Category Five Q&A with Paul

Hillary LOVES the ropes!

I have received a lot of inquires about what I offer here at Category Five Fitness and how it's different from what you find at other gyms and with other trainers.

My philosophy is simple. I focus on building strength in my clients so that it's easier for them to complete a certain amount of work, play or exercise. That means that you're not only working on your fitness while you're in the gym with me, but all day long as well. 

After more than twenty years in the weightlifting game, I've found that what works best are the simple, compound movements performed at relatively high intensity. In plain English, I take a classic, multi-joint exercise (like the deadlift), make it heavy enough that you can still perform the exercises with good form and have you perform a certain amount of work within a certain amount of time. This technique increases your capacity for work (you can do more work in a shorter amount of time).

Another question I get a lot is "Is Category Five a CrossFit program?" The answer is no -- and yes.

I stumbled upon CrossFit back in the fall of 2005. After initially being destroyed by the workouts, my strength and conditioning improved, and I was spending significantly less time in the gym. After strictly adhering to the main site’s programming for approximately two years, I felt I could improve upon the program by removing some of the risky protocols that I saw were leading to overuse injuries in myself and others who were strictly Crossfitting.

Having experience in Strongman training, an exercise science education, and heavy exposure to powerlifting, (particularly the Westside Method), I decided to pull aspects from all three areas and blend them with the best methods of CrossFit to create something new. As a CrossFit-certified trainer, I believe my program is the best method for changing body composition (more muscle, less fat) and increasing one’s confidence in day-to-day activities.

No more back pain for Meredith!

My clients have seen significant improvements in their quality of life, as well as in their physical appearance. Yes, the workouts are hard but NOT impossible, no matter what your level of fitness is! My clients range in age from 8 to 80, so there is no one who can't work the Category Five program. You will find yourself spending significantly less time in the gym, yet getting more results than you have in the past.

By focusing my efforts on training small groups of clients at one time -- 2-4 people max -- my clients are getting personal attention and I am able to maintain quality control to ensure that the exercises are being performed properly and with the right amount of intensity. On top of that, the cost of my program is significantly less -- at least 70 percent in most cases -- than the cost of traditional personal training. Plus, members get the benefit of possibly making some new friends and/or business contacts.

I am currently offering classes of up to 12 sessions with no more than 2 people for $200/mo. Another option is $200 for the first month so I can teach you the proper lifts. Then switch to $150/month with a slightly larger group — no more than 4 people. This allows you to train under a coach’s supervision 3 times per week. If you were to train this much through the cheapest personal training program, you would be paying at least $500 a month and not getting anywhere near the same results.


What other questions to you all have about Category Five Fitness?

Knees up HG!

Sherry has perfect form.