At CrossFit West Whittier, students complete pushups in midair. That's because they're gripping two Olympic rings, sacrificing the ground's stability for a more challenging body-weight exercise. After their circuit is complete, they might move on to medicine-ball throws or squats—the regimen is always unpredictable. Such is the credo of CrossFit, which combines weightlifting, gymnastics, and cardio to address all aspects of physical fitness. Though its dumbbells and pull-up racks may seem intimidating, the coaches help direct students of all abilities through the varied routines, acquainting them with every piece of the stripped-down gym's equipment. Their emphasis on assistance and camaraderie guides free community workouts on Saturday mornings as well as open-gym sessions on Wednesdays—freeform meet-ups that allow students to practice their techniques without adhering to class constraints or crushing an apple to give to the teacher.