Double Unders

Increasing Your Rowing Intensity

by Rowing instructor & ITPer Uran
If you’ve been coming to rowing class or just checking out the programming, you may have noticed a trend. We did a 2k time trial on May 1st, and the past couple weeks’ workouts have been based on your average 2k split time, or the time it takes to row 500m. The focus this month is on increasing our rowing intensity.
Even if you have no interest in rowing specifically, it’s still built into some of the CrossFit programming. Whether during the warm-up or “Jackie” (or in tomorrow’s 1k time trial during the regular class WOD), good technique goes a long way, and it never hurts to be faster, particularly if being on the erg makes you cringe!
Once you’ve established safe rowing technique, you can start to work on rowing more efficiently by applying more power and slowing the recovery. On the drive back from the starting position, increase your power by engaging the legs at the start. Only when the legs are almost completely extended should you open the hips and follow through with the arms. On the recovery, do that in reverse, but take your time. You’re not doing yourself any favors by rushing back up for another pull. Remember that it’s called recovery for a reason, and a good rule of thumb is the recovery period should be twice as long as the stroke. Here’s what that looks like:

Rowing class tonight at 7p!

Here’s the workout: 1 x 6 min at 2k split time
2 x 5 min at 2k split minus 1 sec
3 x 4 min at 2k split minus 2 sec
2 x 3 min at 2k split minus 3 sec
1 x 2 min at 2k split minus 4 sec

Rest 1:30 between each segment.

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. Bench Press: 5-5-5+
B. As many rounds & reps as possible in 15 minutes of:
5 situps
6 box jumps 30/24
7 kb swings 53/35

And coming tomorrow…

A. Max ring rows: 3 sets max reps ring rows or supine ring pull ups. Rest 5 min between sets.
B. Double unders: 10 min double under skill work OR
Advanced athletes attempt OPT’s “FLIGHT SIMULATOR”:
5 unbroken double unders
10 unbroken double unders
15 unbroken double unders
20 unbroken double unders
25 unbroken double unders
30 unbroken double unders
35 unbroken double unders
40 unbroken double unders
45 unbroken double unders
50 unbroken double unders
45 unbroken double unders
40 unbroken double unders
35 unbroken double unders
30 unbroken double unders
25 unbroken double unders
20 unbroken double unders
15 unbroken double unders
10 unbroken double unders
5 unbroken double unders

You MUST stop in between sets (the rope must stop).
Once you miss at one level three times in a row, work back down the ladder.

C. Rowing time trial: 1k row for time (LEADERBOARD WOD!)

WED 05.21.13 Increasing your rowing intensity Read More »

Rowing class rescheduled THIS WEEK ONLY

This week’s rowing class will be held on Thurs night at 7p instead of Wednesday… we’ll be back on regular schedule next week.

Self-Defense seminar SATURDAY

CrossFit alone won’t protect you on the mean streets of Midtown… no seriously.
Learn to avoid, escape and evade violent persons and situations. This seminar is designed to teach students of all defensive skill levels basic, but effective techniques to subdue/overcome would-be attackers. Not only is the emphasis put on the physical techniques necessary for personal protection, but attention is drawn to the number one means of self-preservation: avoidance. Attendees will delve into the psychology of violence, learn how not to become a victim (in & outside the home), develop a means for effective striking and power production, and understand the importance of fitness (particularly CrossFit) to fighting. This self-defense course is designed specifically to empower people with the strategies and tactics to survive a violent situation.

Seminar Goals:
• Improve your understanding of violence
• Dispel some popular myths about self-defense
• Teach proper and effective striking
• Teach you how to avoid and/or escape common threats/attacks

When: Saturday, May 18th, 11a-1p
Where: CFM front room
Cost: $60 for CFM students, $70 for guests
Register here.

Last night’s birthday WOD… congrats to all who survived. Especially those who took the shot-drinking option.

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. Weighted pull up: 3-3-3+ (same weight as last week) OR 3-3-3+ strict pull ups OR 3-3-3+ negatives (add weight to negstives if possible)
B. “THE DONALD”:
For time – 21-15-9
Hang clean 135/95
Double unders (singles x 3)
As his farewell gift, I asked Don to write today’s workout. This is a farewell WOD for Coach Don & his lovely fiance Nina, moving away this week to Charlotte, NC. We’ll miss you crazy kids! Especially Nina!

