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Blood, sweat and dried fish

Some of you may have noticed - in September/October, shower or toilet was surprisingly often available. The reason? I was on vacation. Until the beginning of September it was unclear to me where I would be staying at the end of the month. It took a little while to turn my preferences toward a stress-free free time, Iceland, northern lights and CrossFit became the plan "I'm just going to have a stress-free time on Iceland, watch northern lights as long as possible and go to CrossFit". As you can see on the CrossFit affiliate map, there are 17 boxes in Iceland. Coming soon there will be a new box in the Northwest. After I had calculated about 3 weeks Wiesbaden-abstinence anyway, it eventually became the solid plan "I'm just going to have a stress-free time in Iceland, watch northern lights as long as possible and visit ALL the CrossFit" boxes. Here we go!

CrossFit Sudurnes - Premieres
https://de-de.facebook.com/crossfitsudurnes/
size: normal – Drop-in: 2.250 Icelandic Kroner (ISK) – shower/locker room: big and separated

I didn’t have to go far from the airport after my arrival, because it’s located almost on the airfield. You can find Saras (Sigmundsdóttir) box, housed in a fitness center. The day after, I went to visit the box. Sara wasn’t there. Well, you can’t have everything. What should you expect with it being my first drop-in ever (premiere 1)? Someone who approaches me with a big grin and introduces himself to me as the coach, basically an Icelandic Emu, did not exist. However, this is simply the normal case in Iceland. And except for the last drop-in, I had to ask for the name after my introduction "Hi, my name is Stefan. I'm here for a drop-in.”. But once you know that, everything is fine. I was able to communicate well with everyone I spoke to and with CrossFit you have an exciting topic to chat about. It started without name game and without question of the day, which is also the standard in all Icelandic boxes. Instead warm-up in groups of three to four before the workout started. 6 rounds of 90 seconds of work and 90 seconds rest. Work: 9 thrusters and 15 deadlifts with the same barbell, in the rest of the time double-unders. The DUs had to be counted. Great, my big passion right in the first drop-in. As expected, my DU-attempts were not crowned with success, but clearly, that goes without saying, because of my arrival the day before and the 2 hour time lag. Other ropes were also available, namely training ropes from Jumpnrope. I think. They are a bit thicker and heavier than our speedropes and of course I used the wrong length. These ropes met me often, incidentally, always in the trend color red. Premiere 2: rope storage not on the rope, but on the handles. This made the removal so much easier ... Premiere 3: Thrusters with 40 kg. Heavy, but ok. Must have been the adrenaline. And the compression socks. After the workout, a few stabilization exercises for the core and then, very praiseworthy joint stretching. I liked that. Fist bumps and high-fives with two fellows, no 10 second rule.

Picture 1: On the stools on the left no lions are tamed, they are intended for box jumps.

Picture 2: Three different types of barbells. Pay attention!

CrossFit Grindavik – Seek and ye shall find
https://de-de.facebook.com/Crossfitgrindavik/
size: normal – Drop-in: 1.500 ISK – shower/locker room: cozy, unisex, but existing

The same day I continued to Grindavik, no 25 km further south. Following Simone's advice, I messaged the first two boxes shortly before the start of the holiday. Grindavik answered first and gave me a warm welcome. On the spot, I had some problems to find the box. There were no CrossFit signs outside the buildings and I did not see a house number anywhere. It was not until the typical barbell clang that I heard that prompted me to open the front door of the nearest building and go up the stairs. On the shoe rack by the door (in Iceland in the boxes as well as in the hostels pretty much at the entrance the shoes were taken off and put off), which also included various Nanos and Metcons, I could identify that I had arrived. Chief Lárus Guðmundsson showed me the premises and told me that he had opened the box only a few months ago. Main motivation: He did not fancy the daily ride to CF Sudurnes and back. At the time of my visit at the end of September, not all of the equipment was set up, but as I found on the box's Facebook page, a lot has happened during my stay in Iceland. Good job, my friend! Missing only a fat banner or sign on the facade.

The space for the overhead lunges in the power section was a bit short, but they offer a paradise for endurance fans. Several Concept 2 rowing machines, Airbikes, AirRunner (curved treadmills) and, if I remember correctly, two SkiErgs. In addition, there was already a Powerrack by Rogue. In the metcon, 50 calories on a device of choice. To your surprise, I opted for the rower. Oh, the 50 calories were just the appetizer, followed by 4 rounds of 8 frontsquats, 12 push-ups, 16 KB Russian swings. And then another 200 double-unders. DUs again. I opted for the alternative of 400 SUs, after all, I wanted to continue on the same day in the direction of Reykjavik.

