CrossFit Hua Hin building a supportive and strong fitness community
CrossFit Hua Hin is introducing more people in the city to functional fitness, with a focus on community, accessibility and long-term health, according to its coaches based at Elite Fight Club Hua Hin.
Speaking to Hua Hin Today, head coach David Lopez Pardo and coach Pratchaya Roonprakhone, known as Bonus, shared their experiences and outlined what residents can expect from CrossFit training in Hua Hin.
What is CrossFit and who is it for?
For those unfamiliar with the concept, David explained that CrossFit is about preparing the body for everyday life and long-term independence.
“We prepare your body for longevity, fighting against the decrepitude and by moving you away from nursing homes, we want you to be able to take care of yourself when you older.”
Both coaches stressed that CrossFit is not limited to highly trained athletes. Instead, it is designed to be accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels.
“This is the biggest mistake, basically you don’t have to be fit to start CrossFit, you have to start CrossFit to be fit,” David said.
Bonus echoed that view, adding that members range widely in age and ability. “You might be surprised-our members range from 12-year-olds to people in their 60s. All ages and fitness levels are welcome.”
At its core, CrossFit combines strength, conditioning and functional movements. Bonus described it simply: “We do a variety of functional movements to build overall fitness. We train hard and move fast.”
He added that the benefits come down to three main areas: “health, fitness, and community,” highlighting improvements such as lower body fat, stronger muscles and greater ease in daily activities.
A community-driven approach to fitness
Head coach David Lopez Pardo and coach Pratchaya Roonprakhone, known as Bonus
A consistent theme from both coaches was the importance of community within CrossFit Hua Hin.
“All the people that come to us feel welcomed by our members, safe and they found a new family since day one, our community is the best one!” David said.
While some members do compete, the overall environment remains supportive rather than overly competitive.
“We have competitive members but the majority is more supportive, they love each other, train hard together and the community is sticky and this is one of our goals in CrossFit,” he added.
Bonus also emphasised the role of shared motivation and learning. “Community is key. Everyone supports each other and works to become a better version of themselves. It helps you step out of your comfort zone, both in the gym and in life.”
Training, coaching and facilities
CrossFit Hua Hin operates from within Elite Fight Club, giving members access to a large open training space alongside other facilities.
“We have an awesome open door CrossFit box with a big space, at the same time in our camp you have a restaurant, Muay Thai and recovery zone,” David said.
Workouts are designed to suit a wide range of participants, with coaches adapting exercises to individual needs.
“All the movements are scalable… we know how to scale a movement or workout without losing the stimulus and the flow of the group class,” David explained.
Bonus added that coaches guide members through every stage of the session. “Coaches guide you through everything, from warm-up to workout. They take care of you and ask simple questions like, ‘Have you been active recently?’ or ‘Do you have any injuries or doctor recommendations?’”
Members often work towards learning new skills, from basic movements to more technical exercises such as pull-ups, handstands and double-unders.
“They love to unlock a new skill,” David said, noting that structured warm-ups and technique work are built into each session.
Looking ahead
Both coaches said they are focused on growing participation in CrossFit in Hua Hin while maintaining the supportive culture already in place.
“Our short-term goal is to get more people of all ages involved in sports and CrossFit,” Bonus said. “Our long-term goal is to share knowledge and support the local community, including schools, police, military, and first responders.”
Upcoming initiatives include a new bootcamp-style programme, internal competitions and community events such as the Murph Challenge.
For David, the aim is simple: to encourage more people to take the first step.
“Don’t listen to the Crossfit hatters… come and train with us and be ready for one hour of pure methodology, mix of strength and conditioning and funny time!”
For more information visit: https://elitefightclub.com/hua-hin/
Crossfit Hua Hin on Google Maps.
