Events

Heel cord mobility

by Coach Khaki
Every so often we hear a horror story about box jumps or running causing a ruptured Achilles tendon (or heel cord). It sounds awful!
So, what can we do to prevent that?
For starters, we need to make sure that we maintain a flexible heel cord. This helps us not only avoid injuries like mentioned already, but also helps us to achieve a better squat position, which translates nicely into our Olympic lifts.
Check out this video by K-star, give this a try (yeah, it hurts, I know), and see how much better those squats get:

Mary & Arielle crushing Helen Prelims. Who will improve most and win prizes on Saturday at the Finals Party? Thanks to our prize donors Vita-Coco, Big Peach Running Company – Midtown, Parq, The Nook, Rira & CFM student Vanessa/pink80sgirl for donating prizes!

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. Bench press: 5-5-5+ @ 70%
B. “Cindy”
As many rounds as possible in 20 mins:
5 pull ups
10 push ups
15 squats

And coming tomorrow…

Team WOD at 9a & 10a
TO HELEN BACK FINALS at 11a! Join us at 12n for the Awards & Finals Party! Like your finals parties in college. Only with sweet potato chips.

Sunday WOD

SUNDAY SCHEDULE
12:00 WOD:
10 power clean and jerk @ 60% 1RM
10 dips
90 yard shuttle sprint (15 yards out and back, then 30 yards out and back)
8 power clean and jerk – same weight
8 dips
90 yard shuttle
6 Power clean and jerk
6 dips
90 yard shuttle
4 Power clean and jerk
4 dips
90 yard shuttle
2 Power clean and jerk
2 dips
90 yard shuttle

1:00 TO 2:00 OPEN GYM

FRI 08.09.13 Protect those heel cords! Read More »

To Helen Back Finals this Sat: NO 11A CLASS!

Come cheer on your CFM buddies in the To Helen Back Finals this Saturday at 11am! Challengers, check your inbox for an email from Lis with more info.
Email Tirzah to confirm your heat time – 11a (10:40 warm-up), 11:20a (11 warm-up), or 11:40a (11:20 warm-up). Warm-ups will be led by ITP student, Czarlos.

Free workout at Fab’rik tonight at 6!

Join Lis for a free bodyweight WOD, every Wednesday at 6p next door at Fab’rik… break a sweat, then reward yourself with a glass of wine (thanks to Fab’rik!) and shop their duds for 20% off. No purchase required… just come break a sweat with us!

STRONG! screening & PRIDE fundraiser is next Fri, Aug 16

Help us support the Atlanta PRIDE committee as we celebrate our new Olympic Lifting coach Cheryl Haworth. Get your tickets here – NOW just a $5 donation to join the fun!

POSE Running seminar rescheduled for Aug 17

We pushed the POSE running seminar back to Saturday, August 17th. Join Coach Amy for an hour of skills & drills practice to make you a more efficient runner! Register here by Tues, 8/13 to get the EARLY BIRD discount of $15 ($20 after Tuesday; $25 for CFM guests).

More events:

Coming soon: Self-Defense 101 with Coach Walter: Join Walter for a one-hour introduction to self-defense. Learn to defend yourself on the mean streets of Midtown!
Bring-a-Friend Days are Thurs 8/22, Fri 8/23 & Sat 8/24! Invite your friends to join us for any class these three days, by emailing FRIENDS at crossfit midtown dot com.

Good luck to Sarabess and all the other To Helen Back challengers at Finals this Saturday!

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A1. Ring dips/dips: 3 sets max reps STRICT, rest/mobilize 2 min
A2. Chin ups: 3 sets max reps STRICT, rest/mobilize 2 min
B. Every minute on the minute for 9 minutes:
Rd 1, 4, 7: Run 200m
Rd 2, 5, 8: 12 KB swings
Rd 3, 6, 9: 6 Pull ups

And coming tomorrow

A. Overhead squat: 5-5-5+
B. Complete 8 rounds:
3 Power Cleans @ 75% of body weight
3 Broad Jumps for max distance
*Once you finish power cleans, perform 3 broad jumps for max distance.
*Rest 2 minutes between rounds.

