WESTFIELD—A city firefighter is crediting an intense workout program for extending his career and changing his life.
According to Westfield Fire Capt. Paul Lentini, he suffered a severe hip injury over a decade ago. The injury, according to Lentini, had doctors telling him that he may need a hip replacement by the time he was 40; he was in his late 20s at the time. Then, Lentini discovered CrossFit, an intense workout program that focused on many different exercises and muscles, and through that program Lentini said his career was essentially saved.
Paul Lentini participating in a CrossFit workout. Photo provided by Paul Lentini
“It changed my life,” Lentini, 41, said of CrossFit. “I was worried I would have to retire early. I couldn’t move without pain.”
Lentini said that he saw a CrossFit location on Elm Street, gave it a shot and he immediately was drawn to it.
“I tried it out and I loved it,” he said. “After two years the pain was gone; after three years I forgot which hip was injured. And now I’m stronger than I was when I was in my 20s.”
Lentini kept going with the CrossFit workouts and over the past two years began to compete in what is known as the CrossFit Games.
The CrossFit Games, according to Lentini, are a three-step competition where CrossFit athletes partake in tests of physical ability, with their results being compiled and compared to others in their age group. The first step is the CrossFit Open, which takes the top 200 from each age group and moves then to the next round, the CrossFit Regionals. From there, the top 40 in each group are chosen and compete in the final step—The CrossFit Games. Lentini said that around 500,000 people compete in the Games.
Paul Lentini participating in a CrossFit workout. Photo provided by Paul Lentini
Last year—during Lentini’s first year competing—Lentini made it as far as the CrossFit Regionals. This year though, he didn’t get that far but still did well, ranking 415th overall in his group.
“I’m happy I made it as close as I did,” Lentini said.
And competition and health aren’t the only benefits that CrossFit has brought to Lentini.
“My biggest fear is to be the weakest link,” Lentini said about working at the fire department. “And CrossFit helped me be one of the strongest on the team.”
