pull ups

Quarterly Progress Checks next week!

It’s that time again! Here’s next week’s programming for quarterly progress checks…
Monday
5 rounds for time:
7 hspu
14 pistols
21 du
Tuesday
Oly total: FULL squat snatch & FULL squat clean & jerk
Wednesday
1RM Weighted Pull up
+
FOR TIME:
250m row
15 kb swings
2/1.5pd
25 burpees
15 kb swings
2/1.5pd
250m row
Thursday
20min AMRAP:
20 thrusters 135#/95#
20 pullups
20 burpees
Friday
CrossFit Total:
Total of 1 rep max for-
Back squat
Press
Deadlift
+
1 min AirDyne test for calories
Burpees and deadlifts!

Today’s schedule

6a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
7a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
8a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
12n: All Levels CrossFit- Cassie
4p: All Levels CrossFit- Amy
5p: All Levels CrossFit- Amy
6p: All Levels CrossFit- Amy

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. Every minute on the minute for 10 minutes:
3 muscle ups OR 5 strict pull ups (EVEN)/5 ring dips (ODD)
B. Every minute on the minute for 10 minutes:
5 handstand push ups OR 3 wall climbs
C. Every minute on the minute for 10 minutes:
15 double unders OR 50m row

And coming tomorrow…

Partner workout
Complete the following for time – one partner working at a time:
400m run
30 partner wall balls
50 pull ups
run 400m (together)
30 burpee box jumps
50 kb swings 70/53
400m run (together)
30 toes to bar/knee ups
50 sit ups
400m run (together)

FRI 10.18.13 Quarterly Progress Check-ins Read More »

Earn your carbs!

Keep this phrase in mind when you decide whether to order sweet potato fries or broccoli at dinner.
Or for the non-paleo peeps in the crowd: Keep this phrase in mind when you decide to order a bowl of pasta or a steak at dinner.
Did I earn my carbs today?
On days you do a tough CrossFit workout, you earned them. On days you sat on the couch all day, you did not.
I’m not trying to make you feel guilty, just giving you something to think about when you wonder why the stubborn body fat is hanging around.
Recently I struggled with this concept.
I’ve been eating strict paleo all month but not dropping bodyfat.
Then it dawned on me.
HEY LIS! You’re not doing any conditioning these days… ONLY powerlifting.
So I’m not really earning those carbs. I cut them WAAAAAY back this week, and already lost a pound and a half.
*DISCLAIMER: I do not recommend combining CrossFit with a ketogenic (or very low carb) diet. Your performance will suffer. But on rest days, consider cutting back on carbs.

Reed with Turkish get ups

Today’s schedule

6a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
7a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
12n: All Levels CrossFit- Lis
5p: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
6p: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
7p: All Levels CrossFit- Cassie
8p: Beginner CrossFit – Cassie
8:15p: Yoga – Samantha

Workout of the Day

A. Rope Climb: 10 minutes skill practice
B. 10-1 Ladder NOT FOR TIME:
Deadlift
Burpee
*Begin your first set of deadlifts at 30-35% of your 1-rep max.
Add weight each set.
Set your weights in your sets to get to 85% your 1-rep max for your last lift.
Then we’re jumping rope or AirDyning so save your legs some for that. The point of this work is to lift a heavy load (WITH PERFECT FORM) as the reps get lower but not actually max out today. Save that for next week’s CrossFit Total.)
Rest 3:00
Then, for time: 100 double unders, 400 singles OR 20 AirDyne calories.
C: 2:00 hollow rock test or 100 sit ups for time.

And coming tomorrow…

THURS 10.17.13 Earn your carbs! Read More »

Winterizing

by Coach Dyer
The summer is officially over.
I hate the winter.
I hate the cold.
I hate that the sun doesn’t rise until almost 8a & it gets dark at 5p.
So not surprisingly, the winter months are always my worst training months.
Here are some things I’m starting now to get ready for winter:
1. Take a planned 10-minute walk outside between 11:30 and 1:30 everyday. Sunlight is important for general health and I want to get in the habit before the sun disappears.
2. Get to the gym 10 minutes earlier than usual. When it’s cold you need extra time to warm up (especially if you’re an old-timer like me). Getting used to doing a pre-warm-up warm-up will make it easier to do it once it’s cold out & I really need it.
3. Extra-hot coffee.
4. Vitamin C/Emergen-C every day. Cold weather means you’re going to be around more sneezes, snot, coughing and will have less fresh air. I want to make sure my system has the tools to fight off illnesses.
5. Put a stocking cap and sweatshirt in my car. It never fails that a blistering cold front pops up out of nowhere and I’m stuck with just a t-shirt and shorts on a gym day. Not the end of the world, but it sucks and is totally avoidable.
Got some good winter training tips? Post in the comments below.
MJ working on weighted step ups