And coming tomorrow…

A. Back squat: 5-5-5+
Three sets. Rest 2-3 minutes between sets. Use same weight all sets. Last set is a BURNOUT set. Go to FAILURE. Use 75% of 1RM OR adjust last week’s weight according to Thurs blog).
B. 5 Rounds for max reps: 1) One minute max reps wall ball two-fers 20/14# 2) One minute max reps rope climb 3) Rest
Start at any station & rotate for 5 rounds
Beginners: sub wall balls & ring rows

ROWING CLASS AT 7… moved to Thurs night this week only!

WED 05.15.13 Farewell Don & Nina! Read More »

Happy First Anniversary to CFM!

Thanks to everyone for making our first year a wild success. You are all an inspiration to the CFM coaches and we promise to do our best to continue making CFM an amazingly fun place to train and become stronger & healthier!
Here’s to many more memories, parties, sweat puddles, burpee penalties, inchworms, Animal Warm-Up Fridays, Whole Life Challenges, theme WODs, PRs and so much more here at Atlanta’s School of Elite Fitness. CFM Pterodactyls 4-EVA! 🙂

Ninja training (run club) tonight at 7p with Lindsay

Meet at CFM at 7 or the Piedmont Park Active Oval at 7:15 for a sprint workout. Class will conclude in time for the birthday WOD.

BIRTHDAY WOD at 8pm!!!

Bring a friend or roll solo. Either way, please come play and celebrate our one-year anniversary. Wear your favorite party hat and prepare to break a sweat and have some fun. There will be drinking and non-drinking versions of this special WOD. Join us afterward for some birthday cake!

Self-Defense seminar with Walter is Saturday

Learn to avoid, escape and evade violent persons and situations. This seminar is designed to teach students of all defensive skill levels basic, but effective techniques to subdue/overcome would-be attackers. Not only is the emphasis put on the physical techniques necessary for personal protection, but attention is drawn to the number one means of self-preservation: avoidance. Attendees will delve into the psychology of violence, learn how not to become a victim (in & outside the home), develop a means for effective striking and power production, and understand the importance of fitness (particularly CrossFit) to fighting. This self-defense course is designed specifically to empower people with the strategies and tactics to survive a violent situation.

When: Saturday, May 18th, 11a-1p
Where: CrossFit Midtown
Cost: $60 for CFM students, $70 for guests
Register here.

Flashback to a year ago – P-Lane & Kenley were the first students to take a class at CFM, last May 14th at 6am! Thanks to everyone who made this year so special. The CFM community wouldn’t be the same without each and every one of you!

Workout of the Day (WOD)

BIRTHDAY WOD AT 8PM! It’s a SURPRISE party… we’ll tell you the WOD when you arrive. SURPRISE! We won’t be doing the same WOD as other Tuesday classes. Friends & visitors are welcome. This doesn’t count toward your weekly attendance limits.

All other classes –
A. Hang snatch: 2-2-2-2-2
B. Overhead squat (OHS): 5-5-5+ (use 75% of last week’s weight)
C. For time: 10 OHS :10 plank hold
10 OHS :20 plank hold
10 OHS :30 plank hold
10 OHS :40 plank hold
10 OHS :50 plank hold
*Use 75% of the weight from part B.

And coming tomorrow…

A. Weighted pull up: 3-3-3+ (same weight as last week) OR 3-3-3+ strict pull ups OR 3-3-3+ negatives (weighted if possible)
B. “THE DONALD”:
For time – 21-15-9
Hang clean 135/95
Double unders (singles x 3)
As his farewell gift, I asked Don to write today’s workout. This is a farewell WOD for Coach Don & his lovely fiance Nina, moving away this week to Charlotte, NC. We’ll miss you crazy kids! Especially Nina!

