Thursday, May 29, 2014

Eastgate CrossFit

Eastgate CrossFit / Eastgate CrossFit Barbell Club

I was in San Diego a few weekends ago, just for fun.  After finishing remote work on Friday near UCSD in La Jolla, we decided to check out Eastgate CrossFit nearby.  The deal was I could have sangrias and binge eat after working out.  I'm so glad we stopped by as we had such a great time at the gym!  

We joined the 5:30pm class last Friday with both owners, Robby and Patrick!  During the class you have the option to do the fitness workout or the competition workout.  This is what was programmed for competition:
  • Warm Up: run, inchworm, downward dog, shoulder mobility
  • Strength:
    • Push Press: 5x5 @ 90% of 5RM
    • Weighted Pull Ups: 5RM, -5%x5, -10%x5
  • Workout: 8 rounds for reps:
    • 60s max calorie Row 
    • 15s rest/transition
    • 30s max Ring Push Ups
    • 15s rest/transition
 
Some things I really liked here:
  • Awesome, highly knowledgable, legit coaches.  I got to meet both owners, Patrick and Robby and it was clear that they know what they're talking about.  I learned a few new stretches during the warm up and a couple tips on rowing.  They pushed you during the workout and also made sure you were moving right.  They're also friendly, easy-going, and great people to chat with.
  • Four different workout blogs: competition, weightlifting, fitness, and peak performance
  • High quality classes.  I really liked how they don't have a million and one "coaches."  They have three and the three know how to coach.  During the evenings, when classes are more packed, they have two coaches for the class.  On top of that, I really liked how both the owners coached the evening classes, let alone still coach classes.  Also during the class, you can opt to do whatever program you're following, typically competition or fitness.  You may think this can get pretty confusing during the class, but Patrick and Robby pulled it off well.  People in the class moved well and Patrick and Robby made sure of that.
  • CrossFit and Weightlifting gym.  They are a USAW certified gym.  You can have membership in CrossFit, weightlifting, or both.  For CrossFit, they also offer competitive CrossFit training.
  • 5000sqft facility with high ceilings (and rings hung form those high ceilings!) and good use of space.  It actually kind of reminds me of the layout we have at Catalyst.  Weightlifting in one area, laid out on both sides, then fitness in another.
  • Variety of equipment: ropes, airdyne, nice platforms, weights in kilos and pounds down to smallest increment, jerk blocks, benches, bars to do bar muscle ups, etc
  • Open gym
  • $20 drop in fee, or make a friend.

Some things that could use improvement:
  • A sign.  Otherwise you'll have to rely on driving towards loud music and dropping barbells

Some pictures:
2. Outside


3. Inside


4. platforms in front to the right w/ kilo plates


5. and to the left


6. platforms along both sides!!


7. zoomed in


8. high pull up structure near the front


9. 2nd half of the gym

10. rowers


11. PR boards

12. and one for weightlifting too


13. pull up structure


14. extra space in the back and high ceilings

Really cool gym with a great, homey atmosphere and high quality coaches.  Had a really good time here!  I didn't read up on the gym too much beforehand but now I know they're also a weightlifting gym.  I'm excited to come back and just lift heavy with Robby!  Check them out!

Nearby Gyms: CrossFit PB / CrossFit North PB