Picture 4 Cardio-Paradise (looks quite different now)

CrossFit XY - Among Hillarys
https://www.facebook.com/CrossFitXy/
size: big – Drop-in: free for me – shower/locker room: big and separated

On the evening of my drop-in-double-pack day I went to my accommodation in Hafnarfjörður, a city in the southern metropolitan area of Reykjavik. In relation to CrossFit Reykjavik offers a lot - in the suburbs there are four boxes, in Reykjavik itself there are three. The three city boxes, I wanted to visit on the last few days of vacation without a rental car, so now was the time to visit some of the suburban boxes first, before I went further north. I arrived a little too late for CrossFit Hafnarfjörður, the last class had started already Saturday noon. But I was warmly invited to team-WOD the next day, September 30. After a 10 minutes drive to CrossFit XY in Garðabær, almost habitually I parked on the back of the building and searched for the entrance there. A group of short-sleeved runners, it was a sunny 6 degrees, in CrossFit shoes showed me the way to the entrance. My drop-in wish was no problem, I was even allowed to train for free. Takk fyrir, Herdís! At the sight of the workout, three laps with decreasing number of clean & jerks and rope lengths to climb, each initiated by 800 m run, I spontaneously opted for an open gym. 25 minutes Airbike, then 150 sit-ups and extensive stretching. In the meantime, I was able to watch the class and was really impressed by the extremely fluid C & J technique in just about all the exercisers, especially from the girls, and the ability to climb the rope several times in a row. Without exaggeration, it looked a little bit as if Hillary was present several times from the teenage age group and upwards and would run off the training program. I can really recommend CrossFit XY, especially because of its proximity to Ikea with its hot dog menu for 245 ISK. In the boxing name, however, every women's representative in Germany would set up the hackles ;-)

Picture 5 Parking space even for scrap tires!

CrossFit Hafnarfjördur – A box-pearl
https://de-de.facebook.com/crossfit.hafnarfjordur/
size: perfect – Drop-in: 2.000 ISK – shower/locker room: existing and separated

Third day of training was Team WOD day. I admit that team-workouts are not really my favorite, because I don’t like slowing down other people- I still remember the debacle at 50 degrees North at the end of April this year. What should I expect in this CrossFit nation? Team of two with an Icelandic Mat Fraser or a 13-year-old junior Anníe? I was lucky, my teammate started CrossFit 3 months ago, with my 22 months CrossFit experience, I was basically a beginner as measured by the Icelandic standard. So we didn’t stress and had fun. 300 SUs, 90 front squats, 80 box jump over, 70 KB swings, 60 pull-ups (ring rows), 50 power cleans (the only ones in my entire vacation), 40 push-jerks, 30 HSPUs, 20 push-ups and 10 wall walks. Despite some scaling, it was tiring, but a good decision to accept the team-WOD-invitation. My team buddy, I think his name was Robert, a great guy with a sense of funny t-shirts.

I really like the box of Helga Guðmundsdóttir very much. Lots of wood, sea view, lots of space. Only the ground was unusually smooth, but definitely the best cleanable box ground in Iceland, just before CF XY. I noticed that everybody else was wearing Metcons, so I asked the coach if the Metcons have more grip than the Nanos. He gave the all-clear and said his trainings in Nanos are usually free of accidents.

CrossFit Aegir - strapless rowing
https://www.facebook.com/crossfitaegir/
size: normal – Drop-in: 1.800 ISK – shower/locker room: cozy, unisex, but existing

Fourth training day in a row. The answer of CrossFit Sport in Kópavogur arrived a few minutes too late, so I was already on the way to Akranes. During the midday class, I briefly checked that a later drop-in for the first afternoon class was not a problem and then I drove a few meters further and looked at the sea. Of course, it only poured in the minutes in which I left the car to take some pictures of the lighthouse. As soon as I got back in, the sun was shining again. Head coach Axel Guðni Sigurðsson already said that I am allowed to stop by earlier, so again back to the box. What can I say? Super sympathetic guy! Instead of working on my DUs, we talked extensively about CrossFit and rowing techniques, about the cans from NOCCO all over the supermarkets and which corners of Iceland are the best. Axel is 20, he has been a motocross rider until he had an accident, and he wants to be the best possible coach and a professional athlete. I think both are possible and I will keep my fingers crossed for him! In the afternoon class we started with a relaxed warm-up. In the power section 5x3 Bench-presses and then an interesting workout: 2 minutes of work and then 30 seconds rest. First 2 minutes calorie rowing without ankle straps, also an interesting experience. If done correctly, it's a good training for the back of the thigh. Rest, then 12 DB snatches and 8 box jumps as often as possible in the 2 minutes. Rest, then the same 2 minute series with 6 ring dips and 8 KB swings. Unfortunately, I didn't realize that of all this 3 rounds were on the program and not just one, so by the third round at the latest my calorie count was not that glamorous anymore. But everything was still a lot of fun.

