Crossfit PTY – Panama City
I should start with a brief story that my dad is awesome and has been doing crossfit for over 3 years. He actually got ME involved with it after it saved his life. But that’s another story for later. When I suggested we try out a box in Panama, where he was about to come visit for a vacation, he was all for it! I picked Crossfit PTY for it’s proximity to the hotel. So we woke up early (5am) to go walk over to PTY for the 6am class on the first day of their vacation. (Because, let’s be honest, it’s not a great vacation unless you start out with some crossfit, right?…. oh… just me? Ok then.)
Adriana was the coach and our groggy faces told her that we were new and to go ahead, sign a waiver (WHAT? A WAIVER?!) and get started. We stretched and warmed up as a group and then got into the wod (which wasn’t difficult RX, but I could have added more weight.)
After the wod (which only took my dad and I less than 6 minutes) we were asked to work on whatever our weak-points were. Abs, double-unders, etc.
Dad worked on his double-unders (he brought a speed rope with him… Did I mention he is ON VACATION?) and I worked on the muscle-up progression that I learned the other day. Adriana also taught me some other tips
Tip:
1) Start with hanging there and pulling your chest to the rings (using a false grip). Just do this for a week. Get it really nice and comfortable.
2) Once you have step 1 down, pull the rings to your chest and poke your head through. (“boom BOOM!”) very quick. But you still have your feet planted on the ground.
(Obviously, this is all really easy to explain when you are showed.)
My dad and I ended up going back after our “Tour de Panama” and the 2nd wod was awesome. Tabata-style (2 sets of 30-second work, 60 seconds rest) which keeps your blood pumping, but also keeps your encouragement up because, hell, you have to do as many as you did last round! I love these types of wods.
Adriana is also all for a throw-down— so anyone from the states want to come down and show off, this is your place! 🙂
Overall, I loved my experience there. It also reinforced that my dad and I, as crossfitters, are never really far away from family as long as there is a box nearby.
