Search

June 2013

To Helen Back shirt order deadline today

Recommit to your training this summer by participating in our Summer Challenge as we take on “Helen”:
3 rounds for time –
400m run
21 kettlebell swings
12 pull ups
You decide to participate at the scaled, Rx or Rx+ levels. On June 29th, we’ll do our preliminary testing. Then we’ll bust our butts in the gym over the next six weeks, with some specialized programming focused on improving our running, kettlebell swings and pull ups. We retest Helen again on August 10th at the Challenge Finals, doing the exact same version of Helen you did at prelims. Prizes will be awarded in all three divisions for most improved & fastest times.
For $30, you can get in the game with a chance to win cash and other awesome prizes! And we’ll cap it all off with our Finals Party that afternoon.
Challengers also score a Tshirt (ladies get a choice of tank or T), access to weekly Ninja Run Club sessions to work on your running form (without counting toward your weekly attendance!), and bonus skill sessions.
Register by the end of the day today online or at the box to guarantee yourself a shirt. Let’s all go TO HELEN BACK!
***In case you have conflicts with the Challenge dates, don’t fret! We’ll also offer some makeup testing dates for those who can’t attend on 6/29 & 8/10.

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. Back squat: 3-3-3+
B. “Michael”:
3 rounds for time –
800m run
50 situps
50 back extensions or supermans

And coming tomorrow…

A. High hang clean: 2-2-2-2-2
B. As many rounds & reps as possible in 12 minutes:
5 Kettlebell snatch R
5 Kettlebell snatch L
10 burpees

MON 06.17.13 To Helen Back shirt orders due today! Read More »

Food as Fuel recap

We had a great showing for last night’s Food as Fuel session. The basis of the paleo diet: eat meat & vegetables, nuts & seeds, little starch, some fruit and no sugar.
After you master those basics, I shared my TOP 6 NUTRITION RULES TO REACH YOUR GOALS:
1. Drink more water.
2. Drink less booze. When you do drink booze, stick to red wine or clear liquor mixed with with club soda or water. Sawwwwwy beer snobs. DISCLAIMER: alcohol is still broken down as sugar in your body. And it’s a neurotoxin, so if you wonder why you’re so depressed/anxious/ADD after a bender of a weekend, MAYBE it’s the booze (But maybe it’s also all the $ you spent. I digress).
3. Sleep 8 hours in a cool, dark room. If you have trouble with this, try winding down earlier, turn off the TV/computer/smartphone, turn down the lights and try a natural supplement that includes magnesium sulfate, melatonin, zinc and/or GABA… different stuff works for everyone.
4. Eat breakfast. It doesn’t have to be “breakfast food.” I often eat dinner for breakfast. Eff all that breakfast for dinner noise. Unless it’s bacon. Bacon goes with every meal.
5. Then throw in a few supplements: fish oil, vitamin D3, probiotics & digestive enzymes.
6. Post-workout is NOT the time to skimp on calories. Get some protein into your system within 45 minutes… preferably a high quality supplement like SFH.

Rowing class is taking the summer off

We’re gonna give Uran a few months off to make way for you guys to take advantage of our Tuesday Ninja Training & Gymnastics classes. But we have a super fun rowing event in the works for the fall, so stay tuned for details!

FREE PARK WOD SUNDAY AT 10a!

Join the Instructor Training Program students for a free park WOD in the Active Oval at Piedmont Park on Sunday morning.

Matt C won these abdominal muscles in last year’s Summer Challenge. You could be CFM’s next abtastic member. Register by Monday & you also get an awesome new CFM shirt!

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. Deadlift: 3-3-3+
B. 10 min goat work
C. Grace:
30 clean & jerks for time 135/95#

And coming tomorrow…TEAM WORKOUT

Team Chipper:
20 hands-behind-head abmat sit ups (strict: don’t swing arms for momentum)
20 supermans
20 air squats
20 double unders (sub 20 burpees)
20 kettlebell swings 53/35
20 pull ups
20 hand-release push ups (MODIFY WITH BAND ON HIPS)
20 mountain climbers
20 walking lunge steps
200m row
Teammate 1 starts at station 1. Teammate 2 goes to station 1 once teammate 1 moves on to station 2. Teammate 3 goes to station 1 once teammate 3 moves to station 2 and teammate 1 moves to station 3. Teammate 4 moves to station 1 once teammate 3 moves to station 2 and teammate 2 moves to station 3 and teammate 1 moves to station 4. Athletes cannot advance stations until station in front is clear.

FRI 06.13.13 Food as Fuel recap Read More »

Join the Summer Challenge!

