WOD

The next Cocktails for Midtown is tonight!

Join your CFM friends tonight at Front Page News on Crescent Ave, from 6 to 8pm for a little post-Fran refreshment!

Body composition testing

Every quarter during Quarterly Progress Check week, we bring out the DUNK TRUCK to measure your body composition. This is the best way to measure your physique changes as you morph into a CrossFitting MACHINE! The truck will be parked across the street from CFM, testing clients every 15 minutes from 4 to 6:30p. Tests are $30 and include accurate body weight & body composition measurements. Register here.

Quarterly Progress Checks & Baseline retesting is coming soon…

Lots of important testing dates this month! If you miss a day, we’ve got plenty of make-up opportunities! Here’s another update on our upcoming testing days & options:
Sun, July 21-Sat, July 28th: Quarterly Progress Checks*:
Retest your Baseline WOD this month! Instead of testing in regular classes, like we’ve done in the past, you’ll be able to come in during any of the following times to retest your Baseline time with one of our coaches or Instructor Training Program students. This doesn’t count against your class limits for the week.
Baseline testing:
Sun 7.21 1-2p w Dyer
Mon 7.22 6p w Justin
Mon 7.22 8p w Carlos
Tues 7.23 6p w Ian
Tues 7.23 7p w Urán
Fri 7.26 6p w Tirzah
Sat 7.27 9-12n w Cassie & Beka
Sun 7.28 1-2p w Dyer
Here’s another look at the upcoming Quarterly Progress Check programming:
Mon 7.22- 5 rounds for time: 7 handstand push ups, 14 pistols, 21 double unders
Tues 7.23- Olympic Total (1 RM Snatch + 1 RM Clean & Jerk)
Wed 7.24- 1RM Weighted Pull Up & For time: 250m row, 15 kb swings 70/53, 25 burpees, 15 kb swings, 250m row
Thurs 7.25- As many rounds & reps as possible in 20 minutes of: 20 thrusters 135#/95#, 20 pullups, 20 burpees
Fri 7.26- CrossFit Total (1RM Squat, 1RM Press, 1RM Deadlift) & AirDyne 1 min max calories test
*Makeup Days will be Sunday, 7/21, Saturday, 7/28 & Sunday, 7/29.

Cheryl Haworth will be running Olympic Lifting Open Gym again on Saturday, 7.28, for anyone who wants to do Olympic Total that day with her!

We’re also maxing on front squat, overhead squat and bench press this month, so if you miss/missed that day, make it up at Open Gym!
Ellen showing off some great pull ups during Helen prelims.

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. Back Squat 3-3-3 @ 80%
B. “Fran”
21-15-9
Thrusters 95/65
Pull ups

And coming tomorrow…

A. Strength make up day: Pick a PART A that you missed from last week’s programming.
B. In teams of 3 or 4:
Station 1- 50 situps
Station 2- 50 double unders or 150 singles
Station 3- 50 wall balls 20/14
Station 4- 400 m run
Station 5- 50 air squats
First athlete starts at station 1. Second athletes moves to station 1 once first athlete goes to station 2. Athletes can’t advance stations until station in front is clear. Time is called once the last athlete finishes Station 5.

ALSO THIS WEEK: Saturday Open Gym with Dyer & Lis from 12n-2p

FRI 7.12.13 HAPPY HOUR TONIGHT! Read More »

