CrossFit RUA

Athlete Spotlight: Beth Ward

When Beth first walked through the doors of CrossFit Rua in March 2026, she had very little gym experience and had never done CrossFit before.

She often told us how overwhelming a traditional gym felt. She never knew where to start, so she’d end up spending her time doing cardio because it felt like the only thing she was confident doing.

Fast forward just a few months, and look at what consistency, courage, and community can do.

Beth has shown up almost every day. She’s learned movements she never imagined she’d be able to do. She’s embraced challenges, pushed through discomfort, and become one of the loudest supporters of her fellow Rua athletes. She celebrates everyone’s victories while quietly earning some incredible ones of her own.

All of that hard work paid off in an amazing way when Beth completed a 327-mile, 4-day bike ride across Illinois benefiting Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) Illinois. Along with her team, she helped raise thousands of dollars to support the families of officers who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Beth is the perfect example of what it means to be an athlete. It’s not about where you start—it’s about showing up, putting in the work, and becoming stronger than you were yesterday.

We are beyond proud of you, Beth. Your determination, positivity, and heart inspire us every single day. Thank you for being such an incredible athlete, an amazing friend, and such an important part of the Rua family.

Congratulations on an incredible accomplishment. We can’t wait to see what you conquer next. ❤️

Meet Coach Christopher!

Coach Christopher created and will be leading our first-ever 6-Week Boot Camp here at CrossFit Rua!

His CrossFit journey began on October 10, 2023, and he hasn’t slowed down since. In less than three years, he’s competed in four in-person competitions—two team and two individual—as well as several online qualifiers, including the Northern California Classic and Wodapalooza qualifiers.

Most recently, he competed at the Xenom competition, where he hit an incredible personal record with a 120 kg (264 lb) sn**ch!

Long before CrossFit, Christopher had a passion for fitness and athletics, spending four years as a sports camp counselor. That love for helping others naturally carried over into coaching.

After about a year of CrossFit, he decided he wanted more and began spending countless hours in open gym. Training on his own taught him to truly understand movement, body awareness, and the importance of quality mechanics. Over the next two years, that dedication helped him become a better athlete and someone fellow members sought out for one-on-one help. This year, he earned his CrossFit Level 1 Certificate and officially joined the coaching staff at CrossFit Rua.

Christopher is passionate about helping athletes build confidence, improve their movement, and push beyond what they thought was possible. We’re excited for him to bring that same energy, knowledge, and enthusiasm to our 6-Week Boot Camp!

Calling All Teachers, First Responders & Military!

We’re saying thank you with a FREE WEEK at CrossFit Rua.

Come join the many teachers, first responders, and military personnel who already call CrossFit Rua home. Experience expert coaching, a supportive community, and workouts that are built for every fitness level.

Bring your active ID and we’ll take care of the rest.

DM us or call/text 630-664-1772 to claim your free week. Offer valid through the summer!

Congratulations to Coach Chris for competing in the inaugural XENOM™ Competition in Dallas, Texas!

XENOM™ is the Decathlon of Fitness™—a two-day, 10-event competition that measures total athletic performance across strength, endurance, power, speed, and skill.

Coach Chris embodies what it means to lead by example. He’s always challenging himself to grow, pushing his limits, and inspiring everyone around him to do the same. His dedication to becoming a better athlete and coach makes our entire community stronger.

We’re proud to have you represent CrossFit Rua. Congratulations, Coach Christopher Q!

FREE 4TH OF JULY COMMUNITY WORKOUT!

Start your Independence Day the best way we know how—with an awesome workout, great people, and a little friendly competition.

Grab a partner and take on “1776”, a team workout that will test your teamwork, pacing, and grit. You’ll split the rows and wallballs however you want, but those synchronized movements mean you’ll have to work together every step of the way.

Whether you’re a seasoned CrossFitter or you’ve never stepped into a gym before, this workout is for everyone. Bring a friend, bring your family, and come see what the CrossFit Rua community is all about.

