Paul's fitness journey

My Fitness Journey

My fitness journey began in my early teens where I turned to weightlifting in order to get stronger for High School wrestling.   I got in the high school weight room and basically learned what I could from the older guys and what I read in magazines.  As I got into my 20s I continued on the same boring path of working 1 or 2 body parts a day.  I never spent anytime focusing on my cardio or changing my eating habits.  I had gotten stronger but still felt I wasn’t achieving the results I wanted to.  In addition, I started getting nagging neck pain that would come and go.  I would workout for a few weeks, tweak something in my neck and then take a few weeks off and this pattern seemed to continue for many years as I got into my 30s.  I knew I needed to change something.

I belonged to Vision Sports Club for a number of years when one day 3 years ago I noticed that there was now CrossFit training offered within the gym.  I had heard about CrossFit before but didn’t quite know what it was all about.  One day I was peaking in the space as a workout was taking place and Ray called me in and encouraged me to take a few trial classes.  I went into it thinking I was in OK shape but found out very soon that I wasn’t.  After a few classes I was hooked and knew that I was on the right path and that this was the programming for me.  I had always thought I used great technique when performing lifting movements but quickly came to realize through the guidance of Ray and the staff at AMRAP Fitness that I had a lot to learn and improve upon to be more efficient in my lifts and most importantly to stay safer in order to prevent injury.

There are so many positive aspects for me to point to when it comes the CrossFit training here.  I continue to improve my strength and cardio on a daily basis.  The variety of the training changes every day which keeps it challenging and fun and always keeps you guessing.  The classes also have become a great way for me personally to relieve stress and I look forward to that time when I come in and can escape.  Also learning how to eat clean has been a real game changer for me in the way I look and feel.  The staff provides guidance through nutritional challenges that we can partake in at various points throughout the year and can tailor it to your goals and needs.  One last and most important aspect of what keeps me coming back is the people.  It is a great sense of community.  Everyone is very encouraging to each other….your age or ability does not matter.

I’m 40 years old and I can honestly say I’m in the best shape of my life.  I’m truly thankful to Ray and the staff for encouraging me to be a better version of myself each and every day.

Paul