Need a way to recommit to training this summer? It’s time for our Summer Challenge – a six-week event during which we’ll test & then retest “Helen”, a benchmark workout with running, kettlebell swings & pull ups.
On Saturday, June 29th, we’ll hold our prelims event when everyone will do Helen. Then over the six weeks that follow, we’ll offer a few skill workshops and do some specialized programming to improve your Helen score. On Saturday, August 10th, we retest Helen again, give prizes to the most improved & fastest players, AND throw a nice lil party afterward to celebrate!
Get in the game: $30 gets you a tshirt, access to Lindsay’s weekly Ninja Run Club each week (without using one of your weekly classes, so you can work on your form fo’ free!), a chance to win cash & other prizes, and invite to the Finals party!
Register HERE or in the box by Monday to get your shirt!

Food as Fuel nutrition workshop tonight w Lis from 7-7:45 at CFM!

Check out Adam at last year’s Summer Challenge prelims, doing pull ups in the green band. Dude is a PULL-UP MACHINE now!

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. Back Squat: 3-3-3+
B. AMRAP in 12 minutes of:
3 Burpees AFAP*
10 Double Unders (50 Singles) AFAP*
30 second rest

*AS FAST AS POSSIBLE.

And coming tomorrow…BENCHMARK FRIDAY!

A. Deadlift: 3-3-3+
B. 10 min goat work
C. Grace:
30 clean & jerks for time 135.95#

06.12.13 Our 2013 Summer Challenge: To Helen Back! Read More »

Mobility Resources

by Uran
I see this happen all the time. As people start to filter in a little early for class, everyone has a tendency to just stand there staring at the current class while they work out. I’m not judging. I do it too. It’s a nice time to catch up with your CFM friends. But if you’re coming in early, why not make good use of the time you’ve dedicated to the gym by getting a little extra work in?
Make a habit of getting in some foam-rolling (see below) or mobility work while you wait for class to start. If you have no idea where to begin when it comes to mobility, there are some great posters hanging up by the rowers that can give you some ideas. They’re RIGHT THERE, so it’s super easy to work on something. No excuses.
You can also check out MobilityWod. While some of the site content is only available via a paid subscription, there are still TONS of free videos. They even make it really easy to find something related to a specific area of the body or a particular CrossFit movement with the filters at the top of the page. So, get this: You can peep the CFM programming for that day on the blog, watch a quick mobility video related to a movement you’ll be doing, and spend that extra 5-10 minutes before class becoming even more prepared for the WOD. Great idea, huh?

Speaking of mobility…Yoga class with Beth is today at 12n!

Rowing class with Uran is tonight at 7p!

Rowing WOD:
1k time trial (get on the leaderboard!)
rest 6:00, then,
10 rounds of row 1:30, rest 0:30.

Foam Rolling Infographic
Kay rockin’ the push presses.

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. Press: 3-3-3+
B. Kelly:
Five rounds for time of –
Run 400 meters
30 Box jump, 24/20″
30 Wall ball shots, 20/14#

*Newbies: scale down rounds, jump height and ball weight as needed!

And coming tomorrow…

A. Back Squat: 3-3-3+
B. AMRAP in 12 minutes of:
3 Burpees AFAP*
10 Double Unders (50 Singles) AFAP*
30 second rest

*AS FAST AS POSSIBLE.

WED 06.12.13 Mobility Resources Read More »

Food as Fuel Nutrition Q&A is Thurs night!

We LOVE it when you share your goals on the board every month at CFM. Many of this month’s goals revolve around “getting shredded” or “finding my abs” or some other form of losing body fat. Well guess what… your nutrition is about 70% responsible for your physique. If those ab muscles are covered up with body fat, you’re never gonna see them.
So come out Thursday night to learn how basic eating habits like eating whole foods, using proper supplements, and pre/post workout nutrition can help you look, feel and perform better… and maybe even bring those abs out to play this summer.
If you have specific questions or concerns, post them here in the comments OR on the FB event page and we’ll be sure to cover it!

Join the fun with Lindsay’s Ninja Training class tonight at 7p (meet at CFM at 7 or Piedmont Park Active Oval at 7:15p)
Gymnastics class with Coach Cassie is tonight at 8p. WE ARE WORKING ON BODYWEIGHT EXERCISES NOT TRAINING FOR THE OLYMPICS. Don’t be afraid to give it a try!
Tonight’s 8p Gymnastics Workout:
Skill: Handstand Push Ups (kipping progressions)
WOD:
3 Rds for Quality of –
5 In/Outs (with push up and dip) on parallettes
10 Ring Rows (feet elevated above ring height)
10 sec L-Hold on Rings

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. Hang clean: 2-2-2-2-2
B. Complete 4 rounds (30 min cap)
Complete the following cycle 7 times:
Power Clean
Front Squat
Push Press
Back Squat
Rack Jerk
Rest 90 seconds between rounds

*Do not drop the weight during a round. Stay connected through the round. 
*If weight is dropped, count number of drops and perform an equal amount of burpees as a penalty.
*Work up the heaviest weight possible. 

