Featured Member - David
1. How did find CM2 and what was your first ever experience like?
I was not the sporty type when I was young and only started going to the gym in my mid-30s. I enjoyed commercial gyms, but it was very hard to stay motivated for training and took a lot of effort to do my own programming. I had a personal trainer at the time who was leaving the gym and he suggested that I try CrossFit. CM2 was also recommended as the original and best box in Essex so I signed up for the taster and have never looked back.
The hardest part of my first experience was simply walking through the door. I quickly learnt though that you are guided through every aspect of every movement during every class. The acronyms and buzz words do feel like a new language, but you soon get used to them and it’s a great pop quiz for your friends. The best bit is that it is a gym where everyone knows your name, and nobody is afraid to speak to each other which makes it much easier as a newbie to ask for advice and speak up when you aren’t sure about something.
2. You’ve been training with us for a long time now, what keeps you coming back through the door?
The programming and coached classes make it very easy to train at CM2. CrossFit markets itself as constantly varied functional fitness. This means that every day is different, so you never get bored. It also means that some days will make you feel like you are the next Rich Froning or Mat Fraser while other days will remind you that you are the other side of 40. The coaches are very flexible though and adapt each workout to your particular needs while always pushing you and challenging your perception of your own limitations. However, it is the community that keeps me coming back over and over because every gym session is like visiting your friends.
3. What’s your favourite workout and why?
I have always liked the Olympic lifting classes. I am intrigued by how much technique is involved and how strength combines with power to allow people to lift huge weights above their heads. However, I also love a classic CrossFit Met-Con as there is a certain satisfaction at the end when you are lying in a sweaty mess knowing that you really did give the most you could on that day. The coaches empower you to achieve your own personal “beast mode”.
4. You have done multiple competitions now, what encourages and motivates you to compete?
I have found that having the competitions in the diary is more than about just the day but also about how you approach your training beforehand. The aiming point makes you try a little harder during the run-up and focus on those weaknesses that you postponed working on. That’s also why I pick the pairs or teams events as your friends always give you that little extra energy at the end.
5. How would you compare your level of all round fitness now vs when you first started?
I can honestly say that my all-round fitness has never been as good as it is now. It is so easy to compare yourself to others but the baby steps of just trying to do better than yesterday makes a huge difference and there is powerful magic in simply turning up. There are ups and downs in training just like life, but I know that my now is the best that I can be. I am very excited to experience where the rest of my journey will take me though.
6. How has CrossFit impacted your lifestyle? I.e., nutrition, work, sleep etc.
Q: How do you know if someone does CrossFit?
A: They will tell you!
Seriously though, CrossFit has had a huge impact on my lifestyle both physically and mentally. I will still go out for some beers and order that pizza occasionally but will think about whether I want to do that every night. This is not because I am “not allowed” or because “it’s bad for you” but because I want to go to that next workout, get those endorphins and achieve a much more spectacular high. CrossFit also keeps me sane at work with the excitement just enough for me to smile that work stress away. And if not then the memes will keep you going just a little longer! Sleep and recovery are my nemeses though.
7. What are some of the biggest gym goals you’ve set yourself for the future?
My medium-term goal at the gym is to become an RX athlete. I still need to add strength for those weights to become standard practise and lots more time on gymnastics is required. However, I have complete faith in the coaches at CM2 and notice myself making those small incremental gains that add up little by little.
8. What advice would you give to someone thinking about joining CrossFit CM2?
You will see ripped bodies and huge weights on barbells when you google “CrossFit” but in real life the sport is accessible for all shapes, all sizes, all ages, all races, all genders, and all beliefs. The single pre-requisite is that you must try. My advice to someone who is thinking of joining CM2 is to stop thinking and just do it - embrace the experience with open arms and see where the journey leads you. I promise that you will not regret it!
COACHES COMMENTS:
Coach Tom- “ I love having David in my classes, even with the consistent moans and complaints about the workout coming up its always good to see him walk through the door (often about 20mins early!!) He brings a great energy to each class and always gets a few laughs with each sarcastic comment 😉. When it comes to his training David knows when to make that switch and turn it on, his olympic weightlifting is epic and always one of the most consistent in the room. I look forward to seeing how David continues to progress and achieve his goal of becoming an RX athlete!
Coach Rob- " David is so consistent in his training that on the rare occasion he misses one of his regular weekly I instinctively ask: 'Where is David?'....my demo man is not here 🙁. I had the pleasure of working one on one with David on his gymnastic strength: he acknowledged this as his weakest area and booked a series of PT sessions to build a bigger foundation of pressing and pulling strength. Recently I saw him making sets of 5 strict pull-ups look almost casual! It's great to see him reaping the rewards of his hard work. It's easy to do something you are naturally good at, for David this is Olympic Lifting, but to consistently attack a weakness enough to improve performance takes commitment. David regularly enters competitions and I think these experiences are part of what has kept his motivation peaking for so long.”
