Me & Pure Austin in 2010

In one of my previous posts, maybe more than one of them, I mentioned that I’m going to be taking on some additional roles at Pure Austin in 2010.  I wanted to spend some time on this post to talk about them.

First up: Pure Intense Training, or The PIT.

The PIT is Pure’s answer to providing an environment where people can do intense workouts in a group setting.  We use both indoor and outdoor elements, weightlifting, gymnastics, and monostructural movements to create some workouts that many of our clients have never seen.  At the moment, the programming is centered around a few movements every month… so each month, clients will see a focus on a few different movements.  That’s not to say that every workout will contain only those movements, but instead they will be used in combination to create different workouts.

We have a number of instructors for PIT classes, at a number of different times.  Initially, I’m taking on two PIT classes — Wednesdays at 6:15am, and Sundays and 12:30pm.  Those who attend my normal Sunday lineup will notice the time conflict.  More on that later.

The PIT is NOT CrossFit

I think it’s important to note that this is not a response from Pure to counter CrossFit.  It’s a way for us to allow our athletes to work in a more intense setting with a Trainer, in smaller classes, with the ability to do some movements clients can’t do in the gym.  For example, I can program med ball slams into a PIT workout, but we can’t do those in the gym because of the noise it generates.

Sure, there are similarities to CrossFit in the movements.  But CrossFit is so inclusive across broad domains that it’s hard not to be considered similar.  Pure is not a licensed CrossFit affiliate, so we will not be limiting ourselves to CrossFit-only, or CrossFit purist, programming.  However, as a CrossFit certified trainer, I can train clients using CrossFit methods, so you can expect to see some of that when I have the chance.

How is PIT different from X-Factor?

They’re very similar.  The difference is that in X-Factor, we’re limited to the movements we can perform because of the venue and the equipment available.  At the PIT, we can provide a more rounded experience — there’s a proper pull-up bar, med balls that we can throw around, barbells, etc.  Also, look forward to cool stuff that we’re not going to release into the gym for all clients, like tires to flip and sandbags to run with (we already have slosh pipes down there).

The PIT also allows us to up the intensity based on what the group wants to do.  In X-Factor, we have vastly different skill and strength levels, which makes it difficult to program and still watch everyone.  This increased intensity does not mean that new athletes should not go; quite the opposite.  The PIT is a much more controlled environment that allows me to effectively be a personal trainer for a group of people.  It’ll be a much different, more intense experience.  Still scalable for all levels, but I can pay better attention to everyone.

So, what’s happening with the schedule?

Starting January 3, there are some changes to the 2010 schedule.  My cycle schedule remains pretty much the same, although both my Thursday morning and Sunday classes are turning into Core Cycle, meaning there’s a core class right after spin.  The PIT classes are the additions, and sadly, X-Factor is being cut in favor of the PIT.

Here’s my schedule:

Quarry Lake

• Pure Cycle: Tuesdays, 6:15 – 7:00pm
• Core Cycle: Thursdays, 6:00 – 7:15am

Town Lake

• PIT: Wednesdays, 6:15-7:15am
• Core Cycle: Sundays, 11:00am – 12:15pm
• PIT: Sundays, 12:30 – 1:30pm

While I’m sad to see X-Factor go, I’m excited to train people in the PIT setting.  I really think that attending the PIT classes, combined with proper nutrition, will help clients meet their goals.

See you in the PIT!

cycle 102

mixed terrain, mostly false flat.

1. Dirty Harry – Gorillaz. warmup.
2. Doesn’t Remind Me – Audioslave. double-time, slow down for chorus.
3. Better Than Heaven – Bloc Party. false flat.
4. I Predict a Riot – Kaiser Chiefs. climb, adding from saddle on each chorus, finishing up.
5. My Hero – Foo Fighters. climb, standing acceleration.
6. Army Ants – Stone Temple Pilots. flat, constant cadence, adding gear/removing.
7. House of Jealous Lovers – The Rapture. false flat with standing speedups.
8. I Disappear – The Faint. false flat with seated speedups.
9. River In the Road – Queens of the Stone Age. climb, adding on each chorus.
10. HFM – Ghostland Observatory. false flat.
11. This Is War – 30 Seconds to Mars. false flat, sprints.
12. 100 Suns – 30 Seconds to Mars. cool down.
13. Sweet Disposition – The Temper Trap. cool down.

cycle 101

cycle 101: four rounds of a triplet of the following sequence: climb, seated intervals, 2 minute seated sprint. recover through the rest of the third song, start over. each round should start at a higher resistance.

Warm-up

1. Life In Technicolor II – Coldplay

Round 1

1. Dead End Friends – Them Crooked Vultures
2. Savior – Rise Against
3. March Of The Pigs – Nine Inch Nails

Round 2

1. Fader – The Temper Trap
2. Monkey Wrench - Foo Fighters
3. Same In The End - Sublime

Round 3

1. Kings and Queens - 30 Seconds to Mars
2. Amphetamines - Eve 6
3. Intermission - Panic! At The Disco

Round 4

1. My People – The Presets
2. Honest Mistake - The Bravery
3. Cinders - Matt & Kim

Cash out

1. Call Call - The Faint

Cool down

1. Reckoner - Radiohead
2. Signs – Bloc Party

Recognition

I won an award on Sunday… it was the first award I’ve won in a long time.  I wasn’t really expecting to win anything, which made it even better.  Combine that with my general Debbie Downer day, and it made everything better.

What was the award?  More on that later.

It’s funny… I have to admit that I felt a little “left out” when I wasn’t one of the people recognized during Client Recognition month at CrossFit.  But then I realized that I don’t really deserve a workout named after me, at least yet.  The people we’re recognizing have truly accomplished great things at our gym, over and beyond simply feeling, performing, and looking better.  They’ve transformed their lives in some way.  I’m still working on that, and I don’t need a workout named after me to know that.

That said, it feels damn good when someone notices what you do… which parlays right into the award.

My award was the “Superfly Rookie of the Year” award of the cycling instructors at Pure Austin.  It means a lot, because it shows that people really do appreciate the work I put into my classes… programming workouts and making them work with music is not easy.  Sometimes I question why I do this… between Pure, 24, IBM, and now CrossFit Central, I have like 4 jobs and it gets a little overwhelming.  But knowing that I’m providing a support structure that enables a transformation in my clients, just like I had (and continue to have) a support structure around mine, is rewarding.

Despite the fact that us CrossFitters tend to dismiss “Globo Gyms” as useless, Pure Austin really has a ton to offer even the most hardcore CrossFitter.  They’re constantly innovating (thanks for the Oly platforms!) and they’re always in a quest to make their members happy and successful.

Recognition is great… and it doesn’t have to be a cool award.  It can be as simple as some kind words from a complete stranger.  Have you recognized someone’s effort lately (in the gym, at work, at home… anywhere really)?  If not, do it!  Everyone needs some karma points.

I’m looking forward to some exciting stuff in the near future with Pure Austin and with CrossFit Central… more on that in another post.