Picture 8 Awesome logo left (Is it Neptune with trident as crown?), but unfortunately no shirt available

Picture 10 Dried fish. When is that actually from Foodspring?

CrossFit 550 - Small, but intense
https://de-de.facebook.com/crossfit550/
size: cozy – Drop-in: free for me – shower/locker room: existing and separated

Driving clockwise around the island, the next box is CrossFit 550 in Sauðárkrókur, 260 km on the ring road. Time for two rest days. On rest day 1 again crisscrossing the Snæfellsnes peninsula, to me something like a best of Iceland in a small space. On the next day further to the next accommodation halfway between Akranes and Sauðárkrókur to do my laundry. Meanwhile, my used training stuff had olfactory similarity with Hákarl. How does Wikipedia write? "Hákarl is an Icelandic specialty made from the fermented flesh of the Greenland shark, the smell and taste of the dish are intense ..." Yes, I can attest to that. Well rested, I went on to Sauðárkrókur, where one of the three boxes can be found in the North. Housed in a former garage, if I'm not mistaken. At the door only a small sign "CrossFit 550" and on a window pane sticks the name of the box, and that's it. Because I didn't know a contact address, my appearance was a surprise to everyone involved. Coach Erna immediately welcomed me and told me that this should be the smallest box I have ever been in. However, there was enough space for training, the locker rooms are even separated by gender...that's more than enough I think! On the program a snatch complex, hurray, in the workout then 1 to 10 repetitions of OH squats, hurray again, burpee box jumps and pull-ups, in my case with rubber band as I had learned days ago in Hafnarfjörður. After several months of snatch and OH squat break, it was thrilling again not to fall over in one direction with the barbell. But it worked better than expected. Erna also gave me a clue for my unevenly strong and mobile shoulders and further on to Akureyri. The agony of choice? Do I take Route A and take a detour in squalls, but on as easy to navigate classified roads by the Icelandic road and coastal administration, or do I go with summer tires on Route B with shorter route on mountain roads and wet snow? I choose A. Here's just a word on the weather fee of the car rental company “Green Motion”: Yes, in Iceland it can snow. Even at the beginning of October!

Picture 11 Discreet facade advertising of the box

Picture 12 A picture of a lighthouse is a MUST!

Picture 13 Even if the weather is not perfect, don't bury your head in the sand!

CrossFit Akureyri - The Seven
https://de-de.facebook.com/crossfitakureyri/
size: big – Drop-in: 2.000 ISK – shower/locker room: existing and separated

Akureyri - the capital of the North! Or was it the Paris of the North? Pearl of the North? No idea what surname Akureyri or A-Town has, as it was called by a few despairing of the right pronunciation Australians, It is at least the largest city in Iceland outside the urban center of Reykjavik. Somehow, I like the little town, in fact, it has everything you need to live, and the many trees between the houses, the red hearts in the traffic lights, give the city something idyllic. Moreover, it has two boxes. I was not able to plan large or to register for a class in advance, because at first another problem had to be solved: in the East of the country, which means on my further route, it was supposed to be icy and I was still traveling with summer tires. Tires with spikes are probably only allowed from the middle of October, usually, but the police had given the permission to install in the days before. And here I really have to say: The team of Dekkjahöllin (that's the name of the garage) really did a great job! Just 60 minutes passed between leaving the accommodation and leaving the garage with brand-new spikes. And I was not logged in and had also at least 10 vehicles in the queue in front of me.

With new tires, further on to CrossFit Akureyri. Although Coach Sigurður "Siggi" Þrastarson was cleaning, he welcomed me to the midday class. He has been with the team at the games and it is his aim for 2019 to participate in the Games at the Masters. Again, I will keep my fingers crossed! And my participation ... Siggi, who knows?