CFM reminders

It’s been a busy week at CFM! So it’s time for a few reminders about our policies…
1. Classes are capped at 14 students: Use your Zen Planner login/password to reserve a space in class UP TO 7 DAYS IN ADVANCE. If something comes up, you can always cancel your reservation provided you do so at least an hour ahead of time.
2. Late for class? You just earned yourself a 25-burpee warm-up! Yaaaaaay burpees :). BUT, at 10 minutes past the hour, class is “closed”…for your safety & out of respect for your classmates, if you arrive after that, you’ve missed the warm-up & workout explanation and you’ll have to wait for the next class (if applicable).
3. Don’t hijack equipment! If someone else has claimed a pull-up bar for the workout, please set up elsewhere. The same goes for snaking kettlebells, barbells, etc. We give ample set up time to make sure everyone has their own WOD station.
*There will be occasions when we ask you to channel your inner pre-schooler and share equipment.
4. This is not social hour. We’re SO PROUD of the community developing here at CFM. I’m glad you’ve made buddies here. BUT class time is not gossip hour. Please save the socializing for outside the gym.
5. Respect your coach. They are in charge of the class. Our first concern is safety. So if we ask you to pull some weight off the bar, it’s because your form needs some work. If we ask you to pull some weight off the bar, it’s because your form needs some work. You have entrusted CFM to help you in your quest for elite fitness, and our coaching staff is here to do just that. WE ARE NOT HERE TO BE YOUR BEST FRIEND.
6. Clean up after yourself. Equipment. Gear. Water bottles. KILL CLIFF CANS. Protein spills (you know what I mean!). Sweat angels. Trash.
7. HAVE FUN! CFM is a positive place. Help us keep it that way. Have a bad day? Leave it at the front door… don’t come in complaining about it! Check your ego at the door and give yourself a pat on the back for even being here. Cut out the negative self-talk and enjoy your journey toward elite FUNctional fitness.

Sara and David working hard through Russian kettlebell swings at 7am!

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. 5k row time trial
OR
B. Recovery day: 50 turkish get ups, not for time.

And coming tomorrow…

A. Back Squat: 3-3-3 @ 80%
B. “Fran”
21-15-9
Thursters 95/65
Pull ups

THURS 7.11.13 CFM reminders… Read More »

Post-WOD Nutrition Advice

I’ve been fielding lots of questions about post-workout nutrition and the Stronger, Faster, Healthier (SFH) protein options we carry in the Pro Shop. The bottom line is this: YOU NEED TO REPLENISH WHAT YOU BURN OFF IN A WORKOUT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THAT WORKOUT. While consuming a My Prep meal is perfect if you are looking for a pre-workout meal, but a clean protein supplement will reduce your soreness, speed recovery, and help make you stronger. Depending on which supplement you take, it can also aid in muscle gain. Here are some impressive whey protein stats: https://www.synergize.pk/shop/optimum-whey-protein-gold-standard-in-pakistan/
We carry three post-workout supplements in the Pro Shop, all from SFH: Pure Whey, Recovery and Fortified.
Pure Whey is your “budget” option just to get some protein back into your system after a workout.
The Recovery formula has protein as well as ribose, carnitine & Co-Q-10 for ATP restoration, taurine & creatine for energy generation, leucine, isoleucine & glutamine for muscle growth, and glucosamine & chondroitin for joint health… these are all added goodies to help your muscle recovery, aches & pains. Personally I notice better recovery, less soreness and just better overall strength when using Recovery after workouts.
Fortified is an option for those who wish to gain mass/muscle, and would be the one of the best exercises if you’re looking to boost your T. It has protein & specific amino acids meant to enhance growth hormone release and enhance muscle protein synthesis.

I personally use the Recovery for CrossFit. I’m currently using one scoop of Recovery & one scoop of Fortified, in preparation for my power lifting meet. That combo has helped me reduce soreness & heal injuries AND gain muscle. You can learn more from testosterone boosters at Clevescene.com, this will help you choose the appropriate one for you.
We sell single-serving samples as well as full-sized bags of SFH protein in the Pro Shop.
If you insist on doing your own thing & shopping elsewhere, I’m happy to help you read labels and decide on another clean protein product. I personally prefer SFH to the dozens (literally) of other protein formulas I’ve tried because it is an all-natural protein derived from grass-fed cattle. It doesn’t have any soy, artificial sweeteners or other added crap that many of the popular brands out there do have. As always, let us know if you have any other questions about post-workout recovery!
Ian, Regina & Deshaun working hard in Coach Cassie’s gymnastics class (join ’em every Tuesday night at 8p!).

