The Best Shape Of Jim's Life?

After seven years out of the Active Army, I (Jim) have kinda let myself go. I like to think that I'm in good enough shape to be on American Gladiators, but realistically, The Biggest Loser. Even working at an ROTC program, the PT we do each morning isn't quite enough to counter the battle of the bulge I've been waging for years.

Well, a few years ago, I stopped weight lifting like I used to...it was causing too much pain in my shoulders and quite frankly, the only real benefit I was getting from it was putting on mass. There wasn't any strength really, and the muscle I was putting on was more for show than functional. So I've become a proponent of bodyweight exercises over heavy weight training or what I call bodybuilder training. That's what most people do in the gym...develop those show muscles. Women tend to be more well rounded in their workouts than men. Anyways, I've been searching for more functional workouts...more combat and combat sports oriented.

I came across exactly what I needed. It's a gym called Crossfit. Its a national gym with affiliates throughout the country. Their fitness philosophy is completely functional fitness. Its the same concept that was used by the actors in the movie 300 to rip themselves into fighting shape (Thankfully, Abbie hasn't seen the movie so she's not expecting the rippling abs that the actors had).

I've been to four workouts of theirs as a newbie. These first week or so of sessions are free so I can evaluate if this is where I want to workout. The cost is super high but they give a HUGE discount to military and its all a write off. The workouts seem simple on paper, but once you workout..they're hard as hell. These are some of the hardest workouts I've ever had, and the longest duration I've had yet has been 17 minutes 47 seconds. The shortest was 9 minutes 49 seconds. Below are the workouts I did. Try them...they're harder than you think.

#1
20" box jumps x 20
Push-ups x 15
Sit-ups x 15
Squat x 15
In order as a circuit, three times.

#2
Sumo high pull (squat w/upright row using a kettlebell or barbell) x 10
Knee to elbows hanging leg lift x 10
Kettlebell/dumbbell swing (between legs using hip power to throw it up overhead) x 10
Walking lunges with a 22lb plate held overhead x 10
In order as a circuit, three times.

#3
Jump rope x 1 minute
Plyo Push-ups on a exercise ball (push-up on the ball plus one wide-arm push-up off the ball) x 10
Pull-ups x 10 (not as easy as you think)
Butterfly sit-ups (soles of feet together) x 10
In order as a circuit, three times.

#4
Repeated #2 but increased the weight on all exercises except the knee-elbows.
In order as a circuit, four times.

I dread and anticipate what the next workout is going to be. I've watched the other athletes in the gym working out, and these men and women are machines. The instructors don't let you rest...stop, and they're already counting down "3-2-1, START!" It's exactly what I need and there are scores of military that work out there. The guy I worked out with on #2 is using it to help him get back into Special Forces.

Wish me luck...I'm going to get in the best shape of my life.