Michael Aaron

Busy weekend!

Thanks to all who came out to Food as Fuel. Reminder that we now have a NUTRITION tab on the website, so please check it out if you missed Saturday’s seminar.
Yesterday’s free WOD at lululemon howell mill had an AMAZING turnout of 20 people… So good they want us to make it a regular thing, so stay tuned for details!
Hooverball (we played in the rain!) was also tons o’ fun. We’ll be playing again next Sunday after the free Park WOD. Be there!

Saturday schedule change

Beginning this week, our Saturday class offerings will now be at 10 and 11 am.

Join the Frantastic Voyage!

Fran Prelims are Saturday. The sign-up sheet is in the box, or you can sign up here. Who’s gonna step up to the plate?

Prelims will take place Sat, 6/16 in the 10 and 11 am classes. Heat sign-ups will be posted this week. Finals will be held Sat, 7/28 followed by the FINALS PARTY where we rehash every rep and round of our girl Fran.

Who: Anyone! All skill levels are welcome.
When: Saturday, June 16th, 2012 during 10 & 11 am classes (Finals are Sat, July 28th)
Where: CrossFit Midtown, 1122 West Peachtree St, Atlanta, GA 30309
Entry Fee: $30 (includes a t-shirt; $10 goes toward prize $$$)

Prize Purse: $10 x the number of participants PLUS prizes from other sponsors

Winners: Most Improved and Fastest in the Men’s and Women’s categories

The CHALLENGE:
“Fran”
For time:
21-15-9
Thrusters and Pull ups

Men’s Categories:
Beginner- 45# thrusters, jumping or band-assisted pull ups
Intermediate- 65# thrusters, unassisted band-assisted pull ups
Advanced- 95# thrusters, unassisted pull ups

Women’s Categories:
Beginner- 35# thrusters, jumping or band-assisted pull ups
Intermediate- 45# thrusters, jumping pull-ups or bands
Advanced- 65# thrusters, unassisted pull-ups

How to Participate:
1. GET REGISTERED – Sign up here or in the box and pay the $30 entry (remember, $10 goes back in the “kitty” for prize money).
2. SET YOUR BASELINE – Sign up for a heat the week of June 9th, then show up Saturday, June 16th to set your baseline “Fran” time. This will be the time from which we calculate your improvement.
3. TRAIN AT CROSSFIT MIDTOWN – Once per week the WOD will be a different version of “Fran”.
4. SHOW UP for the FINALS – Repeat “Fran” on Sat, July 28- hit your Personal Record (PR)!

** PRIZES will be awarded for:
Most Improved Male, Most Improved Female, Fastest Male, Fastest Female

*If you scale Fran for prelims, you will retest under same conditions.

$30 includes entry fee, t-shirt, prizes and Finals party. Deadline to register is this Wed, June 13th.

Rainy Hooverball! This pose took a lot of coaching from our CFM Historian Carlos. L-R: Lis, Amy, Jon, Uran, Sam

Workout of the Day

A. Work to 1RM Front Squat
5-3-3-1-1-1
B. 3 rds for time:
10 thrusters 95/65
15 toes to bar
50 double unders

Mon 06.11.12 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 »

I want to dance with somebody

Who wants to join us for the dance video celebrating our 400 Facebook fans?!?! Let’s film it Saturday morning. Wear your dancin’ shoes… or, dancin’ knee socks.

New Member Board

See Lis if you still need your Polaroid snapped for the New Member board.

Learn more about the Paleo food pyramid at Food as Fuel this weekend.
Free to members, $25 for guests.

Workout of the Day

The Chief
Max rounds in 3 minutes of:
135 pound Power cleans, 3 reps
6 Push-ups
9 Squats
Rest 1 minute. Repeat for a total of 5 cycles.

Each cycle starts at the beginning of the round (with 3 power cleans).
Post rounds+reps completed for each of the 5 cycles.
Goal is quality reps, as many rounds/reps as possible, as well as consistent numbers over all rounds.

Thurs 06.07.12 Read More »

Whatcha doin’ this weekend?

SO. MANY. OPTIONS.

Saturday classes – 9, 10, 11 am
We’re not strictly enforcing class levels just yet, so join us for any of the three classes to make up a WOD you missed this week.

Food as Fuel – Saturday at noon
Join Chef Richard from Pre-Made Paleo as he shares some samples and some cooking tips. Then Jasmine and Lis will get into some Q&A and tips on how to eat better, look better and feel better!

Free WOD at Lululemon Howell Mill – Sunday at 10
Lululemon, the Canadian activewear company (and maker of every pair of shorts Lis owns), is opening a location right down the street and they invited CFM to be a part of opening weekend! Join us Sunday for a free WOD at 10 am.

HOOVERBALL at Piedmont Park – Sunday at 11:30
Last week was OFF THE CHAIN. Join us at the Piedmont Park sand volleyball courts to play Hooverball again this week at 11:30am.

What is Hooverball, you ask? Here’s some more info, but all you REALLY need to know is it’s an awesome game with lots of laughs and SO MUCH FUN! Come play on Sunday and see for yourself.

