I went to one of the open Tribe workouts this past August (open workouts are usually offered every other Sunday at 2 pm; check Facebook or Instagram), somewhat out of curiosity but mainly because I was looking for something to shake up the boredom and monotony of my exercise/fitness routine (group x classes and running/stair mill/weights). I had never sprinted before in my life and was a little worried it would be either too physically challenging or too technical for me. Mainly though, I didn't like running and didn't think this was the sort of thing I would enjoy. I honestly can't remember that first workout but I joined the Tribe immediately afterwards and haven't looked back. I love it. Here's why:
1) The people - to me, who you workout with is just as important as the kind of workout you do. I was nervous the Tribe group was going to be like super hardcore sprinters and all of the workouts would be ultra competitive with races and times, etc. Well, we do race and we do time ourselves (at certain points throughout the year; it's not the norm) but it's all in the vein of seeing the progress you are making and bettering yourself. The workouts are competitive but mainly in the sense that everyone is pushing YOU to do YOUR best on THAT day. To me, that push, that encouragement is best part about working out with a group and that's what Tribe is all about.
Also, just FYI, the Tribe members range the full spectrum in terms of athletic ability and competitiveness. You have the super athlete types who are crazy fast and leave us all in the dust and then you have probably the majority of us who are just regular people trying to have fun and improve each day.
2) The coaching - the Tribe coaches are hands down the best coaches I've been around. They know every thing there is to know about the mechanics of sprinting and can teach you as much of that as you want to learn. I always thought running was just a natural thing that you did and you were either good or bad it (and I was bad at it!). I had no idea there was so much technique involved. We've learned correct posture, proper arm movement, foot placement, stride length. All sorts of cool stuff. It's been awesome to learn the proper technique, apply it and see improvements. The coaches are also just really cool, fun, awesome people. They encourage us, teach us, act crazy with us, pump us up. They are awesome!
3) The variety - I would say everything we do in TCS is geared towards sprinting but somehow I feel like there is a great variety in the workouts (which is very important to me because I get bored easily). Sometimes we focus on strength/power, sometimes we focus on endurance and sometimes...well sometimes, I'm not sure what we're focusing on but the workouts are always different, challenging an fun.
4) The Challenge - you cannot mail it in at these workouts. We aren't racing and and trying to set PRs at every workout (or many of them for that matter) but no one will let you get away with coasting through a workout and everyone is always pushing you to do your best. The coaches are quick to call folks out who aren't focusing or aren't giving their best effort. The workouts also get you out of your comfort zone, whether it's lifting more weight than you thought you could, doing that one (or two or three) extra reps that you didn't think you could do or pushing a little harder across the finish line.
5) The camaraderie - I think the thing that really sets Tribe apart from other workouts/groups/classes I've done is the comradeship. Unlike other group workouts where you workout and go your separate ways, maybe not even knowing the name of the people you're working out next to, with Tribe, everyone knows everyone. People check on you if you miss a few workouts. We get together to celebrate birthdays, to do karaoke, or just to grab dinner and hang out. It's really awesome to get to workout AND hangout with so many like-minded people.
These are just a few of the great things about this group but you really have to come experience it yourself. Check Facebook and Instagram for updates. read more