Michael Aaron – Page 361 – CrossFit Midtown

Goal Setting

Join us this Wednesday night at 7 pm as Rachel and Erin from lululemon athletica lead us through a free goal-setting workshop at the gym. We’ll be doing some exercises to visualize ourselves in the future and set some BHAGs – big, hairy, audacious goals!

CrossFit Endurance & POSE Running workshop

Do you want to improve your running technique and race times?
Are you clueless on how to work CrossFit Endurance workouts into your exercise routine?
Or do you just hate running and wish to improve your form to make it less painful and more enjoyable?
Join James Taylor, CrossFit Endurance-certified trainer and former Georgia Tech cross country and track & field athlete, for a 90-minute workshop to learn how to improve your technique, become a more efficient runner, and learn how to train for your next race.
Workshop includes:
-Pre- and post- workshop video evaluation of running technique, discussion of individual technical issues and identification of long-term solutions
-Discussion of general technical principles and methods to prevent common injuries
-Practical drills to improve running technique
-Detailed, sample programming ideas for various training goals
-Q&A
Price: $25
When: Thursday, 7/19, 7-8:30 pm
Register here or at the gym with cash or check.

Here’s a note from James on why it’s important to work on your running technique:
In general, athletes don’t pay much attention to running technique. I think there are two reasons that it is largely overlooked. Firstly, most people learn to run at a very young age. It is therefore considered a very simple activity for which technique is not necessary, which is an attitude that can easily manifest itself even in the case of otherwise proficient runners. However, I would argue that running’s simplicity means that any imperfections in technique will sap energy very quickly due to the the highly cyclical, repetitive nature of the movement. Secondly, the benefits of having good technique are not readily apparent to those who do not possess it. Unlike in an activity such as Olympic weightlifting, where the event itself is of a discrete nature and technical flaws can actually cause failure, in running flawed technique will only result in the loss of time unseen.
POSE running is a scientifically derived set of principles which explain the natural motion of running. It is a way of running that has not been invented so much as standardized and quantified. If you have never dedicated time to improving your running technique, you will most likely find that running is easier and potentially less harmful by doing so.

THEN, test drive your newly improved running technique w a 5K!

Dan’s company, TIGHITCO, is a strong supporter of the Southeastern Brain Tumor Foundation (SBTF) to honor the memory of their Founder. One of the primary fundraising initiatives of the SBTF is their annual 5k Run/2k Walk Race for Research. This year’s race will be held on Saturday, July 21st at Atlantic Station at 7:30am.
Please join the TIGHITCO team, ‘TIKKUN OLAM’ and participate in this year’s Run/Walk.
Click here to view the team page for Tikkun Olam to join the team.

We love Matt AND his abs.

Workout of the Day

1. 3 Rounds:
5 HEAVY thrusters
Rest 1 minute
AMRAP strict pull ups
Rest 1 minute

2. 8 Rounds:
:20 max effort row, AirDyne (NEW TOY!) or double unders
Rest 1 minute

Cash-out: Wall stretch 2 min each side

MON 07.09.12 Read More »

Wayne powers through the row during Fight Gone Bad.

