Thursday, August 28, 2014

Five Points CrossFit

Five Points CrossFit

On my way home for the week (!), I stopped at Five Points CrossFit in Corte Madera for a workout.  When I pulled into the parking lot, there was a giant regular called Five Points Fitness.  Confused, I went in and asked where the CrossFit gym was.  Turns out it's in the back.  After making my way over to the back, I was pleasantly surprised with a completely outdoors CrossFit gym!  Suns out, guns out all day!

I did the noon class last Friday with Deb.  This is what we did:
  • Warm Up: 400m run, 3x 10 jump rope + 20 high knees, 8 Samson lunges (10s hold), 6 90/90 Stretch (10s each), 12 Air Squats w/ pause at the bottom, 10 Burpee to Squat, inchworm, bear crawl, 12 Wall Ball Ground to Overhead
  • Strength: Tim Swords Squat Program
    • Front Squat: 5 @ 75%, 3 @ 85%, 1 @ 95%, 1 @ 105%
  • Workout:
    • 3 rounds for max reps at each station:
      • 1min Double Unders
      • 1min Jumping Squats
      • 1min Mountain Climbers (2 for 1's)
      • 1min Wall Ball Shots (20/14#)
      • 1min Rest
 
Some things I really liked here:
  • 100% outdoors gym!  This is my favorite thing about the gym.  With awesome weather year-round in Marin, how do you not want to workout outside?  There's a tent above the main area for rain/keep it shady, and also areas where you can workout totally suns out, guns out style.
  • Very accommodating and caring coaches.  I haven't met Carlos, but he responded to my request very promptly and also followed up with me to make sure I had a great visit.  I also told him I stick to body weight workouts and they were happy to scale/sub as needed.  After working out, I also got a tour of the main facility by Tristan.  Deb who led the class was great.  I felt just like a member there.
  • Class vibe.  Doing the class really felt like just working out with a group of friend who also enjoy working out.  It's always more fun with people 
  • Homey community.  I dropped on on PR Front Squat day, as a lot of the members are wrapping up the Tim Swords squat program.  I like how we all squatted round-robin style and watched each other get after that heavy weight.  People come in early and stay after.  
  • Variety of equipment: high rings, benches, high rope, benches, fractional plates, mats, tire, platforms, area to do bar muscle ups,
  • Membership to both CrossFit and the Five Points Fitness gym in the front.  This seems to be a popular option for couples with different workout preferences.  They can still both go to the same location, but just different parts of it.
  • Perks of being affiliated with a regular gym: lots of available showers, bathrooms, changing area, and towel service
  • Free filtered water
  • $20 drop in fee, buy a shirt, or make a friend =)

Some things that could use improvement:
  • More women's bars.  They have only 1.

Some pictures:

2. Entering the address on google maps will take you here...


3. walk/drive to the back for Five Points CrossFit!

4. first glimpse inside


5. Rogue pull up structure


6. view from far corner


7. high rings and ropes


8. platforms

9. extra tent


10. another angle

11. workout board


12. equipment

I love how the gym is completely outdoors with options in the sun or shade!  Definitely planning on coming back, meeting Carlos, and getting on those high rings!

Nearby Gyms: TJ's Gym - Novato / CrossFit Novato (Novato) | TJ's Gym San Rafael (San Rafael) | Tamalpais CrossFit/San Rafael Barbell | Corey's Gym/North Bay CrossFit | West Bay CrossFit (San Rafael) | Pacheco Valley CrossFit (Novato) | TJ's Gym Mill Valley (Mill Valley)