I have been dreading this day for a week.
One of the trainers at the gym has been encouraging guilting me into joining classes, which I am quite thankful for. A couple months back I started going to flexibility classes, but tonight I was in my first Hyrox session. It has been a week of dread because in order to secure a spot, I had to sign up for it just as last week's class was starting, otherwise there would be no slots left. I also convinced my wife to join in too, and she didn't realise I was coming also, as I am far too unfit for this kind of exercise. My lungs just can't keep up.
But, since I can adjust it to my own pace, I was able to make it through the session, slowly in some parts, very little in others, but for the first go round - it was okay. It was also good to see my wife getting into it as she was dreading it also, but afterwards was pretty happy with it and said it was easier than she expected.
Hyrox is a similar to Crossfit but a bit different in that it doesn't require the technical skill of Crossfit, which has claimed many, many victims who do not have the right technique. Hyrox is more endurance-based also, which is what I am looking to build and encourages leanness, which I definitely need. And going on tonight's effort, I have a long way to go before I am anywhere near where I want to be. My lungs were struggling, as were my feet. For a couple decades I have had issues with my feet and lower legs, which is why I had a fasciotomy on both last year. It is much better, but my feet are still very week under stress and it was made abundantly clear that I have to build them more robustly than I have.
I signed up for a session next week.
The yearly averages are now increasing since I have going more consistently in the last six months and I think it is good to mix up my workouts a bit and add variation. I do a fair bit of weird stuff already, but having a complete body workout at least once a week that pushes my lungs will be a good start. Ideally, I will move to twice a week and perhaps add in a cycling class on another day at some point, which will give my legs a rest.
I do a lot of butt stuff.
But not very heavy stuff. I have shifted almost completely away from weights in the last six months and have been working more intently on function, getting everything aligned. A couple months ago I added face pulls several times a week at the suggestion of a massage therapist I went to see, and most of my neck pain from sitting at a desk and screen has disappeared, and my general posture has improved. I highly recommend doing these a handful of times a week.
As I said to the trainer that has been forcing me to join her classes, for decades I was working out and getting stronger in pieces, but it was mostly useless strength. Now I am stronger because the pieces are working together better and more smoothly. And since I don't give a crap (mostly) about how I look to others, but do care about how I feel, I am pretty satisfied. I would probably look better too, if I ate more healthily - but this is slowly getting better also.
Consistency is key for many things of course and exercise consistency is pretty good for my, but diet is not. However, perhaps doing a few trainer-led group classes, I will add some more variation into the routine and at a couple hours of structure as well, rather than the turn up and do what I feel like approach. And in a group class, I am more likely to push a little harder and a little longer. And those extra little pushes, add up.
Ultimately, it is likely that none of this matters either to the grand scheme of things, or to myself as an individual, but at least it is something to do. And, if there are any benefits, I think it is more likely to get them from doing this then spending time consuming other forms of entertainment. If I do happen to live a long life, I hope to be able to move relatively freely also. What is the point of living, if it is just spent on the couch?
Taraz
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