To Gym or Not to Gym: The Case for Fitness Everywhere!

Image via funkstar.co.uk

BY: DAVID PRADO, CONTRIBUTOR

For those of you out there who know me, you already know that I am not the type to spring for fads in fitness. As a matter of fact, when it comes to judging a new fitness craze or cult workout, I am downright bordering on pretentious. But... that's only because I'm a downright genius. Well... not really. I've just spent more time than I would like to admit in gyms, talking to 'fitness gurus'. So when people ask me if they should try out Zumba, I promptly inform them that we are no longer friends and to keep an eye on their Facebook friends count because it just went -1.

I mean, c'mon people! If it's something you can do after a few long islands, it's not a workout. And unless you are leading a completely sedentary lifestyle and are on the verge of having the doors to your place widened, I can tell you with Nostradamus-like accuracy what Zumba will do for you... nothing. Leave that and the shake weight for your mom and her bridge group.

If you are reading this blog, chances are you already cook healthy food, workout all the time and look pretty damn good if I might say so myself. Yeah, you sexy beast! This post is for you! Let's talk about RESULTS. 

I hear it all the time... 

"David, I'm working with Brad, my personal trainer at LA Fitness, but I don't see results anymore."

OR

"Summertime snuck up on me! Even after 4 months at the gym, I'm not exactly beach-worthy and 'so and so' will be there. I need to look GOOD! I mean, GOOD! What do I do, David?"

DIVERSIFY (AND NOT JUST YOUR PORTFOLIO):

From the no-nonsense way I started this article, you might think I'm going to suggest jumping on a treadmill and grinding it out for 2 hours a day. For an absolute stranger, yeah... that might be my suggestion. But for you? You are a sexy beast... you need more. You, my friend, are fine-tuning with the precision of an infinite decimal. 

You need to do the following...

Image via runningofthereeses.com

GET OUT!

That's right! It's already warming up so now's the time to start working on that tan. Go for a jog with a friend or Charlie your dog. Got a bike? Ride it. I don't mean leisurely. I mean go 'Lance Armstrong' on that thing (minus the blood doping of course). GO FOR TIME. Get a $30 bike speedo, attach it to your bike and see how much you can improve your mile. Lastly, do not underestimate the pool. There is a reason why everyone tunes in for the swimming portion of the Olympics. I mean... look at those bodies! When I saw the bodies on Avatar, I thought to myself 'No way! Thank God it's CGI and not real life!', but then I saw the 400 meter swim at the Olympics and hit the pool shortly thereafter with a renewed passion.

Image via nytimes.com

NOT THAT CLASS!

"But David, you HATE classes!". No, I don't. I HATE some classes, not all of them. Which classes do I HATE? Well, we already addressed those seen at your local gym's Silver Sneaker's program, such as Zumba. Now let's address the rest of the offenders.

Generally speaking, classes offered at the big box gyms suck. How does one figure that out? Ask yourself - Could I have done this workout without the instructor?. If you answered 'yes', then you most likely took a class at LA Fitness, Life Time Fitness or whatever big box you walked into. The instructor didn't motivate you, instruct you properly or even bother asking if you were new to the class. That's because most instructors at these types of gyms are not certified, nor have they done any sort of in-house training. And why should they? They only get paid $30-50 per class. Most just do it for the free membership.

The big corporate gym owners don't care if you show up for a class. They don't make any extra money when you show up. It's not part of their business model. As a matter of fact, it makes much more sense for them to charge your account each month for membership and have you NOT show up for group classes. I mean, heaven forbid you put their equipment to use and it breaks from wear and tear!

Image via nytimes.com

THIS CLASS!

So what classes should you take? Those classes with instructors that care about how you feel and perform in their class. Why? Because they make money on your attendance and they will work hard to make you come back! They have to earn your love and commitment. So pedal that indoor cycling bike until it breaks! They don't care! Sure, these gyms are small, but they have classes back-to-back on the hour. And instead of having to fight for your place in class like you do at the big box gyms, you can reserve your place beforehand and take your sweet time getting there, knowing your spot is secure.

Here are a few classes that will help you in your quest for the perfect summer bod (in order of preference)...

*SOUL CYCLE - Indoor cycling that will get you dancing on the bike!

*TRX - Suspension training that leverages gravity and body weight to perform hundreds of exercises!