On the program was after a warm-up with several burpees, thrusters ... the not unknown workout, except for me, "The Seven". 7 rounds with 7 moves and 7 reps each. Time cap 35 minutes. Hallelujah! A Dream of Diversity: HSPUs, deadlifts, KB swings, pull-ups, thrusters, Burpees, knee to elbow. In a different order. My findings: Sometimes the perceived weight is higher than the actual weight. My deadlifts had only 70 kg, but that was enough for the day. Finding 2: If you already have grips (I mean the protectors for the hands), they do the most if you use them. Best from the beginning. In round 4 I thought to myself: Oh, the cornea looked better before, I'll get the grips out of the locker room. After round 7 in sensational ... no idea, something sub 34 minutes, the cornea and the inside of my grips were almost grown together. The recommendation of the chief coach was to grease it with Vaseline to let it heal faster. Also recommended by one of the female athletes. So, up to the the Bónus market, buy some Vaseline.

CrossFit Hamar - Multifunctional floor
https://de-de.facebook.com/crossfithamar/
size: normal to big – Drop-in: 2.000 ISK – shower/locker room: existing and separated

The next day, open gym seemed to be the best idea. Why not at CrossFit Hamar, the other box in A-Town. Chef Brynjar left to do some trail running, but he said, I should make the box to my home. The main thing, I do not drop an empty barbell. Ok, no problem. Only 25 minutes on the Airbike, then skipping and stretching intensively. The special of the box: It has an extra children's room. I did not use it. My time in the box was short and painless, but I remember that obviously they had nothing like our golden Alex rule "No chalk on the ground!". Funny, to use the ground as a mega white board. Further on a 260 km ride to Egilsstaðir, where the only box in Eastern Iceland is located.

Picture 16 Chalk on the floor. AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!

Picture 17 The CrossFit special equipment of the Fiesta was very practical. Here is the Vaseline tin holder. Congratulations to Ford on this development effort!

CrossFit Austur - Anyone here, who wants to do use the Airbike?
https://de-de.facebook.com/crossfitaustur/
size: normal to big – Drop-in: 1.990 ISK – shower/locker room: existing and separated

Egilsstaðir, Sunday morning, 10 o'clock. Traditionally shaken again at the wrong door, after knocking on the windows but then still granted access. The training was very relaxed. Running, mobilization exercises and gradually prepare for the workout. This was called Ground Control and was an EMOM AMRAP over 16 minutes. Minute 1: 15 Burpees. Minute 2: 15 KB swings. Minute 3: max calorie row (which was counting). Minute 4: rest. After we had more people than rowers, there was an option in the room for volunteers to get on the Airbikes and AirRunner. When asked about the Airbike candidates some people were literally excuses like "Uh, outside has just vacated a parking space!" or "I have to go home and take the milk off the stove!" written in the face. In the end, we were divided into groups and everything was fine. My group member Guðmundur has sensationally managed to pull down 20 calories each in 45 to 50 seconds (I just say transition time) - Holy moly! How that worked is still a mystery to me today. Otherwise, the workout was just the thing for a sleepy Sunday morning.

The next box on the mainland is a good 580 km to the Southwest and in Selfoss, for me it was only about 230 km further through an ice landscape in bright sunshine to Vagnsstaðir. With outstanding prognosis for auroras. Class 6 (out of 9) in a cloudless sky in the Southeast, what more could you want.

Picture 19 Question of the day: What is more evil - AirBike or wallballs?

Picture 20 Aurora borealis. Aperture 4 - 4 seconds - ISO 2.500

The following day, Monday, with a lack of boxes, but hundreds of kilometers to drive, was training-free. However, in the next four days there should be at least 5 drop-ins.

CrossFit Hengill - Team BKG
https://de-de.facebook.com/crossfithengill/
size: normal – Drop-in: 2.000 ISK – shower/locker room: existing and separated

After so much driving in the best of weather, it was time to risk a drop-in again, you do not want to rust. In Selfoss the box was closed for non-members, so I went on to Hveragerði. After I had asked myself there across a school, I was already in front of the box. Box and school are indeed very close to each other, there is a shower agreement with the school, so there is plenty of personal hygiene. Two girls, one of them the trainer, as it turns out, I asked if I am okay for a drop-in. They said yes, besides, the owner was there too. That is: Björgvin Karl Guðmundsson. I'm afraid the one or other reader may be completely fixated on Anníe, Katrín and Sara, forgetting that Iceland has a reliable top 10 athlete among men as well. But with the 3rd, 8th, 5th and 5th place in the 2015-2018 games, Björgvin has more than proven that he is one of the greatest of our beloved sport. He left me with his outstanding HSPUs at the 18.4 live announcement against Scott Panchik in lasting memory. So I opened the door and looked in one or the other questioning face. Thankfully, María, also a coach, came straight to me, showed me where to change clothes, and explained to me during training what to do. Therefore, I was in good hands and I have to say that this form of care has helped to keep CrossFit Hengill in the very best of memories. I didn't disturb the boss with asking for photos, after all, the next games are determined and because it is always quite difficult for the Europeans anyway. The plan today was a 20-minute EMOM. In the one minute 5 deadlifts, in the other minute 5 HSPUs (what else?) And then again DLs ... Another coach, Gunnar, was also there and rolled a thick disc, it was 20 or 25 kg, after the other to his barbell that I really had to ask him if he needed a bigger barbell

Picture 21 Almost my favorite picture. My class and me. So much power - the floor was shaking, the earth was quaking!!!

