Thursday, June 19, 2014

West Bay CrossFit

West Bay CrossFit

I've been in San Rafael for quite some time now.. every week for the past six weeks.  I've been to a couple gyms here already and I actually really like one of them, but I just wanted to try out some other gyms.  Most of the CrossFit gyms in San Rafael are located in central San Rafael.  I think there are 4 or so of them.  West Bay CrossFit was the first to respond to my visit request, so I decided to check them out first. 

I did the 5:30am class on Friday the owner, John.  Below is what was programmed for the class... I did a slight variation of the workout:
  • Warm Up: run, leg swings, bootstraps, walking lunges, handstand walk, shoulder passes
  • Strength:
    • Power Jerk - 10min to find a HS
  • Workout: For time:
    • 1000m Row
    • 25 Toes to Bar
    • 15 Shoulder to Overhead 155#/95#
    • 25 Toes to Bar
    • 1000m Row
 
Some things I really liked here:
  • Great location right in central San Rafael.  Free parking, yoga studio next door, and Sol Food within a couple blocks!
  • Friendly members.  Small crowd but all very welcoming.  The members make it feel very homey.
  • John, the owner currently coaches all the classes.  He's passionate about CrossFIt, patient, and will motivate you during the workout.  I also heard a couple other coaches will be joining soon.
  • Class structure.  Classes start and end on time.  As a class, everyone goes through a warm up, workout, and mobility/cool down after.
  • Free filtered water
  • $20 drop in fee, or $25 with a shirt

Some things that could use improvement:
  • More classes.  They don't have very much, especially for being opened for more than 2 years

Some pictures:
2. Outside, bright and early


3. Inside


4. to the left


5. to the right


6. pull up structure


7. heading back


8. back room, slightly higher ceilings

9. rings and wall balls


10. view from the back

11. door

12. whiteboard


13. PR's on top

Cool little gym in downtown San Rafael, right next door to a yoga studio.  Hit up a class, cool down with yoga next door, then grab a bite at Sol Food.  Sounds pretty good to me.

Nearby Gyms: Tamalpais CrossFit/San Rafael Barbell (San Rafael) | TJ's Gym San Rafael (San Rafael) | Corey's Gym/North Bay CrossFit (San Rafael) | TJ's Gym - Novato (Novato) | Pacheco Valley CrossFit (Novato) | Five Points CrossFit (Corte Madera) | TJ's Gym Mill Valley (Mill Valley)