And coming tomorrow…

A. Press: 3-3-3+
B. Kelly:
Five rounds for time of –
Run 400 meters
30 Box jump, 24/20″
30 Wall ball shots, 20/14#

*Newbies: scale down rounds, jump height and ball weight as needed!

TUES 06.11.13 Food as Fuel is THURSDAY 7p Read More »

Strong IS beautiful!

Check out the new neon tanks in the Pro Shop. We got turquoise, yellow & orange. The XS, S & M sizes are for our CFM Barbelles with a special Strong is Beautiful message on the back. For the fellas, we got some M & L sized ones with only the CFM logo on the front. All tanks are $15

Congrats to Instructor Training Program student Tirzah on coaching her first workouts this weekend. Join the fun at the park again this Sunday at 10a for a free park WOD & at 10:30 for Hooverball.

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. Front Squat: 3-3-3+
B. 12 min AMRAP:
5 Thrusters
5 Toes to Bar
10 Mountain Climbers (5 ea)

And coming tomorrow…

A. Hang clean: 2-2-2-2-2
B. Complete 2-4 rounds (30 min cap)
Complete the following cycle 7 times:
Power Clean
Front Squat
Push Press
Back Squat
Rack Jerk
Rest 90 seconds between rounds

*Do not drop the weight during a round. Stay connected through the round. 
*If weight is dropped, count number of drops and perform an equal amount of burpees as a penalty.
*Work up the heaviest weight possible. 

06.10.13 Strong is beautiful 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 »

Who’s sore?

Your first month of CrossFit can be full of muscle soreness. Here are some tips to help you through it:
1) Get moving: I know, it’s the hardest thing to do when your muscles are sore, but GET MOVING! Go for a walk or easy jog, come to yoga class (included in your membership – classes are Wed 12n, Thurs 8:15p & Sun 6p) or get back to the box for another workout (if you’re super sore, it’s okay to move at half-speed or modify the workout).
2) Hydrate! Drinking more water will help flush toxins and lactic acid from your body.
3) Eat well! The Paleo diet* is designed to reduce inflammation in your system. Increase the protein in your diet and cut out inflammatory food groups like processed carbs (grains & gluten & sugar), dairy and legumes. Unfortunately, that post-WOD beer also won’t speed your recovery (but it might temporarily numb the pain :)).
4) Use healthy supplements NOT pain killers! Ibuprofen and other pain killers can inhibit muscle growth and stress your liver. Instead, invest in some good recovery supplements like SFH Recovery protein, fish oil & the new Nighttime Recovery formula sold in the CFM Pro Shop. These will help reduce inflammation, increase muscle growth and speed recovery so you get back to 100% faster! Like all other SARMs, Ligandrol was developed to aid the treatment of medical conditions like osteoporosis and muscle wasting.
5) Use other recovery aids. Soak in a warm Epsom salts bath, get a massage and/or use a foam roller or lacrosse ball to help get the lactic acid and soreness moving out of your system.
Hang in there & keep up the good work. Your coaches are here to help. Let us know if you have other recovery questions!

*Food as Fuel class

Join Lis next Thursday night 6/13 at 7p for a free workshop to learn the details of the Paleo diet and get answers to all your nutrition & supplement questions.

Bridget hearts wall balls.

Workout of the Day

A. Deadlift:3-3-3+
B. Every minute on the minute for 10 minutes:
12 walking lunges (odd rounds)
10 hand release push ups (even rounds)
C. Planks: Accumulate 2 min each in center, left & right side plank

And coming tomorrow…Benchmark Friday

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

Sub 3x singles for DUs

THURS 06.05.13 Who’s sore? Read More »

Hooverball & community park WODs are back!

by Uran
Join the crew Sunday morning at the Piedmont Park Active Oval at 10a for a free park workout, then stay at 10:30a for the triumphant return of Hooverball!
If you don’t know what Hooverball is, no problem. Most people don’t! We’re trying to change that. There is no experience necessary, and the lovely Hooverball Committee (Carlos, Tirzah, and Brianne) will be on-hand to explain the rules and answer any questions.
All you need to know is that it’s super fun and a great way to get moving on Sunday. Even if you’re not sure, get out to the park to watch and cheer. The weather forecast for Sunday is looking mighty fine, so there is no excuse not to be outside soaking it in.
Bring your friends! Hooverball & park WODs are open to anyone who wants to come play.

