BY KELLY DOWNING
Interval Plus brought the CrossFit craze to Riyadh. We checked out their Takhussusi Street location to see if it lived up to the hype and, more importantly, could deliver an efficient and sustainable workout.
CrossFit has remained a hot trend in the fitness industry for over a decade. Famous for its box style gyms and friendly competitions that pop up often on social media. While CrossFit has always piqued my interest, it seemed too intimidating to try. Maybe it is the unfamiliar equipment, or the massive muscles on the coaches, or maybe it is the fact that, if I am being honest, I have never been able to do a properly formed push-up. Yet, my interest remained, and finally, I attended my first class at Interval Plus. Interval Plus opened two years ago and has locations for men and women throughout the city. I attended the women’s location on Takhassusi Street. There is a men’s location next door.
I arrived at Interval Plus with a couple expectations in mind. I heard that the environment was supportive and hoped I would find that to be true. I also hoped that, with my history of muscle overuse, there would be qualified coaches able to offer modifications. I was confident I would get an effective, high-intensity workout. I had no idea at the time that the “Partners Wednesday” class I had signed up for is one of the most intense classes they offer!
After signing in for my class at the front desk, I was shown to the locker room. Here, I stored my belongings in a keypad-entry locker and toured the shower facilities. The facilities are noticeably clean and well maintained. As I made my way upstairs, I spotted a scale and measuring tape. These are used before each class as a way of tracking progress. The Interval Plus gym space is spread out over two open floors with zones for different activities. After a tour of all the facilities, I headed back to the ground floor where my “Partners” class was meeting. We did burpees and deadlifts, squats and bench jumps, overhead presses and rowing. As a beginner, I was given the option of doing modified versions of the exercises to make the workout more manageable for me. Each client in my class worked out with weights, equipment and positioning that suited their personal fitness level. Yet, we were all able to complete the workout together. My partner counted my reps for me as she cheered, “You’re almost done! You’re doing great!” With my new coach and partner by my side, I nearly completed all the reps and surprised myself with my capabilities. To me, that is the essence of my Interval Plus experience: pushing yourself to accomplish more than you knew was possible, but doing it with direction and encouragement.
The atmosphere, sense of community, and knowledgeable, passionate coaches at Interval Plus is what kept me going back long enough for my new passion in fitness to grow.
– Mandi Richmond.
Interval Plus offers four types of CrossFit classes, all taught by CrossFit certified coaches. “Theory” is a high-intensity workout of the day. “CrossFit”, is based on nine movements including Olympic bar strength training, gymnastic skills, and pull-ups and climbing. Before a new client starts CrossFit classes, they must take a three-day introductory course called Foundation. In Foundation, they will learn the CrossFit techniques and go over their nutrition plan. In the third offered class, “Interval Fit”, cardio, weights, squats, lunges, and pushups are incorporated into a plan that targets different parts of the body each day. A monitor tracks individual heart rate and calories burned throughout the class. Finally, in “Strike”, boxing and kickboxing is performed in increments of 30 minutes skills and 30 minutes theory stations.
I joined Interval Plus because they’re currently the only gym in Riyadh that I know of offering CrossFit classes. Also, it’s for everyone no matter what your fitness level is. I like it because classes are fun and never the same; they motivate you by making classes fun. But, I have to be honest, it’s tough! However, I will stick with it because of the health benefits.
– Nafisa Sayid.
Weekday classes run from 7am-8pm daily, offering clients the flexibility to work with any schedule. Classes continue through the weekend on a limited schedule. Clients range from beginners like me to advanced athletes looking to add diversity to their routine.
Interval Plus
With branches in Riyadh at Al Takhasussi St ,
Abi Bakr As Siddiq Rd, Khurais Branch Rd and King Abdul Aziz Rd
Contact No: 9200 27227
Website: www.intervalplus.com
Social Media: @intervalplus
