Ze’ Alves

Name: Ze' Alves

Age: 34

Hometown:  Cape Town, South Africa

How long have you been CrossFitting? Almost 2 years (since March 2023)

What is your favorite WOD/Exercise? One of my primary goals on joining CF initially was simply to be able to do pull ups, and having recently accomplished the bar muscle up movement, I really enjoy any opportunity to work on those in a WOD. Personally, I am also working towards lifting heavier on the Olympic lifting movements, and so strength training EMOM's are also a favorite of mine. 

What is your least favorite WOD/Exercise? Generally, I have a mild dread for workouts with overhead squats, as my body doesn't seem to bend that way (yet). It leaves me feeling fully exposed to my limitations on this front.  

What is your previous workout/athletic background? I grew up playing A LOT of football (AKA soccer), and this took up most of my athletic focus growing up. This helped the cardio element of training at CF but I quickly realized that I needed to work on my upper body and shoulder strength. The unintentional benefit of having trained at CF is feeling much fitter and stronger on the football pitch. 

What was your first experience at CrossFit Cayman like? A little intimidating at first, seeing the movements and the barbells getting flung in every direction, but this quickly subsided and was replaced with excitement to get started after my introductory course. 

What results have you seen since CrossFitting? There is noticeable improvement on my overall fitness level and mobility level, and CF training has been very helpful in taking on new sports and outdoor activities, such as surfing and snowboarding. As mentioned before, I feel more mobile, improved cardio, and stronger against my opponents playing my original sporting love, football.  

What do you do to get yourself through a tough workout (mental thoughts, tips and tricks, etc.)? What I find most challenging, and enjoyable about CF, is that it is mental as much as it is physical. Strategizing before beginning a WOD really helps break out the full work out into shorter more manageable goals and helps ensure I don't completely gas out too early. Remaining humble and realistic on my weight loads for each workout also helps! 

What's your favorite aspect about working out at CrossFit Cayman? First and foremost, the coaches and the community. CF Cayman has a very interesting and friendly group of people who love working through WOD's and being supportive on the journey. The WOD planning also forces me to work on all aspects of my fitness and mobility and so having that element of my training taken care of is a massive plus. Finally, I would say that in the fast-paced world we live in, that at the gym, you have a complete disconnect to the external stresses, and so I find being fully focused on a workout is also therapeutic, boosts those endorphins and helps release those stresses.

What advice do you have for someone thinking about joining CrossFit Cayman? It doesn't matter on your level of fitness joining CF Cayman. The coaches are incredibly helpful at scaling any movement to get you started at the right level, and to ultimately reach your personal goals. WOD's are challenging, but they become addictive as you see yourself progress, so I highly recommend diving in if you're thinking of joining the cult!