*FAST TWITCH - Circuit-based training that utilizes your speed and power!

*CROSSFIT - It's a cult. Find one.

If you find yourself hitting a wall with your workouts, maybe it's time you tried something new! Mix it up a bit, hit the pool, visit a boutique studio and I'll see you sexy things at the beach!

David Prado is a cycling instructor, personal trainer, general fitness enthusiast and recent law school grad (woot! woot!). On his days off, he can be found on his road bike, biking more miles than you've ever thought possible in one day. He also makes a mean mojito and dances salsa like a pro, thereby making him one of the most fascinating men in the Atlanta area, if not the most opinionated. 

The Experts Weigh In: CrossFit, We Won't Quit!

Image courtesy of themonthproject.com

BY: BUBBA BROCARD, CONTRIBUTOR

CrossFit is a combination of constantly varied, high-intensity functional movements. What does that mean? It's basically a principle strength and conditioning program. In a nutshell, it's a mixture of Olympic weight lifting, gymnastics, flexibility, rowing, running, swimming and biking, to name a few. CrossFit is not a specialized fitness program but instead a deliberate attempt to optimize physical competence in each of ten recognized fitness domains... Cardiovascular and Respiratory Endurance, Stamina, Strength, Flexibility, Power, Speed, Coordination, Agility, Balance, and Accuracy.

I was introduced to CF by a friend a little over 3.5 years ago and haven’t been back to the 'globo gym' since. I'd been doing the same workout routine for 14 years and was ready for something different. I was eager to get off the plateau I had been stuck on and to see results again, rather than just maintaining the body and fitness that I had for so long. The program worked. I have been a CF Trainer for a little under a year now. I love training clients and helping them reach their fitness goals, while sharing my love and passion for CF with new people. 

I love CF, not only because of the amazing workouts and results, but because the CF community sells itself and keeps people coming back for more. I've made some great friends at the gym and ones that I now call some of my best. Everyone at a CF gym is there for the same reason: to be pushed hard, to reach their goals, and to step outside their comfort zone. That being said, it all gives us a common bond. Although we are very different people from all walks of life, we all strive to be fit (and both mentally and physically strong), which bonds us more deeply that I ever thought possible. The community is great. It is so motivating to go to the gym everyday because you know all of your CF buddies will be there to hold you accountable. Not only that, but you want to go in and compete everyday with them to see where you stand. The bragging rights don't hurt either. This forces me to workout harder and push myself way more than I would if I was working out alone.

The biggest changes I have seen are not necessarily on the scale, as I've gained more muscle mass and muscle weighs more than fat. The real changes are how my clothing fits and how my body looks. I have a lot more muscle tone, stronger abs and definition all over my body. I feel good and I love it. When I started CF, I weighed 250 lbs. and now I weigh 225 lbs. So in my first 3 months of CrossFit, I lost approximately 25 lbs. I CF so I look good naked!  

Lol, just kidding...  I saw that on a t-shirt not long ago. 

As for the guy vs. girl thing: our workouts are the same but the weight is adjusted depending on the person. The guys are very competitive against each other, but the women take the competition very seriously too. I will go on the record and say that CF chicks are HOT!  

Crossfit has become a huge part of my life and I highly recommend trying it, especially if you've found yourself in a workout 'rut'. Hey, I love CF so much that I hope to open my own gym and train full time.

 

Bubba Brocard is a special education teacher at Wheeler High School in Marietta, Georgia, a CF Level 1 Trainer at CrossFit East Cobb and a competitive wakeboarder and extreme sports junkie. He aspires to open his own CrossFit gym this year and in the meantime, you can find him on the water, the slopes, the streets... basically anywhere the adrenaline kicks in!

BY: KRISTEN SCHLOEGEL, CONTRIBUTOR

LADIES! Listen up. Forget any current horror thoughts you might have about CrossFit. I am NOT... I repeat, NOT a meat-headed female version of a male, nor do I go to CrossFit with the intention of lifting obscene amounts of weight. I am not buff. You would never look at me and think I missed my calling in women's weight lifting competitions.

