The Drop-In Diaries: CrossFit Invictus, San Diego

The CrossFit Invictus team from San Diego has made it to the CrossFit Games on more than one occasion, but I’m a scaled athlete who just wants to get her sweat on. I was in San Diego for BlogFest at the end of last month, and because I can’t imagine life without CrossFit, I searched for a box near my hotel in the Gaslamp District. When I found out that CrossFit Invictus was just half a mile away, I immediately inquired about the drop-in policy. It’s $20, and you show up early to fill out the waiver and do your mobility work. If you’re coming from the Gaslamp District, it’s likely that you’re going to walk past several homeless encampments.

The CrossFit Invictus Facility

The box itself is huge. In addition to the main workout floor, there’s another room big enough for a second WOD that also has the dumbbells, Ski-Ergs, TruForm Runners, and more. CrossFit Invictus also has an area great for foam rolling and mobility work, pre- and post-WOD, and a whole bank of Assault Air Bikes. There is also a giant rig for pull-ups and muscle-ups, as well as plenty of ropes for climbing.

The Coaches

I can’t remember their names for the life of me, but they coached the 6 am class on Thursday, June 28, 2018. Both coaches offered good instruction and modifications for both the skill work and the WOD. One of them noticed something off about my running form, but I forgot to ask him what it was. Everyone was really friendly, which I’ve come to expect when I drop in.

The Workout

The day I dropped in featured gymnastics skill work as the first part of the WOD.

Every 3 minutes for 18 minutes (2 sets), rotate:

1. Rope climb technique
2. Freestanding handstand hold
3. Ring muscle-up technique/tuck rock to tuck sit x15 reps (I did my best with the tuck rocks)

The WOD was pretty tough:

3 rounds for time, 20 minute cap

• 800 meter run
• 15 strict handstand pushups (my modification was on my knees on an 18″ box)
• 15 dumbbell thrusters (15# dumbbells for me)

I completed it in 20:03 because I refused to admit defeat.

The Drop-In Diaries is my new series of reviews of CrossFit boxes I’ve dropped in for a workout when traveling. Stay tuned for more as I mine my notes!