WOD

How to make training sustainable

Many people complain you can get injured doing CrossFit. You can get injured walking down the street. You can get injured running. You can get injured doing a lot of stuff, if you’re clumsy like me. But most of all, you can get injured by practicing poor form, by overtraining, or by not listening to your body. Remember also you should only train on correct sports surfaces to help avoid injury.
Last month, I was nursing a pulled back muscle and finally took ten days COMPLETELY OFF from training to let it heal. VOILA! It got better.
Listen to your body and ask your coaches for help with recovery, mobility, or advice on modifying your training to stay healthy. Here’s a great post from Andy Petranek, owner of CrossFit LA, on how to make your training sustainable & injury free. In case there are injuries, injury cases by Sweet Lawyers are the ones to contact as they provide the best legal help.
Congrats to Carlos, Tiernan, Jason, Tirzah, Shay & Brianne on an awesome performance in the Rise of the South team competition Saturday down in Statesboro!

Today’s schedule

6a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
7a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
12n: All Levels CrossFit- Lis
5p: All Levels CrossFit- Ben
6p: All Levels CrossFit- Ben
6:30p: Group Intro- Lis
7p: All Levels CrossFit- Cassie
8p: Beginner CrossFit- Cassie

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. Back Squat: 4×4 workups (add 5# from last back squat session)
B. Complete 5 rounds:
Max reps handstand push ups
Max reps strict pull ups
*Rest as needed between efforts
C. 2:00m hollow rock test

And coming tomorrow…

A. 10 mins double under skill work OR mobility
B. Every min on the min for 15 mins:
Complete 2 power cleans & 10 double unders
*Go as heavy as possible on power cleans. Sub 10 tuck jumps for double unders.

MON 9.16.13 Make training sustainable Read More »

A game of inches

by Coach Raul
Considering football season has begun, the monologue below from “Any Given Sunday” is appropriate. This message applies well beyond football, to life in general. The six inches right in front of our faces are what matter.
Be proud of your accomplishments – look back to when you started CrossFit, and look at where you are now. Those little inches… those small goals accomplished one by one, add up to the moon and back. Be proud and like always, DO WORK!

“You know when you get old in life
things get taken from you.
That’s, that’s part of life.
But… you only learn that when you start losing stuff.
You find out that life is just a game of inches.
So is football.
Because in either game – life or football
the margin for error is so small.
I mean… one half step too late or too early
you don’t quite make it.
One half second too slow or too fast
and you don’t quite catch it.
The inches we need are everywhere around us.
They are in every break of the game
every minute, every second.
On this team, we fight for that inch.
On this team, we tear ourselves, and everyone around us
to pieces for that inch.
We CLAW with our finger nails for that inch.
Cause we know… when we add up all those inches
that’s going to make the f*cking difference
between WINNING and LOSING
between LIVING and DYING.
I’ll tell you this… in any fight…
it is the guy who is willing to die
who is going to win that inch.
And I know… if I am going to have any life anymore
it is because I am still willing to fight, and die for that inch
because that is what LIVING is –
The six inches in front of your face.”

Scott D. spotting Wes on bench.

Today’s schedule

6a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
7a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
12n: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
5p: All Levels CrossFit- Lis
6p: All Levels CrossFit- Lis
7p: All Levels CrossFit- Raul
8p: Open Gym – Raul

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. Back squat: 4×4 workups (add 5# to last back squat workout)
B. 15-10-5 reps for time:
Thrusters 95/65
Box Jumps 24/20
Pull Ups

And coming tomorrow…

A. Bench press: 4×4 workups
B. For time: BUY IN: 3 rope climbs, then
30-20-10 of
Russian KB swings
Lateral hops
Abmat sit ups
then, CASH OUT: 3 rope climbs

WED 9.11.13 A game of inches Read More »

Introducing the Fall 2013 challenge…

It’s time for your CFMakeover!
THIS OCTOBER – Nutrition… Fitness… Recovery.
Upgrade your life in one month!
Challenge includes:

Kickoff meeting
Nutrition workshop
T-shirt
Facebook accountability group
Before & After – pics, measurements, body comp testing & 4 WOD tests
Halloween Awards party

Mark your calendars:

Prelims testing – Oct 1, 2 & 3*
Finals testing – Oct 29, 30 & 31*
Awards & Halloween party – October 31

*Alternate testing dates can be arranged.

YOU CHOOSE your primary goal – GET LEAN (lose fat) or GET SWOLE (gain muscle) – and compete for cash & prizes. Cash & prizes awarded to overall winners & challengers who improve most in four different categories:

Most improved body comp (fat loss)
Most improved body comp (muscle gain)
Most improved WODs
Most improved friends & family challenger

Cost: $40 for CFMembers (Gold: $34, Silver: $36); $50 Friends & Family. REGISTER NOW!

