Not your typical so-called "gym"

This summer, I was introduce to a exercise I never knew that existed before...

It all started around late November early December when I asked who I call my friend and brother Taylor Gelbrich if his brother knew a lot about working out. You know, just curious about if I haven't done a lifting movement before. So I go to his brother, Logan, and I remember he asked me, "What's your goal in life?" I was thinking to myself, "What does this have to do with lifting?"

Logan mentioned that he was willing to train me to become fit at the time. I really didn't have time with school, work and wanting to go out with friends before they left for summer ball and whatnot. To be honest at the time, it was during baseball season and I wasn't lifting at all and I also didnt have the drive to get up to workout. It almost becomes a lifestyle. Not the kind I want.

As months went by, Logan kept on checking with me if I still want him to train me. I would come up with excuse and would have legitimate reasons why i wouldn't be able to make it. I think the most part was me being lazy and not having the drive to workout.

Then as the month of April came along, Logan mentioned that he was going to start up a workout in Santa Monica. I was thinking to myself, Torrance to SANTA MONICA!?!? Really? With L.A. traffic, that's going to take about an hour. My thought at first, "f-that!" At the same time, I did ask Logan for some workout tips before and I told him I was willing to train with him so I thought I give it a try.

After a hour long drive from North Torrance to Santa Monica on a early Tuesday morning with horrible L.A. traffic, I was late to my first ever class (I am never trusting Google Maps for directions again). I thought Logan was going to yell at me for being late and along with the other coaches, Annie Mello and Danny Lesslie. As I walked up to them, they just greeted me with comfort and just smiled and told me "Welcome to the bluffs!"

Logan told me to hope in the warm-up that was going on that day. I was doing thinking, "This is it? This is easy." I guess I spoke too soon. The workout came along and I remeber it well:
100m Farmers Carry
20 KB Cleaners
200m Run
20 KB Swings
100m Farmers Carry
20 KB Snatch

After the workout, I was exhausted. Never wanting to do the workout again, but with a little post pep talk from Logan and Danny, it all changed from there.

Since that Tuesday, I went to most of the classes during the week except during finals week and when I got sick. I changed me into a different person with a different perspective not just in a work out but in life as well. The coaches were a big part of this transformation. Without the coaching, I would be doing every workout or if I went to the gym and lifted, I would be doing evertything wrong. But not just the coaches but the other functional fitnessers that were always attending the class well influneced me in many ways.

I recommend everyone to at least go to a work out at the bluffs, but now they are located at a different location on Ocean Avenue and Marguerita Avenue at Palisades Park. It may be a drive from where ever you might be. And It might not be your typical lifting in front of the mirrior at the gym. But in the end, you'll get results that you would never have imagined you would have in the past year.

Check them out at http://www.ffotb.com/


Special thanks to Logan Gelbrich, Taylor Gelbrich, Danny Lesslie, Annie Mello, Nikki "MF" Pounds, Tyler Nilson, Lindsay Mathews, Crossfit LA.