Today’s schedule

6a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
7a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
8a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
12n: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
5p: All Levels CrossFit- Lis
6p: All Levels CrossFit- Lis & Ian
7p: All Levels CrossFit- Lis & Uran
8p: Open Gym- Lis

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. Split jerk: 2-2-2-2-2
B. Complete 5 rounds for time of:
3 Push Jerks or Split Jerks 155/100#
6 Pull Ups
9 Push Ups

And coming tomorrow…

A. In 15min, find your 10RM back squat
B. For time:
200m heavy carry (your choice)
20 burpees
200m heavy carry
20 push ups
200m heavy carry
20 pistols (10L/10R)
200m heavy carry
20 lateral box jumps

TUES 10.15.13 Winterizing Read More »

Messing with Fran : An argument for scaling

By Coach Raul
Crossfit was designed to apply “constantly varied, high intensity, functional movements,” across multiple domains. Its purpose is to develop general fitness, and one way of doing that is through short, high-intensity workouts. One way to ensure high intensity is to scale certain loads to a more manageable weight, allowing you to do more work in less time. I decided to test this theory by scaling Fran (today’s workout: 21-15-9 rep rounds of thrusters and pull ups) from the Rx (written, or prescribed) weight of 95-pound thrusters, down to a 65 pounds.
Here’s what I looked at:
Pullup distance (from bottom to chin over bar): 20in
Body weight (Force): 150 lbs
Squat distance (from bottom of squat to upright): 23 in
Barbell distance (from bottom of squat to full extension): 40 in
# of Total Reps = 45
Work = Force X Distance (ft.lbs)
POWER = [(# of Reps) X (Sum of the Work)] / time (sec)

Movement	Force	Distance	Work
Pullup	150lbs	20 in	250 ft. lbs
Thruster	150lbs	23 in	287 ft. lbs
Thruster	95 lbs	40 in	316 ft. lbs

Time: 304 sec		POWER	126 ft.lbs/sec

Pullup	150lbs	20 in	250 ft. lbs
Thruster	150lbs	23 in	287 ft. lbs
Thruster	65lbs	40 in	216 ft. lbs

Time: 210 sec		POWER	161 ft.lbs/sec

The results described in the chart define a comparison of power output for a 95-pound Fran at my old completion time of 5:04min (304 sec) and a 65lb Fran completed in 3:30min (210 sec). The results prove a reduction of the thruster load by almost 30% resulted in an increased power output (Higher intensity!).
My personal experience with completing Fran in 3 minutes and 30 seconds was one word : INTENSE!!!
The same workout I’d done several times completely changed once I moved into a shorter time domain. Had I not scaled down the weight, I wouldn’t be able to reach this intensity level or reap its benefits.
Today when you do Fran, consider scaling the thrusters and/or pull ups to complete it in a shorter time. It may totally change your workout!
Justin R rockin’ push ups

Today’s schedule

6a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
7a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
8a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
12n: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
4p: All Levels CrossFit- Amy
5p: All Levels CrossFit- Amy
6p: All Levels CrossFit- Amy

Workout of the Day (WOD):

A. Single-leg step ups (to a knee-high box): 4 sets of 8 work-ups
B. “Fran”:
21-15-9 reps for time:
Thrusters 95/65
Pull ups

And coming tomorrow…TEAM WOD SATURDAY

In teams of 2-4 people, complete 3 rounds for time:
Run 400m (all team members together)
50 bear complex 95/65
60 toes to bar
Farmers carry – down and back in parking lot (each person) 2 pood/1.5 pood

FRI 10.11.13 Messing with Fran Read More »

