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.

The box didn´t quite seem to have the CrossFit community vibe going on – I wasn´t introduced to the class and the other members weren´t particularly friendly. There wasn´t much individual rolling out or stretching before or after the classes.

The WOD:

7 rounds for reps
Deadlift 1min
Plyo push ups 1min
Box jumps 1 min

The warm up was relatively short with a few stretches prior to class but no cool down. This was a grunty, shirts-off class (despite the mild Wellington weather). I was disappointed by the lack of active coaching during the workout and noticed that some poor form was left untouched for some time.

Toa CrossFit offers personal training services as well as workshops focusing on weight lifting techniques, gymnastics, nutrition, running etc.

The space itself is awesome.  I loved the red and black paint job and could see that they were improving the relatively new box little by little.  There´s a good reception area, and they´re apparently planning on setting up a café out front.  The gym´s location, right in the center of Wellington, is enviable.

More info: toacrossfit.com

Wellington harbour, two minutes from Toa CrossFit