No pain, no gain: the Crossfit Manila experience

I attended a trial session at Crossfit Manila (Fort branch) last night.

It was a last-minute thing, really. Tuesdays are usually reserved for my weekly Pilates classes. However, my Pilates instructor had to cancel class that day, so I was already thinking of doing my back-up exercise plan, which is to run around the Fort. I get bored in the gym very easily (my only view is the pool outside, and I always tend to cut my cardio session short because all I can think of while on the treadmill or elliptical machine is how much I want to jump in the pool); I usually opt to run/walk on the streets (at least the view changes every time...and I don't feel pressured by other gym-goers who can run 30 minutes straight without fainting).

So there...I was already set on doing my 2nd straight night of running/walking/wheezing on the streets of Bonifacio Global City. During lunch break yesterday, however, I was scanning my Twitter timeline and a couple of celebs whom I follow tweeted about @CrossfitMNL (I swear, Twitter is one heck of a marketing tool!). They were saying how their bodies were sore after an intense workout, but how it was "so worth it!" Curious, I did a little bit of research.

I got the following excerpts from their official website:

"Crossfit workouts are a combination of Cardio, Track & Field, Plyometrics, Rowing, Gymnastics, Kettlebell and Weightlifting. You will be doing the workout together with other Crossfitters of all ages and all fitness levels."

Sounds intense, right? I don't even know what "Plyometrics" means (I Googled it just now & it is defined as "a method of training muscle elastic strength and explosiveness to enhance athletic performance"). Even the word "Cardio" strikes fear into my heart, as I still can't run for more than 10 minutes straight (at least I'm improving. Before it was only 5 minutes straight; before that, it was only 2 minutes max). However, the phrase "of all ages and all fitness levels" encouraged me a little bit, as I'm thinking that maybe I won't be the most kulelat in class...I can go at my own pace. 

"There is no other investment for your fitness and the community that will have a better ROI than this. This is the most bad ass cardio, strength and conditioning, weightlifting, gymnastics, kettlebell, rowing, and plyometrics combination workout that you will ever find.  And the best part is that the results in your looks, sport performance, or weight loss will be THE  SHIT! That is the CrossFit MNL guarantee.  Can your gym do that?"

What can I say, I was immediately excited by that guarantee. It's not "you will look LIKE SHIT," but "the results will be THE SHIT." That's a huge difference there. Haha! Of course, this guarantee is only as good as my commitment to participating in the program.

So from the above-descriptions alone (and motivated by the fact that I need a Hawaii-beach-worthy-body come February 2012), I signed up for a free trial session at their Fort branch (it's beside the paintball area of the AFP Gymnasium). I couldn't get any of my friends to come try it with me, so I trekked to "the box" (as crossfitters seem to call their gym) alone, hoping for the best.

I got there 30 minutes early, so I sat around and watched the ones from the previous class do their workout. They were facing the wall, tossing balls (medicine balls, I think they're called) up in the air, doing squats, sit-ups, and then scribbling on a small white board. "Doesn't look too bad," I thought. "My Pilates work-outs should count for something, right?"

So we started with warm-ups. 40 jumping jacks ("Yeah, I can do this, no problem!"); 30 squatting-hopping thingies (I don't think I made it to 30...my thighs were burning by #28. I hate squats!!!); 20 friggin' push-ups (Chest and thighs touch the floor, or else they don't count! So I guess I only effectively did 2. Harhar); and 10 sit-jump thingies ("Does this ever end? Warm-up palang to ah!")

We were then taught the WOD or "Work-out of the Day:" 7 reps each of 4 types of exercises, and we have to do as many as we can in 15 minutes. 15 minutes doesn't sound too long, but man, when I was in the middle of all the exercises and I glanced at the countdown clock for relief, I was like, "What?! Only 4 minutes have passed? 11 more minutes of THIS to go???"

Remember the wall ball exercises I witnessed earlier, wherein I said "doesn't look too bad?" I was so wrong. Those 10-pound balls were heavy, and I had to throw them up in the air from a squatting position. The 2nd exercise is pull-ups. On my 2nd pull-up round, I was resting for a minute or more after the 3rd rep (technically, it was already my 3rd pull-up round since I volunteered to try it during the demo), as my arms were already sore; I couldn't pull my chin above the bar anymore. The box jumps were the easiest for me (easiest nga, pero mahirap parin!), but it really made me short of breath by the 10th jump (on the lowest box pa!). And those burpees! Words cannot explain the pain I felt in trying to execute a proper burpee (I cannot reiterate enough how much I hate squats).

 Photo taken from www.crossfitmnl.com

I am proud of myself that I at least finished 2 whole rounds (the others were able to do 4...the most number of rounds was 7...but at least I didn't do just ONE). I did an incomplete round 3 (was only able to finish the box jumps; when it was wall ball time, the 15-minutes had already run out). I was sweating profusely, weak in the knees, and gasping for air after the work-out, and I was doubting my capability to pull off such an intense exercise regimen. Can I really do this? Am I cut out for this? Am I really willing to subject myself to such torture?

I woke up the next day (today) feeling all sore, cursing the Crossfit gods. But then, I was also very thankful that I was still alive. Haha! I remember feeling the same way after my first-ever Pilates class a year ago; I also remember complaining about how I was the least graceful person in that studio. But look at me now: although I can't say I'm a good Pilates student (my flexibility sucks), at least my form has improved (thanks, muscle-memory), and I can now smirk at the other less-graceful students (I kid, I kid). Today, after my first Crossfit workout, I'm still having a hard time sitting on my office chair (and standing up), but I realize that once the original pain has subsided, I am actually craving for some more. Hopefully I will improve my endurance as time goes by. I now understand why some people can get addicted to this. Uh oh.

I don't know yet if I'll get the 1-month package (the next level is 6-months, and I definitely can't get that due to my numerous trips abroad next year). PhP 3500 for 6 sessions is a bit steep, and I will have to let go of my PhP 3500 for 8 sessions Pilates class next month for me to afford this new exercise regimen.

I really, really want to shape up for my trip to Hawaii next year (flat stomach, you have eluded me for so long!), and aside from starving myself to death (which I cannot do! Ang sarap kumain!), Crossfit is the only viable option I really have. My friend, Sal, is also recommending a TRX workout for me, but her gym is all the way in QC, so I will have to think about it still. I really should be asking a different set of questions than the ones highlighted above: Do I want a flat tummy? Do I want to have toned arms? Do I really want to be able to run at least 3k without stopping? Do I want to conquer those cursed burpees and damned squats??? Uh oh, I think my "ayaw magpatalo" nature is rearing its ugly head.

Bottom line is: I need an effective work-out, and they say Crossfit is REEEAAAALLY effective.

Question is: can I do it in such a way that it will be effective for ME?

What say you?