WED 8.7.13 Upcoming Events Read More »

The Pose Method® of running

by Coach Amy
In 1990 Madonna released her hit “Vogue” that had people all over the globe striking a pose on the dance floor. But many years prior, Russian athletes were striking a different kind of pose on the track, using a running method now simply known as “Pose”.
The Pose Method® style of running was created in 1977 by Russian scientist and track team coach Nicholas Romanov. The Pose Method teaches how to move the body through a series of poses using the least amount of effort, becoming more efficient and effective. Pose running is scientifically proven to reduce 50% of impact on the knees…as long as you do it correctly!

Here are some basic tips to get you started on your Pose journey:
1. Strike a pose by creating an “S” shape though the body. There is a slight lean forward with a small bend in 3 key areas: hips, knees and ankles. The “S” shape and the small bends create a springiness in the body which help to propel you forward. Remember – springiness does not equal muscular tension. Just relax!
2. Landing on the ball of the foot while in your “S” shape maintains the springiness of the body. Keeping your GCM (general center of mass, aka the hips) centered over the ball of the front foot helps to maintain this sense of ease and lightness as you spring along down the road.
3. As you land on the ball of your foot with your GCM centered properly, think about PULLING your front foot off the ground rather than pushing the ground away. This helps to reduce the effort of the leg muscles and decrease fatigue. And let’s face it, we want to look good but we don’t want to have to work hard while doing it.
4. Keep your strides short, quick and soft. Want to go faster, speed up the oscillations (Ooo! Fancy pants word).
5. Gravity is your friend, and you shouldn’t fight with your friends. Just allow gravity to do its job and everyone is happy.
6. Relax your face! And your shoulders! AND your arms! Imagine running with a potato chip between your thumb and first finger and not breaking it. And for you Paleo folks, imagine a kale chip instead.
7. The angle and speed of the arm swing is related to the cadence and speed of the run. BLADES! And “chin to hip”. (Shameless self plug…come to the workshop on Saturday and you’ll understand what those two things mean. Muuuahahaaaa)
As you move your body through the series of poses, you begin to create a pattern of effortless running. But remember, most of the poses are a result, not a cause, of proper body POSE-itioning. Haha, did you see what I did there? I inserted Pose® running into “positioning”. Yes? No? Ok…
So strap on your running shoes, channel your inner Madonna (or Russian athlete) and hit the road feeling light and springy and strike a Pose®!
Join Amy Saturday at 9:30 for a one-hour POSE workshop to become a more efficient, faster runner! Cost is $20 for CFM students or $15 for CFM Helen Challengers ($25 for non-members). Register here.

Lis is back from her vacay to the CrossFit Games & elsewhere! Join her & the rest of your CFM peeps tonight at Parq on Piedmont for Happy Hour from 6 to 8p!

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. Goat work Choose a skill or lift to work on for 10 minutes (with your coach’s help!)
B. “Jackie” For time:
1000 meter row
50 thrusters 45/35
30 pull-ups

And coming tomorrow…“31 Heroes”

As many rounds & reps as possible in 31 minutes:
(choose your version)
8 Thrusters (Rx weight is 155/105#, scale as needed)
6 Rope Climbs (scaled do 12 ring rows)
11 Box Jumps (Rx: 30/24″, scale box height as needed)
This is a Partner WOD – Partner #1 will perform the work listed above. Partner #2 will run 400m with a sandbag or kettlebell (Rx: 45/25, scale weight as needed). Once Partner #2 returns from the run, Partner #1 will grab the sandbag/kettlebell and begin their 400m, while Partner #2 continues work wherever #1 left off.
Score is your total # of reps

This WOD was created specifically to honor the 30 men and one dog that gave their lives for our country on August 6, 2011. It is 31 minutes long—one minute in remembrance of each hero. The rep scheme is 8-6-11—the date of their ultimate sacrifice. Finally, this is a partner WOD. The men who gave their lives were from multiple branches of our military, working together as a team. In the workout you and your team member will constantly be taking the load from each other providing much needed support and relief. We realize that no physical sacrifice made during a workout can come close to the sacrifice our brave heroes made, but we consider this WOD a CrossFitter’s “moment of silence.” This is how we can honor those that gave all in the name of freedom.