CrossFit Selfoss – Gym 800. 24/7.
https://de-de.facebook.com/pages/category/Sports-Team/CrossFit-Selfoss-106773906322505/
size: normal – Drop-in: 1.500 ISK – shower/locker room: existing and separated

For the second drop-in of the day I went back to Selfoss. There is a gym where members can get in 24 hours around the clock, but opening hours for non-members are only between 16 and 19 clock. Below are the changing rooms/showers, above is the box. Drop-in was no problem. My goal was again only an open gym with Airbike, DUs and stretching. Airbike went well, 25 minutes in my thermo winter tights, for the DUs the side room with its suspended ceiling was a bit too low. At least I did not want to mill the box with the wire rope a hole in the ceiling, so I spent more time on the stretching part. There is not much more to say, apart from the fact that there are Airbikes, rowing machines and AirRunner and in front of it hangs a big TV set. However, I had only the wattage in mind anyway ... In short, the box is equipped with everything you need, next time I'll do a class here.

CrossFit Eyjar – Yellow is beautiful
https://www.facebook.com/Crossfit-Eyjar-294913061248043/
size: normal – Drop-in: free for me – shower/locker room: existing and separated

A special episode of my tour was the visit to CrossFit Eyjar. The box is located on Heimaey, the largest island of the Westman Islands. Ok, as long as you do not have to swim there, it is not a problem. There is a ferry, but the problem was something with sand in the harbor. When I phoned the boss, Gisli Hjartason, on Friday, October 5, for lack of a known email address, he said that we had to check after the weekend to see if the ferry could land at all. At least that's how I understood it. WOD does not exist every day, but it's not a problem, if I came by on another day, he would just organize an extra workout. Well, where do you have such a service? Great! On Monday, the ferry's run-in forecast looked good, so I planned to attend the scheduled WOD two days later at 18:00. The evening before, the workout came in advance by mail: 3 rounds of 30 powersnatches, 30 wallballs, 30 calories rowing. My comment: "Sounds exhausting. I love rowing. I need more time to feel the same for snatches. And wallballs...Who loves wallballs? ;-) "Wednesday morning at the ferry ticket counter then the surprise that for safety's sake the departure was postponed by 2 hours. Arriving in time for the start of the training, but that already made the short stay on the island almost 10 percent shorter. After I did not permanently move my residence to Heimaey, but also wanted to go back again, the nice woman from the counter recommended to take the ferry one day later at 8:30 am and not at 11:00 am. Otherwise, they could not guarantee that the harbor, where I had parked my car, would be piloted again. Another 2.5 hours less from the island. But, nothing helps.

The outward journey was unspectacular, duration about 35 minutes. When I arrived two hours later in the box with the usual words "Hi! My name is Stefan, I'm here for a drop-in. ", Gisli, already familiar with his Instagram account, just replied: "I know, who you are." Unfortunately, he could not stay long, but he showed me everything, wondered about my fifth Iceland vacation and gave me the drop-in and a shirt of the box. That was THE opportunity for an official shirt exchange photo, especially because I had two yellow CFWI shirts to swap it, but so far no interested partners for an exchange. Around 10 shirts from all over the world were already hanging in the holy halls, CrossFit Wiesbaden is now also known on the Westman Islands. Thank you, Gisli, for everything - see you at the Games! Alternatively, on the Westman Islands at your new location!

The workout went back to a classic progression - where I saw my strength in rowing, not every third pull changed the counter, while it’s every 5th to 7th pull is otherwise. But the snatching was quite passable. In the subsequent power section, I mean something with full snatch, I was too exhausted from the metcon. Overall, I did not drink too much that day, but lost 5 kg of water when me silly visited the hot yoga class of Gisli's wife in my thick winter tights. I really did not know that "hot" refers to the room temperature, so it's still amazing that I could get up after an hour without circulatory collapse and make my way back to the shower. After that I was in urgent need of food, after a short search through the very ... quiet fishing village, I went to "The best pizza in town", not to say "The only Pizza in town - Pizza 67". The 16-inch lobster pizza turned out to be slightly too big, but thanks to the take-along option, I had a well-balanced sports breakfast for the following day.

