Gritty workout launched in Bermuda

SATURDAY, MAY 26: A new gym featuring what might be Bermuda’s most grueling workout was launched today.

CrossFit BDA is located on Market Lane off Serpentine Road and is owned by Derek Hurdle and coaches Chantal and Mathew MacDonald.

The gym offered two free classes to the public today as part of their grand opening.

CrossFit BDA features a daily workout for all the classes with coaches guiding the participants through warm-ups, skills practice, workouts and cool downs.

The classes are intense and fast paced and a commitment of three months is recommended.

Today, the workouts were at 9:30am and 11am.

It was a timed workout of 30 minutes. Participants had to do a 1km run, 100 pushups, 150 situps, 200 squats and another 1km run.

About 100 people attended the two sessions, which meant some participants were doing their exercises on the road.

The workouts were done to high-energy music and the coaches were encouraging everyone the whole time.  

Asked why he decided to bring CrossFit to Bermuda, Mr Hurdle said: “I saw it on TV probably about a year ago and that’s when I got interested in it.

“With Chantal and Mat, they have been doing it for a couple of years.

Mrs MacDonald will be training at the gym daily along with her husband.

She said: “We got introduced in Dallas and it’s amazing.

“They got us really into it.

“I started out doing pushups on my knees and having bad form in squats and not being able to do pull-ups.

“Now, I can do it all.

“It’s a progression.”

As far as the classes go, Mrs MacDonald said she would be sending out an email on Monday to get people to sign up for private sessions.

There will be a skills test and those who pass won’t have to do the fundamentals class.

“If you sign up for CrossFit by June 1, fundamentals is free.

“We are starting classes June 4.”

Classes will be held daily at 6:15am, 12:15pm, 5:15pm and 6:15pm.

Every Saturday there will be a free class.

For more information on CrossFit BDA, visit www.crossfitbda.com or call Mr Hurdle on 535-4775 or Mrs MacDonald on 537-7764.