Every morning, a small group of men 58 and older heads to a gym at the top of a hill in Bonsall, California, to see what the coach has written on the board for the day’s workout. That coach is Mike Burgener of CrossFit Weightlifting, a man whose contributions to the Sport of Fitness are legion.
A casual observer might assume the athletes at Burgener’s gym don’t like each other much because they rib and hurl insults for the duration of their workout. But that, “Coach B.” assures, would be a mistake.
“It’s out of love,” Burgener explains. “We give each other crap all the time … but at the same time, if somebody needs something, we’ll be right there for them. If somebody doesn’t show up, we’ll text and call them.”
Burgener models the camaraderie in his class on the spirit of fitness he knows CrossFit Founder Greg Glassman sought to create with his program. The workouts allow Burgener’s athletes to age well, and the camaraderie keeps them coming back for more.
For Burgener’s crew, fitness begins after 55. With “Geezers Rule” proudly emblazoned on their T-shirts, they see firsthand the effect fitness can have on the aging process.
While the official name of Burgener’s space is “Mike’s Gym,” his athletes call it the “Miracle on the Hill.”
Miracle on the Hill