I couldn’t write a Reebok Crossfit Gurgaon review without mentioning its location – right next to a McDonalds. The box that is Reebok Crossfit Gurgaon is nothing like the stripped down, bare, gritty workouts and Crossfit boxes that we’ve seen in their videos. But, despite the jokes, bright lights and glitz, my Reebok Crossfit Gurgaon review is that it delivers exactly what all Crossfit boxes promise – an effective, full-body strength and conditioning, functional workout. If you’re in Gurgaon and not in Reebok Crossfit Gurgaon or a similar fitness program, you need to think again.

There is no doubt that functional training is the best strength and conditioning workout available. It is the core of workout programs like Crossfit and therefore Reebok Crossfit Gurgaon. What we’re looking at here is whether Reebok Crossfit Gurgaon is a facility that delivers.

Piyush Pandey, the man-in-charge, runs a tight ship. Doesn’t matter who you are, you start with the intro class. An introductory workout of the day (WOD) that introduces people to Crossfit and to three exercises – the pushup, the pull-up and the squat. Everyone starts with a 5minute session of however many circuits of these three that they can manage. This should be an eye opener for most as to how unfit they probably are despite “gymming” everyday, and therefore a great sales pitch.

The reason he made me go through the intro class before the WOD, despite my complaints, was simple. “I don’t know who you are or how fit you are,” he said matter-of-factly, “I don’t want you getting injured in my class.” Their dedication to safety and proper form is something you’re not likely to find in your neighbourhood gym. The 8pm batch had 20 people and three instructors, which is an instructor-student ratio that few, if any, gyms provide. They watch you like hawks and only proper form count as reps.

When I asked him about the nutrition program they recommend, I was expecting a lecture on Paleo and the smug, lunatic description of why I must follow it. Nothing of the sort. “The Zone diet is what works – 40-30-30 complex carbs-whole proteins-good fats.” As with everything else, if the simplest diet works, why mess with it. By the way, he does advise on Paleo, if you’re interested.

So we have dedicated and knowledgeable (and they do try hard to be light and easy-going even though they could break you in two while eating a hot dog) trainers in a large air conditioned space, high ceilings, well-maintained equipment, immaculately clean loos (clean not just by Indian standards either) and a workout that actually works out for you. It all comes at a value-for-money cost of Rs 7000 per month. So what’s not to like?

Reebok Crossfit Gurgaon is doing everything right, it’s the wide-eyed, pot-bellied, junk-food eating, treadmill-strolling patrons who don’t realise they’re missing out on one of the best workout deals in town.

It’s almost too coincidental but I had a conversation the same day I went for this review with a gentleman raving about this “sexy, new gym” he had joined. Its USP was “shitloads of machines ya… and all for 45,000 per year. I don’t use them all but they’re there.” That sentiment right there shows how far Reebok Crossfit Gurgaon still has to go. If you are serious about fitness and are not already in a functional training program, join Reebok Crossfit Gurgaon.

*Photos Courtesy: Reebok Crossfit Gurgaon