Riding the Wave [Training]
I was a little nervous to attend a Wave Training Center class. I’d heard raving reviews about it from friends who attended their ‘get to know us’ sessions but as someone who doesn’t work out daily due to mom life (terrible excuse), I was worried that I would fall behind in class and be punished with 50 push-ups.
I was totally wrong. The class was hard, but it was awesome. It was my first time working out using the functional training method, which is what Wave specializes in. There was running, jumping, squatting, use of medicine balls, ropes, and dumbbells, and most importantly, use of your own body weight. For the class that I attended, there were 9 different exercises and each set lasted for 40 seconds with a 20 second rest. The rotation of exercises kept it upbeat and interesting and the hour flew passed. Arturo, the instructor and one of the founders of Wave Training Center, was so professional and very understanding that everyone has different fitness abilities. He takes the time to show you how to execute each exercise correctly and if you need help, he’s right there beside you. There was no unsolicited pushing or humiliation. No awkwardness or “ugh, when is this class over?”. Wave offers something new, fresh and innovative. Puerto Vallarta needs this. I loved it. I finished the class feeling pumped, motivated, and full of energy.
It wasn’t just the workout that I loved either. The general atmosphere at Wave Training is warm and friendly. You’re very welcomed on arrival and it feels similar to a hangout with friends. Music is playing, endorphins are flowing, and the workouts are inventive.
My favorite part of the whole experience, however, was sitting down with founders Joaquin Comella and Arturo Valle to learn about Wave Training Center and the objective behind it.
And wow, I was amazed.
They have a true passion for what they’re doing and the enthusiasm they have for Wave is uncontainable. To them, it’s more than a place of fitness. The concept they’ve created is something different and something remarkable. Not only is Wave a functional training center, it also offers rehabilitation training for those recovering from injuries, such as torn ligaments. They are going to have a Kinesiology specialist situated in Wave to support that service. In addition to that, they are going to host Calisthenic classes for those who want more of a challenge, as well as offering a full, daily schedule providing classes for all different ages and fitness abilities.
Wave has got it going on! Read below!
Eden: Why did you choose the name Wave Training?
Joaquin: That’s a good question. When we started this concept a few months ago, we started throwing name ideas around such as ‘marina’ or ‘ocean’ but none of them stuck. We knew we wanted ‘training’ as part of the name as it identifies what we do. It was actually a friend who came up with ‘Wave’ and we liked it as it was clean and just flowed with our concept.
Arturo: I liked the idea of having something relating to the fact that we were raised by the beach. I also liked the name Wave as a wave is something that comes and goes and can vary in size and speed. It’s just like exercise and the variation in people’s fitness abilities. It also relates to the type of fitness that we provide. It’s different and new to Puerto Vallarta and people can come here to ride the wave!
E: What is functional training?
A: Functional training is exercise based on your own body weight and those trainings can be used for activities performed in everyday life. You do a coordination of exercises and actually burn a lot of calories. It can also help you with balance. What makes functional training different is that you take your body from point A to point B using pretty much only your body, only using minimal weights for some exercises.
J: Functional training helps in everything. Even in something as simple as waking up and making the movement of getting out of bed or gardening. It helps you in every situation on a daily basis.
E: Did each of you train in functional training or is it something that you discovered and practiced?
A: Well, I am more the trainer while Joaquin is more focused on the numbers and logistics of Wave. But we’ve been in a summer camp together where we trained in functional training.
J: Yeah, we’ve always been involved in sports and Arturo was a professional football player. We’ve always surfed or played tennis and just generally been sporty people.
A: I did properly practice functional training though when I tore both of my knees playing soccer. I was told I’d never run again but then I practiced functional training.
E: Wow, when did this happen?
A: The first one was in 2016 and the second one was at the end of 2017. It was back-to-back. After those injuries, I taught my body to practice functional training because I couldn’t lift weights. I started working out this way and I got better and was able to work out again.
E: Did that motivate you to open a place like Wave?
