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Reebok Fitness Experience Part 1 – CrossFit

May 14, 2012 by Heather Hart, ACSM EP, CSCS 22 Comments

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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.

Heather Hart and other women swing kettlebells at the Reebok Crossfit ONE facility during a workout

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.

Image of a running track outside of the Reebok 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:

Image of a sign on the wall inside the Reebok Headquarters, that reads "The challenge: how fast can the company reach the 29,000 foot  high summit (3,625 flights?)

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:

Image of vintage Reebok Step Video

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:

Image of a woman performing an Olympic powerlifting Clean during a CrossFit competition

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.

Image of the green turf field inside of the Reebok Crossfit ONE facility
Austin Malleolo, head coach at Reebok Crossfit ONE
We met with some of the Reebok Crossfit ONE coaches, including Austin Malleolo (top finisher in the 2010 & 20111 CrossFit Games), Caleb Diebolt, and Lindsey Johnson.    Austin briefly gave us a CrossFit background (check out, What is CrossFit?)  and gave us a rundown of our WOD.

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.

Image of Fitfluential bloggers standing in a circle inside of the Reebok Crossfit ONE facility receiving instruction from one of the trainers
image of Fitfluential bloggers stretching with arms overhead in a circle at the Reebok CrossFit ONE facility before a workout
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…
Heather Hart cheers on another woman doing pullups during a workout at the Reebok CrossFit One facility
Cheering on my partner Nicole (photo credit K. Olexa)
Heather Hart performs kettlebell swings at the  Reebok CrossFit One facility
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.

Group photo of Fitfluential bloggers posing for a picture at the  Reebok CrossFit One facility
Group photo of Fitfluential bloggers posing in front of a big red shipping container outside of the Reebok CrossFit One facility
Fitfluential bloggers pose for a photo with their right legs all extended outside of the Reebok CrossFit One facility

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, ACSM EP, CSCS
Website | + posts

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.

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Filed Under: Race Recaps Tagged With: CrossFit

About Heather Hart, ACSM EP, CSCS

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.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. SportyMomme

    May 14, 2012 at 1:55 pm

    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

    Reply
  2. Heather Iacobacci-Miller

    May 14, 2012 at 2:12 pm

    So cool. I’ve sort of wanted to try it but also scared to LOL. What a great opportunity!

    Reply
  3. Katie McFarland

    May 14, 2012 at 2:33 pm

    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!!

    Reply
  4. Stacey Pomerleau

    May 14, 2012 at 2:37 pm

    Awesome stuff….. Awesome opportunity!!!

    Reply
  5. Shellyrm ~ just a country runner

    May 14, 2012 at 2:55 pm

    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.

    Reply
  6. Meg G

    May 14, 2012 at 3:52 pm

    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.

    Reply
  7. Sarah

    May 14, 2012 at 3:57 pm

    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.

    Reply
  8. HEATHER @ runfastermommy!

    May 14, 2012 at 3:58 pm

    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 🙂

    Reply
  9. Krista

    May 14, 2012 at 4:17 pm

    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!

    Reply
  10. Michelle

    May 14, 2012 at 4:52 pm

    Heather it looks like it was an amazing day! Congrats to you for getting that amazing opportunity!

    Reply
  11. Heather @ For the Love of Kale

    May 14, 2012 at 2:11 pm

    What a day that was! Great recap, girl. So nice meeting you. 🙂

    Reply
  12. Jenny

    May 14, 2012 at 6:44 pm

    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…

    Reply
  13. Scott @ Your Inner Skinny

    May 14, 2012 at 8:50 pm

    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!

    Reply
  14. ConcreteNCoffee

    May 14, 2012 at 10:55 pm

    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.

    Reply
  15. Angela @ Happy Fit Mama

    May 14, 2012 at 11:27 pm

    After seeing you and all the fellow FFA, I’m even more excited to give Crossfit a try! What a great opportunity!

    Reply
  16. mistransformation

    May 15, 2012 at 12:24 am

    My how times have changed – – for the better!

    Reply
  17. Wymberley Pfalmer

    May 15, 2012 at 12:29 am

    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!

    Reply
  18. The Happy Runner

    May 15, 2012 at 12:40 am

    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!!

    Reply
  19. Madeline @ Food Fitness and Family

    May 15, 2012 at 12:42 am

    Such an awesome looking time!!

    Reply
  20. Running, Loving, Living

    May 15, 2012 at 2:58 pm

    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!

    Reply
  21. Candice

    May 16, 2012 at 7:02 pm

    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!!!!

    Reply
  22. south yarra personal trainer

    May 23, 2012 at 2:52 am

    Yep it’s functional training all the way with our team too.

    Reply

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I'm Heather, mom of two, ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist, NSCA Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist, and an overzealous athlete who cannot focus on a single discipline, so I train for all of them at the same time. When in doubt, I run...and then write about it. Read More…

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Welcome to Relentless Forward Commotion. My name is Heather Hart, I'm an ACSM certified Exercise Physiologist, UESCA & RRCA certified coach, ultrarunner, adventure racer, mom to two teenagers, and cofounder of Hart Strength & Endurance Coaching. It is my passion to help every day athletes better understand exercise science, and to learn how to balance training for big athletic goals with “real life”.

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