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. Deadlift: 5-5-5 @ 75%
B. 3 rounds for time:
21 Russian kettlebell swings
12 strict pull ups

And coming tomorrow…

A. 5k row time trial
OR
B. Recovery day: 50 turkish get ups, not for time.

WED 7.10.13 Post-WOD Nutrition Read More »

PRIDE Fundraiser: Screening of “Strong” on Fri 8.16

Join us at CFM on Friday, August 16th at 7pm for a screening of “STRONG”, a documentary about Olympian AND CFM student/coach Cheryl Haworth. Many of you have been in class with Cheryl and/or benefited from her Olympic Lifting coaching on Tuesday nights or during weekend Open Gym sessions. You may not know she’s also the topic of a critically-acclaimed documentary. We’ll be hosting a screening of the film as a fundraiser for the Atlanta Pride Committee. Suggested donation is $20. Tickets will be on sale this week… RSVP here for updates & more details.

And check out the trailer here:

Cheryl coaches Leaor on the snatch during Open Gym a few weeks ago. Several athletes have set new PRs (personal records) already, under her tutelage!

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. Front Squat: In 10 min, find your 1 rep max
B. Clean & Jerk: 2-2-2
C. EMOM8: Every minute on the minute for 8 minutes, perform 6 power cleans & 3 thrusters 95/65

And coming tomorrow…

A. Deadlift: 5-5-5 @ 75%
B. 3 rounds for time:
21 russian kettlebell swings
12 strict pull ups

TUES 7.9.13 PRIDE Fundraiser & “Strong” screening is 8.16 Read More »

July programming

Our focuses this month are on preparing to retest our maxes on several lifts throughout the month (see below) AND to improve at running, kettlebell swings and pull ups (for everyone, but especially those participating in the Summer Challenge: To Helen Back)
Quarterly Progress Checks are coming up! What does that mean for you? It means you’re preparing to go BEAST MODE and set some new personal records (PRs!) this month on several lifts that we will be testing, or maxing out on. We’ll also be preparing the Helen challengers to DOMINATE Helen when they compete again on Saturday, August 10th.
Choose your training/testing days wisely – for instance, if you’re hoping to break some personal records on the CrossFit Total, I recommend taking off the day or two prior, so you’re fresh for those lifts. Here are some important testing dates in July programming:
Every Wed in July – HELEN practice. Programming on Wednesdays throughout the month includes running, kettlebell swings and/or pull ups.
Tues, July 9 – Front squat 1 rep max
Thurs, July 11 – 5k row time trial
Fri, July 12 – FRAN!
Tues, July 16 – Overhead squat 1 rep max
Fri, July 19 – Bench press 1 rep max
Sun, July 21-Sat, July 28th: Quarterly Progress Checks*:
Retest your Baseline WOD this week!
Mon 7.22- 5 rounds for time: 7 handstand push ups, 14 pistols, 21 double unders
Tues 7.23- Olympic Total (1 RM Snatch + 1 RM Clean & Jerk)
Wed 7.24- 1RM Weighted Pull Up & For time: 250m row, 15 kb swings 70/53, 25 burpees, 15 kb swings, 250m row
Thurs 7.25- As many rounds & reps as possible in 20 minutes of: 20 thrusters 135#/95#, 20 pullups, 20 burpees
Fri 7.26- CrossFit Total (1RM Squat, 1RM Press, 1RM Deadlift) & AirDyne 1 min max calories test
*Makeup Days will be Sunday, 7/21 and Saturday, 7/28

THANKS TO OUR 1000 FACEBOOK FANS! Here’s the “thank you” video on YouTube… OUR version of Prancercise.
DISCLAIMER: CFM is in no danger of becoming a Prancercise-specific facility any time in the future. Ever. We MAY host regular Prancercise sessions in the park though. Or Walmart, as in this case:

Leaor on Team Fight Gone Bad. Congrats to Leaor, Amanda, Ellen, Rusty, Jim H, Adrian, Leigh and all the other CFMericans who ran the Peachtree Road Race last week. Hopefully everyone had a great run!

