Bryce Becker, owner of Innerdrive Fitness, left, watches with the group as Tristan Harrison starts off the Olympic weightlifting class. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

When Bryce Becker started teaching CrossFit in Austin, he never had his mind on opening his a gym. But that’s exactly what happened when he found out that there are quite a few dedicated people looking to train in the area.

In 2010, Becker started working out in a garage with four friends, and he would work with them to develop his coaching and teaching styles. He would put them through workouts in the unheated garage, even in the dead of winter.

“I was learning how CrossFit really worked,” Becker said. “It was very cold, but it was kind of a unique bonding experience as we did that. Four friends working out soon turned into more and more people coming in.”

Annalise VanErkel focus during an Olympic weight-lifting classe at Innodrive Fitness. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

Eventually, Becker moved his summer workouts to Larry Gilbertson Track and Field where 10 to 12 people showed up on a regular basis. By 2014, Becker, who was teaching at the time, had 32 to 38 people coming to his garage and he was leading three classes. As the membership grew, Becker was evicted from that garage for having too many cars taking up spots in the street.

A year ago, he opened up up CrossFit Innerdrive near Mapleview at 2215 Fourth St. NW Austin, and he hasn’t looked back. That gym now has about 125 members, ranging from six years old to 65 years old, and it offers morning and evening classes. Becker no longer teaches school and CrossFit Innerdrive has become his main job and passion.

“It blew up with word of mouth and it was weird how it all happened. We don’t market or advertise, so we’re a hidden secret out here,” Becker said. “Everything just kind of happened fast and it’s perfect for us. It has the industrial feel to it and it’s got big overhead garage doors that we can put up in the summer time when it’s nice.”

The CrossFit Innerdrive building was once a radiator shop and Becker is still doing some renovation to it. He likes the look it offers for his classes.

“There are no machines, no tread mills and no mirrors,” Becker said. “It’s just bar bells, bumper plates and a bunch of iron. That kind of gives it the feel we need.”

Becker, who is originally from Swaledale, Iowa, likes to work with people who are motivated to show up and work hard.

He prefers someone who seeks him out after they hear about CrossFit Innerdrive instead of having to ask people to come to the gym.

“We offer a value here and we have a culture of results,” he said. “People work hard and that’s what we expect. That’s the only way to get results. There’s no magic pills and there’s no special diet. It’s hard work.”

While some people come to CrossFit Innerdrive for a grueling workout, Becker said there are workouts available for all ability levels. There is even a kids class that is offered.

“It is for everybody. A lot of people are intimidated by CrossFit and they shouldn’t be,” Becker said. “Everybody needs to be able to squat, lift, pull or get out of a chair. Intensity is relative to each individual. It’s shared suffering. You know exactly what they’re going through and it pushes you through to finish.”