Quality groceries on a budget

by ITP student Uran
I’ve heard people complain that eating healthier, be it Paleo or otherwise, is too expensive.
Trust me, I understand. If you’ve ever tried to do your weekly grocery shopping at Whole Foods, you’ve probably walked out of there gasping for breath at the realization that you just dropped a small fortune on a week’s worth of groceries for ONE person.
Here are some tips and tricks on eating clean and keeping your wallet happy:
Shop around – Yes, it takes a little bit more planning and time to hit up more than one store, but it can really be worth it in terms of savings. Trader Joe’s is your best bet for most of the week’s food if you’re eating paleo…great prices on organic, free-range chicken, frozen wild-caught fish, grass-fed meats, grass-fed and raw-milk cheeses (if you’re into dairy), cage-free eggs, nuts, coconut oil, and organic produce.
Dekalb Farmer’s Market is another great choice for veggies and some clean meats as well. They have a gigantic selection so you’d be hard-pressed not to find what you’re looking for there.
Finally, Kroger (specifically the Ansley Mall Kroger) is great for everything else. They have a pretty decent organic produce selection and always have good sales on goodies like sweet potato chips, lara bars, Amy’s soups, coconut waters, etc.
Don’t buy everything organic – If you can afford to buy everything organic, go for it. But if you can’t/don’t want to, then just buy organic for the “dirty dozen.”
Plan your meals in advance – Spend just 30 minutes figuring out what you’d like to cook in the coming week, buy some items in bulk and get more bang for your buck. Learning to love leftovers is helpful here as well. You can make 3-4 portions of one meal, and have it several times over the course of the week.
Plus, you’ll cook less and avoid the what-am-I-eating-for-dinner crisis, which will help keep you on track during the CFMakeover. Win-win-win!

Congrats to Emilio on getting his muscle up last night. He’s had the strength to get there for awhile now, and his hard work on technique & transitions finally pays off!!!

Today’s schedule

6a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
7a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
12n: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
5p: All Levels CrossFit- Lis
6p: All Levels CrossFit- Lis
7p: All Levels CrossFit- Raul
8p: Open Gym – Raul

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. 3 rounds: Max strict pull ups or ring rows, rest 3 min*
B. As many rounds & reps as possible in 15 minutes*:
20 double unders (or 60 singles)
10 burpee broad jumps (jump your height…we’ll premark the floor)
5 handstand push ups
*CFMakeover use Part A, Round 1 for STRENGTH WOD 2 result. However you scale today’s workout is the same way you’ll scale for retest at end of month.

And coming tomorrow…

A. Deadlift: 3×5 workups
B. 4 rounds for reps: :30 work, :30 rest- 1. Rope climbs 2. Wall balls 3. KB/DB russian twists 4. Row for max calories

WED 10.2.13 Quality groceries on a budget Read More »

Listober CFMakeover Goals: get LEAN & stay SWOLE 🙂

Coach Lis breaks down her goals for the CFMakeover.
In October 2010 I competed in another box’s Paleo Challenge and came in third place. I ate strict paleo for 30 days…no booze, no grains, no dairy. My only indulgence was a post-workout shake that wasn’t entirely paleo.
At the time I was a bartender at the Nook, on Piedmont Park. YES I was pouring fish bowls and surrounded by totchos at every shift and I STILL stayed clean. SOBERTOBER, ya’ll.
It was worth it. In 30 days I lost 7# of bodyfat AND gained 4# of muscle. I FOUND MY ABS! I slept better, felt stronger and got relief from my seasonal allergies, IBS and acne.
Since then, I continue to eat 80/20 paleo… indulgences are weekend alcohol, dark chocolate and sweet potato fries.
Here’s the plan this time around:
In November, I compete in the USAPL state powerlifting meet. I’m currently about 10# heavier than the weight class I hope to compete in. So I need to cut weight, yet maintain my strength.
I will eat strict paleo with exceptions for pre/post workout supplements, limit alcohol and sugar, and focus on recovery to stay healthy.
OH, and I have a weekend trip to NC planned 10/18-20, so I’m allowing myself one cheat weekend. 🙂
Goals:
*Lose 6# of bodyfat
*Maintain muscle mass
*10 Strict Pull Ups
Diet:
*Strict paleo with ONE cheat weekend
*NO alcohol (SOBERTOBER), sugar, grains, dairy or legumes
*100 oz of water a day
Meals:
*I’ll lean on my girl Chef Veronica at Edesia Meals, the BEST paleo meal delivery service in town, for most of my grub.
*I’ll also cook a few meals on Sundays to freeze/save as backups. SO EXCITED it’s pumpkin season. NO, not the fake syrup sh*t they put in your coffee. REAL pumpkin, like the kind I’ll put in this pumpkin chili recipe… my FAVORITE of the season.
*AND I’ll shop in the CFM Pro Shop for a few backup snacks like Paleo Kits & Epic Bars.
Training & Recovery:
*Whatever my coach tells me to do 🙂
*Lift M, W, F, Sat
*Wed night Metal Yoga at Tough Love
*2 add’l conditioning days: sled pulling/tire flips
*8 hours of sleep a night
*Weekly massage
*Weekly acupuncture
*Weekly float tank (sensory deprivation)
*2x/wk chiropractic adjustments & ART
*3x/week cryotherapy
Other
*Daily meditation
*Daily journaling