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. Bench press:4 sets of 4 @80% of 1 rep max (if you don’t know your max, choose a weight that will be challenging for 4 sets of 4)
B. Skill work or EMOM10: 10 min pistol or DU skill work OR Do 6 pistols & 20 DU every minute on the minute for 10 minutes
C. Complete 8 rounds for time:
6 Overhead Walking Lunges
6 Dynamic Push Ups*
12 Russian Twist w DB or KB

*In case you aren’t familiar with the dynamic push up or Russian twist, here are a few videos explaining the movements:

And coming tomorrow…

A. Front Squat: In 10 min, find your 1 rep max
B. Clean & Jerk: 2-2-2
C. EMOM8: Every minute on the minute for 8 minutes, perform 6 power cleans & 3 thrusters 95/65

MON 07.08.13 July programming focuses Read More »

Saturday CFM Schedule

8a- Instructor Training Program meeting
9a- Beginner CrossFit with Cassie
10a- All Levels CrossFit with Cassie
11a- All Levels CrossFit with Lis
12n-2p- Olympic Lifting Open Gym with Cheryl

Sunday CFM Schedule

9-11a- Hooverball at Piedmont Park Active Oval
10a- Free Park WOD at Piedmont Park Active Oval
12n- All Levels CrossFit with Dyer
1-2p- Open Gym with Dyer
6p- Yoga with Monica
Coach Beka & ITP student Ian posing at the Anniversary Party.

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. Front squat: 3×3 @80%
B. Karen:
150 wall balls for time 20/14#

And coming tomorrow… TEAM WOD!

In teams of 3 or 4, complete 4 cycles for time (4 visits to each station…don’t advance until all teammates finish reps):
Station 1: 20 lateral box jumps (10 each side)
Station 2: 20 overhead walking lunge steps
Station 3: 20 burpees
Station 4: Rest

FRI 07.05.13 Karen today & team WOD tomorrow Read More »

I’m proud to be a CFMerican!

Thanks to all of you who serve/have served to fight for our freedom. Have a safe & fabulous holiday! CFM is closed for the 4th but we’re back open on Friday for the 12n, 4, 5 & 6p classes (no early AMs). See you Friday!

Open Gym Saturday with Cheryl!

In addition to the Beginners class at 9a, and All Levels classes at 10 & 11a Saturday, we’re also having another Olympic Lifting Open Gym session with Olympian Cheryl Haworth from 12n-2p. Come clean up that technique & get strong!

Workout of the Day (WOD)

CLOSED FOR THE 4th!

And coming tomorrow… BENCHMARK FRIDAY!

A. Front squat: 3×3 @80%
B. Karen:
150 wall balls for time 20/14#

THURS 07.04.13 Happy 4th of July! Read More »

Have a fun & safe 4th of July!

If you’re running the Peachtree, look for us on the Cafe Intermezzo side of the street at 11th & Peachtree. Run on by & grab your choice of a Vita-Coco or a beer (Jim H insisted!) to hydrate you for that last mile!
Everyone else, join us at 7a at the CFM cheer station to cheer on our runners and celebrate CFMERICA! DO IT.

Reminder that CFM is closed Thursday in observance of the 4th of July holiday. No AM classes Friday. Join us Fri at 12n, 4 5 or 6p to get your WOD in.

Monica & Tiff at the Anniversary Party. Monica celebrates a BIG birthday tomorrow! She’s been doing CrossFit for over 5 YEARS & is a great example of how functional fitness can help you age with grace AND basically help you kick more a$$ in life :). I hope I look that amazing when I’m 40. Keep up the great work hot stuff!

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. Press: 5@70%, 3@80%, 1@90%
B. 3 rounds For time:
Run 400m
Rest as long as 400m run takes you
21 kettlebell swings 53/35#
Rest as long as swings take you
12 pull ups
Rest as long as pull ups take you

And coming tomorrow…CLOSED FOR THE 4th!…
BUT coming Friday:

A. Front squat: 3×3 @80%
B. Karen:
150 wall balls for time 20/14#

WED 07.03.13 CFM’s Peachtree Road Race Cheer Station! Read More »

Carl Paoli’s Movement Connections Seminar recap

by Coach Beka
One of the things I love most about CrossFit is the fact that there’s always something to learn and improve on. As a coach, I’m always interested in finding new ways to teach students how to improve on techniques, movements and their strength. One of the biggest names in CrossFit video how-tos, progressions/movements and overall badass-ness is Carl Paoli.
He recently hosted a one-day workshop at CrossFit East Decatur. Carl’s main focus on coaching is the position->movement->purpose framework to help dissect each movement to help you train efficiently and safely. His videos are always great, so seeing him in person and getting the hands on experience with him was amazing. He used lots of demos from the attendees and was extremely hands-on. All around, this was a great class and I’m so glad I not only got to learn some new things, but also was able to meet Carl himself. Here are a few pics from the day:

Practicing hollow body. Looks easy, but definitely takes practice!

