Happy Sunday team. I hope you guys have all had fun filled, enjoyable weekends!

I just wanted to start this week by providing some info to you all. With the recent survey that was conducted, we received a few questions. Mainly with regards to the timetable and the suggestion of an additional focus class (all will be explained), but also with regards to what has happened to your membership payments throughout lockdown.

Memberships
Firstly, I cannot thank you enough for supporting the gym with those memberships throughout the lockdown period. Realistically, I think that CrossFit Cardiff would be facing a different situation post lockdown had that support not been given.
Unlike many mortgage companies/banks, the commercial market has been unwavering in terms of rent collections. For the entire period that my business was forced to close, I was charged rent and service charges. Our location as well as size, results in an aggressive amount due each quarter. Something that was not up for debate. Coupled with a five figure service charge (£1100 of destine for the collection of leaves, the same leaves I spent 45mins of my day collecting even though I had paid for someone else to do it) meant that without incoming membership payments I would have likely had to default.
Other facilities have been extremely lucky and have had huge percentages of their rent charges reduced if not entirely removed. I just wasn’t that lucky.

The maintenance of Ash’s 100% salary was another end state of your fees. Personally, I have not received pay for the entire 9 years and 7 months of the operation of CrossFit Cardiff (true of COVID-19 lockdown also). Traveling almost every weekend to work in order to ensure that and money from the gym can be re-invested, has long been my goal.
This investment is not just in the physical equipment, of which we boast a significant amount), but in the training and development of the coaching staff. As previously stated, the team are amongst the most qualified CrossFit trainers literally in the world.

Now that we are getting back to normal, I am looking on investing in more toys for us to destroy you with. The issue presented by the last few months is that very few providers, if any, have any physical stock.
However, I have been in talks with Rogue for the biggest change and am merely awaiting on the shipping conformation to replace the “shit” rig with another, far sexier and entirely bad assed Rogue wall mounted monster! Watch this space, it’s a coming; as will other pieces of equipment once the worlds stock levels return to normal!

Lastly, I also needed about 25 members worth of fees to afford the price of a 500ml bottle of alcohol gel and a packet of wipes a few weeks ago! 😉

I am sure that I have made mistakes during the past 6 months, I have certainly learnt lessons. As with the rest of us though, this was my first pandemic and so certain decisions had to be made quickly and often without accurate information. I’m sure that they weren’t ideal for all but my over arching intention was to keep your best interests at heart.

Timetable
Since being able to re-open we have been conservative (due to the pandemic mentioned above), and due to the guidelines (none of which were communicated to business owners other than the mainstream media) changing continuously.
However, we are now in a comfortable routine and are able to make additions.

As of Monday 14th the 06:30 and 19:00 classes will return.

Twice per week (Tuesday & Thursday), we shall be replacing the 19:00 workout with a dedicated focused class. These classes will rotate through disciplines but allow for far more structure due to being an hour in length.
For example, we can allow for a structured strength cycle, having enough time to allow technique teaching and progressive loading, ultimately achieving the required stimulus safely.

These programs will also feature gymnastics development as well as endurance.

Open gym
Unfortunately, as a result of the requirement for social distancing still being a part of legislation, open gym will not be possible.

Coaches
More and far better looking are currently being developed, allowing the team and variety of such to grow. It is truly exciting and something that will benefit you all!

Anyway. Back to the week, there are some brutal workouts coming your way!

CrossFit Cardiff WoD
Within 20 minutes, complete as many rounds and reps as possible of:
10 Pull ups
8 Deadlift (60/40kg)
6 Push press (60/40kg)

Get those rounds and reps up to the whiteboard…