Compound's Keeper

The machine gun guitar riffs echoes against the walls of The Compound drowning doubtful inner voices of ‘can’t’. “On 3…2…1…Go!” Ryan, Chris and several others are pushing through their strength threshold. Weights 215#, 245# … hit the floor in succession only to be repeated again to full round completion. The trainers perfecting their craft on the 5:30pm time slot. I watch and covet their strength with my half-baked competence hoping just to keep up with them someday. They give themselves enough time to cool off and immediately welcome the next class.

Chris Gedicks points out the warm up on the whiteboard and conducts the class in his manner of decorum. Like a physician, he scales or adds weights to the person’s ability. Chris’s mantra “Don’t sacrifice form over function” which translates too ‘I want to see you O.K here at the gym and not get hurt.’ To not peruse the trainers advice would be a disadvantage. Chris and Val and the rest of the crew are able to get into the clients mind and sensitivity that they know how and when to push and lead the group. No judgments pass just come in with a “Can do” attitude and they will stand by you through and through. Leslie whose been taking a weight lifting seminar on Sundays was happy to share her knowledge with Sarah’s Clean and Jerk. “Don’t lock out your knees just a slight bend” per Leslie she make sure that you understood the importance of body mechanics when lifting to full heavy weight capacity and because she took her time to a gym member that makes her a good trainer. Often times when a prospect gym goer is looking for a ‘personal’ gym, an approachable attitude and the trainer’s natural ability to make that person feel at ease can be a deciding factor to a crossfitter-at- first-sight. Robin who has done her research prior to coming to the Compound felt intimidated from her previous gym. She and her son are now regulars at The Compound. Immediately, she felt a sense of belonging and commonality amongst members. Excitement is build and renewed passion to get healthy is born. Ryan Allday, owner and/or perhaps the crown jewel of the gym, is just as accomplished and accessible for advice. You don’t get to pound 215 in repetition in an incorrect body ergonomics day in and out not to mention the demerits of perfect form points if it were a Crossfit Competition.

The trainers both guys and gals are the ones who make the gym tic. The first ones to unlock the gym door prior to sunrise and the last ones to tuck the kettlebells away. They set up off workout site, plan unconventional exercises, revel in your personal time and crossfit milestones (As in case of Stephanie who recently cleared the bar, free of elastic band, pull ups - what an accomplishment!) and because of results like that we come to the gym to reach lofty fitness status with the trainers help who put in more time and work in learning the physiology of crossfit and instilling cupido victoriae the will to win in us all.