Intrepid has had our proverbial doors open since August 2009, and in that time we have grown from 1-2 classes with 1-2 members in Rec Park to what are today.  Intrepid is now about 90 members strong and our facility is roughly 4,000 sq ft of workout space, so I think it’s safe to say that we don’t qualify as a small gym anymore, however, that being said we strive to keep our “small gym” vibe that makes our gym a fulfilling place to be and to be a part of.  We don’t have many rules, but one that’s been around since Day 1 is when you see someone you don’t know, you better introduce yourself or be prepared to get some extra burpee or bear crawl work accomplished.  It’s small things like knowing the people you’re pushing through workouts with that helps create the supportive atmosphere that not only helps everyone dig deeper and push harder, but has created a community of individuals who don’t just see each other in the gym but invite each other over to cookouts, help each other move, go to each others weddings, and are a part of each others lives way beyond what you might have expected when you first stepped through our doors.

Ruth and I fell in love with coaching because in small groups we witnessed the amazing progress of every athlete and the bonds built between classmates as they struggled through heavy lifts, grueling met-cons, and the thrill of coming out on top every time with each other’s support.  As coaches we prioritize and divide our attention on a lot of things depending on the class size, the workout of the day, and the athletes in attendance.  We do our best to encourage and push you but oftentimes it really hits home when we hear it from our peers. There’s nothing like an encouraging word from the person next to you between stations, as you pass one another on a run, when you see each other struggling, when you see other hitting their “wall”. This is where we rely on our peers, those busting their asses to our right and left, to help us get the spark we need to grind through the next 5 burpees, the next set of back squats, the next 400m run, or whatever it is that lies ahead of you when you fell like you’ve hit your wall.  We all reach that point sometime where we fall vulnerable to the voice in the back of our heads questioning what the hell we’re doing to ourselves, holding us back, and keeping us from our true potential.  It is important that everyone have another voice, the voice of a classmate or coach to encourage, support, and help one another push through, keep moving, and challenge their mental and physical limits.

It’s this supportive atmosphere that often characterizes “small gyms” since everyone has a familiarity with one another and with the coaching staff. New faces come through our doors everyday but one of the first things they notice is our “small gym” vibe where everyone is friendly and supportive, and let’s do our best to keep it that way. As our gym family continues to grow, it ultimately comes down to everyone doing their part to maintain our “small gym” vibe that can only be described as the X-factor that separates Intrepid from “globo” gyms and other run-of-the-mill CrossFit boxes to make this a fun and inspiring place to be.

WOD 4.11.12

Back Squat 3×5/Wendler

3 Rounds for Time:
20 Goblet Lunges
5 Handstand Pushups (HSPU)
40 Double Unders
5 HSPUs