You've been waiting all day for the clock to strike 18:00 and now the time has finally come: you are free to go. You are released from the monotony of work, from the “office stress”, by the irritating noises and the temptation of the high-calorie snack that colleagues eat in the mid-afternoon.
Finally you can leave the office. And where to go now? Hop on your scooter to face the agonizing battle with rush hour traffic to get home? Or head to that happy hour spot with friends?
Well, a cold beer is ideal, maybe even two. In the end, what's the best way to relax and release all the accumulated stress?
Eh, no… my answer is different!
You will politely decline the invitation, because the real recipe for getting rid of stress is another…and, unlike beer with friends, this one can't wait.
The box calls you.
You will cross the city to get to class, already in battle gear (because you changed in the work bathroom before leaving) and you felt like when Clark Kent becomes Superman.
Your working day has been dotted with short breaks for take a look at WOD of the day on the home page of the box or to read some news about your favorite activity: CrossFit®.
By the way, CrossMAG is always on top with news 😉
You already know what awaits you and even if you already feel fatigued about that AMRAP pernicious you are about to face, as soon as you cross the box door, everything passes you.
Familiar faces greet you and all your worries begin to fade away. We chat with friends, complain about work and discuss plans for the weekend. Then it's time to talk strategy!
While you do some mobility exercise on foam rollers, you will discuss with your bro your plan of attack to close the WOD.
Your friend shares your fears about 50 wall balls , burpees and pistol? How to divide them?
This, for us, is happy hour.
Il timer marks the beginning of the class and the coach explains what the training will be like. Now comes the moment warm up followed by a technical part.
You exchange a few jokes with your mates and smile again, unaware of the fatigue you are about to undergo. Before you know it, it's time for work.
The coach divide the training and detail the movements, showing variations for those who need to scale. But you already know it all: You've researched the workout and discussed WOD tactics with your fellow CrossFit®ters.
The coach gives you some time to prepare for battle: choose your weapons carefully. You grab the barbell, kettlebell, medicine ball, and jump rope and head to your station.
Oh, it's all ready!
The coach prepares the timer… you have time to take the magnesite? Yes, thank goodness. Prepare the barbell and palms with “drug”, making sure that the bucket is not too far away (can't get enough of the white powder!).
Just a few seconds left until the start. Take a moment to mentally prepare.
Yes, it will suck.
“3, 2, 1 GO”
We leave.
The hands grip the bar, solid as a rock. Thank you dear magnesite!
Reps start piling up, heart rate starts climbing. Sweat cascades down his forehead and onto the rubberized floor below. The lungs begin to ask for air.
Now that's a stress reliever!
You remind yourself to focus on the technique, there's no need to get hurt. You stop when necessary, but your rival is zanzarep they do not subside!
"Not a chance“, you tell yourself.
Dig deep to find some motivation. Has work made you angry lately? This will give you the boost.
Your hands are back on the medicine ball and with renewed vigor you begin doing the remaining sets of the WOD.
Only one lap left
You are now in a dark place. Your body asks you to rest, your head doesn't help you. How easy it would be to stop for a moment… Let your aching muscles rest, give your lungs the air they desperately ask for!
But not today!
Today you have fire inside and the finish line is incredibly close. Where is your rival? Has he already closed? He doesn't matter anymore. Now it's all about you.
You are pushing beyond the limit to test only yourself. That's what saves you. You charge for one last push and break through mental and physical barriers to collapse to the floor in a pool of your own "sweat and blood" completely exhausted.
Oh, CrossFit®.
The floor has never looked so good. As you stand there, panting, unable to speak or move, you realize that right now everything in life is pretty good. And you, well, you're a never give up!
Eventually you manage to stand up and, staggering without shoes or wristbands (left on the ground in random order), go around the box to give the “little fist” to all fellow soldiers in the trenches, as your rival/comrade approaches to provide his take on the battle and for post-workout feedback.
Close the lesson with the stretching and as you go to the shower you thank the coach! …. As you prepare to go out, the whole garage seems to say hello.
Just outside, on the street, you notice that you have a smile on your face…and then you realize why you practice CrossFit®!