Being a really aggressive, type A personality, I have felt the urge to maul someone at least once a…read moreday since I was 4. Since middle school until the end of college I tried lifting weights, running competitively, dancing, cycling, hiking, every kind of yoga available in the valley (and that's a lot of yoga!), and a myriad of other group exercise classes including spinning, boot camps, kickboxing, step aerobics, and interval training, (sometimes attending 2-3 different classes per day), in attempt to take my edge off and feel normal.
The result was: I got in moderately good shape, had a nice toned, lean body, learned about a lot of different facilities in the area, and even learned new moves and techniques that served me well, and still do from time to time.
However, I was never able to use any of these outlets to push myself to the extent that I wanted to. I often became bored, and uninterested. I would leave my workouts feeling winded and sweaty, but unfulfilled, irritated, and still bubbling over with a fiery type of energy that made me want to crawl out of my skin. I would spend the rest of the day picking fights with everyone around me, and sometimes even throwing inanimate objects around my house.
It wasn't until I joined PVCF, and started attending at least 3-4 workouts a week that this behaviour subsided. Now, not only are there less broken things, and cops showing up at my house, but I am stronger, leaner, and more nimble than I have ever been.
I am learning new things, and improving a little more each day. Just yesterday, I was finally able to coordinate my feet well enough to climb a rope. A few weeks before that, something else clicked, and I got a little better at double-unders.
For most, attending first WODs at PVCF is a new social situation where you don't know anyone, most of the moves and techniques are completely new to you, very challenging, and you have to perform in front of a room of beautiful, healthy strangers. Fortunately, self-confidence and humility you didn't even know you had will emerge from this experience, and make you a better person. Additionally, having to say "hi" to people you don't know on a daily basis, and learning their names will expand your social skills and community network.
Learning where all of the equipment is, how to use it, how to efficiently set it up, and put it back will increase your assertiveness (as you have to ask those around you for tips and info, etc.)
Going through the sometimes painstaking process of learning your numbers (the amount of weight you're lifting) keeping track of all of this and writing it down, knowing your reps, is all part of an empowering self indulgent experience that will be unlike any other part of your life. This is where you gain drive, motivation, and competitiveness that you might not have found within yourself before.
As you can see, it's really a holistic fitness experience that rivals any other I've experienced here in the five college area. Not to mention there's convenient parking, gorgeous bathrooms and showers, plenty of equipment, room to put your stuff, and access to nutritional support. The management is constantly tailoring the schedule to fit members needs, and rearranging things to improve the space.
Also, there are crazy stereotypes running around out there that crossfitters and crossfit trainers are just a bunch of jocks who think that crossfit is the be all end all of the world. This isn't true. Crossfitters are a diverse group of people including kids, tweens, artists, veterans, first responders, colleges students, and people of all shapes and sizes, and all fitness levels. If you are looking for a gym, definitely give it a try before automatically going up the street to BigBox Globo-Fitness, and bring a friend!