FRI 08.02.13 POSE Running Read More »

Vacation season is upon us

Yes, I’m thrilled to take two weeks COMPLETELY away from CrossFit Midtown beginning tomorrow, to recharge my batteries, let my coaching-raspy voice recover, and relaaaaaaaax.
Sure, some of you have given me a hard time over whether this is a “REAL” vacation. To many of you, competing in a powerlifting meet, attending the CrossFit Games, and going to a BIZ seminar sounds a lot like I’ll still be working while I’m away. Well… yes and no.
I look forward to vegging out for a few days here in Midtown, away from the gym, visiting my family – and YES, I even look forward to competing and to attending the CrossFit Games and to catching up with all my colleagues at the BIZ seminar. I also have two massages, two acupuncture visits, a pedicure, and some beach & pool time on the agenda!
As I’ve met with some CFM students in the past week about your goals & accountability, I found myself setting a goal of my own with Allyson B. When we say down to discuss her goals, we chatted about the trip she & Brandon are taking next month to Machu Picchu. Right then & there, I committed to her that beginning in 2014, I’ll plan an international vacation to begin crossing places-to-go off my bucket list. I still need to narrow down the where, but step 1 is the HOW – for starters, WITH A PASSPORT. Time to renew that bad boy.
What’s on your bucket list and what’s a small step you can take THIS MONTH to get closer to achieving it?

Speaking of bucket list, congrats to CFM’s resident DJ POB on checking a goal off his bucket list and getting engaged to his girl Kat (a former CFMer) earlier this month. We’re so happy for you guys!

Justin leads ITP through the workout last weekend. Congrats on getting your CrossFit Level 1 Certification, Justin!

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. Overhead squat: 10 mins to find 1 rep max
B. EMOM 10: Every minute on the minute for 10 minutes: perform a standing double broad jump, then 3 snatches at 65% of 1RM
*Double broad jump is two consecutive broad jumps focusing on minimizing ground contact time between jumps.
*You must try to cover as much ground as possible with your broad jump.
*Minimum distance is double your height (mark the floor!)
*For each round you do not jump the minimum distance, perform 5 barbell roll outs after the workout.

Gymnastics class tonight at 8p!

A. Skill Work: Kipping Pull-up Progressions
B. 3 ROUNDS for QUALITY:
10 Strict Toes to Bar
10 Strict HSPU
10 Strict Ring Dips
10 Superman Rocks

And coming tomorrow…

A. Back squat: 5-5-5 @ 65%
B. 6 rounds for time:
200m run
10 kettlebell swings
5 pull ups

TUES 7.16.13 Holiday rooooooooooad! Read More »

The next Cocktails for Midtown is tonight!

Join your CFM friends tonight at Front Page News on Crescent Ave, from 6 to 8pm for a little post-Fran refreshment!

Body composition testing

Every quarter during Quarterly Progress Check week, we bring out the DUNK TRUCK to measure your body composition. This is the best way to measure your physique changes as you morph into a CrossFitting MACHINE! The truck will be parked across the street from CFM, testing clients every 15 minutes from 4 to 6:30p. Tests are $30 and include accurate body weight & body composition measurements. Register here.