TUES 05.14.13 Happy birthday to us! Read More »

This month’s O-lifting focus

In case you didn’t already know it, TUESDAY IS OLYMPIC LIFTING DAY. Every Tuesday, the programming features some version of the snatch or clean & jerk. SPOILER ALERT AHEAD…
For the month of May, we’re focusing on the snatch. Today, we’ll do several sets of two reps each of the full snatch. Power snatch if you must, but you should also know, this month’s programming ALSO features a focus on overhead squats. Coincidence? NOPE. It’s time to work on our overhead squats in order to clean up those snatches. There. I said it.
Next week we’ll do hang snatches, the following week we’ll break it down further into some high-hang snatches, and on the final Tuesday of the month we’ll do a three-position snatch (each set will include a snatch rep pulling from the high-hang, the hang and the floor positions).
Some CFM students tell me they avoid Tuesdays because “I hate snatches.” or “I’m so bad at that stuff.” I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: we’re all adults. It’s up to you to decide which workouts you want to come in for, and which you want to avoid. BUT if you asked me for ONE discipline/sport/area to work on, within CrossFit, that would positively impact and improve ALLLLLL the rest of your CrossFit game & skills… I would say it’s Olympic Lifting. Keep at it. Be patient. Listen to your coaches and push through the frustrating times. Eventually, after LOTS of reps, things will start to click. Trust me.

NO CLASSES AT CFM SATURDAY!

We’ll hold ONE WOD Saturday at 10am over at the Piedmont Park Active Oval. So come for that OR PLEASE join us for the entire Field Day, Saturday morning from 9a-12noon. All proceeds benefit Strong4Life. Email Tirzah if you’d like to volunteer or if you still want to register a team.

ANNIVERSARY PARTY SATURDAY 7-10p AT CFM!

Here’s why you should come:
Someone’s tongue might get stuck to this thing!

Today’s snatch motivation:

Check it out as Elisabeth Akinwale (8th at last year’s CrossFit Games) PRs her snatch at 190#

Ninja Training is tonight at 7 with Lindsay!

Meet at CFM at 7p OR at the Piedmont Park Active Oval at 7:15 (meet them on the edge of the Oval, at the stairs closest to the 14th St gate). Don’t be late! These ninjas only stay in the Active Oval for warm-up… some days, they slither* off to other parts of the park by 7:25, so catch them before they enter stealth mode.
*Do ninjas slither? Traipse? Galivant?

Workout of the Day

A. Snatch: 2-2-2-2-2
Rest 2-3 minutes between sets. DO 1-2 WARM UP SETS. Use 80-85% of your 1 rep max from last week.
B. For time: 20 rounds
10 double unders or 20 singles
10 abmat situps

And coming tomorrow…

20 min to find 1-rep max bench press THEN…
2 min to find max standing broad jump THEN…
2 rounds:
1 min max plyo push ups
1 min max overhead lunges 45#/25#

No rest between movements/rounds.

ALSO WEDNESDAY: Yoga with Beth at 12n & Rowing with Uran at 7p!

TUES 05.07.13 Snatchy snatch snatch Read More »

HAPPY ANIMAL WARM-UP FRIDAY!

We wish you all a fabulous weekend. For everyone enjoying Music Midtown, be safe & have fun! We should totally play some Animal or Dog Days or Monkey Wrench in class today… name those artists.

Hooverball, free WOD & yoga in the park!

As usual, we’re playing hooverball this Sunday on the Piedmont Park sand volleyball courts at 10am. Come out to play. It’s easy to learn and a great time!!
Next Sunday, we’re moving our monthly community WOD from lululemon howell mill to the park. Meet at the sand volleyball courts at 10am for a warm-up and free WOD (open to the public, suitable for all fitness/skill levels) followed by our weekly Hooverball game.
THEN, Sunday night at 5:30, let’s head back to Piedmont Park to join our friends at lululemon howell mill for 10th & Flow, a huge donation-based yoga event at Piedmont Park, raising funds for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s Strong4Life… an organization fighting childhood obesity.

Yoga is also coming to CFM, Wednesdays at 1:15pm

CrossFitters need yoga. We can all benefit from being more mobile, mindful and having better body control. That’s why we’re psyched to announce that CrossFit Midtown will be adding yoga classes to our regular schedule. Eventually, we aim to offer four classes a week at various times, but we’re starting with one.
When: Wednesdays at 1:15pm beginning next week on 9/26 (by the end of the year we plan to regularly offer other yoga classes including week night and weekend options)
Where: In the box
Who can attend?: All CFM students are welcome to attend. This will count as one of your regular weekly classes, so you will check in as usual. Guests are also welcome to join the class for a $20 drop-in fee.
Who’s teaching?:Beth was the first student to register at CrossFit Midtown! Aside from being #1, she’s also a talented yoga instructor, so I am thrilled to add her class to the CFM schedule!