6am class was HOPPIN’ yesterday with James, Lynn, Kenley, Anna, and (not pictured) Rocky.

Workout of the Day

A. 10 minutes gymnastics skill work
Your coach will give you some ideas…options include ring work (l-sits, dips, holds, muscle ups, iron cross, levers), handstand work (holds, wall climbs/walks, HSPU, HSPU negatives), pull up work (flex arm holds, negatives, strict), rope climbs, etc
B. Death by 10 Meters:
Start with one 10 m Run.
Increase by one 10m run, every minute on the minute until you run out of time to complete all reps.

So the first minute is 1-10 M sprint. The second minute is 2-10 M sprints, the third is 3-10 M sprints and so on until you can’t complete X number of sprints in 1 minute. Your score is the number of rounds you successfully complete in one minute.

06.06.12 Everybody’s workin’ for the weekend Read More »

I saw you drinking beer at Summerfest

…so when you ask me where your ab muscles are, my answer is: under all that liquid gluten.
Okay, okay, I’m not saying you can never drink (or eat a cupcake, or have Mexican) again.
But if you have goals to get leaner, feel, look and/or perform better, you’ll need to enjoy those indulgences a little less often.

So how can you eat better and still live your life?

Join us Saturday at noon for some snacks courtesy of Pre-Made Paleo as we answer the following questions:
What are some easy paleo recipes?
What do I eat for breakfast?
How do I stick to paleo when I’m traveling/entertaining clients/at a party?
What are some paleo-friendly restaurants in Atlanta?
How much protein should I be eating?
What should I do about post-workout nutrition?

IF YOU’RE ATTENDING, AND WANT SOME FEEDBACK ON YOUR NUTRITION: keep a food log for the next two to three days OF EVERYTHING YOU PUT IN YOUR MOUTH, and we’ll discuss them on Saturday. Yes, even Lis and Jasmine will be sharing what they ate this week. If you’re food log-shy… or lazy… no worries… join us anyway.

Rachel and John De-G on rope climbs while Chuck swings the kettlebell.

Workout of the Day

A. Find your Deadlift 3RM
B. For time:
10 burpees
10 double unders
10 burpees
20 double unders
10 burpees
30 double unders
10 burpees
40 double unders
10 burpees
50 double unders

06.05.12 Food as Fuel is Saturday! Read More »

Join the Frantastic Voyage!

It’s time for CFM’s first PR Challenge! For our summer challenge, we’re doing “Fran” and I’m confident that all of you can complete some version of it. These Challenges are your chance to get into the game. Short term goals like participating in the challenges are excellent ways to measure your progress and have some fun with the community. The sign-up sheet is in the box, or you can sign up here. Who’s gonna step up to the plate?

Prelims will take place Sat, 6/16 in the 9, 10, 11 am classes. Finals will be held Sat, 7/28 followed by the FINALS PARTY where we rehash every rep and round of our girl Fran.

Who: Anyone! All skill levels are welcome.
When: Saturday, June 16th, 2012 during 9, 10, 11 am classes (Finals are Sat, July 28th)
Where: CrossFit Midtown, 1122 West Peachtree St, Atlanta, GA 30309
Entry Fee: $30 (includes a t-shirt; $10 goes toward prize $$$)

Prize Purse: $10 x the number of participants PLUS prizes from other sponsors

Winners: Most Improved and Fastest in the Men’s and Women’s categories

The CHALLENGE:
“Fran”
For time:
21-15-9
Thrusters and Pull ups

Men’s Categories:
Beginner- 45# thrusters, jumping or band-assisted pull ups
Intermediate- 65# thrusters, unassisted band-assisted pull ups
Advanced- 95# thrusters, unassisted pull ups

Women’s Categories:
Beginner- 35# thrusters, jumping or band-assisted pull ups
Intermediate- 45# thrusters, jumping pull-ups or bands
Advanced- 65# thrusters, unassisted pull-ups

** PRIZES will be awarded for:
Most Improved Male, Most Improved Female, Fastest Male, Fastest Female

*If you scale Fran for prelims, you will retest under same conditions.

$30 includes entry fee, t-shirt, prizes and Finals party

Deadline to register is Wed, June 13th.

Peacemakers/Hooverballers (L-R: Tirzah, Dan, Vabs, Lis, Jon, Carlos)

Workout of the Day

A. Work to 1RM Strict Press
5-3-3-1-1-1
B. Work to 3RM Front Squat
C. Tabata Hollow Rocks

06.04.12 GET IN THE GAME! Read More »

Recovery

It’s been a tough week, and I’ve been talking with many of you about recovery and how to alleviate muscle soreness and other aches and pains.
Here are a few things to incorporate in your recovery program:

