"Thump members have a good respect for one another regardless if their primary focus is boxing, martial arts, bodybuilding or CrossFit."
Thump is a hardcore bodybuilding, mixed-martial arts and boxing gym that collided with CrossFit. It has been around South Miami for more than a decade, known as the place to get a real workout, not just a smoothie at the bar or fruity shampoo in the locker room.
Part of that real workout includes a CrossFit affiliate that recently celebrated its one-year anniversary as part of the gym.
Pedro Quiros, co-head coach, founder and multi-Mr. Costa Rica bodybuilding champion, says if it hadn’t been for a knee and bicep injury or the Olympic lifting component of CrossFit, he wouldn’t be doing what he’s doing today.
Despite the globo gym persona, there’s nothing particularly fancy about the CrossFit setup at Thump. It is a box in raw form and has the basics: a pull-up rig, boxes, ab mats, medicine balls, kettlebells and barbells.
While classes initially ran in the open-air atrium outside the gym, the affiliate recently underwent a remodel, gutting part of the boxing room and making it more CrossFit friendly. It’s now home to ropes, racks, rings and more space for pressing, pushing, squatting and pulling.
“(After making due with the small space before), it’s a relief to finally have my room. I particularly love teaching the Olympic weightlifting portion of CrossFit. I give all our CrossFit members who are interested in getting stronger a strength program I have developed on my own,” Quiros says, revealing his methodically developed program, which incorporates beginner, intermediate and advanced-level training.
With a strong focus on the Olympic lifts, Thump coaches have certifications from USA Weightlifting, as well as their CrossFit Level 1 Certificate.
“CrossFit is a great fitness program all around, but just because we do CrossFit, doesn’t mean we snub the globo gym guys,” Quiros says. “Thump members have a good respect for one another regardless if their primary focus is boxing, martial arts, bodybuilding or CrossFit. And that’s another thing that makes our box great —CrossFitters can have access to all parts of the gym.”
The gym blew up from four to 115 members.
“I was looking for a place to work out, and went on Thump’s website and saw they also had CrossFit — along with everything else — so I thought it’d be a great place for everything I liked to do,” Randy Morales, a 38-year-old school teacher says. “I find (the globo gym setting) to be an advantage over most boxes because I can do auxiliary lifts on my off days from WODs.”
Morales has been CrossFitting since last April, and began doing workouts Rx within only two to three months, as well as improving his strength with Quiros’ additional strength programming.
“It’s the best workout I’ve ever done. I think being with others doing the same thing, the friendly competition is helpful to push yourself, and it’s really been a great motivator to take care of myself,” Morales says. “My goal is to do at least one CrossFit Games in the Masters division before 50. I am two years from 40 so I think I have some time to re-evaluate my goals by then.”
While not common, globo gym meets CrossFit is happening in a few spots around Miami. With its growing popularity and functional fitness training that produces results, these gyms are making sure their trainers are certified to coach CrossFit and adding an alternative meaning to the word “box.”
