Ben Lancaster

Tell us a little bit about yourself!

I was born and raised in the metropolis of Waynesboro. I grew up tall and I grew up right surrounded by my family. I played soccer for many years as a child before switching over to football and throwing shot put and discus in high school. I attended JMU and I hold a degree in Exercise Leadership. There I was able to work with the strength and conditioning team to train many athletes through many sports.  I reside in Waynesboro with my wife, Marlana and our dog Gracie. My wife and I met in 2004 and we have been together ever since, getting married in 2006. 

What are your current goals and why do you CrossFit?

My current goal is to just keep moving and being the best version of myself. I have learned as I have gotten older that my goals are ever changing. I just want to have a body that allows me to do the things I want to do without limits. 

I do CrossFit because I truely believe it is the best form of exercise. If you want to get stronger, you will. If you want to improve your cardio, you will. The workouts are always different and the commeraderie in the gym makes it feel like nothing else. Getting that push from those around you, finding your competitive drive and seeing success from others as well is empowering.

What are your favorite movements? How about your least favorite? Why?

Favorite movements - I love the Echo Bike. It will humble you and we all need that. I also love Deadlifts, wall balls, bench press and power cleans. 

My least favorite movements -  Overhead Squats and Snatches. My shoulders have taken abuse over the years and my mobility has suffered. Take my advice young athletes - keep stretching!

What do you think is special about CrossFit Anazao?

Crossfit Anazao is a vision that I am still refining. My goal has been to create a place that no matter what a person is troubled by, they can come and workout and find themselves. I want to help people have freedom in their lives. Freedom comes in the form of being physically fit to do what life demands of you, sure. But it also means to have freedom of the mental stresses we all fight against. I will ask two things of every member as they join our gym...I ask that they give their best effort by working hard & being coachable and they pick up those around them. Life is short. Life is hard. We all need a place in life where we can get a laugh in and be surronded by good people that want the best for you. 

Is there anything else you want to say?

I am blessed to be surrounded by extraordinay people in the gym. I have learned a lot from so many of them. I am especially appreaciative of ALL of my coaches throughout the years as they have helped me build something that is bigger than all of us. 

A note from one of our coaches…

Ben is the athlete you want to coach in class, the friend everyone wants to talk to after class and the family that does the work outside of the gym for the benefit of everyone. His "can do" attitude is inspiring to everyone. Ben always pushes himself in a workout as well as cheers on everyone else. Alongside being an amazing athlete and coach, Ben is always striving to find ways to better the community and knowledge in our gym as a whole. He seeks ways to help and encourage every single person in our gym family in a way that is unique to every individual. We are lucky to have such a pillar supporting our gym family