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You guys know the way a lot I’ve written concerning the Match Pit, proper? The gymnasium that taught me that I used to be stronger than I believed? And that I may overcome this and this. The gymnasium that helped me to get my health groove again after infants? I’d even go as far as to name it the neighborhood that impressed my soul.
Yeah, it’s meant lots to me — and my household. Gwen’s been there virtually weekly since she was only a few months outdated — and so have the twins. Though some days it wasn’t straightforward to get all people there after which preserve all people entertained lengthy sufficient for me to get a full exercise in, I’ve additionally felt actually proud to indicate my children that facet of my husband and me. For them to see us do onerous issues, and be round different folks pushing their limits. It’s a particular place; a particular power.
However, late final 12 months we obtained phrase that the gymnasium was closing.
It actually introduced me to tears, numerous instances. So many recollections. So many exercises. So many good pals. A lot self-discovery. A lot … LIFE.
I knew it might go away an enormous ol’ gap — not simply in our health, however in our day-to-day lives. Like, what on this planet would we do?
After plenty of thought and dialogue, we determined that becoming a member of a brand new gymnasium simply wasn’t proper for us — at the very least not proper now. However what was? This.
Say whats up to our storage gymnasium, which we’ve named “The Barn Field.” (Our home is a 1919 Colonial and appears lots like a barn and I really like alliteration, therefore the title.)
We had been fortunate sufficient to purchase a few of the Match Pit’s tools (you’ll be able to see most of it above but it surely consists of: a rower, dumbbells, barbells with plates, a slam ball, a field, kettlebells, and a few mats), so we cleared out the mess that was our storage, and made it our very personal slice of Match Pit.
Commute time: 15 seconds.
Within the coming weeks, I’ll share a few of the exercises I’ve been doing within the Barn Field — each right here on the location and on @FitBottomedGirl and @FitBottomedMama (as a result of the kiddos are nonetheless very a lot part of my exercise routine, even when I attempt to work WODs in throughout naps!) — however making a storage gymnasium has been actually … enjoyable. In a shocking type of means.
My husband has taken the reins on laying the house out, and we’ll proceed to work on it (eradicating shelving and different litter) as time permits and the climate warms. We even have plans to spend money on a squat rack and pull-up bar, together with possibly a number of different toys (I’d actually like a shorter field and a battle rope). To not point out that we obtained a WOD timer/clock for Christmas (thanks, Mother and Dad!) that we have to arrange and cling, and I’m trying into some enjoyable methods to actually make the house our personal (pondering, like, an inspiring neon or customized flag with a phrase). We’re additionally creating probably the most epic exercise playlist ever (yep, I’ll share that, too, as soon as it’s extra full).
After we determined to purchase the tools, I wasn’t one hundred pc positive how a lot we’d use it. Would we nonetheless exercise as a lot — or as onerous? Or would it not be kinda, unhappy, little, and lonely? Whereas it’s positively totally different and not the identical, it’s — pardon the pun — understanding rather well. (Even when we do have a number of strollers to maneuver round.)
I’ve fallen in love with creating exercises (based mostly on lots of the ones I did on the Match Pit over time). Since they’re only for us, it’s been a enjoyable and intuitive course of for me to design exercises that focus on my imbalances or weak spots or keep away from areas I’m sore in — after which do the identical for my husband, too.
I may restrict how lengthy they’re, or swap issues up based on the climate. As a result of our storage isn’t local weather managed, I’ve achieved a number of body weight exercises in my basement. Dude, when barbells get chilly, they’re COLD.)
Principally, I’ve by no means been extra constant in making it to the gymnasium.
I’ll not at all times have as a lot enjoyable or go as onerous as I’d earlier than, however the capability for us to maintain slightly little bit of the Match Pit alive, in our storage — particularly whereas we’re busy elevating our three little ladies? Nicely, I’m hella joyful — and proud — about that.
Anybody else on the market have a storage gymnasium? What’s your favourite exercise or piece of apparatus? The rower was positively the priciest of what we purchased, but it surely’s been SO price it! —Jenn