Athlete Profile – Wayne Morrissette

Hometown:Montgomery, Alabama
Age: 38 (39 on August 15. Another Leo…Hey Uran!)
Occupation: Global Supply Chain Learning Project Manager
When did you first start CrossFitting?: I am entering week 4
Favorite WOD: I can’t remember the name but the one with the sprints where you pulled people with the big rubber band thingy (Editor’s note: Wayne is referring to RESISTED RUNNING… coming up again next week!)
Least Favorite WOD: anything with pull ups and burpees
Three words to describe you: introverted, funny, meteorologist
Tell us about your sports & fitness background: Have “worked out” off and on for years, have played softball in various city leagues since ’98 and have also played on local soccer and flag football teams. Weekend warrior extraordinaire.
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 introduction to CrossFit was the Baseline workout. Sounded pretty harmless and it was a “baseline” so it couldn’t be SO bad, right? Going from exercise to exercise without stopping, and starting out the gates way too hard made the last part of the workout very challenging. I felt like I was going to die and it took me about an hour to finally cool off and catch my breath. It wasn’t cute but right then I knew that CrossFit would be more than just “working out” or “going to the gym” and that this was going to be a heckuva journey.
What sort of changes have you seen in your body, health and fitness since starting CF (before/after)? After 3 weeks, I’ve already noticed my work pants getting noticeably looser. I’ve also noticed that I’m able to recover and catch my breath a lot faster after workouts and I’m able to get through the warm up (bear crawls and inchworms sucked balls at first) with a lot more energy to spare now. For me, that’s progress.
What sort of changes in your life have you experienced out of taking on something like CrossFit that were totally unexpected? I tend to live life in my comfort zone. CrossFit has shown me that I have a lot more in me than I give myself credit for, and that I can experience a lot more success and fulfillment in the things I do when I’m willing to push past where things are comfortable. There’s a whole new world out there.
Please share with us any favorite CrossFit / CFM moments: I haven’t done many of the “extra curricular activities because of other things I have going on, but in the time I have spent in the box, I’m incredibly inspired watching the more “Elite” and experienced Crossfitters bang through their WODs. These guys have also been very encouraging and helpful to me and that means a lot to me just starting out.
Any advice for people just getting started? Just go and get into it. Listen to what people say and ignore the voice that says “Are you crazy? You can’t do that?” Before you know the workout is over and you’ve accomplished more in an hour than you ever did with the 3 sets of 10-12 for 1 hour plus
What are your hobbies, interests and/or talents outside of CrossFit? Softball, soccer, extreme weather, storm chasing, weather forecasting, people watching, politics, sports spectating, theater, symphony, joke cracking
What did you eat today? So far just 4 eggs and sauteed spinach cooked in coconut oil, raw pecans a litte later
Do you follow the paleo or primal lifestyle? What is your nutrition philosophy? Since a couple of weeks before starting Crossfit I’m about 60-70% Paleo (higher during the week, lower on weekends). Try to stay away from processed fake crap and try to stick with eating stuff that burns clean and doesn’t leave a nasty residue.

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.

CrossFit Endurance and POSE Running workshop

-Do you want to improve your running technique and race times?
-Are you clueless on how to work CrossFit Endurance workouts into your exercise routine?
-Or do you just hate running and wish to improve your form to make it less painful and more enjoyable?

Join James Taylor, CrossFit Endurance-certified trainer and former Georgia Tech cross country and track & field athlete, for a 90-minute workshop to learn how to improve your technique, become a more efficient runner, and learn how to train for your next race.
Workshop includes:
-Pre- and post- workshop video evaluation of running technique, discussion of individual technical issues and identification of long-term solutions
-Discussion of general technical principles and methods to prevent common injuries
-Practical drills to improve running technique
-Detailed, sample programming ideas for various training goals
-Q&A

Price: $25
When: Thursday, 7/19, 7-8:30 pm
Register online or in the gym.

Workout of the Day

1. Back Squat – 3 sets of 3 reps at 30X0 tempo
(30X0 means 3 seconds down, no rest at bottom, EXPLODE up, no rest at top)
2. Three-minute Fran:
21-15-9
Thrusters
Pull Ups
Select thruster weight and pull up modifications accordingly to finish all reps AS CLOSE TO THREE MINUTES AS POSSIBLE.
To do this workout “Rx” you must finish all reps between 2:50 and 3:10.
3. Cash-out: 3 attempts – max hang from pull up bar

FRANDAY 07.06.12: Athlete Profile – WAYNE MORRISSETTE Read More »

Goal Setting

Next Wednesday night at 7 pm, Rachel from lululemon howell mill is hosting a free goal-setting workshop at the gym. Join us as she leads us through some exercises to visualize ourselves in the future and set some BHAGs – big, hairy, audacious goals!

