa del Reducto and Islote de la Fermina. This is an important date in the ESD calendar and, as Carmen mysteriously reminds us, “this year will be full of surprises.
The Summer is tough, but extremely gratifying – Lucia Franco
“People are always so delighted to participate in the Lanzarote Summer Challenge, it is a special event, in a fantastic setting, for people just getting onto the Islote de La Fermina or for those staying on the island of Lanzarote, it is magical.” – Carmen Vicente
The Catalan Lucía Franco has already confirmed her participation: “Finishing my training and being able to go to the beach to disconnect with my box companions is my idea of the perfect day.”