What are your goals for the CFMakeover? Post in the comments below… Not registered yet? What are you waiting for? Get in the game to change your life by Halloween! Check out CFMakeover details here.

We’ll place the CFMakeover t-shirt/v-neck orders Monday. Let us know your size!

Today’s schedule

6a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
7a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
8a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
12n: All Levels CrossFit- Cassie
4p: All Levels CrossFit- Amy
5p: All Levels CrossFit- Amy
6p: All Levels CrossFit- Amy

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. 10 min mobility work
B. 10 min goat work
C. “Karen” – For time:
150 wall balls 20/14

And coming tomorrow…Team Chipper

Work in teams of 3-4. Complete in any order, but once you start one movement, you must complete all reps before starting another movement.
40 Tire flips
60 Box jumps
80 Kettlebell swings
100 Burpees (jump to a 45# plate)
120 Walking lunges
Optional cash out:100 yard sled drag OR prowler push

FRI 09.27.13 Lis’s CFMakeover game plan Read More »

Last day for CFMakeover Early Bird perks!

Our Fall challenge starts October 1…that’s just ONE WEEK AWAY! To sweeten the deal, we have a few bribes to entice you to get in the game early!
Register by midnight tonight and you’ll earn the following perk:
Gold members – one 15-minute skill session with Coach Lis or Coach Beka, to work on a skill of your choice.
Silver, Bronze or Basic members – free Open Gym access in October. You can attend CFM’s Open Gym sessions WITHOUT using one of your weekly visits. Open Gym times are Tues 8-9p, Wed 8-9p, Sun 1-2p.
Local non-members – free CFM yoga in October (classes are Thurs 8:15p & Sun 6p)
Remote non-members – one 15-minute nutrition consult with Coach Beka.
*These perks are not interchangeable (in other words, no, a Basic member can’t opt instead for a skill session).

Check out CFMakeover details here.

Leslie and Kevin powering through burpees and chin ups!

Today’s schedule

6a: All Levels CrossFit- Justin
7a: All Levels CrossFit- Justin
8a: All Levels CrossFit- Justin
12n: All Levels CrossFit- Lis
5p: All Levels CrossFit- Lis
6p: All Levels CrossFit- Lis
7p: All Levels CrossFit- Lis
8p: Open Gym- Lis

Workout of the Day

A. Power clean:5×3 (workups)
B. Jerk: 5×1 (workups)
C. Tabata row OR AirDyne OR jump rope singles OR double unders (if you trained on 9/4, choose a different option from what you did then)

And coming tomorrow…
Complete 4 rounds: Max Rep Bench Press 185/120
Max Rep Strict Pull Ups
15 Medicine Ball Sit Up Throws 20/14
*For med ball throws, get into a sit up position about 6-8 feet from the wall. Start with your back flat on the ground and the ball overhead. Sit up while flinging med ball against the wall, catch and repeat. Post total number of reps on bench & pull ups to comments.

TUES 9.24.13 Last day for CFMakeover Early Bird perks! Read More »

Accountability Ideas

By Coach Beka
At CFM we have weekly staff meetings, and every Monday we share our positive focus and critical tasks for the week. I’ve realized when it comes to my personal tasks (preparing meals at home, sticking to my workout routine, etc), there’s always something that lingers around for a while without getting accomplished.
PROCRASTINATION at its finest.
From now on when I realize that I’m putting a task off to the side, work or personal, I’m going to come up with something to hold myself accountable to…aka, something I would HATE having to do if I don’t get that task done by the deadline. Thanks to Lis for sharing this blog post containing tips, phone apps and programs to keep us accountable to our goals.
I will definitely be putting some of these to work during our CFMakeover Challenge next month!

