First and foremost, it was becoming increasingly clear that the large class-based model we’ve always run would likely be off the table under the new COVID landscape. So, what to do? Adapt, move forward, and try to find some positives.
After plenty of brainstorming and soul searching, what we found is a desire to build a space shaped more by our sense of exploration and curiosity, which is a model that is somewhat at odds with our previous mode of operation. When you’re running 50+ classes per week and managing hundreds of members it can be tough to find the time and space to be creative and try new things. Considering all of this, along with the potential restrictions placed on us by the county upon reopening and our commitment to making our space as safe as possible, we landed on the following plan.
RPM Training is becoming RPMU (at least that’s the current working name).
RPMU will be a place to train, grow, and evolve. A place to connect with friends and learn new things. A place where you can get world-class instruction, but also where you, as an individual, can take control of your own journey. Like the old “teach a man to fish” proverb, we want to empower people with the knowledge to take control of their own capacity, health, and wellbeing.
So what does that mean?
It means we will provide many of the things you’ve come to love and expect from our gym – daily programming you can follow, a killer space with all the gear, Private Training, our youth/teen program, remote virtual classes, and the support of your awesome coaches… And some new things too – Individualized Programming, seminars from health/performance thought leaders, some features you’ve never seen before at RPM or maybe anywhere else for that matter, and virtually unlimited open-gym time.
This, however, also means we will not be running endless hours of back to back classes. In fact, we anticipate offering, at most, 3 group coached hours (a.k.a. classes) per day dedicated to our main daily programming. These hours will NOT differ by type/name (i.e. Csport vs. CrossFit) but will allow for different versions of the workout to be performed depending on goals, preferences, and ability level.
In this new model, we will NOT be optimizing for maximum membership numbers, but instead will attempt to build something that’s infinitely meaningful to a small close-knit community of members who share our passion for purposeful training, self-discovery, and adventure, which (in case it needs to be said) has nothing to do with age or ability level… it’s simply a mindset.
To achieve this, we will be capping our membership at 75 people, which is only about a third of our highest point pre-lockdown. Beyond the obvious advantages this provides in helping us keep a clean safe space, it will also help us make the gym really feel like home to those 75 members. One of the ways we hope to achieve this is through key-code access, perhaps even at all hours, but there are certainly a few hurdles to clear before we’ll know for sure if that could work. This increased access and open gym time will also allow us to offer individualized programming (a coach writes you a customized training program and you execute it on your own schedule), which can be the perfect solution for those who want some guidance but don’t need a coach present at all training sessions.
Anticipating these 75 spots will fill quickly, we will make them available to all current members first, then to anyone who was a member when the lockdown took effect, then to all previous members. We will open it up to the public only after those select individuals have had the opportunity to secure a membership. If there is demand beyond the 75 spots (and we’re pretty sure there will be), we will start a waitlist.
We will also continue to run our virtual program, so if you prefer to continue training from home via web based coaching at a reduced rate, that’s great! There will not be a cap on the Virtual membership.
If you have Private Training sessions on the books, no worries, those will still be valid!
**OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS**
- NEW MEMBERS START HERE! Questions about the program? Classes? Costs? Our main website is under construction currently, so please Email 809@rpmtraining.com and we’ll give you the full rundown.
- VIRTUAL CLASS SCHEDULE: Our new virtual class schedule is rolling. And don’t knock it till you try it! The classes are surprisingly fun, super easy to connect to, allow you to hang with your RPM fam, and will 100% do the job of getting you fitter. Just click on the class time below you’d like to join at the time of the class and you’ll be brought right into the group! Ideally you’d have at least one strength tool (KB, DB, etc) and a jump rope. So if you don’t see the equipment lending program below, go get some!
- FREE WEEK TRIAL: If you’ve got friends who are gymless currently, have them join a virtual class with you. We’ll work around their equipment limitations if needed, or they can borrow some from us on a Monday to use during their free week. Just have them reach out the week prior to arrange the equipment pickup.
- EQUIPMENT RETURN: As we are hopeful our lockdown days are numbered, we will no longer be loaning out additional equipment. Stay tuned for information on how to return your equipment once our reopening timeline has been ironed out.
Get a live breakdown of all the workouts from Chelsea every day at 8am on our IGTV feed @rpmtraining_lg.
ARSENAL
A. 1 clean + 1 C&J x 5 sets; rest as needed
B. “DG”
AMRAP in 10 min:
8 T2B
12 DB thrusters (35/20)
12 DB walking lunges (35/20)
HOMESLICE
A. wtd. SL box step downs: 3 x 10-12 ea. side @ 30X1
B. AMRAP in 10 min:
16 wtd. leg lowers
12 DB thrusters
12 DB walking lunges
ROPEBURN
A. 4 sets
10 SL box step downs @ 30X1
40 speed step
10 SL box step downs @ 30X1
40 speed step
B. AMRAP in 10 min:
16 wtd. leg lowers
12 rotational jump squats*
12 walking lunges
NOTES
*rotational jump squats: jump and rotate 90 degrees at the top of each squat