Fran Challenge

Fran Challengers, check your inbox! You received an email Tuesday confirming your prelims Fran time and t-shirt size. We’re placing the shirt order this week so email Sam ASAP to confirm your shirt size! EVERYONE – save the date and plan to attend the Fran Finals Party on Saturday, July 28th at noon. We’ll be grilling out, celebrating everyone’s improvement and awarding prizes, so don’t miss the fun!

Rachel pushes through her Fran thrusters as Betsy and Vabs cheer her on.

Workout of the Day

1. Squat cleans – take 15 minutes to work to a heavy single
2. 5 Rounds –
Max Push Ups
1 60-yd shuttle run*
Rest 2:00
*Begin sprint from the push-up position.

Cash-out: 3 x 1:00 plank hold (1 min each – center, L & R side, for three rounds)

THURS 07.05.12 Read More »

Adam ♥ Fran

Athlete Profile – Adam Kallin

Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Age: 26
Occupation: Actuary
When did you first start CrossFitting?: 3 weeks ago
Favorite WOD: Not much experience to draw from, but my favorite so far was the 3B Tabata
Least Favorite WOD: I’d have to say FRAN at this point
Three words to describe you: Laid-back, respectful, statistics
Tell us about your sports & fitness background: 2 years as a bench (or pool) warmer for high school swim and water polo teams, 4 years on the University of Florida men’s rowing team, recent finisher of the Publix Georgia Marathon
How did you first get exposed to CrossFit? Take us back to your first WOD… what was it, and how did it feel? I’ll call FRAN my first WOD. It felt miserable while I was doing it, and I couldn’t straighten my arms for 6 days after finishing.
What sort of changes have you seen in your body, health and fitness since starting CF (before/after)? It really hasn’t been long enough to see a noticeable change, other than the fact that I have been sore for awhile after most of the workouts.
Please share with us any favorite CrossFit / CFM moments: Hooverball is a pretty awesome sport.
Any advice for people just getting started? Try and do better than I am.
What are your hobbies, interests and/or talents outside of CrossFit? Hobbies: watching sports, reading, running, bowling. Interests: sports, politics, economics. Talents: being spectacularly untalented.
What did you eat today? Eggs and tuna fish.
Do you follow the paleo or primal lifestyle? What is your nutrition philosophy? Not currently. My nutrition philosophy is to make healthy (or what is traditionally defined as healthy) eating choices in general but not to stick to any defined plan.

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.

Upcoming Events

Goal-Setting Workshop – Wednesday, July 11, 7-8:30 pm with Rachel from lululemon howell mill (FREE)
Endurance & POSE Running Workshop – Thursday, July 21, 7-8:30 pm with James Taylor ($25)
Hydrostatic Body Composition testing – Monday, July 30, 4-7 pm at CFM ($30)
Paleo Night at Urban Pl8 – Tuesday, July 31, 8:30 pm ($25)
Check Thursday’s blog for more info and registration details for all of these upcoming events!

Workout of the Day

JOSH (LEADER BOARD WOD)
21 Overhead Squats 95/65#
42 Pull Ups*
15 Overhead Squats
30 Pull Ups*
9 Overhead Squats
18 Pull Ups*

*Beginners will modify with ring rows.
Post-WOD: Banded hamstring mobility
This WOD was named by CrossFit HQ in memory of SSG Joshua Hager, United States Army, who was killed Thursday, February 22, 2007 in Ar Ramadi, Iraq.

FOURTH OF JULY WOD

Since the gym is closed, we’re providing you with a no-equipment-necessary workout in case you still wish to get moving on Independence Day!
Option A: Run the Peachtree Road Race! Stop in for a treat and say hello to the CFM crew at the lululemon cheer station at Colony Square (14th & Peachtree).
Option B: Watch the Peachtree Road Race from the lululemon cheer station at Colony Square (14th & Peachtree) THEN…
For time:
10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1
Burpees
Push Ups
Sit Ups
(Do 10 burpees, 10 push ups, 10 sit ups, then 9 burpees, 9 push ups, 9 sit ups, 8 burpees… etc, down to 1 of each)

TUES 07.03.12 Athlete Profile – ADAM KALLIN Read More »

Holiday Schedule – July 4th & 5th

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 this week will be held as regularly scheduled.
Join us Tuesday for a special hero WOD just in time for the holiday. We’ll post a no-equipment-needed WOD on Tuesday in case you wish to get moving on your own on the 4th.