A: Yeah, so after my injuries, I always had the idea of opening up a functional training gym to help people and show this style of training. When COVID hit Joaquin, his brother, a friend and I were always working out together. One day we worked out at the Marina and saw that this space was available to rent. I spoke to Joaquin and knew we could do the training part together and I really wanted a partner that I trust.
J: Also, we started practicing functional training with our friend: Kathryn, from Guadalajara and she will be working in Wave with us.
E: Great, so can you tell us more about her and the service that she offers?
A: Yes, we’re going to have a third associate who will specialize in Kinesiology. She is the one who helped me during rehabilitation for my knee injuries by using functional training. When my rehab ended, I was like, wow there is nowhere that offers functional training. Not just for working out but also for rehabilitation, like what I went through. It helped me so much and I want to offer that service to people going through a similar thing.
E: So, Wave will be a place to help those going through rehabilitation for injuries?
J: Yes, for sure. That’s part of our plan.
A: There will be a separate room at the back of Wave which will be dedicated to Kathryn and Kinesiology patients.
J: She’s also a functional trainer. So, as well as helping patients with Kinesiology, she will be hosting classes for rehabilitation and for normal workouts. She’s great. She’s super energetic and she knows what she’s doing.
A: Also, there is a lot of talent in Puerto Vallarta. As well as Wave being a functional training center and helping those in rehab, we want it to be a place where elite athletes come and get quality training and can hang out.
E: That’s amazing and truly something different! So, for the normal person, what do you want to help them achieve? What makes Wave different?
A: It’s the energy that you will leave with. If you come in the morning, you’re going to have energy for the whole day. It helps you so much in daily life. It’s not only good as a workout but it’s good for your body.
J: Also, we like people to come here and feel like we’re all friends. We want them to feel relaxed and comfortable. We don’t want to them to feel stressed or pressured by what other people are doing during their workouts, like you sometimes do at the gym. We want them to come here, workout and be happy.
A: Also, our classes only last for an hour and we’ll have classes throughout the day, so there’s no excuse to not workout because of work or something else. If you can’t come at 9am then you can come at 5pm. If you can’t come at 5pm, you can come at 2pm. It’s flexible.
E: Great! So, will there be classes all day?
J: We are working on getting our schedule perfect but 7am – 12pm there will be Wave classes, like what you just did, and then also in the afternoon from 4pm – 9pm. Each class lasts for an hour and every session will be a different routine, so, 12 routines per day. We will also have yoga classes 3 times per week in the mornings of Monday, Wednesday and Friday. As well as hosting yoga classes on those days, we will also have Calisthenic classes, which are cool classes but difficult.
A: Also, we will have two bootcamps. One will be all about strength and the other will be similar to powerlifting, which will be focused on lower body strength. Girls will like that class! That will be a class that Kathryn runs.
J: And then one last class will be specialized for those in rehabilitation from injuries and for the older generations. It’ll be focused on simple movements and very calm.
E: Wow, awesome! Would you ever consider hosting a kid-friendly class?
A: Yes, we want to!
J: We have discussed it before. Maybe to do one-hour classes from 4pm – 6pm to tire the kids out before bed! But it’s something we have to properly discuss when Wave officially opens.
A: Yes, it’s a lot of responsibility so we want to ensure we can provide the best service and that everything is perfect.
E: Do you guys have anything else you want to add about Wave Training?
J: Yes, we are going to have a little smoothie bar inside that will have a small menu, including things like protein shakes, green juice, and smoothies. We will add food onto the menu little by little. We’re going to sell products that are vegan and environmentally friendly.
A: Yes, we are working on that. We are also very grateful for all the support that we’ve had so far and never expected so many people to attend our trial sessions!
A huge thank you to both Joaquin and Arturo at Wave Training for taking the time to speak with us! Keep your eyes peeled for Wave’s official opening date – you don’t want to miss this one! Remember to follow them on Instagram: @wave.trainingcenter to stay updated!