FREE to everyone!
Friday, July 4th

Let’s celebrate our freedom the Rua way—with sweat, laughs, high-fives, and a whole lot of red, white, and WOD.

See you there! 🇺🇸

$50 Weekly Pass – Invest in Yourself

Most adults spend more than $50 a week on things that don’t improve their health:

* Fast food and takeout
* Coffee runs
* A few trips through the drive-thru
* Drinks on the weekend
* Subscription services they barely use

For just $50, you can spend an entire week investing in something that actually gives back:

✅ More energy
✅ Better fitness
✅ Less stress
✅ Increased confidence
✅ A stronger community
✅ Coaching and accountability

At CrossFit Rua, our new Weekly Pass gives you unlimited access to our classes for 7 days. Whether you’re curious about CrossFit, visiting town, or just want to kickstart your fitness journey, this is the perfect way to see what we’re all about.

$50. One week. Unlimited classes.

The question isn’t whether you can afford it—it’s whether your health is worth less than the things you’re already spending money on.

Come workout at CrossFit Rua!

Your kids will love our tranquil, calm, and peaceful Kids Room.

No tryptophan needed!

While you focus on your workout, your little ones can relax so comfortably they might just drift off to sleep.

This is where you can work out in peace and enjoy the best hour of your day.

Side effects may include improved fitness, reduced stress, and children who suddenly discover they were tired after all.

A few days ago, Lauren walked through our doors to cash in on a prize she won—a CrossFit Rua gift basket that included 5 free classes.

What happened next is exactly why we love what we do.

Lauren is a rugby athlete and had done CrossFit years ago, but like many people, she wasn’t sure what to expect coming back. She showed up with an open mind, tackled a challenging workout, and immediately became part of the community.

After her first class, she shared:

“Everyone was so welcoming and really supportive throughout the class!”

That’s what CrossFit Rua is all about.

Whether you’re a former athlete, currently competing, getting back into fitness, or trying CrossFit for the very first time, you’ll find coaches who care, workouts that challenge you, and a community that supports you every step of the way.

Thank you, Lauren, for trusting us with your fitness journey. We can’t wait to see what you accomplish over the next few classes!

Curious about CrossFit but not sure where to start?
Send us a message or stop in for a free class. Your first workout could be the beginning of something great.

$50 Weekly Pass – Invest in Yourself

Most adults spend more than $50 a week on things that don’t improve their health:

* Fast food and takeout
* Coffee runs
* A few trips through the drive-thru
* Drinks on the weekend
* Subscription services they barely use

For just $50, you can spend an entire week investing in something that actually gives back:

✅ More energy
✅ Better fitness
✅ Less stress
✅ Increased confidence
✅ A stronger community
✅ Coaching and accountability

At CrossFit Rua, our new Weekly Pass gives you unlimited access to our classes for 7 days. Whether you’re curious about CrossFit, visiting town, or just want to kickstart your fitness journey, this is the perfect way to see what we’re all about.

$50. One week. Unlimited classes.

The question isn’t whether you can afford it—it’s whether your health is worth less than the things you’re already spending money on.

Message us today to get started. Your future self will thank you. 💪

CrossFitCommunity

Humidity: 100%
Complaints: 0%
Fun: 1000%

Today’s partner workout brought all the ingredients for a good time at CrossFit Rua: rowing, running, toes-to-bar, and enough humidity to make everyone question their life choices for a minute.

There was plenty of friendly competition and teammates pushing each other to keep moving when things got uncomfortable. That’s what makes partner workouts so much fun—you work hard, suffer a little together, and somehow end up laughing about it afterward.

Great effort from everyone who showed up and embraced the sweat, the challenge, and the competition. Days like these remind us that fitness is better when it’s shared so come out and try a class next Saturday-and bring friends!!!

CrossFit Rua: where the air is thick, the workouts are tougher, and the community is stronger!