Jump Rope Seminar at CFM on Oct 20th

Molly Metz, world jump-rope champion (yes, apparently they have competitions for that stuff!) and viral video legend (see her video of 10-minutes non-stop double unders below), is coming to CFM on Saturday, October 20 for a jump-rope workshop from 9 to 11 am. You’ll be a double under pro after she’s done with you. Cost is $45. Register here.
*CFM’s 10 am class will relocate to Piedmont Park on 10/20, but the 11am class will be held at the box as regularly scheduled.

Coach Jeremy & Coach Krystol

Workout of the Day

A. Deadlift: 4 sets of 8, rest 2:30
B. 7 sets*:
10 Abmat Sit-ups**
20 KB Swings
60 Jump rope singles**
rest 60sec

*Goal is all movements unbroken
**Advanced athletes scale up to GHD sit-ups. Scale up to double-unders ONLY if you can complete all DU rounds in 3 sets or less. If scaling up to GHDs and DUs, increase rest between rounds to 90sec.

09.21.12 ANIMAL WARM-UP FRIDAY Read More »

Whole Life Challenge

I know, I know…you’re tired of hearing about the Whole Life Challenge and how you should totally get into the game. You’re all, “Goodness gracious, I already play pretty close to these rules… why do I need to pay for a Challenge?” or “I know I’m not going to be perfect, so why even play?”
Or, my personal favorite, “I don’t want to be excommunicated just because I don’t participate.”
To be clear, there will be no excommunication.. there WILL BE a lot of people around the gym getting healthier, improving at WODs/lifts, leaning out/bulking up, and just developing better life habits in general. Soooo, if you feel excluded, it’s only because MORE THAN 30 of your CFM-mates are already in the game.

I know eight weeks is a big commitment. You don’t have to be a hermit. We’ll plan group outings that have nothing to do with non-WLC-approved foods/activities. I’m talking hiking, rock climbing, gun range, trampolining, roller derby… etc…

Just take it day by day and create a better life for yourself. Still on the fence? Check out this testimonial…

Email us or come to the Pre-Challenge Huddle if you have more questions. Don’t let self-doubt leave you out of the game…You can do it.

Mark your calendars for upcoming WLC cahoots:
Saturday, September 8 at noon- WLC Pre-Challenge Huddle
Friday, September 14- WLC Eve Not-Paleo Potluck
Saturday, September 15- WLC Prelims
Friday, October 12- Paleo Potluck
Saturday, November 10- WLC Finals, Awards Ceremony and Finals Party

International Make-Fred-Run Day

Workout of the Day

Ring Dips As many reps as possible. Rest 5 minutes. 3 Rounds.

7 sets (shooting for 1:00 rds):
10 thrusters 75/55
5 push ups
25 double unders (or 25 singles)
Rest 1 min

MON 08.20.12 HAPPY BDAY COURTNEY! Read More »

Member survey

Thanks to everyone who already completed the member survey emailed out yesterday. As you probably noticed, CrossFit Midtown is growing! So we’re constantly making changes to accommodate the growth and make sure CFM continues to be an awesome place to train. We’ll be modifying the schedule some for the month of August, just to test out a few new class times and see what works. We’re also ordering more equipment, which will be arriving in waves over the next month…including…drumroll…additional rowers, AirDynes, pull up bars, climbing ropes, barbells and more!
If you haven’t already filled out the survey, please do so, and give as much detail as possible when responding. It’s ONLY NINE QUESTIONS! Thanks for your feedback in making CFM better and better!
Email Lis if you didn’t receive the survey.

