Review: CrossFit ALC. Alicante, Spain.

During the month I trained at CrossFit ALC in Alicante, Spain, I was constantly asked “Por que??!”.   Why Alicante?  This is a city known for attracting hoards of German tourists during summer who flock to the beach, even though the city itself isn’t particularly pretty.  Why would a travelling CrossFitter choose to base herself here?  Bright lights and shining stars – Carl Paoli, Mr GWOD himself is part-owner of this impressive box, located on Spain’s stunning Costa Blanca.

Glad I shaved my legs.  The CrossFit ALC coaches – Javi, Miguel, Martin and Monica

Seeking training experience in a European box, I was sure that a box owned by someone like Paoli would guarantee good coaching, programming and experience.  Oh, and Annie Thorisdottir was due for a visit with Paoli sometime in the summer.  My short time at CrossFit ALC certainly taught me a lot, including the fact that, although this is a solid box, a name is only part of a puzzle.

Review: Toa CrossFit

Central Wellington, New Zealand

Ryan and Josie after a Toa WO

The Box:
Toa CrossFit´s slogan “We Will Break You” says a lot about this box. They like to programme long work outs, especially with Saturday “Beast WODs”, some topping an hour, which will have you slogging up hills with burpees, push ups, lunges, more running, more burpees…But then, one of their goals is to turn you into a “lean, mean, fighting machine”.  The few times I visited I happened to land more standard WODs, and managed to walk out of there with my body still in one piece.

Owner Ryan is friendly and passionate about his box, even joining us on the warm up jog around the block. He was very welcoming and invited me to return at any time. Ryan has a long history in the personal training world, having worked in many standard gyms and as a weightlifting coach. Having seen the benefits of CrossFit, he´s switched his focus, drawing on his previous skills.

Review: MaD CrossFit

Petone, Wellington, New Zealand

The Box:
For me, MaD CrossFit is home, so it´s hard for me to not be biased. Of all the boxes I´ve visited I maintain that this is one of the best. Although this is obviously due to the year I spent training there, getting to know the coaches, the routine and being involved in the MaD CrossFit community, you can´t argue that the quality of the coaches, programming and people is definitely very high.

The MaD girls at the 2012 Bad As female weightlifting comp

 

Matt and Donna, the owners of MaD, are enthusiastic coaches with a lot of experience. Having been certified CrossFit coaches since 2008, they´ve subsequently got a number of other certifications under their belts. Their experience shows in their ability to teach good form, correct poor form and run well-programmed classes that include stretching, mobility, weightlifting, skills practise and WODs.