for the "get into shape" resolution people

[Thomas J. O'Hara]

www.crossfit.com -- search for an affiliate near you (on the ride side, scroll down)

i joined a crossfit gym in June, it's been sweet.
It's great for anybody, from housewives to pro athletes.
They are a little on the expensive side, but well worth it.
Oh, did I mention this is the program the guys from 300 used?

[ryan brown]

I don't really get it... is it like joining a gym where you go once a week any time you please? Is it a one time thing, then you do it on your own? The website confuses me...

On the right side, they're all one/two day seminars (mostly sold out).

[Thomas J. O'Hara]

scroll down further to the affiliates, it should be a bunch of links to websites
their site is freakin confusing, you could just try this one

it's the gym i go to - www.crossfitflood.com

[Jeff Anderson]

interesting - there's an affiliate not too far from my office... may have to try this out... looks like it might kill me... oh well... worth a shot...

[Thomas J. O'Hara]

Ryan, all the ones in Texas are:

Austin (2)
Plano
Wichita Falls
Houston (2)
College Station
El Paso
San Antonio (2)
Corpus Christi
Rockwall
Round Rock
Woodlands
Cedar Park

i just did a search and found out Plano is the nearest one to DFW.
here's their site
www.crossfitplano.com

[Thomas J. O'Hara]

interesting - there's an affiliate not too far from my office... may have to try this out... looks like it might kill me... oh well... worth a shot...

i'm not gonna lie, it's the hardest workout i've ever done, but it's so worth it.
that saying "whatever doesn't kill you only makes you stronger" totally applies here.

good luck! i'd be interested to see how things work out, keep me posted.
our gym is on break until the 31st, then it's back to work.

[Jeff Anderson]

will do - looks scary but I could use a "program", wont do it otherwise. So how often do you go do classes?

[Thomas J. O'Hara]

will do - looks scary but I could use a "program", wont do it otherwise. So how often do you go do classes?

I try to go 3 times a week, during the summer i went 4-5 times a week and experienced a lot of improvement. i was eating very healthy as well, which is half the battle. since thanksgiving it's been spotty with finals and holidays, but i can't wait until christmas break is over and i can get back into the routine. 3

i suggest planning for 4-5 days a week...

they'll start you off slow and ease you into it until and before you know it you'll be doing ring dips, one arm pullups and handstand pushups (all things i couldn't do before the summer)

[JasonFox]

Hmmmm, I drive through Plano on the way to work. (It's very exciting.)

[Thomas J. O'Hara]

I just started workouts again - finally!

I had a 2 month break from the action because of a 3-week trip to the philippines, and then a couple weeks of the flu once I got back.

Backsquats today. 105(3) 135(3) 145(2) 165(2) 175(2) 185(1) 195(1) 205(1) 215(1) 235(1)

Have any of you guys taken the crossfit plunge?

[snodart]

I did the crossfit WOD's for about 6 months and loved it. No question, you will gain strength and stamina. It is not easy doing them alone since some of them are simply insane (in a good way). The main site is a little confusing at first, but it doesn't take long to get used to it and find you way around. Just read what the WOD (workout of the day) is for the day and go do it. There are a good deal of example videos and answer to questions about exercises (though you have to dig a little to find some of them). I did struggle with keeping proper form with some of the olympic type lifts. The instruction videos are pretty good, but nothing beats some time with a trainer for big lifts.

Anyway, I've been working out in some form or another for about 10 years and have tried a large number of programs and techniques. Hands down, I had the biggest gains in strength, muscle mass, and overall fitness from doing the crossfit WODs.

[Thomas J. O'Hara]

nice man, you should join a crossfit gym! (if you have the money)

It's the most fun I've ever had in a gym environment.

[Jeff Anderson]

ok yeah life has gotten in the way and I'm still just in the R&D stage on all this workout stuff.