Pistol progressions. It’s always cool to see new ways to do this one.

Having trouble with handstand pushups? Maybe it’s a mobility issue. Carl helps this athlete to open her upper body.

More hollow body practice from our very own Carlos Tapia. This movement is a crucial building block for so many other movements we do in CrossFit, it’s essential everyone masters this one.

Reminder: Tonight is gymnastics class with Cassie at 8p!

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. Deadlift: 5@70%, 3@80%, 1@90%
B. Split jerk: 2-2-2-2-2
As many rounds/reps as possible (AMRAP) in 8 minutes of:
5 toes to bar
3 burpee broad jump*
*Jump as far as you are tall each time (mark the floor w chalk for your height).
*For each broad jump you do not jump at least as far as your height, add a 1-burpee penalty after time expires.

And coming tomorrow…

A. Press: 5@70%, 3@80%, 1@90%
B. 3 Rounds For Time:
Run 400m
Rest as long as 400m run takes you
21 kettlebell swings 53/35#
Rest as long as swings take you
12 pull ups
Rest as long as pull ups take you

TUES 7.2.13 Beka’s Carl Paoli recap Read More »

Time to reflect on June & prep for a fantastic July!

Congrats to everyone for making it through another stellar month. The weather has changed and you may have noticed as the humidity rises, it’s tougher to breathe through those tough metcons. Factor the weather in as just one more challenge added to each workout, pace yourself as necessary, and do the best you can. Be proud of yourselves for continuing this tough training as the weather makes it harder!
What accomplishments are you proud of in June?
Mine include:
1) settling into my new apartment
2) making big strides in developing the CFM team & delegating responsibilities
3) kicking off the new version of our Instructor Training Program
4) beginning to train with my new powerlifting coach in preparation for my July 20th meet
5) officially registering for USAPL Raw Nationals
6) starting work with a new naturopath/acupuncturist to help improve my health & well being
And now it’s time to set July goals…here are a few of mine:
1) Set PRs (personal records) on back squat, bench press & total at USAPL Raw Nationals on July 20th
2) Continued focus on recovery to stay healthy & make the most of the training sessions I have left before the meet, to include: sleeping 8+ hours a night, twice a week chiropractic adjustments & ART, 6x a week foam rolling/mobility work, drinking plenty of water, eating clean, limiting alcohol, taking epsom salts baths, continuing supplementation with fish oil, nighttime recovery, pre-workout Muscle Fuel, post-workout SFH Recovery & Fortified.
3) Gain three pounds of muscle before the meet (through regular lifting, LOTS of protein & NO metcons/cardio)
4) Work hard through 7/16 so I can enjoy the rest of the month OFF on vacation 🙂

What were your high points of June? What are your goals for July? Let’s keep this blog comments momentum rolling…share in the comments!

July programming

This month’s programming is focused on preparing all of our CFM athletes for Quarterly Progress Checks at the end of the month (the week of July 22nd…mark your calendars!) AND on training our participants in CFM’s Summer To Helen Back challengers to improve on their Helen times… stay tuned for a longer blog post tomorrow with details on what to expect from July programming.

PEACHTREE ROAD RACE!

Good luck to all our CFMericans running the Peachtree Road Race! If you’re not running but still want to join the CFM community to cheer on our team, join Lis & Jeremy…(who else is in?) Thursday morning at 11th & Peachtree to celebrate CFMerica this 4th of July!
What a good-lookin’ bunch of peeps at CFM’s 1st Anniversary Party back in May!

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. Back Squat: 5@70%, 3@80%, 1@90% (of 1-rep max… if you don’t know your max, we’ll help!)
B. 5 rounds for max reps of: 1 minute max rope climbs or rope climb skill work or ring rows), rest :30
1 minute double unders, rest :30
1 minute hollow rocks, rest :30