So, I turned 29 last week. This scares the shit out of me for many reasons, but in particular because I look like this:
Actually, looking like it isn't really the thing I mind. It's that I'm as out of shape as I look. For the last year I've spent far too much time working and eating poorly; and far, far too little time working on my health and well being. My membership in Ben Dunne was due to expire next week and I was going to renew it like a lemming but happened upon this set of videos on youtube that made me think twice:
It's a bit cringey and is very much a Crossfit marketing ploy but it certainly made me wonder about things. There are many valid criticisms of Crossfit out there it seems, but let's face facts: as an out of shape 29 year old I don't really need to worry about the high end athletic merits of Crossfit. I'm under no illusions that this is the be all and end all of training, etc; and I get that the main site daily workouts and literature is total bullshit a lot of the time. But I need something in terms of guidance and motivation so...
I took a look at the local affiliate (which is just down the road from me) and spent a few days reading up on how much they tailor the program for individuals and filter out the bullshit. It was hard to find anything other than positive feedback.
So I gave them a ring and went down this morning. From talking on the phone, I was genuinely worried that they might say I'm not able to partake in the group sessions and would need private training, etc to get me up to speed. Facility is a converted unit in Sandyford Industrial Estate and is full of functional equipment, squat racks, pull up bars, etc. No banks of cardio machines. Met two of the lads who own the place and they seemed to be very nice and full of interest and sage advice. After a good chat, they took me over for a starting workout:
500 metres row at level 6 resistance
40 bodyweight squats (full depth - he placed a small ball behind me as a guide)
30 sit ups
20 push ups
10 pullups (with a heavy assistance band for myself needless to say)
as fast as you can
There was an emphasis on getting good form and doing full movements and when he was satisfied I was approaching each one correctly I began. Wanted to die during the pushups and found them incredibly difficult (proper form pushup when you're 140kgs is tough). Struggled through in 12 mins 36 seconds. But the coach reckoned I moved well enough for me to partake in the group sessions from the get go - so no private training!
Needless to say, he talked to me for a few minutes afterwards about nutrition. Doing the workouts will help, but if I really want to make a change I need to sort out what's going into my mouth. Cook more, less cheating, less carbs, etc. I'll need to study the info he gave me and figure out a proper plan.
It's not cheap, but if I'm unwilling to invest ~2k in my health over the course of a year what is the point? And doing some reading really convinced me that you do get what you pay for with this stuff. Obviously we have some very fit and motivated people on here who just need a space and some equipment to make progress. Lurker23 doesn't need a coach!! But I do, and like anything else if you want the benefit of quality expertise you need to be willing to spend a few quid.
Anyway, I'm going to stick the workouts they have me do in here. I'm quite excited, they seemed bang on and seem to have the requisite level of knowledge to scale things down to my level and coach me through the lifts. Hopefully I'll have the discipline to make a proper go of this, we'll see.
Actually, looking like it isn't really the thing I mind. It's that I'm as out of shape as I look. For the last year I've spent far too much time working and eating poorly; and far, far too little time working on my health and well being. My membership in Ben Dunne was due to expire next week and I was going to renew it like a lemming but happened upon this set of videos on youtube that made me think twice:
It's a bit cringey and is very much a Crossfit marketing ploy but it certainly made me wonder about things. There are many valid criticisms of Crossfit out there it seems, but let's face facts: as an out of shape 29 year old I don't really need to worry about the high end athletic merits of Crossfit. I'm under no illusions that this is the be all and end all of training, etc; and I get that the main site daily workouts and literature is total bullshit a lot of the time. But I need something in terms of guidance and motivation so...
I took a look at the local affiliate (which is just down the road from me) and spent a few days reading up on how much they tailor the program for individuals and filter out the bullshit. It was hard to find anything other than positive feedback.
So I gave them a ring and went down this morning. From talking on the phone, I was genuinely worried that they might say I'm not able to partake in the group sessions and would need private training, etc to get me up to speed. Facility is a converted unit in Sandyford Industrial Estate and is full of functional equipment, squat racks, pull up bars, etc. No banks of cardio machines. Met two of the lads who own the place and they seemed to be very nice and full of interest and sage advice. After a good chat, they took me over for a starting workout:
500 metres row at level 6 resistance
40 bodyweight squats (full depth - he placed a small ball behind me as a guide)
30 sit ups
20 push ups
10 pullups (with a heavy assistance band for myself needless to say)
as fast as you can
There was an emphasis on getting good form and doing full movements and when he was satisfied I was approaching each one correctly I began. Wanted to die during the pushups and found them incredibly difficult (proper form pushup when you're 140kgs is tough). Struggled through in 12 mins 36 seconds. But the coach reckoned I moved well enough for me to partake in the group sessions from the get go - so no private training!
Needless to say, he talked to me for a few minutes afterwards about nutrition. Doing the workouts will help, but if I really want to make a change I need to sort out what's going into my mouth. Cook more, less cheating, less carbs, etc. I'll need to study the info he gave me and figure out a proper plan.
It's not cheap, but if I'm unwilling to invest ~2k in my health over the course of a year what is the point? And doing some reading really convinced me that you do get what you pay for with this stuff. Obviously we have some very fit and motivated people on here who just need a space and some equipment to make progress. Lurker23 doesn't need a coach!! But I do, and like anything else if you want the benefit of quality expertise you need to be willing to spend a few quid.
Anyway, I'm going to stick the workouts they have me do in here. I'm quite excited, they seemed bang on and seem to have the requisite level of knowledge to scale things down to my level and coach me through the lifts. Hopefully I'll have the discipline to make a proper go of this, we'll see.
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