Foam & lacrosse ball rolling and mobility work – you can do this at home as well as at the gym.
HYDRATE – with plenty of water. As the summer heats up, use coconut water for added electrolytes. Avoid sports drinks high in sugar (and the diet versions with artificial sweeteners!). Limit caffeine to black coffee or tea, and don’t drink it after noon.
Sleep – Seven to nine hours in a PITCH BLACK dark, cool room.
Nutrition – how you eat throughout the day and ESPECIALLY what you take in immediately after your WOD is important. Get a good quality protein supplement into your system within 45 minutes of finishing a WOD, and then eat a full meal (protein, fat and carbs) 60-90 minutes later.
Supplements – fish oil and magnesium citrate will both aid in recovery. Fish oil is high in Omega 3 fatty acids, which reduce inflammation of all types, BUT these fatty acids are very fragile, so it’s important to invest in a quality fish oil supplement.
Epsom salts baths and contrast showers – take a warm bath in Epsom salts, or try a contrast shower (5 cycles of 1 minute hot, 1 minute cold water…this is also an excellent hangover cure… or so I’ve been told).
Rest days – listen to your body and take a day off when needed. A yoga class, a leisurely stroll through the park or an easy bike ride are all great activities to do on your days off from CrossFit.

*We sell Stronger, Faster, Healthier fish oil and protein in the Pro Shop. Check out some FAQ about their fish oil and protein here, or ask Lis for more details. Disclaimer: we’ll never sell anything in the Pro Shop that we don’t use ourselves. This is good stuff.

What are your top recovery tips/tactics? Share them in the comments!

Reminder for this weekend’s Free Piedmont Park WOD

Join us this Sunday at 10 for our FREE PARK WOD (open to the public and suitable for all skill levels). We’ll meet in the meadow near Park Tavern for a WOD, THEN we’ll head over to the sand volleyball courts to play HOOVER BALL. Don’t worry, if you don’t know what Hoover Ball is, we’ll teach you. Carlos is a pro and will be coaching the crew this Sunday!!

So meet in the meadow at 10 am AND/OR at the sand volleyball courts at 11 am. See you Sunday!

Zack and Melvin tackling the Bear Complex (check out Melvin’s mural progress behind him!)

Workout of the Day

Row or Run Repeats
3 1k row repeats OR 3 800m run repeats

Rest between row/run equal to the same amount of time the previous row/run took.
During rest: foam/lax ball roll/mobility work
Record splits.

If you did Murph on Monday, I recommend rowing. If you rowed on Tuesday, I recommend running.

Fri 06.01.12 Read More »

Grand Opening Party is Saturday, June 16th!

Please RSVP here if you haven’t already. We’ll be celebrating all our awesome members AND DOING THE WOBBLE. Dancing won’t be required, but it will be highly encouraged. Please begin practicing now:

I can’t believe this was the first video I embedded on our blog.

BUT we can’t WOBBLE until we get 500 FANS. Please share our page on Facebook and help CrossFit Midtown hit the 500 fan milestone!

SAVE THE DATE: Goal-Setting Workshop, Wed July 11th at 7pm

Rachel from the new Lululemon Howell Mill store is hosting a goal-setting workshop at CFM on Wed, 7/11 at 7 pm. We’ll work on some short- and long-term vision building and goal setting. Mark your calendars now to set some BHAGS (awesome acronym, right? Big, Hairy, Audacious Goals!).

Free Piedmont Park WODs

Did you know we do a free WOD in the park every Sunday at 10 am? Join us this Sunday at 10 for a WOD (open to the public and suitable for all skill levels). We’ll meet in the meadow near Park Tavern for a WOD, THEN we’ll head over to the sand volleyball courts to play HOOVER BALL. Don’t worry, if you don’t know what Hoover Ball is, we’ll teach you. Carlos is a pro and will be coaching the crew this Sunday!!
So meet in the meadow at 10 am OR at the sand volleyball courts at 11 am. See you Sunday!

Workout of the Day

Bear Complex
7 sets of the following sequence:
Power Clean
Front Squat
Push Press
Back Squat
Push Press
5 rounds – work up to max load

There is no time component – once you start a round you can rest at any time during the sequence EXCEPT with the bar on the ground.

Penalty for dropping the bar mid-round (without finishing your five reps/cycles) is 5 burpees (for each drop), payable at the end of the WOD.

Advanced athletes – count only unbroken rounds. No penalties, just drop weight or try again, until you get all five rounds unbroken.

Thurs 05.31.12 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).

Goals… are due today by midnight to Lis.

Email Lis if you need help. Hit the deadline or hit the deck for some buuuuuuuuuuuurpees!

Memorial Day (pre-Murph)

Workout of the Day

Skill work: Rope climbs

Five rounds for time of:
15 foot Rope climb, 1 ascent
10 Wallball shots, 20/14 pound ball
15 Kettlebell swings, 1.5/1 pood
20 Double-unders

Wed 05.30.12 Read More »

Thanks to all the Memorial Day Murph-ers!

We had 13 people tackle Memorial Day Murph. Thanks to the drop-in visitors who donated, we raised $180 for the Wounded Warrior Project.

Goals…

…are due tomorrow. If you already sent yours in, THANKS! You’ll hear back from Lis today. If you haven’t sent your goals in yet, DO IT! They’re due by midnight on Wednesday.