Sneak peek of what we learned during the Ancestral Health Symposium last month. Stay tuned for more info throughout the month on eating locally!

Today’s Schedule

6a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
7a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
8a: All Levels – Beka
12n: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
5p: All Levels CrossFit- Lis
6p: All Levels CrossFit- Lis
7p: All Levels CrossFit- Lis
8p: Advanced CrossFit- Lis

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. Power clean: 3×3
B. “The Chief”
Max rounds in 3 minutes of:
3 Power cleans 135/95
6 Push-ups
9 Squats
Rest 1 minute. Repeat for a total of 5 cycles.

And coming tomorrow…

A. Back squat: 4×4 workups (add 5# to last BS workout)
B. 15, 10, 5 reps for time:
Thruster 95/65
Box Jumps 24/20
Pull Up

TUES 9.10.13 It’s time for your CFMakeover! Read More »

Eat Locally!

By Coach Beka
How much thought do you put into where your food comes from? There are many benefits to eating locally, like supporting local farms & fresher (better tasting!) food.
Here is some great info on the benefits of eating locally, along with information on joining a CSA (community supported agriculture) group.
It’s much easier to find local food than you may think! Here’s a list of our Atlanta Farmers Markets…we’re lucky to have options several days a week:
Tuesdays: -Emory (569 Asbury Circle), 12-5p
Wednesdays: -Decatur (March-Oct), 4-7p
Thursdays:-East Atlanta (561 Flat Shoals Ave.), 4-8p
-Green Market at Peachtree Center (225 Peachtree St. NE), 11:30a-2:30p
-Old Five Points Drive-Thru Farmers Market (2140 Johnson Ferry Road), 3-8p
Saturdays:-Green Market at Piedmont Park (12th St Gate), 9a-1:30p
-Morningside (1393 North Highland Ave), 7:30-11:30a
-Brookhaven (1441 Dresden Drive), 9a-1p
-Peachtree Road Farmers Market (2744 Peachtree Rd), 8:30a-12p
Sundays: -Grant Park (800 Cherokee Ave), 9:30a-1:30p

And Whole Foods Market is having a one-day sale this Friday on local grass-fed ground beef – just $4.99 a pound!
Streets Alive bike parade. Thanks to all who came out to play yesterday.

Today’s schedule

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. Deadlift: 4×4 workups
B. 7 rounds for time:
7 kettlebell snatch R
7 kettlebell snatch L
7 strict pull ups

And coming tomorrow…

A. Power clean: 3×3
B. “The Chief”
Max rounds in 3 minutes of:
3 Power cleans 135/95
6 Push-ups
9 Squats
Rest 1 minute. Repeat for a total of 5 cycles.

MON 9.9.13 Eat Locally Read More »

CFM events this weekend

Join your friends tonight for happy hour at the Nook, on Piedmont Park, from 6-8pm.

And… SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY!
Support CFM at the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition’s Streets Alive event this weekend, as Peachtree Street is shut down to motor vehicle traffic from 2-6pm. CFM will be there all day at 13th & Peachtree, with free workouts on the half-hour led by our awesome Coaches in Training. Our very own DJ POB will also be playing some tunes for us!

What: Streets Alive – Peachtree
Free WODs & tunes and other fun… take out your stress by flipping a tire, pulling a sled or swinging a sledgehammer! Come celebrate our active Midtown community.
Where: 13th & Peachtree
Who: the CFM community & anyone who wants to try a free workout. All ages, abilities & skill levels are welcome!
When: 2-6p Sunday. Free WODs at 2:30, 3:30, 4:30, 5:30p.
Attire: CFM gear… REPRESENT!
Afterward: Yes, we know the NFL season also kicks off Sunday. We’ll head to Taco Mac to catch the later games.

CFM coaches representing for Kill Cliff’s website photo shoot on Thursday (Cassie, Lis, Beka, coach-to-be Becca).

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. 10 min mobility work
B. Goat Work: 10 min to work on any skill you choose!
C. Grace
30 clean & jerks for time 135/95#

And coming tomorrow…TEAM WOD

A. Make up a lift you missed earlier this week.
B. In teams of 3-4…
Rotate through all four stations TWO TIMES-
1. Row 300m
2. 30 kettlebell swings
3. 30 wall balls
4. 30 box jumps
C. EXTRA CREDIT CASH OUT: 50 barbell roll outs OR 3:00 plank hold

Sunday Schedule

12n – All Levels CrossFit w Dyer
“Massengills”
As many rounds & reps as possible in 10 minutes of:
2 Power Snatch @ 75% of 1 rep max
4 Box Dips, or Stationary Bar Dips, or Strict Ring Dips
8 Burpees
Rest 5 minutes
4 – 100 foot prowler shuttles (50 feet out/50 feet back) as heavy as possible – Not for time

1-2p – Open Gym w Dyer

2-6p – Join CFM at Streets Alive on 13th & Peachtree.
Free all-levels (newcomers welcome) workouts at 2:30, 3:30, 4:30, 5:30
Or just come out to pull the sled, swing the sledgehammer, flip the tires!!
Wear your CFM gear and bring your friends!

