The Fake Gym, this program, this community, and this way of life (Yes- it is truly a way of life..) is really something special. Just the other day, I caught myself tired and not so motivated to workout. Yup, that’s right. Even the coaches feel unmotivated at times. Regardless, I began to think of you, our athletes, and your commitment to our Fake Gym.
Mobility Island.
You see, we have athletes from all over and it got me thinking about my morning routine to coach 7 AM class, which by any definition isn’t particular strenuous. Moving some equipment is usually the most difficult part. So, I wrote a few students asking them what it takes for them to get to class. They sent me back a play by play scenario of their routine. Here are excerpts from their replies. Names are not included, but if you know them, picking them out won’t be too hard. It’s a bit lengthy, but I encourage you to hang in there and read it.
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“As far as the play by play, since I live in Torrance, I would have to beat the 405 and 10 freeway traffic and class started at 9. But I would wake up at 8 in the morning, shower up, maybe have 2 eggs scrambled, depending on how I felt and leave my house by 8:15. Sometimes the traffic would be heavier than other days; some days I would get to class right at 9 or I would get there 20 minutes before and that’s when I took my daily tiger naps to re-energize myself.
When class was over, I would be literally dead in my car as I was driving home. After I got back home, I would go to school feeling sore and tired.”
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“I woke up in pasadena or the DENA as we call it back east (of the 405) between 5:00-5:15am for FFOTB. I usually wouldn’t get out of bed until 5:30. I made breakfast by 5:45 and was out the door by 6:00am. If you are trying to pass downtown and the 405 from Pasadena you do not leave past 6:00am if you want to enjoy your day. I took the 110 freeway to the 10 west and made it to Santa Monica by 6:40am… just in time for 7am class. 9 months later I moved thank GAWD!”
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“On the days that I go to FFOTB, I have to start early:
• To get in a full workday, I’ll get to the office around 6:30-7am and then hit the road at 4:30pm.
• I usually try to wrap up around 4:25 and change really quickly in my office. This is the office’s cue to make jokes at my expense… It happens every day.
• Sometimes I pick up the Zoo Crew and we carpool, which luckily, happens to be on the way to Santa Monica.
• The commute is 10.5 miles from El Segundo to Santa Monica and it feels like I’m driving through the worst that LA rush hour traffic has to offer; it takes at least 45 minutes each way.
o Let’s put that in perspective: That’s almost 8 hours of commute in 5 days of training. Is it worth it? You bet your ass it is.
• It really doesn’t matter if I’m on the 49th consecutive kettle bell swing, or if I’m running the last 50 meters of an 800, for some reason, I love every minute of it. In my opinion, the community is probably the largest contributing factor; laughing your way through a workout is immeasurably better than counting the minutes that you have left. This is why I f***ing hate treadmills.
• The overwhelming feeling at the end of each workout is one of gratitude. I’m grateful for the Coaches, the members who encourage you when you think you’re going to die, and to myself, for making time to show up when I could easily make an excuse not to.
Bottom line: The Nation, our small community on the bluffs, won’t let you fail, no matter how hard try.”
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“When I moved to LA, I tried a lot of gyms to find the best fit for me. Unfortunately, the decision that I came to was, driving to the west side would take me to the coaching and community fit for me. At the time, I lived in Silver Lake and that meant driving 1 hour minimum, 1 way. I only made it twice a week at the time. Then I moved to West Hollywood, to be closer to work, and that is where I reside today.”
On your feet, people.
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“For 7 am class, I get up at 5:30 am. I make coffee, take my fish oil and usually make a small, light breakfast of one egg and sweet potato hash browns. I take a short shower to wake myself up and hit the road. I drive from West Hollywood. FFOTB is exactly 9.5 mies from my doorstep. I need about 45 min to get there in the morning and depending on traffic sometimes that is cutting it close.
Getting there for the 5:30pm class means giving myself about an hour or trying to plan my day so that I am already in the area. I can forget about trying to get back home right after class in the morning or night because traffic is bad, both times. I usually plan a coffee or meal with someone to pass the time. Many days I wonder why I am doing that but when I get there I remember that it’s 110% worth it! I drop in to gyms in my neighborhood from time to time but there is no comparison to the coaching or the community on the West Side. I love you guys and hopefully someday soon I will move that way so I can sleep in with the rest of ya!”
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“I’m in somewhat of a unique situation – I split my time, living and working in both San Diego and Los Angeles. I am usually in LA, Monday-Thursdays and spend the rest of my week down south. In order for me to get the maximum benefit from my workouts every week, I try very hard to take advantage of my time in LA and get to the bluffs whenever I’m in town. On Monday or Tuesday mornings, I make the trek from San Diego to LA as early as possible, so I can A. beat the grotesque traffic and B. get a workout in before getting to work. I need to kill a workout early because if I don’t, by the time 3 pm rolls around on these days, I’m in a zombie-like trance and initiate couch ops as soon as I get home from work.”
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“I start my morning off by hitting the snooze button at least three times between 0315 and 0335 am…much to the dismay of my slumbering boyfriend who doesn’t need to be up for another three hours. I usually go to sleep in my workout clothes because its still pitch black out when I wake up and turning on lights to put on pants just blinds me and adds to my early-morning rage. Also trying figure out how to tie shoes before the sun comes up hurts my head. I used to show up to class with my clothes on inside out before I started this technique. Anyway – I brush my teeth in the dark and then stumble down the stairs and pour a giant cup of coffee with coconut milk. I never make breakfast because of my problem with turning on lights – but I will usually open up the crock pot and pick out pieces of pork or beef deliciousness that have been tucked in there all night.
Then I usually shuffle out the door in wrinkled clothes, untied shoes, a mouthful of meat and a coffee cup tucked under my arm. The whole bed-to-car process takes about 10 minutes (not counting the snooze-button-time). I’m in by car around 0345. The mornings have been chilly lately so I immediately tense up as I get into my car and will my seat warmers to warm up faster. Once I’m settled in, I try to play loud music or listen to interesting podcasts to keep my motivation up. But by the time I get to LA around 0630, the motivation is usually lost – traffic has pissed me off, I’m a hunger-monster, and the bed at my apartment (and the idea of a quick nap before work) is calling my name. But I usually turn left off of Lincoln and head west toward the ocean, instead of turning right toward my apartment. I’m sure I look like a walking yard sale when I show up for class on these days. But when it’s over and I’m heading home to shower, covered in mud and feeling sore, I never regret the morning commute.” : )
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WOW! All I can say is that I feel a bit sheepish for not having the motivation to workout after reading those rock solid testaments to being committed. This thing we have here is made up of people that are extraordinary. Remember these routines when you are planning out your week. These athletes are out there showing up at class regardless of weather, traffic, and how they feel. This is what makes the Fake Gym what it is. It’s you. And, I thank you so much for that. You inspire me. Way to lead from the front.
Danny Lesslie
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Wednesday’s Workout:
AMRAP 6
6 Deadlift (225/135)
9 Burpees
-Rest 3 min-
AMRAP 6
12 KB Swings (2/1.5)
15 Squats
-Rest 3 min-
Run 400m
