Ultimate CrossFit | #SweatDate

Ultimate CrossFit focuses on strength, cardio, flexibility, power, speed, agility, balance, and accuracy by focusing on performing functional movements at a high intensity. Ultimate CrossFit is truly about helping everyone achieve their fitness goals and while you get a team atmosphere each workout is your own to make it what you need. Ultimate CrossFit aims to help you achieve your fitness goals, whether you’re Pro or a newbie fresh onto the CrossFit bandwagon.

If you’re not familiar to the area, Ultimate CrossFit can be a little tricky to find. Although, I must admit that I naturally just have a really bad sense of direction...so you should actually be fine. Ultimate CrossFit is nestled at the back of a warehouse off Rampart Street by Sycamore Brewing. The entrance is the last door on the far right of the building and you have to drive into the parking lot to get to the door. The gym itself, is a refurbished and repurposed warehouse with an awesome updated urban industrial vibe. Bright orange racks set the tone and get your mind on alert right when you walk in the front door.

This was only my second time visiting a truly advertised “CrossFit” gym which had me wondering how well I would manage to complete the session. This morning's workout was with Coach Cathy. She is one of approximately 17 coaches at the facility. Along with our instructor, the entire Ultimate CrossFit crew was friendly, real, encouraging, and motivating. I was worried that fitting in and surviving would be a challenge - don’t get me wrong it was challenging, but the music, support, encouragement and team atmosphere kept me going. Ultimate CrossFit simply could not have been a more accommodating place for a relative beginner like me.

The workout of the day (WOD) was done in teams. We paired off and got the rundown on the workout. If you’re nervous about making friends, just bring one of your own. But really, there is nothing to be nervous about. Cathy patiently walked me through every movement making sure my questions were answered and I was comfortable with the exercise techniques. They recommend if you are totally new to fitness and CrossFit that you come in to shadow a class just to get comfortable with everything. This is great to ease the intimidation factor. We spent about fifteen minutes warming up with assault bikes, sit-ups and jump rope before we all got situated for the WOD and then got our workout kicked off on Cathy’s call. Today’s workout was something like this:

20 Calorie Row

20 Squat Cleans

30 Calorie Row

30 Burpees

40 Calorie Row

40 Toes to Bar

50 Double Unders each

(watch the video below to see a sample of the class)

For beginners like me, you have the ability to modify the move or assist yourself in achieving these numbers. For example, 25 pull-ups is not realistic for me. I am just not that strong (yet). So with the simple application of a band, I was able to manage assisted pull-up sets of 5 until I reached the goal of 25. Everyone has their own starting point. To my surprise CrossFit isn’t just for “really really athletic” people and guys with beards. Although, if you do it enough, you will probably end up being “really really athletic”. Sorry, I can’t promise you a beard.

In today’s workout, we used weighted barbells, a medicine ball, the pull-up bar, and rowing machines. Cathy did an amazing job instructing me on proper and safe form in each stage. She geared me up, starting from a PVC tube, to just the barbell, to a weighted barbell. She was there instructing, assisting, giving feedback and motivating me throughout the entire workout.

One of the awesome things I love about Ultimate CrossFit is that each workout is completed as a team or with a teammate. The workout still remains your own and you complete your sets at your own pace. When you finish your set, your team is there cheering you on. No matter what your fitness level is going in, the coaches and the team make sure you get to the finish line together. This is really motivating and gets you to push and pull just a little bit harder. The patrons were awesome too. There were about five other “regulars” there today along with me. Motivating, coaching, and smiling, I felt authentically welcomed. If it were not for coming in dead last and crawling across the finish, I almost felt like one of the crew.

While I have only tried the CrossFit option, other classes appear equally challenging. Their experienced trainers and strong community provide the support, equipment and positive environment you need to help you reach your goals. So, whether you want to jump right into a CrossFit session or ease into it with a strength and conditioning version (Check Classpass for these dates) the options are there for you!

Ultimate CrossFit Website

Classes Offered

CrossFit, Bootcamp, Endurance, Olympic Weightlifting, Yoga and Nutrition

Skill Level

Beginner+ to advanced; All Levels

Class Size

3 - 30 people per class

Duration

60 Minutes

Equipment Needed / Attire

A water bottle, tennis/lifting shoes and comfortable workout clothes you can sweat in.

Check out Ultimate CrossFit Here