Last Updated on January 30, 2022 by Heather Hart, ACSM EP, CSCS
The universe continues to work in mysterious ways.
For the past few months I’ve been doing a lot of functional training on my own. Any sort of WOD I can come across that I am able to do at the Y, I try to do. If not, I’ll put together some mishmash of sprints, burpees, and box jumps and call it a day. This is also how I typically train my clients. My philosophy is this: you pay for the gym membership, you can use a treadmill and the weight circuit anytime you want. If you pay EXTRA for me as your trainer, well I’m taking you out of that comfort zone and pushing you to do something different. For me personally, more functional training and less simply putting in the miles has made a HUGE difference in my fitness level and running speed. I am lucky if I hit 20 miles a week, and despite the low mileage, recently took 11 minutes off of my half marathon time.
I’ve known about CrossFit forever. I’ve wanted to join in for about half that time. I’m not exactly sure what took me so long, but about two weeks ago, before this evil cold struck, I finally, *finally* made my way into a box. CrossFit Keene. And it was awesome.
So amidst all of this, I get an amazing invitation from Reebok and FitFluential to visit the Reebok headquarters in Canton, Massachusetts. For those of you who don’t know, Reebok has partnered with Crossfit in a long term contract as they set out to be the face of fitness. Reebok is 100% committed to CrossFit, its athletes and community, and thus, has built the most epic of Crossfit boxes (the term for the building one does crossfit in) of all time. And suddenly I had an invitation to visit.
Geeked.
Reebok was gracious enough to send a couple of awesome outfits before hand (including their crossfit gear, which I adore, review to come soon) and some Real-Flex transition sneakers. So decked in my Friday best, I made the quick drive down to Canton to the headquarters.
Right from the get-go I fell in love with Reebok, because they have a track that goes around the building, *AND* roaming wild turkeys. Big ones. And signs on the wall like this:
What’s not to love about a place like that?
Now I hate to admit it, but previous to this visit, when I thought of Reebok I thought of this:
Fitness. Step class. Classic white sneakers, probably with Velcro. And most likely some sort of leotard.
In our introduction to Reebok and where the brand is headed these days I realized that the focus of Reebok has not changed over the years. They are still committed to being the face of fitness. Except these days, fitness looks more like this:
Say it with me now: bada$$. Check it out:
So after our quick intro to the brand, the above motivational video and this one below that seriously makes me want to drop and knock out 10 burpees (credit to Kelly Olexa for this one) we headed to the box.
The box was AMAZING. I may be a newbie to crossfit but I’m no stranger to gyms, and the equipment in this facility, and the facility in general, was just unreal.
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| Austin Malleolo, head coach at Reebok Crossfit ONE |
3 rounds for time:
200 m relay (400 m total)
45 KettleBell Swings
24 pullups
(done with a partner).
After a bunch of demos (where I was told nicely that my posture sucks and my squat form needs some serious work. New coach Tim here in Keene pointed it out again this morning, haha) we got down to business.
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| poor guy was trying so hard to teach my to tuck my pelvis in and flatten my back. Who knew I was such a slow learner… |
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| Cheering on my partner Nicole (photo credit K. Olexa) |
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| patiently working on my swing form (photo credit K. Olexa) |
It was a quick, fun workout (to be honest, after being sick for a few weeks my fitness level is seriously lacking, so yeah, the 200 m sprints pretty much killed me. Sadly.) And after thanking our coaches, we, in typical social media-blogger fashion, took a ton of photos. It’s what we do.
So, a ton of you have tweeted or commented asking me about crossfit or saying that you are wanting to try it.
Do it.
Seriously. I considered myself “in good shape”. I could drop and run a decent time half marathon right now. Heck, I could even make it through a marathon if I had to. I can do real pushups. I can do 2 unassisted pullups. My BMI and body fat are in check and healthy. CrossFit, however, has shown me that I am weak. I have great endurance, but I am not fit. And I aspire to be strong.
I love that you can get in a killer workout in a short time. I love that you compete against yourself, push yourself to do better every time. I love that it’s not the same thing every day. Again, I’m still new at this, so I can’t profess my undying love for it quite yet, but I’m certainly at the lust phase. I want more.
And I’m incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to train under the watchful eye of some of the worlds best CrossFit athletes in such an amazing facility. I wonder if Reebok will let me move in?
Stay tuned for part 2…where we learn about footwear, the direction of Reebok apparel, and the moment when I realize that I do NOT shake my booty as well as Beyonce…or even relatively close.
