During the week, I've been doing an okay job about running a couple days a week and will pick back up with yoga once I remember to block my class off in my calendar to avoid getting stuck in meetings at that time. But I've been awful about working out on the weekends. There's a Crossfit box (Primary Crossfit) just around the corner from my apartment and figured this might be a solution as it's an indoor workout for this miserable weather and a super convenient location. However, I don't generally like group fitness classes, so I was also skeptical I would like it. But, Primary Crossfit offers a first class for free and has beginner classes, so no risk and I wouldn't need to jump right in.I went on a Monday night of a three-day weekend where I had been pretty sedentary. It was really dark inside when I got there and I realized there was a yoga class going on in the back. The instructor greeted me quietly. I felt bad walking in on the end of their practice, but it's just one big space, and it was single digits outside, so that's really all we could do.
There were only three of us in the class, me and two dudes. The instructor was really good at checking in on me, asking if I was familiar with what the different activities were.
We started with a rowing warm up, and he seemed impressed I actually knew how to use an erg properly, something most people have never been taught. It's a super great cardio workout, especially if you're low on time, so I highly recommend learning it if you haven't before!
We then went into the strength activity of the day, which was front squats to a one-rep max. I was a little surprised that I was going to one-rep max an exercise I'd never done before on my first day in Crossfit, but I suppose it wasn't the most risky lift, and whenever I took a turn, he watched and gave me feedback about my form. It was kinda fun to experiment and see how much I could lift.
Then we went into the WOD (workout of the day). It was 3 minutes each of rowing, box step overs with hand weights, and thrusters (front squat into an overhead lift) with 1 minute of rest between each. I was like, okay, totally manageable, I just need to pace myself so I can make it through the second set. During the first set, I was like, okay, this is kinda fun. It was challenging and repetitive but as soon as I was super bored, the 3 minutes was up and it was time to do something else completely different. I had to take a few breaks during the thrusters with the weight I'd selected, but my heart rate was up and I was ready for round 2. Except then there wasn't a second set. There was only one set. I totally had some juice left in the tank. Oops. I still had a great workout though.
After the class, the instructor chatted with us as we layered up in boots and coats. He explained how workouts are timed throughout the day and stats are posted with rankings of who had done the best. They also keep track of everyone's bests: lifts, times, etc., so you can compete against yourself. Then there are also community-building events, like days when boxes everywhere are doing the same workout, so you get to compete on behalf of your community. There is definitely a supportive, social aspect that is very appealing, much like why I loved Mosaic yoga classes
so much even though there are obvious differences in purpose and activity.
So, overall, I liked it. I get the appeal. I get why people are religious about it. I would go back... if it weren't for the cost. I just can't justify paying much to workout because I've always gotten a gym membership for free. So, I'm going to stay on their e-mail list and anytime there's a deal, I'm going to snap it up!
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