Tucson really has an amazing plethora of options for both burning some calories and building some muscle.
I should probably start with Primero Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, since I practically live there. It is a really excellent gym for BJJ (and they’ve also added on some Krav Maga and Muay Thai). I actually got a rocky start in Tucson when it came to finding a gym I actually felt comfortable and learned a lot at, and Primero just has some top-notch instruction and a really great vibe. Of all the things love in Tucson I think this is the one I’ll miss the most.
I lift weights at this really awesome powerlifting gym called Power and Physique Systems. I mean, we’ve got John Pena, who wins gold medals at tournaments he hasn’t even trained for because he’s that badass. They also have bands, chalk, bumper plates, medicine balls and kettlebells of all weights and sizes. For a serious workout it really can’t be beat.
Although I’m a certified Level 1 Crossfit coach, I don’t do a lot of Crossfit training. Despite the expertise of the founder, many coaches and a lot of clients it’s been noted that the quality of Crossfit facilities really vary. One that I would wholeheartedly recommend (although I do not train there) is Crossfit Works. I say this because Jen Higgins, one of the owners, is an absolute genius. Her knowledge on nutrition alone is stunning, and she really takes the responsibilities of coaching or teaching (or whatever she’s doing) incredibly seriously. As I mentioned I am not really regularly doing Crossfit. The amazing workout programs John Berardi and other experts at Precision Nutrition concoct are a bit more my style. Were I planning on embarking on the journey that is Crossfit, though, this is the gym I’d do it at.
I wrote a whole article once on the bike-tastically Ordinary Bike Shop is the greatest even with Doug no longer there.
I think that about covers it. Well, we also have rock climbing, which is cool. And we have great hikes, but that will go in a different post. But seriously, if you’re cycling and Crossfitting and lifting and doing jiu jitsu, you probably need to work on your recovery. And that, my friends, is what the next post in this series will be about.