Quarterly Progress Checks & Baseline retesting is coming soon…

Lots of important testing dates this month! If you miss a day, we’ve got plenty of make-up opportunities! Here’s another update on our upcoming testing days & options:
Sun, July 21-Sat, July 28th: Quarterly Progress Checks*:
Retest your Baseline WOD this month! Instead of testing in regular classes, like we’ve done in the past, you’ll be able to come in during any of the following times to retest your Baseline time with one of our coaches or Instructor Training Program students. This doesn’t count against your class limits for the week.
Baseline testing:
Sun 7.21 1-2p w Dyer
Mon 7.22 6p w Justin
Mon 7.22 8p w Carlos
Tues 7.23 6p w Ian
Tues 7.23 7p w Urán
Fri 7.26 6p w Tirzah
Sat 7.27 9-12n w Cassie & Beka
Sun 7.28 1-2p w Dyer
Here’s another look at the upcoming Quarterly Progress Check programming:
Mon 7.22- 5 rounds for time: 7 handstand push ups, 14 pistols, 21 double unders
Tues 7.23- Olympic Total (1 RM Snatch + 1 RM Clean & Jerk)
Wed 7.24- 1RM Weighted Pull Up & For time: 250m row, 15 kb swings 70/53, 25 burpees, 15 kb swings, 250m row
Thurs 7.25- As many rounds & reps as possible in 20 minutes of: 20 thrusters 135#/95#, 20 pullups, 20 burpees
Fri 7.26- CrossFit Total (1RM Squat, 1RM Press, 1RM Deadlift) & AirDyne 1 min max calories test
*Makeup Days will be Sunday, 7/21, Saturday, 7/28 & Sunday, 7/29.

Cheryl Haworth will be running Olympic Lifting Open Gym again on Saturday, 7.28, for anyone who wants to do Olympic Total that day with her!

We’re also maxing on front squat, overhead squat and bench press this month, so if you miss/missed that day, make it up at Open Gym!
Ellen showing off some great pull ups during Helen prelims.

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. Back Squat 3-3-3 @ 80%
B. “Fran”
21-15-9
Thrusters 95/65
Pull ups

And coming tomorrow…

A. Strength make up day: Pick a PART A that you missed from last week’s programming.
B. In teams of 3 or 4:
Station 1- 50 situps
Station 2- 50 double unders or 150 singles
Station 3- 50 wall balls 20/14
Station 4- 400 m run
Station 5- 50 air squats
First athlete starts at station 1. Second athletes moves to station 1 once first athlete goes to station 2. Athletes can’t advance stations until station in front is clear. Time is called once the last athlete finishes Station 5.

ALSO THIS WEEK: Saturday Open Gym with Dyer & Lis from 12n-2p

FRI 7.12.13 HAPPY HOUR TONIGHT! Read More »

PRIDE Fundraiser: Screening of “Strong” on Fri 8.16

Join us at CFM on Friday, August 16th at 7pm for a screening of “STRONG”, a documentary about Olympian AND CFM student/coach Cheryl Haworth. Many of you have been in class with Cheryl and/or benefited from her Olympic Lifting coaching on Tuesday nights or during weekend Open Gym sessions. You may not know she’s also the topic of a critically-acclaimed documentary. We’ll be hosting a screening of the film as a fundraiser for the Atlanta Pride Committee. Suggested donation is $20. Tickets will be on sale this week… RSVP here for updates & more details.

And check out the trailer here:

Cheryl coaches Leaor on the snatch during Open Gym a few weeks ago. Several athletes have set new PRs (personal records) already, under her tutelage!

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. Front Squat: In 10 min, find your 1 rep max
B. Clean & Jerk: 2-2-2
C. EMOM8: Every minute on the minute for 8 minutes, perform 6 power cleans & 3 thrusters 95/65

And coming tomorrow…

A. Deadlift: 5-5-5 @ 75%
B. 3 rounds for time:
21 russian kettlebell swings
12 strict pull ups

TUES 7.9.13 PRIDE Fundraiser & “Strong” screening is 8.16 Read More »

