Working off a series of menu tastings with First City CrossFit.

The ridiculously fit woman looking me over with a bit of mischief in her eye makes a prediction about my future. She is so right and so wrong at the same time.

“Tomorrow,” she says, “you’re going to be smoked.”

CrossFit coach Connie Keathley is so right: After this workout, in which I struggle to keep up with the other women in the class through wall walk-ups and double-under jumprope – followed by five three-minute sprints through a nonstop circuit of power cleans, pushups and squats – I will struggle up stairs.

But she is so wrong: Having done a different workout of the day (or WOD) at the same First City CrossFit the previous day, I am so already smoked. My quads sing a song of self-pity every time it comes back to the squats.

So why am I smiling?

Here’s why: When I look at the time I’m stunned to see how fast such a hard workout has gone. I’m inspired by those around me doing astounding amounts of reps without physiques like our trainer’s. I love the soundtrack when the rousing music stops and all I hear is our breathing.

It all goes back to the primary reason why the newest CrossFit gym in Monterey County, nestled in a big, well-outfitted space by the airport, is growing faster than any of its local siblings: They are taking the fundamental CrossFit principle that all levels of fitness are welcome, and turning it their own art form. I see seniors, sloggers and ultra racers all humming along on the eight rowing machines and pullup bars, genuinely engaged and cheering on each other.

Get more about First City, plus all the issue’s health stories, at www.mcweekly.com/healthandfitness