It's gonna be hard to put into words how I feel about this place, but I'll try. But I also feel like I need to add a little bit of background info about why I feel the way I do so here goes nothing. At the peak of my fitness over a decade ago, I was part of a now-defunct fitness group called SacTown FitClub that had a community and vibes like no other. Our workouts were mostly plyometrics based metabolic conditioning at different parks before they eventually got a warehouse space with a bit of equipment.
Ever since they closed, I had a huge void in my life and I've been bouncing around different gyms and even trying different types of martial arts. I was trying to chase that high because for me it wasn't just about the gym and having equipment, I was looking for a community and workouts like FitClub had.
Fast forward to October 2024. At this point I've been powerlifting with a small group of buddies for a couple years, but I'd grown bored with it and I needed a spark. I had been considering diving back into CrossFit for around a year now(I had a very very brief stint at Kaiwai around 2017 or 2018) but anxiety trying new things with new people kept me from taking the leap and coming back after all this time. I even messaged the owner of another box and scheduled a day to come in but I got cold feet and backed out. Then after talking to one of my powerlifting buddies who wanted to try out CrossFit, we decided to check out CrossFit Kaiwai. It helped that I remembered the owner Jaws being very friendly and accommodating back in 2017-18, and he was exactly the same when I messaged him in October to let him know we wanted to try a class before potentially signing up.
We attended a 5:30pm Wednesday night class that Jaws instructed and the struggle was real, but never were we expected to do more than what our fitness level and abilities allowed. Jaws was very encouraging and insightful, giving us substitutions or modifications for any movements we were unable to do. If I'm being honest, it was freakin tough but I always enjoyed the challenge that metabolic conditioning brought, especially in a group setting. I was sold on that 1 class and signed up right away and started with just 1 class a week because I already had a powerlifting split of 4 days a week.
Fast forward to present day. I've cut the powerlifting to 1-2 days a week if that, because I'm at Kaiwai 5 days a week. I didn't just fill the void I had, my cup is now overflowing. I didn't just find a community, I gained a family and I'm doing workouts I love to do(ngl, I'm also doing ones I hate lol). Every single day is a new challenge, and every workout complete is rewarding. I love that here you never suffer alone, you get to suffer with a bunch of friends lol. There's never a shortage of coaches or buddies hyping you up during the workout when it feels like your mind is working against you, having you ready to give up on yourself.
I even switched from 5:30pm workouts to 5am workouts. Who tf in their right mind does a 5am workout, especially before work?! If you told me a year ago that I'd be doing 5am workouts before work, I would tell you you're out of your goddamn mind. But this is what Kaiwai and all the beautiful people that encompass this place do. It took some time but I'm starting to get the results I've wanted for myself for so many years now. I'm feeling better and better about myself and I'm regaining my confidence.
This is supposed to be my home away from home but in some ways, it feels like my true home. On my hardest days, I know I can come here and leave feeling lighter. When I'm sick and miss some days, I'll get texts asking where or how I am and I feel missed. I'm absolutely blessed I get to be a part of this place and my heart is always full from the friendships I have gained. I hope more people come along and get to experience all that I have felt, because I love this place and all the people in it more than I can put into words. read more