July programming

Our focuses this month are on preparing to retest our maxes on several lifts throughout the month (see below) AND to improve at running, kettlebell swings and pull ups (for everyone, but especially those participating in the Summer Challenge: To Helen Back)
Quarterly Progress Checks are coming up! What does that mean for you? It means you’re preparing to go BEAST MODE and set some new personal records (PRs!) this month on several lifts that we will be testing, or maxing out on. We’ll also be preparing the Helen challengers to DOMINATE Helen when they compete again on Saturday, August 10th.
Choose your training/testing days wisely – for instance, if you’re hoping to break some personal records on the CrossFit Total, I recommend taking off the day or two prior, so you’re fresh for those lifts. Here are some important testing dates in July programming:
Every Wed in July – HELEN practice. Programming on Wednesdays throughout the month includes running, kettlebell swings and/or pull ups.
Tues, July 9 – Front squat 1 rep max
Thurs, July 11 – 5k row time trial
Fri, July 12 – FRAN!
Tues, July 16 – Overhead squat 1 rep max
Fri, July 19 – Bench press 1 rep max
Sun, July 21-Sat, July 28th: Quarterly Progress Checks*:
Retest your Baseline WOD this week!
Mon 7.22- 5 rounds for time: 7 handstand push ups, 14 pistols, 21 double unders
Tues 7.23- Olympic Total (1 RM Snatch + 1 RM Clean & Jerk)
Wed 7.24- 1RM Weighted Pull Up & For time: 250m row, 15 kb swings 70/53, 25 burpees, 15 kb swings, 250m row
Thurs 7.25- As many rounds & reps as possible in 20 minutes of: 20 thrusters 135#/95#, 20 pullups, 20 burpees
Fri 7.26- CrossFit Total (1RM Squat, 1RM Press, 1RM Deadlift) & AirDyne 1 min max calories test
*Makeup Days will be Sunday, 7/21 and Saturday, 7/28

THANKS TO OUR 1000 FACEBOOK FANS! Here’s the “thank you” video on YouTube… OUR version of Prancercise.
DISCLAIMER: CFM is in no danger of becoming a Prancercise-specific facility any time in the future. Ever. We MAY host regular Prancercise sessions in the park though. Or Walmart, as in this case:

Leaor on Team Fight Gone Bad. Congrats to Leaor, Amanda, Ellen, Rusty, Jim H, Adrian, Leigh and all the other CFMericans who ran the Peachtree Road Race last week. Hopefully everyone had a great run!

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. Bench press:4 sets of 4 @80% of 1 rep max (if you don’t know your max, choose a weight that will be challenging for 4 sets of 4)
B. Skill work or EMOM10: 10 min pistol or DU skill work OR Do 6 pistols & 20 DU every minute on the minute for 10 minutes
C. Complete 8 rounds for time:
6 Overhead Walking Lunges
6 Dynamic Push Ups*
12 Russian Twist w DB or KB

*In case you aren’t familiar with the dynamic push up or Russian twist, here are a few videos explaining the movements:

And coming tomorrow…

A. Front Squat: In 10 min, find your 1 rep max
B. Clean & Jerk: 2-2-2
C. EMOM8: Every minute on the minute for 8 minutes, perform 6 power cleans & 3 thrusters 95/65

MON 07.08.13 July programming focuses Read More »

Saturday CFM Schedule

8a- Instructor Training Program meeting
9a- Beginner CrossFit with Cassie
10a- All Levels CrossFit with Cassie
11a- All Levels CrossFit with Lis
12n-2p- Olympic Lifting Open Gym with Cheryl

Sunday CFM Schedule

9-11a- Hooverball at Piedmont Park Active Oval
10a- Free Park WOD at Piedmont Park Active Oval
12n- All Levels CrossFit with Dyer
1-2p- Open Gym with Dyer
6p- Yoga with Monica
Coach Beka & ITP student Ian posing at the Anniversary Party.

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. Front squat: 3×3 @80%
B. Karen:
150 wall balls for time 20/14#

And coming tomorrow… TEAM WOD!

In teams of 3 or 4, complete 4 cycles for time (4 visits to each station…don’t advance until all teammates finish reps):
Station 1: 20 lateral box jumps (10 each side)
Station 2: 20 overhead walking lunge steps
Station 3: 20 burpees
Station 4: Rest

FRI 07.05.13 Karen today & team WOD tomorrow Read More »

Have a fun & safe 4th of July!

If you’re running the Peachtree, look for us on the Cafe Intermezzo side of the street at 11th & Peachtree. Run on by & grab your choice of a Vita-Coco or a beer (Jim H insisted!) to hydrate you for that last mile!
Everyone else, join us at 7a at the CFM cheer station to cheer on our runners and celebrate CFMERICA! DO IT.

Reminder that CFM is closed Thursday in observance of the 4th of July holiday. No AM classes Friday. Join us Fri at 12n, 4 5 or 6p to get your WOD in.