Goals Check-in

How’s everyone’s progress toward your summer goals? Brand new members, if you’re unsure what I’m talking about, check your inbox this week! Everyone else, it’s time to refocus and reengage yourself. Keep your eyes on the prize and keep reaching toward those goals!

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.

Knee Socks!

CFM knee socks are in! We have men’s and women’s sizes. They’re $13 for a pair. PERFECT TIMING for today’s rope climbs!

Carlos & Austin rockin’ their matching shirts at the Grand Opening party.

Workout of the Day

1. Find your 1 rep max Front Squat
2. For time:
10 front squats 135/95
1 rope climb
8 front squats
1 rope climb
6 front squats
1 rope climb
4 front squats
1 rope climb
2 front squats
1 rope climb

Compare to 05.14.12

Cash-out: Wall stretch- 2 min ea side; Hamstring stretch w band- 1 min ea side

MON 07.02.12 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?

Hooverball is Sunday at 10!

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 »

Gym Rules

Reminder about the Gym Rules… for you fellas who complain about the sausage party up in here, how can we get more females to join if you won’t put the toilet seat down? DO IT. Also, clean up after yourself…this includes mopping up, returning equipment, and disposing of cups/water bottles. We now have a recycle bin in the hallway. Please use it.

Hooverball trumps the Park WOD 🙂

The Sunday park WOD has been cancelled until further notice, so that we can move Hooverball up an hour to avoid the heat. Join us Sundays at 10 am for Hooverball in the park. 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.
We’ll still be offering regular free WODs with lululemon howell mill. Details are coming soon.

July 4th Holiday Schedule

BEAST MODE: Zack attacks his 1RM back squat during CrossFit Total while our Ohio visitor Alyson looks on.

Workout of the Day

1. 15 minutes to work to a heavy clean & jerk
2. Every minute on the minute for 10 minutes:
3 power clean 135/95
5 kettlebell swings 2/1.5 pood

Post-WOD mobility: Wall stretch, 2 min each side

THURS 6.28.12 Read More »

Welcome to Dale, Jared, John H, Lucinda, Mary Anne, Scott D and Tiffany!

Paleo Night

Thanks to everyone who joined us for Paleo Night last night at Urban Pl8. Our party of 14 enjoyed a delicious dinner: Summer heirloom tomato salad with avocado, red onion, green olives, basil, and garlic vinaigrette, Puerto Rican beef stuffed roasted red bell pepper with basil oil, grilled hangar steak with grilled asparagus, tomatoes, and Vidalia onion with sweet pepper relish, and Paleo chocolate pudding.
Paleo night is held the last Tuesday of every month, so mark your calendars now to join the CFM crew for the next one on July 31st!

