CrossFit TC Unplugged raised the stakes of total-body fitness to a new level when they held a fundraiser event for the victims of the Newtown tragedy.

Eight teams of eight members representing CrossFit crews from Lehighton and Easton each paid $10 to take part in a three round fitness challenge Sunday evening at the Lehighton Recreation Center. Also taking part in the event were Zumba and Pyramid fitness teams.Chrissy Mayernik, the owner and head coach, was in her element as she raced around the floor to encourage participants to reach their highest physical potential.Mayernik said that the challenge behind the event was that members would be not be given the itinerary until the event began. Each team of eight competed for the best time by performing five key exercises as rapidly as possible. They did dumbbell swings, thrusters, weighed sit ups, dead lifts and walking lunges. Each team performed the set of five exercises three times. Each of the three workouts took about 15 minutes for a grueling 45 minute workout.Team members could also add points during their wait by jumping rope, doing box jumps, burpees and wall ball.Among the teams competing were Mixed Nutz, Aches and Pains, Pyramid, The Push Ups, Siblings Unplugged, The Wrecking Crew (representing CrossFit, Easton) CrossFit Vicodin and CrossFit Advanced.CrossFit is an internationally-known program designed to challenge people of all fitness levels to reach their highest physical potential. Its workout style (and results) has been featured in international competitions, including the CrossFit Games on EPSN."It's 'unplugged' because we don't use machines, we build them," said Mayernik, the owner and head coach of CrossFit TC Unplugged. "We do metabolic conditioning, weight lifting, and gymnastics. None of that involves getting on a treadmill or a stationary bike or anything with a digital readout. We're using our body weight and a few other tools to get a workout instead of being on a machine. You can get really fit with these kinds of methods."Danyelle Hahn, one of the 64 participants, said, "I've lost 20 pounds since I started with CrossFit last September."Hahn said that she had four knee surgeries while she was in high school from sports injuries and found that she couldn't participate in regular gyms because it caused too much pain in her knees."I tried Zumba and Insanity and it was too hard," she said. "So far I've been able to do this. I've gained muscle. I like it because there are lots of options."Another reason she likes the CrossFit program is the camaraderie. They not only work out together. They compete together in Spartan events"We're all friends," she said. "We celebrate each other's birthdays with a special routine built around the birthday person and then we share snacks.They also sold workout calendars designed by the Easton CrossFit teams, featuring models from the Wrecking Crew. Those proceeds were added into the total donation proceeds.New members are encouraged to sign up during any weekday or weekend class or go to

www.CrossFitTCUnplugged.com for more information. Membership is available for one, two, three, or four days per week. Classes meet Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays."If you're looking for results, a support network and coaches that will not quit on you, this would be an awesome program for you," said Mayernik.