6p – Yoga w Monica back at CFM

FRI 09.06.13 Happy Hour today & Streets Alive Sunday! Read More »

New Month, New Goals!

by Coach Beka
With each new month comes a fresh, empty goal board at CFM. Make sure to write your goal(s) for the month next time you’re in the box! A few tips for your goal setting, in and out of CFM…
1. Set Goals that Motivate You
2. Set SMART Goals –
Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Relevant
Time Bound.
3. Set Goals in Writing
4. Make an Action Plan
5. Stick With It!

And don’t forget the PRs!

PR stands for personal record. ANY TIME you do something for the first time – a double under, a 12″ box jump, a strict pull up, a handstand, a workout “Rx’ed” – or a new personal best at any lift… You write it on the board! Let’s see how many PRs we can get this month. LIS will commit to do a burpee for every PR on the board at the end of the month. Put her to work!

Congrats to everyone who crushed your August goals!

Today’s schedule

6a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
7a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
12n: All Levels CrossFit- Lis
5p: All Levels CrossFit- Lis
6p: All Levels CrossFit- Lis
7p: All Levels CrossFit- Cassie
8p: Beginner CrossFit – Cassie
8:15p: Yoga – Samantha

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A1. Max rep strict chin ups: 3 sets, rest 2:00
A2. Max rep ring dips: 3 sets, rest 2:00
B. 3 rounds for time: 30 Overhead walking lunges 45/25#
20 hollow rocks
10 burpees

And coming tomorrow…

A. 10 min mobility work
B. Goat Work: 10 min to work on any skill you choose!
C. Grace
30 clean & jerks for time 135/95#

THURS 09.05.13 Goals & PRs Read More »

Pistol This!

by Coach Cassie
Today we’re doing pistol (one-legged squat) skillwork. Here are some tests to gauge what might be holding you back from executing pistols properly – having the proper balance, strength and hip & ankle mobility all factor into pistols.
**If your answer is YES to a question below, you’re good to go! The questions that are answered NO determine which type of pistol progression you should practice.**
Balance: Can you jump up and down on one foot and stick the landing without falling? From a standing position, can you perform a lunge with your knee kissing the ground lightly AND stand back up without falling?
From a lunge on ground position, with your back ankle extended (shoelaces of back foot touching the ground) can you stand back up without falling?
If balance is an issue, here’s your pistol progression: Lunge on the ground with ankle extended, do lunge step-ups on a box (step behind box) or Lunge Step-ups on a box (step to side of box, swinging leg out).
Strength: In your lunge position on the ground, can you lift your back foot off the ground and stand up? Can you back squat or front squat your body weight?
If strength is an issue, here’s your pistol progression: Candlestick roll to pistol (uses momentum of your body to assist with the pistol) or lunge on the ground with ankle lifted off ground and stand up.
Mobility: Can you do a proper air squat? Chest up straight? Hip crease below parallel? Heels secure on the floor? AND knees pressed out over pinky toe?
If mobility is an issue, here’s your pistol progression: Hold a weight plate out in front of you with straight arms while performing the pistol. This helps activate and engage the posterior chain to allow the athlete to properly sit back into the squat rather than lurch forward.

Danny doing roll outs.

Today’s schedule

6a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
7a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
12n: All Levels CrossFit- Lis
5p: All Levels CrossFit- Lis
6p: All Levels CrossFit- Lis
7p: All Levels CrossFit- Raul
8p: Open Gym – Raul

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. Single arm press: 5×5 each side (workups)
B. Pistols: 10 min pistol skillwork OR find weighted pistol 3RM
C. Tabata: row OR AirDyne OR jump rope singles OR double unders

And coming tomorrow…

A1. Max rep strict chin ups: 3 sets, rest 2:00
A2. Max rep ring dips: 3 sets, rest 2:00
B. 3 rounds for time: 30 Overhead walking lunges 45/25#
20 hollow rocks
10 burpees

WED 9.4.13 Pistol this! Read More »

Don’t forget we’re trying out an 8a class on Tuesdays & Fridays through the 15th.

Goodbye Cheryl & Kalen!

