Review: MyLeo CrossFit. Berlin

MyLeo CrossFit in Berlin was such a solid box that I walked out absolutely raving about the place. Whether this was because I had been gagging for a CrossFit session after 10 days of cheese in Holland, or because the coaching and box itself really were that good I don’t know, but I loved my session there.

With my creative travel itinerary [read: non-existent] and priorities to catch up with old friends in the fascinating city of Berlin, organising CrossFit sessions had become a last-minute task. All the same, I got a quick reply to my drop-in request from MyLeo CrossFit’s Lea, who said she would fit me into any of the classes, despite the website saying they were full. Now that’s welcoming!

Mid-WOD at My Leo CrossFit

In true Berlin style, I jumped on a funky old bike and rode from the east to the west of the city, past funky wall art and welcoming cafes, the House of Parliament, and the beautiful green expanse that is the Tiergarten Park. The ride was a good warm up for a body that had become more accustomed to beer than burpees. I stuck my head through the door and into the massive, black warehouse that is MyLeo CrossFit. Leo himself was taking a PT session at the time, but took a moment to say hi and tell me where things were. Also very welcoming!

Review: CrossFit Trondheim. Norway

Given that Oslo, Norway’s capital, had surprised me with its small size, green suburbs and quiet atmosphere, I hadn’t expected much from a CrossFit box 500km to its north in a random town called, Trondheim, especially given that the only reason I was there was to visit an amazing friend.

I better straighten out my misconceptions quickly.  For starters, Trondheim is beautiful.  It has bars, restaurants and quirky streets hugging the long arm of one of Norway’s 1,190 fjords.  Secondly, this is no sleepy hollow; but a city bursting with students and many tourists.  And thirdly, the CrossFit box up that way is totally legit.

Coach Mya at CrossFit Trondheim

Review: CrossFit Twente. Holland

When the owner of a gym looks around himself with pride, and says that he’s standing there as a result of a hobby that got out of control, you can be sure of a few things – he’s going to be a passionate coach, the gym will have a good vibe, and he’ll do all he can for his athletes.

CrossFit might just make you puke… Awesome wall art at CrossFit Twente.

Jan, the energetic but “mature” owner of CrossFit Twente, still holds down his normal day job and started out as a rowing coach.  When he discovered and began to dabble in CrossFit, his strength and fitness gains spoke for themselves.  He noticed that this new sport helped to reduce injuries and improve weaknesses, and so decided to use the training method as part of his rowers’ training programme.

Review: Reebok CrossFit LifeSpark. Dubai.

The international stage of my box jumping tour has begun and it is time to discover what CrossFit boxes outside of New Zealand have to offer.  I am excited, curious.  How different will they be to those in New Zealand?  Does the CrossFit formula easily translate to different countries, cultures and demographics?  And what will it be like doing a CrossFit class in a language that I don’t understand?

You might think that discovering CrossFit overseas would start with a visit to the United States – the home of Crossfit – but the first stop on my tour is Dubai.  This is a city that for me conjures up images of camels, desert, burqas and never-ending skyscrapers, so I was surprised to see on CrossFit.com that there are eight boxes in this city.  Eight!  That’s almost more than Madrid!  This got my brain ticking….what would a box in Dubai be like?  Would women be allowed to attend the classes?  And who would the classes be run by?  Well, ex-pats of course!!

The back of the Reebok CrossFit LifeSpark t-shirt