From the ashes of Met-Rx Fitness Center which went out of business towards the end of 2008 comes a new gym for our little corner of Orange County, Brian Hood’s An American Gym.

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Father Time-less?

2008 was a very good training year for me for many reasons. I am thankful for all the accomplishments, events, but mostly the people who are a part of my training life. They kept it fun! Here are a few of the reasons: Read the rest of this entry

The End of An Era

1. Met-Rx being bought out just before closing it’s doors by a guy with a last name beginning with “Z” who saw fit to make sure that “Z” shows up everywhere. (Hint: he ain’t Zorro). The Met-Rx Era has ended along with what made it special.

2. The influx of new trainers of dubious qualifications from another gym and their out-of-shape clients contributed greatly to the “Bally-fication” of Met-Rx. Read the rest of this entry

Not the financial markets bailout Congress is wrestling with, but the good news coming out of Met-Rx gym in Costa Mesa which was due to close September 30th is that my gym will remain open.

Investors, including one who is a member bought the property just days from closing will keep things running and will also make some needed facility improvements. Needless to say, we are all jubilant! There is really nothing in our area even close to what our gym as been over the years. We are all thrilled we won’t miss a rep!

Met-Rx, Congress, Bailout

Monday, 9/15/08

80# Sandbag Cleans, alternating with
Burpees

10/10/10/10/10/10/10/10/10/10
10/9/8/7/6/5/4/3/2/1

Tuesday, 9/16/08

Front Squats, x 3:

95×5/115×5/135×5
159/179/199/219/204

Wednesday, 9/17/08

Overhead Squats, x 10:
45/45/65/88

Squat Cleans, x 3:
88/88/115/115/135/145

Thursday, 9/18/08

Rest Day

Friday, 9/19/08

Snatch:
65×3/65×3/75×3/85×3/88×3/88×3/98/98/108/108

Cleans:
118/118/135/135/145/155/155/160f/160/165pc/170f/170pc.

Learned Met-Rx will be shutting it’s doors for good at the end of this month.

Saturday, 9/20/08

Ring Push-ups, at various heights and using 18″, 24″ & 36″ plyo boxes.

Incline: 15/20/20, 15/20/20

Decline: 10/10/10, 15/15/15

Overhead Press, x 5:

88/111/135/140×4

KB Swings, 32 kg, H2H:
10/20/20

Sandbag Squat Cleans, 80#
5/10/10

80# Sandbag Step-ups on 18″ plyo box:
10/10/10

Sunday 9/21/08

Rest Day

An era is about to end. Famous Met-Rx Fitness Center due to shut it’s doors September 30, 2008.