‘Murph’ workout honors veterans with fitness challenge

PEORIA (Heart of Illinois ABC) – A local gym joined others across the country Saturday with a special workout designed to honor veterans ahead of Memorial Day.

CrossFit North Peoria hosted ‘The Murph’, a workout named after Navy SEAL Michael Murphy, who was killed in Afghanistan.

Participants start by going on a one-mile run while wearing weighted vests. Next, they do 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 air squats, and then cap it off with another mile run.

Organizers say people from all walks of life come out to take part.

“It doesn’t matter where you’re at in your fitness journey – you could be just beginning or you could be in it for multiple years. When they leave here, it’s a sense of accomplishment – a sense of respect,” CrossFit North Peoria owner Bill Garrison said.

“At the end of the day, from my perspective, this is a family. We get along together, we work out together, and just enjoy each other’s company,” participant Erik Youngren added.

Organizers say the Murph is an important tradition in CrossFit, and any proceeds raised Saturday go toward a local veterans fund.

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