Before you read on – here’s the one sentence we hear more than any other:
“I’d like to give it a go, but I don’t think I’m ready yet.”
If that sounds familiar, this article is for you. And if you already train with us and have a friend who keeps saying exactly that – send it their way. Maybe this will be the moment they finally take the plunge.
People think CrossFit is for the super-fit.
And that’s where the problem starts. Type “CrossFit” into a search engine. You’ll see videos of athletes doing dozens of pull-ups in a row, slamming heavy balls and running with weight on their backs. That is real CrossFit – but it’s only one end of the spectrum. At the other end is someone walking into Enklawa for the very first time, not sure what a proper squat looks like. And that second person is exactly who we’re here for. We’re not joking and we’re not exaggerating. In more than a decade in Toruń – first as CrossFit Toruń, now as Enklawa – we’ve seen hundreds of people arrive convinced that “CrossFit isn’t for them”. Most of them still train with us today.
What is CrossFit, really – and why isn’t it what you think?
CrossFit is a training programme built on functional movements – the kind you do every day: standing up, lifting, carrying, climbing stairs. Workouts are varied, intense and short. And, most importantly for anyone starting out, every exercise can and should be adapted to your current level. That last sentence is the key. We call it scaling, and at Enklawa it’s the absolute standard, not the exception. If you can’t do a pull-up yet, you use a resistance band or another movement that works the same muscles. If your knees won’t let you squat deep, the coach adjusts the range of motion or picks a safer alternative. If you’re coming back after a very long break and five press-ups is your current max – those five press-ups are your workout for today.
At Enklawa nobody is judged on how much they can do. They’re valued for turning up.
What happens at your first class – step by step.
We know the biggest fear isn’t the workout itself. It’s walking into an unfamiliar place without knowing what to expect. So here’s exactly how it goes.
Before you come: you sign up using the form on our website or message us directly. We’ll get back to you and agree a time. Your first class is free – always.
Arriving at the club: we greet you by name. If you like, we can have a quick chat before we start – about your goals, any aches or injuries, and what you’re expecting. There’s none of the anonymity you get at big gyms.
Warm-up: every class starts with a warm-up led by the coach. Nobody jumps straight into hard effort. It’s time to get a feel for the space, the other members and your own body.
Main workout: the coach explains every exercise, demonstrates the technique and offers modifications for different levels. In CrossFit45 – the class we most often recommend to start with – you focus on building a solid fitness base and learning good movement patterns. Nobody is watching your scores. Honestly.
After the workout: this is our favourite bit. Most people are surprised by how good they feel – not so much physically (being tired is normal) as mentally. It’s a mix of pride, relief and something hard to put into words – the feeling you get after doing something for yourself.
“But first I need to lose weight / get fitter / start running…”
We hear this a lot. And we get it – it’s a natural way to think. If the training is demanding, surely you need to prepare for it? The trouble is, it’s a vicious circle. To get fit, you need to train. To train, you need to be fit. That loop never ends if you stay where you are. At Enklawa there’s no entry level below which you’re “not allowed”. We’ve had members join us overweight, with years of back pain, after surgery, after a decade without exercise, or painfully shy about anything that smells of sport. They all started from zero. They all started as themselves – not as some imagined version of themselves six months down the line.
Which classes should you start with?
At Enklawa you have a few options, and it helps to know how they differ.
CrossFit45 is our 45-minute class and the one we most often recommend to beginners. You focus on building fitness and learning the basic movements – without advanced gymnastics or Olympic lifting. Every class is different, but the level of complexity is well balanced for someone getting back into exercise.
Hybrid Strength and Hybrid Conditioning are a good option if you like a predictable structure, or if you’ve had an injury and would rather avoid more complex exercises. Conditioning and strength work alternate in a repeating pattern – you know what to expect. If you’re not sure which to choose, drop us a message. We’ll help you find the right format for your situation. It’s no trouble – we do it every day.
One thing we’d like you to remember
Enklawa has been around since 2013. In that time hundreds of people from Toruń and the surrounding area have trained with us – of all ages, fitness levels, goals and backgrounds. We’re the only affiliated CrossFit club in Toruń, which means our classes meet the highest standards of the CrossFit programme worldwide. But that’s not what matters most to us. What matters most is that when someone walks through our door for the first time – often with their heart beating a little faster – they don’t feel judged. They feel welcome. If you’ve spent years telling yourself CrossFit isn’t for you, we want you to know you were most likely wrong. And the only way to find out is to come and see for yourself. How do you start? Your first class at Enklawa is free. Always. No commitment, no pressure, no expectation that you’ll come back. You can sign up using the form on our website, email us at info@enklawa.fit or call Filip or Sebastian directly. You’ll find us at ul. Chrobrego 145–147, Toruń. If you have questions, doubts or specific health issues you’d like to talk through before you come – get in touch. We really will reply.
→ Sign up for your first free class
Enklawa – the only affiliated CrossFit club and accredited HYROX training club in Toruń. Open since 2013.