The following morning, I started with explaining the two also departing French guys from my guesthouse before dropping off the ship that the wind speed unit used on the weather service website is not kilometers per hour, but meters per second and we therefore had not to expect a gentle Breeze of 20 km/h, but rather 72 km/h. I tell you, if I had not helped out with the Coast Guard of Lower Bavaria for years, who knows how it all would have turned out. However, in the end almost all the passengers on board have survived the trip accident-free, only the baby from the next table had to throw up.

Picture 22 #nofilter #inrowingwetrust #yellowisthenewblack

Picture 23 As you can see, you see nothing.

Picture 24 Thanks for the invention of the closed ship window.

CrossFit Katla Lambhaga - A+
https://de-de.facebook.com/CrossFitKatla/
size: big – Drop-in: free for me – shower/locker room: big and separated

Gradually, the round trip ended. I visited all boxes outside the Reykjavik area, now it was time for the boxes in the suburbs Mosfellsbaer and Kópavogur before returning the car a day later. First was CrossFit Katla on the day of my stormy cruise, who had opened a second location in Mosfellsbaer. The exterior of the building gave an idea, here Reebok had its fingers in the pie. There was something about Reebok Fitness on the front, and the name was omnipresent inside. At my request, I was assured that training in Metcons is allowed. There is a large gym with umpteen curved and normal treadmills, various fitness equipment and the box of CrossFit Katla. At the reception sat the awesome Freyja, who was as enthusiastic about my Iceland CrossFit tour as I was. I did not have to pay anything for drop-in, I was allowed to watch and try everything and had plenty of time until the beginning of the class. I started with the rowers, and then went for the first time on the curved treadmill and the SkiErg. The AirRunner needs actually getting used to, you drive the treadmill completely on yourself and in my opinion you have to be a bit more careful, that you do not bang on the feeding board (Haha, I am sure, this is NOT the right translation for "Fressbrett" :-)). But I got along well with my sensitive calves. It has something of mountain running in my opinion and it's definitely more exhausting than just running on a flat track. In addition, the price is about 4.500 Euros. I never used the Skierg before and only saw it in action in the "Chaos" workout during the Games 2018. Super device and with about 1.000 euros compared to the AirRunner a bargain. Has something of cross-country skiing without snow. Freyja told me that the whole location had opened only 11 days ago, that was still felt everywhere. Hardly any dust, all handles were still so clean and new. After a while, it was time for the CrossFit class. The program included 5x5 deadlifts, then a nice workout: 30-20-10 V-ups, 15-10-5 calories on the Airbike and then 6-4-2 deadlifts. Before that, intensive warm-up on the rower, lunges ... At the deadlift, I finished with a new 5-rep-max, the workout was also surprisingly good, although I'm not the largest V-up machine under the Icelandic sun. The hardest part was to take the brand-new weight plates off the stack, because they were all so smooth and not yet very grippy.

CrossFit Sport – Strong women!
https://de-de.facebook.com/crossfitsport/
size: big– Drop-in: 2.190 ISK – shower/locker room: big and separated

On October 12, it was time for vehicle return, but before that, I wanted a new haircut and to join the 9 am class at CrossFit Sport in Kópavogur, another suburb of Reykjavik, housed in a long building with extensive sports. The weightlifting world champion in the class Women - Masters 40, Hrund Scheving led me to the right room. Great woman, before it started with my class, we talked about my trip, CrossFit and the box on the Westman Islands. After that she started her training, for my class, Coach Dadi had overhead squats and a 10-minute AMRAP of 5/5 DB hang clean and push press, 10 push-ups, 5/5 DB snatches and 10 Burpees. A dream. Yes, so the class passed somehow short and painless, then stretch in the open gym room, in which a female athlete has started a real firework of HSPUs and pull-ups, that I was almost tempted to get me an autograph for prophylactic in case I have a dark haired CrossFit-star next to me without knowing who exactly. I left it though. Then shower and off to Sjoppan, my favorite hairdresser in Reykjavik. If you are in Reykjavik and need a new short haircut, you are in the right place with Greta from Sjoppan. In addition, the same building also houses a good burger restaurant and diagonally opposite is the Höfði House, where in 1986 the first talks were held on the disarmament negotiations between Gorbachev and Reagan. Where do you find style, culinary and history combined in such a small space?