Image courtesy of CrossFit RVA

So now that we made it through the disclaimer (phew), I go to CrossFit to get toned, raise my heart rate to fat-blasting levels and work my body out in ways that I didn't even know possible (hello, arm, ab and leg muscles!). Not to mention, the social aspect of CrossFit is an added bonus. As you may have heard, it's kind of like a 'cult', but with hot, sweaty boys running around with their shirts off. Yes, please! But before trying CrossFit, I was (maybe) like you - terrified and intimidated, not wanting to end up looking like I had recently taken several doses of steroids. I gave it a whirl though after my friend talked me into trying it. "Just go once, just once!" was all she kept saying.

Image courtesy of CrossFit RVA

Fast forward six months to now... I am so glad I went 'just once' because that experience turned into a CrossFit membership, something I look forward to every week! I go 3 times/week, and it is SO MUCH FUN. Every day and every workout is different. You're never bored and your body never plateaus, which is the perfect combination in my eyes.

Image courtesy of CrossFit RVA

I have seen quite a bit of change from my 'I just usually run' body - more definition all around, a firmer derriere and increased endurance during runs. I love the personal challenge it brings - 'Can I do this faster or better than I did before?' - and the complete kick in the butt I get after such a short workout. Let me say that again... SHORT workout. It doesn't get any better than that. Short and sweet and oh so effective!

There are definitely things that I completely suck at. Let's see... handstand push-ups (do what?!?), box jumps and double unders, to name a few. But everyone says that you struggle with the workouts no matter who you are or what type of body you have when you start. It's made for ANYONE. You can be overweight, avoiding workouts for years, OR you can be a dedicated fitness feign who watches their diet. There are ways to scale EVERY exercise for your particular body type and skill level.

CrossFit really is a great concept, and now I understand why so many people jump on the CrossFit wagon. It's totally addicting. I am enjoying my 3 visits each week and am so happy I tried one of the best workout phenomenons since the days of Richard Simmons! Come on, ladies! Don't be scared to join the fun!

A native of Chicago, Kristen Schloegel is a surgical/trauma ICU nurse at VCU Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia. After being lured to CrossFit by an old friend, Kristen loved it so much that she never looked back. She now goes three times a week. When she's not at the gym, Kristen enjoys exploring her neighborhood, cooking new recipes, drinking coffee like it's her job and indulging in her ritual evening cocktail, gin with cucumbers.

Advice From The Experts: A Couple of CrossFit Junkies!

We all make choices in life. Some people choose to sign up for 3 am wake-up calls, intense physical exertion and extreme verbal abuse. It's called boot camp. You join the Army to participate. You willingly give up your creature comforts to put your body and mind through numbing pain that only the Army can provide.

This is how I envision CrossFit. Yikes.

Now... having never tried CrossFit and barely knowing what it entails, I realize my impression of it is seriously skewed. That's why I decided to bring in the big guns for tomorrow's article. I wanted to get a male vs. female perspective on CrossFit from two people who are entrenched in the program.

Bubba Brocard (I'm pretty sure no one knows his real first name) is a total CrossFit convert. Bubba has always been athletic but found himself tired of the same old workout routine. He started doing CrossFit three and a half years ago and is now a CF Level 1 Trainer at CrossFit East Cobb who also plans to open his own CrossFit gym within the year. By day, Bubba is a special education teacher at Wheeler High School in Marietta, Georgia, but by night, he's a competitive wakeboarder and total extreme sports junkie. On his day off, you can find him at the lake riding the wake or just being generally OCD about cleanliness. Now, this may be too much information, but... Bubba shaves his whole body religiously and does a load of laundry per day. Hear that ladies?! He does his own laundry! ...and who likes hair anyways?!?

Kristen Schloegel (or 'The Schloeg' as I like to call her) is a recent CrossFit disciple who found herself giving it a try after re-connecting with an old friend (at a Bachelorette party, nonetheless!) who owns a CrossFit gym in Tampa, Florida. She talked it up so much that Kristen just had to see what it was all about. Once she tried her first class, she was hooked... line and sinker! When she's not 'owning it' in CrossFit, Kristen works in Richmond as a surgical/trauma ICU nurse, a very demanding but rewarding career choice. On her day off, you can find her brewing a cup of French press to start off the day, then exploring the hidden gems of Richmond or getting lost in a book at the coffee shop. ...And this girl actually punk'd Tyler Perry while in nursing school. Hey, maybe we'll catch her on the big screen one day!

Get ready for Bubba and Kristen's 2-for-1 tomorrow! Then maybe we'll figure out this CrossFit thing once and for all!