Ok, so my 36th birthday is right around the corner. Ironically, this birthday is not just another year I get to celebrate being on this planet. It marks the 5 year anniversary that a disturbing nude image in my mirror, upon getting out of the shower, convinced me it was time to get back into shape.

Throughout the last five years, I have been finding my groove with what works “for me” and what doesn’t, what’s fun and can keep my Gemini-driven/ADHD-mistaken mind interested long enough to keep me interested, and most of all challenge me enough to continue to challenge myself…..my biggest opponent.

I must say, 2008 has been the year that has stepped up to the plate. I’ve incorporated various butt-kickers to my life, from Kettlebell training to Muay Thai, to Copeira. However, I think the greatest physical, as well as mental challenge came yesterday in the form of something called, a “Fight Gone Bad!”

I’ve seen it on YouTube, watched it and studied its description on its mother site, Crossfit.com, and even read about it in Muscle & Fitness. However, watching from the bleachers is one thing. If you truly want to experience glory, you have to pull yourself away from your computer, get in the trenches, and play with the real players.

Well, let’s just say, I got down and dirty in the trenches with the folks at Crossfit - The Woodlands. CFTW’s owner Scott Wells invited folks out for their grand opening, giving us a chance to check out their new kick-ass facility, as well as experience a workout, Crossfit style.

What better way to introduce a sick dude like me, who fancies himself an unconventional workout on the regular, than with CFTW’s version of “A Fight Gone Bad.” I will describe what we did.

1. Wall Balls (10 lb)
2. DB Push Press (25 lb)
3. Burpees (not to be confused with sq. thrusts - I performed the push up and the jump - insanity!)
4. Box Jumps
5. KB Sumo Deadlift High Pulls (20 lb)

Each exercise is performed for 1 min. each, with no rest between exercises. Once you have completed all five exercises, you have 1 minute to rest….pray…..puke…call your mama…..or beg for mercy…..Suffice it to say, Scott & the gang chuckled cynically at the latter. We would perform this 5 minutes of pain, torture, and oddly enough, pleasure, for 3 complete rounds.

Our scores were tallied by adding the complete number of reps together of each exercise per round. Once we completed all 3 rounds, we tallied the totals from all 3 to get our complete score. I scored 111 in round 1, 92 in round 2, and 90 in round 3, for a total score of 293. I was a tad ticked off for not scoring an even 300. However, I felt great, especially since I never felt like I was going to throw up, and basked at how quickly I recovered between stations. Thank you long kettlebell sets, muay thai, and hill sprints, to name a few.

I must brag on the ladies, who also participated. They were beasts, scoring the likes of anywhere between 350 and 385. If you saw them, yeah, you would guess they worked out, but you would never confuse them for soccer moms once you see them pressing those dumbbells or pulling those kettlebells. Get your mind right, missy. If you are still stuck on the pre-21st century myth of lifting light weights for high reps, in order to get “toned” and not bulk up, it’s time you woke up. These goddesses were not only lean and mean, but were strong enough to toss some challenging weight consistently for 3 rounds.

In the end, I truly enjoyed the butt-kicking the great folks at Crossfit - The Woodlands gave me, and I definitely will add this to my Saturday workouts at least twice a month. If you are in the Houston area, especially in North Houston, Spring, or The Woodlands, and are looking for a really challenging workout, or simply want to get out of the gym and finally get the results “you” desire, then stop by and visit my friends at Crossfit - The Woodlands.

I would like to thank my friend Jared, and his little princess, for inviting me out to CFTW to workout with them. Here is a shot of Eddie Enriquez (CAP Elite.com/ MyTrainer.com/CFTW), myself, Scott Wells (CFTW), and Jared.