Day 25 ! CrossFit (Level 1.3: Deadlift/SDHP/Box Jump)

It talks a big talk – “forging elite fitness,” “the World’s most effective fitness system,” “unparalleled degree of health and fitness” and there’s no question that it does have a massive global following (there must be to warrant over 5,500 affiliated gyms and more than 35,000 accredited CrossFit Level 1 trainers). Its ethos is based on constantly varied functional movements performed at pretty high intensity, depicted by the founder, Greg Glassman as:

Glassman’s Equation: CVFM @ HI + Communal Environment = Health

Mathematical indeed. Essentially, the functional moves are meant to mimic movement patterns that are naturally found in everyday life – squatting is sitting, deadlifts are picking up things from the floor – as opposed to gym machines which are “non-functional.”

Now, there are some pre-conceptions that Crossfit has a “push yourself till you puke or pass out attitude” but I read that this is not always the case (thankfully?) and not an enforced attitude. If you watch a handful of Crossfit videos, aside from the American-style OTT cheese, there are some seriously fit people advocating Crossfit, not only as a fitness regime but also almost as a way of life. Sounds a bit culty? Or just a solid community? I'm reserving judgment for the time being until I've tried a few more Crossfit classes. Because with something like Crossfit, I don’t think you can get a proper experience in just one class.

In fact, the affiliated Crossfit gyms seem to have a similar basic theme (obviously) but each can have its own class structure and pricing. I went for the Crossfit gym in Bethnal Green, mainly because their website had a clear section for Getting Started and with clear steps on what you have to do before (read the risks associated with Crossfit – no puking mentioned), on the day of and after your first class. There are 7 Level 1 sessions teaching basic techniques to ensure you have solid base understanding of individual exercises. Once you have completed each level 1 session at least once, you can graduate to level 2. Each session ends with the infamous WOD (Workout of the Day) using the skills learnt in that session. Which does mean I won’t get to level 2 with 5 classes but I’ll see how these 5 go and decide then.

So, Level 1.3 - Deadlift, Sumo- Deadlift Hi-Pull & Box Jump. The class is very technique-focussed, with Instructor Carolyn and Assistant Instructor Paul for just 9 students. Our squats were fine-tuned until perfection (you’ve probably been squatting shoddily so far), our dead-lift was practiced repeatedly with utility tubes until we were deemed ready to move onto actual weights and box jumps were rehearsed on wooden crates. Because the level 1 classes are solidifying technique, it’s not exactly a cardio blitz or high intensity. But then you get to the WOD – ours today was 5 deadlifts, 10 box jumps and 15 knees-to-hands tuck jumps. 3 times. It really does sound easy. But when you know it’s being timed, my God you need a sweet burst of explosive energy! All in all, it’s a different type of class – I can see the lure of improving your technique, reaching the next level and most importantly, beating your timed WODs. And if the whole hour was doing WODs, I can easily see why one might puke at the end. Watch this space!

The Need To Know:

- Where: Arch 3 Gales Garden, Bethnal Green (E2 0EJ)

- Nearest Station: Bethnal Green(3mins)

- When: Various Level 1 classes one or twice a day

- How Much: £58 for 5 classes (it ain’t cheap!)

  

The Want to Know:

- Who’s it For: For those who want a long-term challenge and like the idea of raw, pure, stripped back fitness

- Sweat Scale: 6.3/10 on average -  45mins at 6/10 then 5mins at 9/10

- Strength / Cardio / Flexi / Tone: Grrr! Strength

- Complexity: 7/10

- Fun Factor: 7/10

- Changing Facilities: Changing room(/kitchen) and toilet. No mirrors. Not that kind of place. More grit than fancy.

- Instructor Inspiration: 8/10.

The Stats:

- Total Time: 50mins

- Calories Burnt: 164

- Average Heart Rate: 103bpm

- Max Heart Rate: 171bpm (pretty much constantly for the last 5mins!)

Outside the arch!

Check out the last 5mins!