July 4th Holiday Schedule

Athlete Profile – Drew Vabulas AKA VABS

Hometown: I call Atlanta home now.
Age: 30
Occupation: Jack of all trades at IBIS Inc.
When did you first start CrossFitting? 2010 with Sealfit
Favorite WOD: Grace
Least Favorite WOD: Anything with bodyweight
Three words to describe you: Loyal, Outgoing, Competitive
Tell us about your sports & fitness background: I played college and pro baseball, college football, and I am now a professional kickballer.
How did you first get exposed to CrossFit? Take us back to your first
WOD… what was it, and how did it feel? First WOD was 500 air squats for time with SealFit. Freaked me out, couldn’t workout for 3 days after.
What sort of changes have you seen in your body, health and fitness since starting CF (before/after)? I have seen a lot of changes. I was in the best shape of my life up until surgery. And now I am seeing more size being put on (muscle).
What sort of changes in your life have you experienced out of taking on something like CrossFit that were totally unexpected? Meeting some great friends, really understanding how to feed yourself and what you put in your body really effects your attitude, your looks, and how you feel.
Please share with us any favorite CrossFit/CFM moments: Any competition, when people get behind you (even who you are competing against) to see you succeed.
Any advice for people just getting started? Stick with it and listen. Form is everything.
What are your hobbies, interests and/or talents outside of CrossFit? Work, work, work.
What did you eat today? So far I have had 16 oz of chicken, an orange, and some lettuce.
Do you follow the paleo or primal lifestyle? What is your nutrition philosophy? PALEO! On the band wagon!

Bro sesh! L-R: Dan, Vabs, Matt

Workout of the Day

10 minutes handstand skill practice

3 Rounds, NOT FOR TIME:
20 kettlebell walking lunges
20 ring rows or supine ring pull ups
20 plyo push ups

CASH OUT: 100 hollow rocks

WED 6.27.12: Athlete Profile – VABS Read More »

Paleo Night is tonight at Urban Pl8

Tonight is Paleo Night. Please join us at Urban Pl8 for a delicious four-course paleo meal (just $25!).I’ve got the following peeps in to join us for dinner: Lis, Sam, John DeG +1, Kenley, Donice, Dan, Alison, Uran… anyone else? We can add more by 5pm, just let Lis know! Reservation is at 8:30. If you want to carpool, be at the gym at 8.

July 4th Holiday Schedule

SLEEP!

It’s come to my attention that many of you live in high-rise condos/apartments near the gym. These places all feature great views and beautiful tall windows. BUT, that also means a lot of ambient light from street lights and daytime sunlight comes in to disturb your sleep.
We all need seven to nine hours of sleep each night in a COOL, DARK room. And I mean pitch-black dark room… no light from alarm clocks, television, night lights, cell phones, street lights, sunshine, etc. Try blacking out those windows (garbage bags and tapestries do the trick just as well as expensive curtains) and turning the thermostat down a few degrees at night and note how much better you sleep.
Supplements like magnesium citrate (Natural Calm), GABA, melatonin and zinc can also enhance your sleep. Let Lis know if you’re having issues getting a good night’s sleep and we can do some troubleshooting.

Scott recovers post-Fran

Workout of the Day – Fight Gone Bad

Three Rounds, for max reps:
1 minute wall balls 20/14
1 minute sumo deadlift high pull 75/55
1 minute box jump 20″
1 minute push press 75/55
1 minute row (for calories)
1 minute rest

Add up all reps/calories for total score.

TUES 06.26.12 FIGHT GONE BAD Read More »

HOOVERBALL!

What a great showing for Hooverball yesterday! Congrats to the team of Fred, Jon, Cameron and Scott for winning the round robin tournament. Come on out next week for more fun Sunday at Piedmont Park!

Class Levels

Beginning this week, we’re enforcing class levels. Starting Tuesday, 6/26, the 7PM TUESDAY, 6PM WEDNESDAY and 5PM THURSDAY classes will be for Beginners. These classes will focus on fundamental movements and we’ll do a scaled or modified version of the daily WOD. If you are an advanced athlete, you’re welcome to attend this class for some “back to basics” work, or you can attend a different class that day or take a rest day.
Refer to the schedule on the website or email Lis with questions.

Paleo Night at Urban Pl8

Tomorrow is Paleo Night. Post in the comments if you want to join the CFM table at Urban Pl8 for a delicious four-course paleo meal for just $25. We’ll make an 8:30 reservation so people can head straight there after the 7pm class.

Workout of the Day – CrossFit Total

1 Rep Max Back Squat
1 Rep Max Strict Press
1 Rep Max Deadlift
Add up your three lifts for your score.

MON 06.25.12 CROSSFIT TOTAL Read More »