What is this XFit you speak of, I hear you ask? Well - it's really called Cross Fit but that wouldn't have fitted with the purpose of this blog, which is to finally cross off the letter X from my alphabet challenge.
The workouts are designed to improve overall fitness and strength, using movements similar to those in every day life. If you visit their website, you will find several references to the fact that everyone - from Olympian to Grandparent - benefits from the same exercises, just at different intensities. For the purpose of my life, I shall choose intensity level Great - Grandparent.
When I arrived at the Suffolk Food Hall (lovely place, great cakes), I could already hear the music banging from one of the outbuildings. The heat we have come to expect over these last few days had not yet broken the gentle breeze, and the Orwell bridge looked abandoned in the early morning mist as I worked up the courage to enter. I know that I'd struggle with any class, but a 6am crossfit class in a purpose built studio would be a different level to the early evening local community gym classes for £5.
Once inside I was met by the types of machines you might expect in a well equipped gym: Dumbells, kettlebells and weighted balls were stacked on shelves alongside massive weight plates. Machines for rowing, cycling, skiing as well as a rings were lined up neatly against the walls, just waiting for the fun to start.
We all gathered around a white board which detailed the work out programme, and coach Jodie explained what the warm up would look like:
In pairs, we would share two exercises and alternate. So for example, one would be using the rings whilst the other would run up and down the hall, and then swap. Everyone in this group of 10 seemed lovely, but I was particularly grateful to the two Ladies who took me under their wing. They made sure that I was given the lightest dumbells, understood the settings on the machines and continuously reminded me to take it easy.
Warm up over, we stared the workout of the day:
4 stations, 2 exercises at each station, 3 minutes at each station.
We did the whole set twice, with an official break of 1 minute between them. I insisted on being a rebel and making my own rules, having my breaks pretty much all the time.
Each station had one exercise with a clear target to be reached, and one that you'd do until the time was over. For example, row 200m as fast as you can, and then do Burpees until the 3 minutes are over. Or spin until the machine indicates that you've burn 15 calories, then use the remainder of your 3 minutes on drop balls.
After my first set of Burpees, the lightheadedness I had been dreading came back with full force. The coach suggested that - seen as it has happened a few times now - I might need to get my blood pressure checked. Having dizzyness take over for a couple of moments in itself isn't a problem - I know that I need to squat down, breathe and drink water and I'll soon be back to normal. But I do find it very embarrassing, having to rest when everyone else had been working so much harder without a break.
But even this session came to an end eventually, and after a a few minutes of thorough stretching it was time to wave goodbye. Whilst we were sweating, the world had woken up, and the sun already made itself felt as I limped back to the car.
If you asked me how I feel about Cross Fit, I'd say:
- Make sure you bring a bottle of water or even a sweetened drink. You'll sweat a lot.
- Wear comfortable clothes and good trainers.
- I did really enjoy the fact that I still have the entire day ahead of me after the work out - but here are classes on at all different times of the day if the early raising is not your thing.
- A lot of the exercises were designed to be done in pairs, so if you have a friend you could coerce into going with you, that might make your first experience a bit less painful.
- Like with many other classes, I had to yet again be reminded that I should work at my own speed, and pace myself if I want to last the duration. I often find myself going full throttle on a first set, only to have to sit out the third to recover.
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| ...and they still smiled... |
