You will fail 100% of the things you dont attempt.
CrossFit, the sport that has taken the world by storm, has made quite the impact on Medellín.
The first box (name given to CrossFit gyms) in Medellín was MDE Origen CrossFit, which opened in 2010. Since then many boxes have popped up all over the city.
CrossFit is a revolutionary type of military training that has been around for over ten years. Every day there is a different WOD (Workout Of the Day).
This unique kind of training incorporates elements from high-intensity interval training, Olympic weightlifting, powerlifting, gymnastics, calisthenics and other exercises.
It is a strength and conditioning program with the goal of improving cardiovascular/respiratory endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, speed, coordination, agility, balance, and accuracy among other things.
Currently there are over ten boxes in the Medellín area alone. Not all are affiliated boxes, but all advertise the same sport. Most have at least one certified coach.
Every year competitions are held to find the “Fittest” people in the world.
Starting with the open (video WODs), regionals (the top athletes in every region unite in one city for a three-day competition) and the games, which are currently going on that find the fittest man, woman and team.
CrossFit unfortunately receives some bad publicity because people get injured during the sport. This is due to bad technique, over-exertion or bad coaches.
There is no such thing as a sport that can completely avoid any injuries (except chess if you consider that a sport).
Here are a few of the best boxes in Medellín in various parts of the city.
Calle 10D #30A-135
This was the first gym to open in Medellín. Pobaldo, to be specific. It is the only box in Medellín where all five coaches are CrossFit certified. They teach classes from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. On Saturdays class are at 9 a.m. and 10 a.m.
Prices start at 205,000 pesos ($110) a month. Origen offers free trial classes at 9 a.m. on Saturdays.
Carrera 37 #38 Sur 17, Envigado
Tel: 271-1192
Hakuna is one of the newest gyms in Envigado. They recently celebrated their one-year anniversary.
The owner, Maria Clara Ceballos, started the gym in her garage and eventually moved into their current establishment. She is a CrossFit certified coach as well.
They offer classes from 6am to 11 a.m. and 4 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Friday. On Saturdays they offer classes from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The four coaches are always at the box giving semi-personalized classes.
Prices start at 140,000 pesos ($75) a month.
Carrera 43 #31-73
Tel: 586-0003
Fuerza CrossFit opened their doors in 2012. The owner, Luis Giraldo, is one of Colombia’s best CrossFit athletes. He has been to several regional competitions and represented Medellín.
The gym has three coaches, two of which are CrossFit certified,who teach classes from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday. Saturday the box is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
This box also offers boxing, martial arts and yoga classes.
Prices start at 170,000 pesos ($92) a month.
Carrera 32 #2 Sur 127
DLX also just celebrated their one-year anniversary. They recently had a team compete in regionals in Chile. They have six coaches who give classes from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday and on Saturday classes are from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Prices start at 225,000 pesos ($121) or 195,000 pesos ($105) for students.
PowerClub is the only box with three different locations. The owner, Augusto Castro, is Colombia’s top CrossFit athlete. The box has classes from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday. Saturdays the boxes are open from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and the Poblado location offers special two hours classes at 2 p.m.
The monthly membership is 165,000 pesos ($89) and 139,000 pesos ($75) for students.
Laureles
Transversal 39B #70-159
This box is directly in front of the UPB. They have two coaches. Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5 p.m. they have an Olympic weightlifter give special weightlifting technique classes.
Poblado
Calle 24 #43F-62
This box is right behind Ciudad del Rio in Poblado. This is the biggest of all three PowerClub boxes. There are three coaches who give classes here and the Olympic weightlifting technique classes are Mondays at 7 p.m.
Envigado
Calle 36 D sur # 25 B – 58
This box is by la Loma del Escobero. There are two coaches at this location.
The coaches love what they do and it isn’t just a job.
After talking to coach Jonathan Noreña of PowerClub Laureles, he expressed just how much he loves being a CrossFit coach. He loves helping people overcome obstacles and seeing their happy faces after they realize they can finally do something that they couldn’t do two weeks ago.
CrossFit isn’t just a sport, it’s a community, it’s a lifestyle and it is easy to see why so many people love it.
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I know that some of these gyms have strength training days (such as Fuerza, once a week), but has anyone seen or heard of any powerlifting/strength-focused gyms here in Medellin?
Hey Mike
Strictly powerlifting or strength focused gyms are rare and I don't know of any in the city, but gyms like Animal X and Xtreme Force are known as "bombeo" gyms or where people go to bulk up. A lot of people also talk about the Body Tech gyms in Medellín, the people I know who train there are very strong and look like they could compete in bodybuilding competitions. These gyms give at least 1 free trial day so definitely take advantage of those and see if you like any of the gyms. If you are looking for olympic weightlifting try El Estadio. They have a weightlifting team and its open to the public if you want to try it out. Let me know if you find what you're looking for.
Hi Melissa, just got here a few months ago and currently looking for a really good gym that also offers spinning classes in el poblado close to carulla on las Palmas and carrera 30 :-)
I train at this one, right at parque lleras http://www.alphamedellin.com/medellin/
Thanks, this is a great post. I used to do "Crossfit" but have lately backed off to do my own programming focused on Olympic lifting. The best place for this is still at Crossfit gyms, especially for someone who travels often like me. Do you know if either of the gyms in Poblado offer open gym hours, or if it's strictly classes? Thanks!
The first time I went to Medellin I was looking for a good gym that offered open areas, crossfit, weights, cardio, etc. But after visiting 5 gyms I found that none of them were what I was looking for and at that point I gave up.
When my brother came here to visit me, he told me that he found Gimansio Santillana online and that it offered all of the things I was looking for at a reasonable price. The staffs are great, machines are new and the clientele are easy on the eyes.
I've heard that Crossfit gyms are expensive in Colombia.... Now that I see the prices here I think it might be for wealthy people... and foreigners.
Thanks for the info!
There is a cool gym ALPHA in Lleras, poblado which offers Crossfit like classes as well as yoga, TRX and Kettlebells classes. The gym has flexible prices and also offers a 3 month deal for 330.000COP.
I'm visiting Medellin for 12 days at the end of June. Looking for a box to drop in at and keep up my activity. My spanish is limited and I'd be looking for pay as you go situation. I'm 54 and definitely not a class-A athlete but have been doing cross-fit for 22 months now. I go slow but I focus on finishing...thank you.