Xinga Gruis x Baseline

She has been doing CrossFit for three and a half years. In that time she has become the strongest female athlete at her box, started competing, and meanwhile found time to run half marathons and backyard marathons on random Saturday mornings. Just because it seemed like a fun challenge.

She is 27, trains at CrossFit Dordrecht, and has been there since day one. She calls it her second home. Her coach Daan calls it her first.

Before CrossFit, Xinga spent eight years in competitive gymnastics. That background shows up everywhere in her training, from the way she moves under load to the comfort she has on the bar. While gymnastics focus on the same few movements, CrossFit offers endless variations in training. She found that variety immediately appealing. Her first session was a quiet early morning session, and she was hooked from the start. 

The competitive instinct was there from the beginning. During that first buddy workout she found herself wondering why they were going so slow. Her first proper competition was the Dutch Throwdown, and it confirmed what she already suspected. This was the direction she wanted to take things.

Three years in, the progress has been consistently growing. Her strength numbers have climbed significantly year on year, and she has become a reference point for other female athletes around her who want to see what is possible when you commit fully to the process. She does double sessions when she can, tackles whatever challenge comes up in training, and does not really make a distinction between what is required and what is optional.

Her mental approach during hard workouts is clear and consistent. When it gets difficult, she reminds herself that she chose this and that stopping on a training day means stopping on a competition floor too. It helps pushing through the hard moments and makes her a better athlete. 

On the competition side, this year looks different from last year. After focusing on individual competition in 2024, she is shifting more toward buddy and team events. The goal for the year is straightforward: stay injury-free and enjoy it more. She has had her share of setbacks. After a few years of pushing hard, she knows the value of longevity.

With the ambition to reach the top 10 in the Netherlands, she is well on her way. Every training session and competition is set to bring her closer to the top of the leaderboard. 

Xinga was the first athlete to join the Baseline Pro team, which is something we do not take lightly. She is a close friend, part of the same circle, and has watched this brand grow from the beginning. When she describes the partnership she talks about seeing the effort that goes into every detail, however small. It makes the partnership way more personal and special compared to other brands. 

Her advice to anyone just starting out in CrossFit: stop comparing yourself to the person next to you. Everyone starts somewhere. The only journey that matters is your own.

Watch the full interview with Xinga below.

Follow Xinga’s journey on Instagram: @xingagruis

Xinga is part of the Baseline Athlete Team. View more introductions through the Journal.