Brianne & the Baconators crushing some Hooverball at the Field Day.

Workout of the Day

A. Weighted pull up: 3-3-3+ OR Strict pull ups OR negatives (with last set of burnout pull ups in a band)
B. As many rounds as possible in 20 minutes of:
:30 handstand hold
:30 L-sit hold
:30 bottom of squat hold
:30 chin over bar hold

*Count accumulated time holding position only. Rest time doesn’t count!

And coming tomorrow…

A. Deadlift:3-3-3+
B. Every minute on the minute for 10 minutes:
12 walking lunges (odd rounds)
10 hand release push ups (even rounds)
C. Planks: Accumulate 2 min each in center, left & right side plank

WED 06.05.13 Hooverball is back! Read More »

Soak it in!

I am so proud of the coaching team we’re building at CFM. Our team is devoted to helping you all achieve the highest level of fitness you can. Make the most of the access you have to these amazing coaches!
We’re SO FORTUNATE to have Olympic Bronze medalist Cheryl Haworth working with us to coach Olympic Lifting now. Join Cheryl for Open Gym this Saturday from 12n-2p to work on Olympic Lifting.
You’ve also got a few more rock star coaches in Cassie & Lindsay, leading specialty classes tonight.
Cassie’s new weekly gymnastics class starts tonight at 8p. Do you need help with handstands, rope climbs, pistols, muscle ups or some other body weight movement? Well NOW is the time to improve your gymnastics skills. Cassie is a former youth gymnastics coach & college cheerleader. She is also CrossFit Gymnastics certified and JUST attended Carl Paoli’s Movement Mechanics seminar on Sunday.
The class will feature a 15-minute warm up, mobility & flexibility work, followed by 30 minutes of skill work and about 15 minutes at the end for a workout.
Here’s tonight’s Gymnastics WOD:
As many quality reps/rounds in 8 minutes of:
6 Pistols
8 Push ups
10 V-Ups
AND, back again this week, you can check out Lindsay’s Ninja Training class tonight at 7p. Lindsay was a track star at UNC Chapel Hill. Her class focuses on running technique, sprints and Meet for class at CFM at 7p or over at Piedmont Park in the Active Oval at 7:15.
Here’s tonight’s Ninja Training WOD:
A. A Skip, B Skip, C Skip, Alternating Fast Leg, Duck Walk, Crab Walk, High Knees, Butt Kicks. Each drill 50m with 50m jog x2.
B. Fire Hydrants, Scorpions, Iron Cross, Shoulder Rolls & 5 min stretch
C. 10x100m with 60 seconds rest between each sprint.

Enjoy the expertise!

Specialty classes this week:

Tues 7p – Ninja Training w Lindsay
Tues 8p – Gymnastics with Cassie
Wed 12n – Yoga with Beth
Wed 7p – Rowing with Uran
Thurs 8p – Beginners CrossFit with Cassie
Thurs 8:15p – Yoga with Laura
Sat 9a – Beginners CrossFit with Cassie
Sat 12n-2p – Olympic Lifting Open Gym with Cheryl
Sun 6p – Yoga with Monica

CFM’s newly appointed Social Chair Alison is hosting a Happy Hour this Friday at Steamhouse Lounge. Join her for a post-WOD (or just post-work) beverage from 6 to 8pm at Steamhouse on Friday!
Which way to the Happy Hour, Lee?

Workout of the Day

A. Clean: 2-2-2-2-2
B. For time:
6 Power Cleans 135#/95#
2 muscle-ups*
4 Power Cleans 135#/95#
4 muscle-ups
2 Power Cleans 135#/95#
6 muscle-ups

*Sub 3 dips & 3 chest to bar pull ups for 1 muscle up (or 6 of each in round 1, 12 of each in round 2, 18 of each in round 3)

And coming tomorrow…

A. Weighted pull up: 3-3-3+ OR Strict pull ups OR negatives (with last set of burnout pull ups in a band)
B. As many rounds as possible in 20 minutes of:
:30 handstand hold
:30 L-sit hold
:30 bottom of squat hold
:30 chin over bar hold

*Count accumulated time holding position only. Rest time doesn’t count!

TUES 06.04.13 Gymnastics class starts tonight! Read More »

Scroll to Top