We’ve been so lucky to have 3-time Olympian Cheryl Haworth & her fiance Kalen as a part of the CFM community for the past four months. Kalen just got a promotion at SCAD (you go girl!), but the new gig is based in Savannah, so they’ll be moving back south later this week.
Join Cheryl today at the 5pm class as she coaches great clean & jerk form. She’ll also be back regularly for Olympic Lifting workshops. It’s been a pleasure getting to know you both and learning from you, Cheryl! Thanks for sharing your knowledge & expertise. Best wishes in Savannah!

Big crowd of 15 got after the Hotshots 19 hero WOD in Monday’s noon class. Great work crew!

Today’s Schedule

6a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
7a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
8a: All Levels – Beka
12n: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
5p: All Levels CrossFit- Lis & Cheryl
6p: All Levels CrossFit- Cassie
6:30p: Group Intro- Lis
7p: All Levels CrossFit- Cassie
8p: Advanced CrossFit- Lis

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. Front Squat: 4×4 workups (work up, or increase weight each set)
B. Clean & Jerk: 15min of skillwork OR 15 min to a heavy triple
C. 12 min to find max height box jump

And coming tomorrow…

A. Single arm press: 5×5 each side (workups)
B. 10 min pistol skillwork OR find Weighted Pistol 3RM
C. Tabata row OR AirDyne OR jump rope singles OR double unders

TUES 9.3.13 Farewell Cheryl Read More »

ONLY ONE CLASS TODAY AT 12N!

September programming

In honor of football season, this month’s programming has a special CrossFit Football flavor to it… what’s that mean to you? We’ll be doing more power cleans, box jumps, sprints, and playing with our “toys” like the prowler, sleds, sledgehammers & tires!
Just a note about CFM programming – this is designed to be an overall strength & conditioning program for “general physical preparedness” – to make you more fit, look better naked, etc. Since our students all have different training schedules, we can’t ever know which combination of this (or any) month’s workouts you’ll do. For that reason, it’s up to you to adjust each workout as needed – do a lot of air squats yesterday? Go lighter on back squats today. Shoulders/traps really sore from Tuesday’s power cleans? Show up early to roll ’em out AND maybe go lighter on presses today. These are just a few examples… feel free to ask your coaches for help on how to modify/game plan for each day’s workout based on your individual goals & needs.

Today’s schedule

12n – All Levels CrossFit w Lis

Workout of the Day (WOD)

Football WOD!
In any order: 50 sledge hammer strikes
50 tire flips
40′ seated sled drag (arms only)
40′ sled drag legs
40′ prowler push
5 shuttle runs

OR
“Hotshots 19”
A hero WOD dedicated to the 19 members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots firefighting team who lost their lives on June 30, 2013 while fighting a fire in Yarnell, AZ
Six rounds for time of:
30 Squats
19 Power Cleans 135/95
7 Strict Pull-ups
Run 400 meters

And coming tomorrow…

A. Front Squat: 4-4-4-4 work-ups*
B. Clean & Jerk: skillwork or 15min to heavy triple
C. 12 min to find max height box jump

*This month our strength program features “work-ups” where each set should be heavier than the last (ex. 135-165-185-205).

MON 09.02.13 Happy September! Read More »

Wear your colors day!

Rock your favorite team’s colors at the box today…even if you’re not a college FB fan, rep your favorite NFL, soccer, hooverball, twerk, etc… team!

Holiday weekend reminders

CFM will be open for regularly scheduled classes on Saturday. Sunday there is ONLY a 12n class (no 1-2p Open Gym). Monday there is ONLY a 12n class. Check out the WODs we’ve got planned below…

Today’s schedule

6a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
7a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
8a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
12n: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
4p: All Levels CrossFit- Amy
5p: All Levels CrossFit- Amy
6p: All Levels CrossFit- Amy

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. Deadlift: 5-5-5+
B. Annie:
For time: 50-40-30-20-10
Double unders
Sit ups

And coming tomorrow…

Make-up Day: pick a WOD from the past week to make up OR choose a FOOTBALL-themed WOD off the board
Regular schedule:
9 & 10a- All Levels CrossFit w Lis
11a- Advanced CrossFit w Lis

SUNDAY – 12n class ONLY (w Dyer)

“Charles Bronson”
5 rounds for time:
3 deadlifts @ 80% of 1 rep max
11 box jumps 24″/20″
21 pushups

MONDAY – 12n class ONLY (w Lis)

Football WOD!
In any order:
50 sledge hammer strikes
50 tire flips
40′ seated sled drag (arms only)
40′ sled drag legs
40′ prowler push
5 shuttle runs

FRI 8.30.13 Wear your colors day! Read More »