Crazy night last night. I went to a "trial class" for this local Phoenix training guru named Mack Newton. I was interested in going to a class that would challenge me and inspire me (which...unfortunately has not occurred with the fat ladies at boot camp...surprising...I know). I had to meet with him before hand and get a "consultation" where he spoke to me for about an hour about my goals, etc. and explained his philosophy. It seemed alright so I agreed to go to a trial class. He told me that he doesn't need clients and that he only chooses clients based on whether he feels there's a good match and whether he thinks he can work with a person. So.....I show up at 5:30 for the 6:00 class (per his instructions) and get taken back to the locker room by one of his female clients. The lady starts to list the rules of the class, here are a few:
-- address Mack as "Sir" during the class.
-- do exactly what he tells you to do.
-- wear no jewelry in the class.
-- you can bring no water to the class.
-- you are not allowed to wear shoes in the class.
-- no cursing or foul language in the class.
-- you cannot leave the class without giving Mack a "high five."
I'm sure there were others but I was a little taken aback...and sort of frightened. What the hell is going on here? So...I took my last gulps of water in the locker room and took off my jewelry and shoes and followed her to the fully carpeted training room. The first thing that hits you is the extreme heat in the room -- I mean, it's definitely around 110 degrees in there. It almost takes your breath away...like stepping into a sauna. There is a big sign on the wall that says "House of Discipline" and a bunch of bikes and other gym-like equipment around the perimeter of a large clear carpeted area in the middle. There are about 15 other people there -- both men and women. I meet a few people and then Mack comes in and gives a "talk" about things we do to sabotage ourselves......I think this guy has my number already.....and several people take notes and ask questions. Then, he lets the group know that its "time to work. " So...everyone puts their notebooks on the side...except one large guy who slides his notebook to the side...well...Mack got a little upset about that. Oh...by the way...this large guy is a professional baseball player (turns out there are 5 of them in the class today) who plays for the White Soxs. Mack scolds him and tells him that he knows that items are not thrown in this room but are placed...so he assigns the White Sox guy 400 mountainclimbers. [Which the guy immediately jumps up and starts doing....] Now I'm getting a little taste of this place and I'm scared.... The workout starts and he tells us all, by name, where we're going to stand. As a newbie, I'm front and center, of course. I figure that I have nothing really to lose and that I'll just focus on Mack and do what he says...that should keep me out of punishment territory...hopefully. He starts with a ton of sit ups and then push ups and then moutainclimbers. I'm keeping up so far. [Don't forget its about 110 degrees in there...] I'm breathing heavily but...still alive...doing alright. Then he tells us we're going to do another set and I do what he says. Still alright. Yet another set...now people are starting to "fall out" and he starts yelling out names and sending people to bikes, etc. to do other exercises. I'm still doing what he says. Another set. Then he yells my name and tells me to "sit down and rest a little." Awesome. I look around and all but one of the other women [and some of the men...not the pros] are on bikes, etc. around the gym and its just us two ladies left with the guys on the floor. Hey...I'm doing alright. Mack tells me to start working out again. Of course...I do. [It's interesting because Mack seems to be very in tune with everyone. One person questioned him whe n he told her to do pushups and he said "trust me...don't trust that voice inside your head that tells you can't do this...I know you can...you know you can...I'll tell you when you're done... She did the pushups then.] I start really trusting him and stop holding back the little reserve I usually hold back and try to do all of everything he says. I am proud to say that I do damn well. Mack starts telling me that he is really excited that I'm still hanging in there and that I'm doing really great. It boosts me up and I find that extra something necessary to do more sit ups. Before I know it, the class is over and we're doing what I'm told is the traditional 50 mountainclimber finale to the class. I get that done and then stretch out. Wow...did I really just finish that class? If his goal was to make you feel like you accomplished a lot...mission accomplished. I'm very sweaty (hot room) and my feet are sore from doing mountainclimbers on the carpet but I feel really good. Anyway, he talked to me afterwards about joining his class and he said that he knows I CAN DO IT...now am I READY TO DO IT. I immediately said yes...but he said to sleep on it and to call him today. Pretty strange experience. I still think I'm going to do it. I spoke with some of the students last night and the were extremely nice (especially the pro ball players) and they told me they were getting ready for spring training. Pretty cool.
Apparently I get a set of the written rules if I sign up.....
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