CrossFit Reykjavik - Anníe
https://de-de.facebook.com/crossfitreykjavik
size: xxl – Drop-in: 2.800 ISK – shower/locker room: big and separated

Already in one or the other box in Iceland, I was asked if I have been to CF Reykjavik. This is by far the largest box with most treadmills and what else you need to practice CrossFit. The co-owner is Anníe Mist Þórisdóttir, I just hope that the Wikipedia spelling is correct, and does not really have to be introduced. CrossFit superstar and, according to Atli, a fellow of my class, the woman who made CrossFit so big in Iceland.

The guy behind the counter was a bit Nordic cool, but the drop-in no problem. He also wanted to know my name, the name of my box and my e-mail address. Changing room over there, then wait until 11:15 at the stairs, the coach will come and pick you up, so the instructions. So, I sat there for a minute or two and inhaled the atmosphere of the size of the box and the workout of some classes. I would say there is space for 4 large classes, along one side of the hall numerous AirRunner and other cardio stuff. On the treadmills, some athletes enjoyed running hard breathing, others from the same class were busy with pull-ups, DUs and OH squats. From time to time, one or two strong athletes passed, to whom I had attested a pronounced sunburn in the armpits. But what do I know? As I looked around, I saw Anníe a few feet away walking in my direction. She looked at me and I looked at her. Yes, I am sorry, but there are no more words needed to describe the magic of the moment. I was mentally a little bit absent and did not expect her Sunday noon anyway. So I kept on breathing and looking instead of bolting to her with a stream of words like "HeyAnníemynameisStefan.Sonicetomeetyou.Wowyoulooksomuchtallerthanthe1,70minyourCrossFitGamesprofile.Howareyoudoing?CanItakeapicture?AndwhenwillyoucometoWiesbaden?CanyouteachmeDouble-Unders?...". But I think that was ok and so Anníe had time enough to care about another fellow, with selfie and smalltalk.

Then a guy with red hair came, yelled something in Icelandic and after everyone got up around me and followed him, I did the same. The training was a bit hectic for me at first. The music a bit loud, the language a bit incomprehensible, the class a bit large and because everybody knew, where everything is and depends, I assume that I was the only external in the class. It took a while for me to tell Coach and Games athlete Eiki I did not speak Icelandic. After that, everything was fine. The first part consisted of warming up and preparing for the workout in the second part. Sensationally get me 5 Kipping pull-ups, UNBROKEN!!!, which was perhaps because of Anníe, who was on the training area next with a view towards us on the bike. So what was on the program? 200 DUs, 50 OH squats, 50 pull-ups and 1 mile run. In every round and we could enjoy 2 of them. Time cap was 40 minutes (good for me because I had 40 minutes without communication problems), Rx weight, as if that would ever interest me, was for guys 60 kg, that’s even heavier than the Rx weight of the OH Squats at Open-WOD 18.3 and I remember, people did not look happy. Well, after all, we could run the mile either on the treadmill or outdoors. Because I am an always-interested person, I asked Eiki about the way, but the length of his description felt like an eternity, so I laughed and said that I would go on the treadmill to increase the likelihood of starting the second round and not get lost somewhere in the highlands of Iceland. The coach looked puzzled at my brief laugh, but the length of the directions reminded me too much of Willy Astor's (Bavarian comedian) advertisement for the Dance Hacienda. The idea of asking Anníe if she would not like to accompany me on my mile after about 13 minutes of course came up AFTER the workout. The workout was exciting, with such an extensive combination of exercises that I do not master, you can just watch that you give what you can. I also think that is great about CrossFit, you learn to adapt your goals. Instead of 200 DUs, I should do 100 reps, singles and doubles mixed. Good compromise, there is no point in staying forever at the DUs. My rope was a stroke of luck. Due to lack of time, I grabbed a really long training rope of the already mentioned company and with that, the SU-DUs went really well. For the OH Squats 30 kg were enough. 50 reps two times are a lot, especially since this year my only OH squats outside Iceland were probably the 20 reps from 18.3. Despite the kipping pull-up success in the warm-up, I used a rubber band as support. 100 pull-ups just like that? You also have to be realistic. I promised myself some recovery from the mile, but on the treadmill, I could barely move forward. Although I was one of the few without a break, I needed 9:50 minutes. Just didn’t go faster. Then off to round 2. End of the song - after 40 minutes I missed 4 pull-ups and the second mile, but I was not the only one. That was ok, I couldn’t exercise better that day, even if I am now much fitter than even 22 months ago in the basics course. Should I do the workout again, my goals would be 2x200 DUs, the pull-ups without band and the OH Squats 35-40 kg in sets of ten reps. Ok, and maybe the miles outdoors.