Snodart - how much/what equipment do you have at home? I've been reading over the crossfit home gym articles and it looks like a decent investment even to get a minimal setup going in the garage. I'm kinda leaning towards this as I'm working more and more from home and going to a gym at the same time everyday just is never going to happen for me. But I have been putting 20 minutes on the elliptical everyday (just not at the same time) so I think adding some more parts to the routine would work out well. Thoughts on doing this from home anyone?

[snodart]

Snodart - how much/what equipment do you have at home? I've been reading over the crossfit home gym articles and it looks like a decent investment even to get a minimal setup going in the garage. I'm kinda leaning towards this as I'm working more and more from home and going to a gym at the same time everyday just is never going to happen for me. But I have been putting 20 minutes on the elliptical everyday (just not at the same time) so I think adding some more parts to the routine would work out well. Thoughts on doing this from home anyone?

I've accumulated a pretty good set up over the years. It comes out to be a nice set up, but the total cost would probably only come in around $800. The main item is this Weider home gym (http://www.shreveportsuperads.com/images/i/Shreveport%5Cb200307111814GYM.jpg). Aside from that I have some random items: dip/pull up bar, various free weights, extra bench, basketball full of sand :zombie_smiley:, DIY 24" box, punching bag, floor mat, etc. The Weider only ran about $475 at Costco. There are a few exercises that I have to improvise, but crossfit normally has alternatives to exercises in case you don't have the equipment (such as a rowing machine). I hear you about not having time to make it to a gym every day. I would have to add on an extra 45 min or so to every work out just to account for the driving time and such. Anyway, something along the lines of the Weider set up is well worth the money. The rest can be found at garage sales, gyms that are going out of business, etc. Play-it-Again Sports is a little overpriced for used gear, but I have found a few good deals there.

Also, don't forget about your own body weight: push ups, pull ups, dips, hand stand push ups, etc... can create a great workout. I have a "seal" workout around here somewhere that is weight free and a true killer.


nice man, you should join a crossfit gym! (if you have the money)
There was one around here that was trying to get going. There were some people meeting once or twice a week, but no gym. I should look into it again and see it they ever got things going.

[Thomas J. O'Hara]

where in so cal are you?

[Charlie Anderson]

Funny, there's a crossfit baltimore opening up April 1st

[Charlie Anderson]

HOLY BALLS that's pricey! But I guess being fit has no price to it eh?

[Terry_Lasater]

You don't have to spend money on gym fees. In case anyone missed it in the other workout thread, here's a great, FREE home bodybuilding/fitness site:

Scooby's workshop (http://fitness.scoobysworkshop.com)

[rawfa]

Jesus H Christ, you gotta be desperately in need of getting in shape to pay that kind of money...or have a lot of money....

[Jeff Anderson]

THanks for the link Terry. I had seen that in the other thread a while back and had forgotten about it. Lots of good info there and it looks like a nice no equipment basic workout plan there as well I think I'll start with while I figure out equipment and everything else. Right now I just need some daily cardio so I'm not tired all the time. Already have an elliptical and 5 dogs so that shouldnt be too hard. Guess I'll be starting tonight. Crap. This was easier when I was just thinking about it... Too much sitting, not enough moving...

[rawfa]

With the kind of money you pay for this type of work out you can easily build your own gym at home.

[Thomas J. O'Hara]

You're not just paying for the gym equipment though...you're paying for a trainer, the community, and the competition.

personally, I'm not very self-motivated. But when I get to the gym with my other classmates and we have that friendly competitive atmosphere, it makes it so much more enjoyable. Add our trainer into the mix who is an ex-navy seal and you get a great motivator. We have a board with all the best times/lifts/etc, so that's another cool thing that makes me try *that* much harder.

to me, this is totally worth the $100 a month I pay for 5 days a week.

of course, if you are self-motivated and can find enjoyment out of a home gym for next to no cost, that's awesome. I'm actually jealous, I wish I had that kind of personality, but I found something that works for me, so I'm happy. :)

[dory_breaux]

or just go buy a bike and ride it...