Gym experiment

 So after Worlds...in November, I needed a break.  I needed something different. 

As you know I opted to give a 30 day yoga thing a shot.  Again, not 30 in a row, but 30 days.  I also started looking at new gyms.  

I know I know I always long for the days of nooners at Praxis.  I know it was a unicorn and I have finally finally come to understand just how lucky I was at a place and with people that just clicked, that pushed and supported.

Ok, that's done...that's ok!  

So the question becomes now, what do I want? What am I looking for? 

The gym I am at, IronSoul, is a great place....great equipment..but it isn't really a good fit.  I am not looking for a place that is so social that you don't get work done, but you know, for meeeeee.....coming in and seeing the same people for months and months and trying to make eye contact and finally after 18 months getting a head nod....was making me ...well....sad? Then throw in the pandemic....and a lot of the people who did acknowledge one another....some of the lady gym crushes moved on.... :)  ANd the freaking commute....I know, I am aware that I know people who drive from Santa Fe to ABQ to go to a gym they love...but that's part of the point isn't it...they love that gym, they fit...

I was also struggling a bit with remote coaching....again....great stuff...great support....but...was I really doing anything correctly....was I really even pushing myself...I was finding reasons to not go.....

So I started looking....there are some good "box" gyms out there...and I thought I might wait to see about the Defined that is supposed to open by the house....but WHEN IS IT OPENING??

So Kyle, one of the body workers I go to, told me he was checking out a new gym, so I thought what the hell....he description made me think it might be worth looking at.  So at the end of November I made an appointment to check it out...It's not Crossfit, but it's not, not CrossfitISH.  They have 3 different levels of training...single, pairs, and something they call "squads".  The squads are basicly small group training with folks that have similar goals.

I will admit...I walked in defensive...walking into a new gym in a larger body kinds of armor...and they paired me with a trainer for an "assessment" UGH...but interestingly it was mostly a mobility assessment...There is a three month commitment to start...so I am about half way through...

The first month, I was on this high rep cardio killer shit that made me laugh.  But working with the trainer they gave me was kinda cool...I was up front right away, Dude...I cannot afford the one on one for three months...and they said fine...we can work together a month, see where you are and find a "squad."  

The first one on one we had was interesting...I mean like slow down please...I gotta constantly catch my breath...I was getting super frustrated with  myself, but whatta gonna do...I just kept moving.  Then as he was walking me through their lifting areas, "showing" me lifts and watching me lift for the first time, he said something to me.

"hmmm, You are really capable."

Not said with shock or surprise.  No superlatives like "bad ass" which honestly has always fallen flat on my ear, my body...

Capable.

I really liked that...and after that first month...I felt better about my conditioning and he wanted to move me back into lifting.  I was a little like...maybe I should stay put...but I am in the second week of his programming...I told him he is evil for having front squats and deads the same day...but...I may have him add another day that is just the annoying conditioning....

The last private session we had...I asked if they had found a "squad" for me.

 

Him: No.

Me: Oh.....

Him: No one here is really doing what you do.

Me: Oh....

Him: Don't worry about the pricing though.

Me: Ok...but that's not really...

Him: We all talked about it (the other trainers) and we are hoping we can eventually guide some people toward the kind of lifting and strength training you are doing. To form a squad around you instead of fitting you into one that isn't what you need.

Me: Oh...ok...

So there it is....not sure I fit here either, or that I will stay.  I mean I have actually spoken to some folks here....like people I see at the same time of day...like, a women came up to me after like a week just to say hi....and shit people look you in the eye...and I am sorta the outlier walking in with head phones. And I joked with a friend that it sorta feels like walking into a LuLuLemon showroom...I am definitely the fat kid in this place...  😏

Anyhoooo.....they have a cool mobility class I can take for free as well, which is nice...and it looks like they plan outings once in a while too~I saw a snowshoeing thing they offered recently.

I have about 6 more weeks to decide...

It really isn't so cut and dry this time...it isn't like I walk in and say "this is it." I wish it were...and I miss working out in the mornings with Grant...but he and I need different things...and oh...it is much closer to the house as well....

Six more weeks...and a game on the horizon....oh and can you imaging...I am doing another 30 day yoga thing....more on that later.