Paleo Diet

What is this paleo diet you CrossFitters speak of? I know, I know, CrossFit has a language of its own… *WOD, AMRAP, 3RM*… PALEO.
Here at CFM, our goal is to educate you about making healthier life choices, beginning with being active, but also in other parts of life – like your food choices. Take advantage of the resources we offer to learn more about eating better, so you can look, feel and perform better on a daily basis.
Library – did you know CFM has a library of books on various topics, including the paleo and primal diets? Ask a staff member how you can “check out” a book like Mark Sisson’s The Primal Blueprint, Robb Wolf’s The Paleo Solution, Melissa & Dallas Hartwig’s It Starts with Food, and many more.
Nutrition counseling – did you know your membership includes basic nutrition counseling? Once a month, you can send Lis a three-day food log to get her evaluation and feedback. Email Lis and she’ll send you the Google document for you to track everything you eat/drink, moods, sleep and activity over three days.
Paleo Night at Urban Pl8 – it’s next week. Join us Tuesday night, 7/31 at 8:30 pm for a delicious four-course paleo meal at Urban Pl8, to see how delicious paleo eating can be! Sign up for dinner in the gym or by emailing Alicia.
Food as Fuel – Saturday, August 11th, 12-1:30 – free to members, $25 for guests. We offer this workshop every other month to help you make better nutrition choices, teach you grocery shopping tips, what to order at a restaurant and other ways to make eating WHOLE FOODS a habit.

***CrossFit acronyms decoded: WOD – Workout of the Day; AMRAP – As many rounds/reps as possible; 3RM – 3 rep max (in weightlifting, the maximum amount of weight you can lift for three consecutive repetitions).

Bri, Carolyn and Matt C on power cleans.

Workout of the Day

3 sets of 10 strict press, rest 3:00
3 Rds (1 minute round, 1 minute rest):
5 wall balls
10 kb swings
20 double unders or singles
4 min rest
3 more rounds (1 minute round, 1 minute rest):
5 wall balls
10 kb swings
20 double unders or singles

-Select medicine ball, kettlebell and jump rope modifications based on a goal of a 1:00 round.
-If you cannot complete 20 double unders unbroken (or with no more than 1 break), do singles.
-If you do singles, you will complete 5 wall balls, 10 kettlebell swings, and then jump rope for the remainder of the minute.

-After each round, rest one minute… with the exception of round 3 (four minutes rest between Rd 3 & Rd 4). Complete six total rounds.

Don’t worry, we’ll explain in class!

WED 07.25.12 Read More »

Uran killing that Hooverball serve.

Athlete Profile – Urán Piedra

Hometown: Lawrenceville (OTP)
Age: 25 and I’ve got a BIRTHDAY COMING UP ON AUGUST 5TH!!! Just sayin 😉
Occupation: Sales/Marketing/Accounting/Finance/Operations at a biotech startup
When did you first start CrossFitting?: I actually spent about 3 months or so at BTB a few years back, but I just restarted Crossfit when I joined CFM about three weeks ago. Since then, I have been working out every day. I am soon planning to buy peptides usa as well to burn the excessive stubborn fat I have.
Favorite WOD: I don’t really know them well yet. Modified Annie seemed pretty good.
Least Favorite WOD: Fran *shivers*
Three words to describe you: Determined, resourceful, hungry
Tell us about your sports & fitness background: I was not at all athletic until college when I joined the crew team. That’s when I really started to get the motivation to want to improve my physical fitness. For the past few years though, my workouts have been sporadic at best.
How did you first get exposed to CrossFit? Take us back to your first WOD… what was it, and how did it feel? My first exposure to CF was through BTB’s boot camp years ago. We got free Saturday classes at the gym as part of the boot camp, so I went in that first Saturday and did something called “Helen on Crack”. I don’t remember what they added to Helen, but it was brutal.
What sort of changes have you seen in your body, health and fitness since starting CF (before/after)? So far nothing major, but its only been three weeks. 🙂
What sort of changes in your life have you experienced out of taking on something like CrossFit that were totally unexpected? Seeing how amazing the community is at CFM. Everyone there is so nice and welcoming. To be honest, Crossfit intimidated the hell out of me, but I’m constantly blown away by how friendly and helpful the people are.
Please share with us any favorite CrossFit/CFM moments: HOOVERBALL! It’s seriously awesome even if you’re terrible and uncoordinated like I am. Also, the Fran challenge was really cool to watch. Actually participating was another story, but watching the heat before mine was really inspiring.
Any advice for people just getting started? Listen to your coach, and don’t get discouraged. Some of the movements are really complex and take people years to get right, so if you don’t get it the first day, don’t beat yourself up. Also, focus on how much you’re learning/improving day to day rather than the things you can’t do yet. Those are the things I try to remember every time I go to the gym.
What are your hobbies, interests and/or talents outside of CrossFit? I mostly just work, sleep, and eat. Not very exciting.
What did you eat today? Breakfast was coffee and a Fage greek yogurt. For lunch I brought balsamic grilled chicken, roasted broccoli, and a banana. Dinner remains to be seen.
Do you follow the paleo or primal lifestyle? What is your nutrition philosophy? I’m usually Paleo about 90% of the time. The other 10% is reserved for the occasional slice of pizza or plate of tater tots (sometimes together). Although, eating grains usually leaves me feeling horrible, so I tend to stay away.