Monica & Tiff at the Anniversary Party. Monica celebrates a BIG birthday tomorrow! She’s been doing CrossFit for over 5 YEARS & is a great example of how functional fitness can help you age with grace AND basically help you kick more a$$ in life :). I hope I look that amazing when I’m 40. Keep up the great work hot stuff!

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. Press: 5@70%, 3@80%, 1@90%
B. 3 rounds For time:
Run 400m
Rest as long as 400m run takes you
21 kettlebell swings 53/35#
Rest as long as swings take you
12 pull ups
Rest as long as pull ups take you

And coming tomorrow…CLOSED FOR THE 4th!…
BUT coming Friday:

A. Front squat: 3×3 @80%
B. Karen:
150 wall balls for time 20/14#

WED 07.03.13 CFM’s Peachtree Road Race Cheer Station! Read More »

The answer is NOT more cardio

I want to clear up a BIG misconception that several of our students have about what’s going to make you look better at the pool this swimsuit season.
THE ANSWER IS NOT MORE CARDIO!
Running ’til you fall down, hitting extra spin classes, doing “two-a-day” workouts and skipping meals is not the way to a better physique. That’s actually going to cause your body extra stress and increase your chances of keeping the dreaded MUFFIN TOP!
Over the next week I’m going to post about the top three things that will help you reach your aesthetic goals. They are 1) SLEEP, 2) NUTRITION & 3) LIFTING HEAVY WEIGHT. I have recently been sleeping better, eating cleaner, and ONLY LIFTING HEAVY (no Zumba, FlyWheel or long runs… no two-a-days… not even typical CrossFit metcons!*). I am leaner than ever!
Let’s start with SLEEP & RELAXATION – whether you want to lose fat or put on muscle, ANY GOAL will be derailed if you’re not sleeping. Tips to better sleep include winding down well before bedtime (turn of the TV, put away the iPad, turn down the lights), making your bedroom cool and dark (pitch black. I’m talking black-out shades), and, when necessary, working some natural supplements into your routine. I’ve been taking the Nighttime Recovery formula we sell in the Pro Shop, along with an herbal supplement called “Tranquil Mind” just before bedtime. My new apartment is super cool & dark. And guess what? I’ve been sleeping like a baby (that Nighttime Recovery is also helping me lean out nicely!).
Shoot for 7-9 hours of sleep to speed mental & physical recovery, aid in fat loss & muscle gain. Bad sleep stresses your body and makes you produce more cortisol – that’s a stress hormone – which leads to dreaded love handles. RELAX, REDUCE STRESS IN YOUR LIFE WHEREVER POSSIBLE & GET MORE SLEEP. I promise it will work!

*To be clear here, I’m not saying you never need intense exercise. I just happen to be in training for a powerlifting meet for which I need to actually gain some wait. When it comes to exercise, I encourage you to do what you like. We need to sweat the demons out from time to time. But moderation is the key. If you overdo it, you’ll stress your body further, causing it to produce more cortisol & hang on to extra body fat.

Join Alison & your CFManiacs for happy hour tonight 6-8p at Steamhouse Lounge!

Jonathan, Stuart & Levy sack racing on Field Day. Join us in the park again this weekend – Sunday at 10am we’re doing a FREE Park WOD in the Active Oval and HOOVERBALL returns at 10:30a. Come out and play!

Workout of the Day

A. Back Squat: 3-3-3+
B. 10 min goat work
C. Annie:
50-40-30-20-10
Double Unders
Sit ups

And coming tomorrow…

Regular classes at 9, 10 & 11a. AND OLYMPIC LIFTING OPEN GYM WITH USA OLYMPIAN CHERYL HAWORTH 12n-2p. Open Gym counts as a class session OR guests can pay a $25 drop in fee.

A. Make up a lift you missed earlier in the week
B. Team WOD:In teams of 4, ONE PARTNER WORKS AT A TIME*, complete the following for time-
Run 1 mile
60 pull ups
60 hollow rocks
60 wall balls
60 kettlebell swings
Row 2k meters
*Resting teammates hold hollow position, bottom of squat or superman (one in each position) while teammate is working.

FRI 06.07.13 Increasing the cardio won’t make you leaner Read More »