Heather Hart is an ACSM certified Exercise Physiologist, NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), UESCA certified Ultrarunning Coach, RRCA certified Running Coach, co-founder of Hart Strength and Endurance Coaching, and creator of this site, Relentless Forward Commotion. She is a mom of two teen boys, and has been running and racing distances of 5K to 100+ miles for over a decade. Heather has been writing and encouraging others to find a love for fitness and movement since 2009.
SportyMomme
Very happy for you to have had this opportunity my dear friend… It’s just the start of many more wonderful & positive things to come your way…and if Reebok is smart, they will let you move it…lol
Heather Iacobacci-Miller
So cool. I’ve sort of wanted to try it but also scared to LOL. What a great opportunity!
Katie McFarland
I’m SOOO freakin jealous that you had that amazing opportunity. It looks like it was a ton of fun!
Glad you had a great time!!
Stacey Pomerleau
Awesome stuff….. Awesome opportunity!!!
Shellyrm ~ just a country runner
My life is about to make a big change and I am hoping that some serious and concrete cross training will be part of my “new normal.” Cross Fit is on my list of achieving real, well rounded fitness!
Great experience. Thanks for sharing it.
Meg G
I’ve been reading all the FFAs posts about this day, trying to experience it through all of you!! I’m such a crossfit nerd and think it’s so amazing that they gave you this opportunity. I just ran my first marathon while using crossfit as my cross training and I felt like it helped keep my core strong and my mind tough. What I gained mentally outweighs everything. I feel so much better about myself since starting crossfit, those little accomplishments of getting unassisted pull-ups, being able to lift more, using heavier kettlebells, all that stuff is always such an ego boost.
Sarah
I get what you’re saying about the old-school step video, but I know you were not dissing on my girl Gin Miller. She was my favorite exercise video trainer, ever. I wonder what she’s up to now?
But really, that sounds like a fantastic experience.
HEATHER @ runfastermommy!
Of course not! And speaking of old school, I still totally idolize Richard Simmons. It’s on my bucket list to meet him. And sweat to the oldies 🙂
Krista
I have a friend that I met at the gym I used to work out who has opened her own box…she’s invited me, but I’m scared to DEATH to go….now my interest is piqued, and I may have to. Thanks!
Michelle
Heather it looks like it was an amazing day! Congrats to you for getting that amazing opportunity!
Heather @ For the Love of Kale
What a day that was! Great recap, girl. So nice meeting you. 🙂
Jenny
I want to try and have wanted to for some time, but I’m always afraid that it will conflict with training for races. Now that I have no races for the next few months, I’m good…but I’m scared. The guy at the Crossfit gym thinks I’m crazy because I keep emailing him. I guess I should just buck up and go…
Scott @ Your Inner Skinny
Love Crossfit. I just started a job a new gym that’s based around the same type of workouts as Crosffit. Looks like you ladies had fun. I’m envious!
ConcreteNCoffee
How exciting for you! I will definitely follow along. I love functional fitness, too, and believe high intensity trumps the old LSD (long, slow, distance) when it comes to building endurance and stamina, any day! Have fun and keep us posted on how it all goes.
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama
After seeing you and all the fellow FFA, I’m even more excited to give Crossfit a try! What a great opportunity!
mistransformation
My how times have changed – – for the better!
Wymberley Pfalmer
i just found your blog via Healthy Ashley who was also at the event. I hopw you will take a look at my blog launch: http://www.crossfitsupermom.com
I just opened it and am doing a fashletics giveaway to celebrate!
The Happy Runner
My husband is WAY into Crossfit and it is NO JOKE. I’ve been incorporating some of the stuff he does into my workout routine and I love it.
Sounds like an awesome time at Reebok!!
Madeline @ Food Fitness and Family
Such an awesome looking time!!
Running, Loving, Living
Looks like an awesome event!! I have tried cross fit and loved it but unfortunately due to lack of time I have yet to get back to it but I will!!!! Functional training is the best!
Candice
I cannot wait for the gear review, especially the Real Flex Transition shoes! I am a sucker for good gear, the very reason these companies give you gear to review. I read, remember and buy! My list of things that I have bought after one of your reviews keeps growing and you haven’t dissapointed me yet. I am sure I will be adding some Reebok gear to that list! Keep the reviews coming I love it!!!!
south yarra personal trainer
Yep it’s functional training all the way with our team too.