After that extensive stretching, short talk with Eiki, exchange of experiences with Atli and back to the city center, where I realized with an empty stomach that my favorite sushi restaurant from the Laugarvergur has moved away. Yes, there are games that you lose, and games that the others win.

Picture 29 “Maybe it is the main characteristic of successful people that they contribute to the happiness of others.” This you can read in front of the entrance.

Grandi101 - Skin the cat!
https://de-de.facebook.com/grandi101/
size: normal to big– Drop-in: 2.500 ISK – shower/locker room: existing and separated

Second last drop-in! In the beginning, I thought to myself, phew, today was only drop-in 1 of 17, 2 of 17 ..., but somehow it went faster than expected. On October 15, Grandi101 was on the program. The classic - cool logo, but unfortunately no shirts in my size. On the program except the DB bench-presses rather only gymnastics, which was also good. Emphasis was put on shoulders and everything that is needed for toes-to-bar, with the focus on the exercise "skin the cat", under which I could imagine nothing at first. Hang on the rings (with your hands), then tilt your legs over your head and tilt it backwards and back out before you synchronously dislocate your shoulders. I had done this movement before in a class of Iréne, but I think I have successfully pushed it out of my memory. Ah, and I remember another new movement - the Sprawl, Burpees little brother. Looks like a Burpee without the push-up. Liked it! Really nice box and good training!

Picture 30 And again: Chalk on the floor!!!

CrossFit Katla Holtagarðar - A+ again
https://de-de.facebook.com/CrossFitKatla/: normal to big – Drop-in: free for me – shower/locker room: big and separated

Tada!!! The last workout on the last full day. I have to say it was time; gradually my body was just tired. After having such a positive experience at CrossFit Katla's new baby, I was looking forward to their first location. Helen was announced on the homepage. No Icelandic storm front, but a benchmark workout with 3 laps of 400m run, 21 KB swings and 12 pull-ups. A dream. The box is also housed in a Reebok gym, which can be found in a shopping mall. Also nice. Therefore, the paths to the Bónus supermarket or a pet food store are gratifyingly short. When entering the box a novelty - the coach came up to me and greeted me with a smile. Besides, I did not have to ask for his name, he introduced himself as Dóri Tul. Super nice guy, he always made sure that I understand everything and he repeated the Icelandic instructions again in English. Before Helen was just a long warm-up on the program with a lot of stretches and Airbike calories. Then preparing our stations and running at 7 degrees, according to my weather app, and pouring rain outside the door. But it was kind of funny. Down the driveway, past the entrance of the mall, at some point turned back and past relaxed mall visitors. Then back in the box to the swing and pull-ups. The running went really well, the 20 kg swings almost too light, but unbroken, and in the pull-ups, I grabbed the band after a couple of tape-free kipping PUs. Just in time for round 3, my current favorite song "missing u" by Robyn came from the spotify-playlist, what more could I want? With a big grin on the swing and pull-ups, the last workout in Iceland was over. I think I could not have had a greater degree of satisfaction at the end of my trip to Iceland. Ok, maybe if Anníe had sneaked in the door and invited me for dinner ;-) Then some fist bumps, say goodbye to Dóri and stretch.

Picture 31 Definitely nobody could complain about too dry roads.

Picture 32 I left the rings on the left like this.

Picture 33 Hey, team of CF Katla – I had a great time!

Conclusion

I am so happy that I had this idea after weeks of considerations on my holiday destination! A good eighteen months ago, I said that I would not travel to Iceland again until someone comes along who had never been there before, and who, with new ideas, is broadening my horizons, before I drive around with a "I know that already"-loop in my head and possibly am bored to death. Focusing on CrossFit was this new idea. The location of the boxes has inevitably led me to places that I have only driven through in the past at most briefly or I have seen, like the Westman Islands, so far only from the main island as outlines. Moreover, if you contact as a tourist usually only other tourists, the drop-ins gave me the opportunity to talk to locals more easily. Thanks to all the boxes that I was welcome to drop in! See you the next time!

A few recent impressions:

Picture 34 Something from above. The Eldgjá Canyon?

Picture 37 Waves on Reynisfjara-beach – a place for wet feet.

Picture 38 Backside of the Concert hall Harpa in Reykjavik

Picture 39 Finally more northern lights. Aperture 4 - 2 seconds - ISO 2.500

"Around the world in 80 days?... No, just around all the CrossFit boxes in Iceland in 21 days of pain"

CrossFit Wiesbaden

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