How was your first half of 2012?

Can you believe it’s the end of June already? It seems like just yesterday I was scouring Midtown for the right gym space. And now here we are, seven weeks since opening and almost 50 members strong. I am so proud of what we’re building here, and I appreciate all of you being a part of it.

So before we dive on into July, take some time to reflect on the first half of 2012. What was awesome about it? What can you do to make the second half of 2012 even better? Set some goals for the rest of the year. Where do you want to be at the end of July…the end of the summer…the end of the year…by July 2013…July 2017…July 2022?

If you need some help with goal-setting, let me know. AND plan to attend our Goal-Setting Workshop on Wednesday, July 11 at 7pm as Rachel from lululemon howell mill will lead us through some imagination, vision and goal-setting exercises.

Hooverball is Sunday at 10!

Join us Sundays at 10 am for Hooverball in the park (meet in the Piedmont Park Active Oval, nearest the Botanical Gardens/14th St gate). It’s lots of fun. Don’t forget to bring water, sunscreen and a towel. And maybe, just maybe, we’ll do a short pre-Hooverball warm up WOD.

July 4th Holiday Schedule

CFM will be closed on Wednesday, July 4th. The 6 and 7 am classes will also be cancelled on Thursday, July 5th. All other classes next week will be held as regularly scheduled.
We’ll post a no-equipment-needed WOD on Tuesday in case you wish to get moving on your own on the 4th.

Workout of the Day

Jackie (LEADER BOARD WOD)
1000m row
50 thrusters 45/35
30 pull ups

Optional cash-out: 3 rounds of max reps unbroken jump rope double unders or single skips.

FRANDAY 06.29.12: Athlete Profile – URAN PIEDRA Read More »

Nutrition page!

Check out our new Nutrition page for a taste (haha, get it?) of what Jasmine and Lis will cover at tomorrow’s Food as Fuel workshop. Don’t miss it – Saturday at noon in the box.

This weekend:

Saturday
Classes – 9, 10, 11 am
Food as Fuel – Saturday, noon-1:30

Sunday
FREE WOD at lululemon howell mill – 10am
Hooverball at Piedmont Park sand vball courts – 11:30am

Congrats to Carlos on YET ANOTHER PR (personal record) last night.
We have temporarily renamed the bell in his honor 🙂

Workout of the Day

A. In 10 minutes, find your 1 rep max weighted pull up (strict) -OR- 10 minutes of pull up skill work

B. The Wobble
20 Walking Lunge steps (total)
20 Pull ups
20 Box Jump 24/20″
20 Ring Dips
20 Knees-to-elbows
20 Double Unders
20 Kettlebell Swings 2/1.5 pood
20 Sit ups
20 Back Extensions
20 Wall Balls 20/14 lbs
2 Rope Climbs

FRI 06.08.12 Read More »

Success Journals are in!

If you’re a Silver or Gold member, your journal is waiting for you by the white board. If you don’t get one with your membership and want to buy one, they’re $18. You are required to track your workouts, so if you don’t get a Success Journal, invest in a notebook of some sort. Starting TODAY you are as accountable as your coach for knowing your results and scores.

SIGN UP for Food as Fuel and Fran Challenge

Details and sign up sheets are up in the gym. Sign up now for Food as Fuel (Sat, 6/9 – noon-1:30; free to members) and the Fran Challenge (Prelims Sat, 6/16 – AM classes; $30 to participate…includes t-shirt, prizes and finals party).