The Downtown ChuckTown Throwdown: A Beacon of Positivity in the CrossFit Community
Alan Shaw, co-owner of Rhapsody Fitness in downtown Charleston, SC, has started a new CrossFit Open tradition. The Downtown ChuckTown Throwdown brings together gyms in the area for a Friday Night Lights event, a staple in the CrossFit community.
The Concept
Rhapsody Fitness and a few other gyms in the surrounding area launched the Downtown ChuckTown Throwdown last year and brought it back for the 2025 Open. This year, Rhapsody Fitness, Holy City CrossFit, and Pale Horse CrossFit are participating, each taking turns hosting athletes.
A Beacon of Positivity
The CrossFit community has been at a crossroads since the death of Lazar Ðukić at the 2024 CrossFit Games. Some athletes and affiliates have chosen not to participate this year. For Rhapsody Fitness, Shaw saw this as an opportunity to focus on CrossFit at the community level.
Shaw’s Vision
“I think with all the noise that’s happening right now with everything, what’s happening day in and day out in our affiliates is what CrossFit actually is,” Shaw said. “We live in an amazing city – we’re by the beach, and we have warm weather for most of the year, and people like to live that beach life here. Being able to sort of balance that here is really important to me.”
A Gym for Everyone
Shaw and his husband founded Rhapsody Fitness in 2018 after moving from New York City. They have a little over 200 members and pride themselves on being a gym for anyone and everyone. The majority of his members are there to get a quick workout in and go back to their daily lives. His members love the CrossFit methodology and being able to come together for fitness.
Open to Participation
Shaw didn’t tell his members to sign up for the Open – instead, he left it up to them to decide. “I’ve been telling people whether you signed up for the Open or you haven’t signed up for the Open, as long as you’re showing up and committing to the workout, I think that’s the most important thing,” he said.
A Turning Point for CrossFit
As a seven-year affiliate owner, Shaw has seen the changes and significant events in the CrossFit space. “We’re at a turning point right now with CrossFit in general and understanding what really matters is the day-in and day-out dedication that affiliate owners give to their gyms, pulling 12-to-16 hour days for a methodology that we all know works and that we’ve seen people’s lives be changed, including our own,” Shaw said.
The Future of the Downtown ChuckTown Throwdown
Shaw plans to continue hosting the Downtown ChuckTown Throwdown, even if it’s not tied to the CrossFit season. “We’ll see what happens in the next couple of years, but for me, it’s one of those things where it’s going to stick around for sure.”
Conclusion
The Downtown ChuckTown Throwdown is a beacon of positivity in the CrossFit community, bringing together gyms and athletes for a fun and inclusive event. Shaw’s vision for Rhapsody Fitness is to create a gym for everyone, and the Downtown ChuckTown Throwdown is an extension of that vision.
FAQs
- What is the Downtown ChuckTown Throwdown?
The Downtown ChuckTown Throwdown is a CrossFit Open tradition that brings together gyms in the area for a Friday Night Lights event. - When did the Downtown ChuckTown Throwdown start?
Rhapsody Fitness and a few other gyms in the surrounding area launched the Downtown ChuckTown Throwdown last year and brought it back for the 2025 Open. - What gyms are participating in the Downtown ChuckTown Throwdown?
Rhapsody Fitness, Holy City CrossFit, and Pale Horse CrossFit are participating in the Downtown ChuckTown Throwdown. - Why is the Downtown ChuckTown Throwdown important to CrossFit?
The Downtown ChuckTown Throwdown is a way for the CrossFit community to come together and focus on the sport at the community level, rather than getting caught up in the noise of the CrossFit Games.
