Ralph Ruiz is an enthusiastic advocate of CrossFit, and he believes that Southampton Gym offers a fantastic fitness facility due to its strong community. He emphasizes the quality of workouts and programming available at the gym and praises its convenient location. Southampton Gym is situated at the Southampton Jitney location on 395 County Road 39A, Southampton, New York (Route 27).
As the Head CrossFit coach, Ruiz takes pride in organizing group exercise classes at the gym. He describes CrossFit classes as “high-intensity functional movements” that last for an hour. Multiple classes are held each week, and although they operate independently, they are affiliated with the gym.
Ralph Ruiz, a graduate of East Hampton High School, explains that the CrossFit area is integrated with the bodybuilding section and all the gym’s machines and equipment, making it easily accessible. In his words, “CrossFit is in that same space.” Additionally, “Hamptons Jiujitsu” is also located there, providing a diverse range of fitness options.
When asked about Bruce Cotter, the managing director and owner of the company, Ruiz speaks highly of him: “Bruce has been great to work with. He is the one who has given me the opportunity to get this gym going again post the pandemic closure. It’s actually been going pretty well!”
Ruiz notes that things were slow at first, especially during the initial post-pandemic phase. However, as the gym entered its third summer, he began to witness the facility’s resurgence. He emphasizes that it is still in a growth phase, with people returning to the gym and feeling more comfortable with CrossFit workouts.
Ralph Ruiz has dedicated over a decade to CrossFit and defines it as “high-intensity functional movement.” CrossFit workouts aim to increase intensity through the use of barbells, weights, and cardio machines, including Olympic lifting. These components are combined to create hour-long workouts that typically begin with warm-ups, leading to the “workout of the day” (WOD). WODs involve strength exercises like bench presses, front squats, and back squats, followed by metabolic conditioning workouts. Any remaining time is dedicated to cooldown exercises.
Coach Ruiz conducts group classes with a strong focus on group exercise. Morning and afternoon classes are typically attended by around fifteen participants, while later in the day, five to six individuals might join. In the evening, an open gym session allows Ruiz to work one-on-one with clients. The age range of participants varies significantly, from Ruiz’s youngest trainee at nine years old to individuals in their seventies. Ruiz emphasizes that CrossFit is accessible to anyone, as he tailors workouts to fit each person’s age, physical condition, and capability, keeping the routines fresh and engaging.
This summer, the gym experienced high attendance, with an average class size of around twenty participants. The gym also welcomes weekend “drop-ins,” and even in the quieter winter months, it maintains a strong local following.
So, whether you’re looking to improve your physical fitness or simply want to feel healthier and more vital, a visit to Southampton Gym might be just what you need. After all, the age-old adage that a “sound body makes a sound mind” can only help in facing the challenges of the post-COVID pandemic world.
For more information, visit https://www.hamptonsgymcorp.com/southampton-gym.
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