Hans making tuck jumps look easy!

Today’s schedule

6a: All Levels CrossFit- Lis
7a: All Levels CrossFit- Lis
12n: All Levels CrossFit- Lis
5p: All Levels CrossFit- Lis
6p: All Levels CrossFit- Lis
7p: All Levels CrossFit- Cassie
8p: Beginner CrossFit – Cassie
8:15p: Yoga – Samantha

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. Weighted pull ups: 4×4 workups
B.As many rounds as possible in 10 minutes:
3 Power Cleans @ 55% of 1 RM
5 Pull Ups
10 Push Ups
15 Air Squats or 1 round of “Cindy”

And coming tomorrow

A. 10 min mobility work
B. 10 min POSE skillwork
C. “Nancy”
5 rounds for time:
400m run
15 overhead squats 95/65

THURS 9.19.13 Accountability for Procrastinators Read More »

A game of inches

by Coach Raul
Considering football season has begun, the monologue below from “Any Given Sunday” is appropriate. This message applies well beyond football, to life in general. The six inches right in front of our faces are what matter.
Be proud of your accomplishments – look back to when you started CrossFit, and look at where you are now. Those little inches… those small goals accomplished one by one, add up to the moon and back. Be proud and like always, DO WORK!

“You know when you get old in life
things get taken from you.
That’s, that’s part of life.
But… you only learn that when you start losing stuff.
You find out that life is just a game of inches.
So is football.
Because in either game – life or football
the margin for error is so small.
I mean… one half step too late or too early
you don’t quite make it.
One half second too slow or too fast
and you don’t quite catch it.
The inches we need are everywhere around us.
They are in every break of the game
every minute, every second.
On this team, we fight for that inch.
On this team, we tear ourselves, and everyone around us
to pieces for that inch.
We CLAW with our finger nails for that inch.
Cause we know… when we add up all those inches
that’s going to make the f*cking difference
between WINNING and LOSING
between LIVING and DYING.
I’ll tell you this… in any fight…
it is the guy who is willing to die
who is going to win that inch.
And I know… if I am going to have any life anymore
it is because I am still willing to fight, and die for that inch
because that is what LIVING is –
The six inches in front of your face.”

Scott D. spotting Wes on bench.

Today’s schedule

6a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
7a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
12n: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
5p: All Levels CrossFit- Lis
6p: All Levels CrossFit- Lis
7p: All Levels CrossFit- Raul
8p: Open Gym – Raul

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. Back squat: 4×4 workups (add 5# to last back squat workout)
B. 15-10-5 reps for time:
Thrusters 95/65
Box Jumps 24/20
Pull Ups

And coming tomorrow…

A. Bench press: 4×4 workups
B. For time: BUY IN: 3 rope climbs, then
30-20-10 of
Russian KB swings
Lateral hops
Abmat sit ups
then, CASH OUT: 3 rope climbs

WED 9.11.13 A game of inches Read More »

Eat Locally!

By Coach Beka
How much thought do you put into where your food comes from? There are many benefits to eating locally, like supporting local farms & fresher (better tasting!) food.
Here is some great info on the benefits of eating locally, along with information on joining a CSA (community supported agriculture) group.
It’s much easier to find local food than you may think! Here’s a list of our Atlanta Farmers Markets…we’re lucky to have options several days a week:
Tuesdays: -Emory (569 Asbury Circle), 12-5p
Wednesdays: -Decatur (March-Oct), 4-7p
Thursdays:-East Atlanta (561 Flat Shoals Ave.), 4-8p
-Green Market at Peachtree Center (225 Peachtree St. NE), 11:30a-2:30p
-Old Five Points Drive-Thru Farmers Market (2140 Johnson Ferry Road), 3-8p
Saturdays:-Green Market at Piedmont Park (12th St Gate), 9a-1:30p
-Morningside (1393 North Highland Ave), 7:30-11:30a
-Brookhaven (1441 Dresden Drive), 9a-1p
-Peachtree Road Farmers Market (2744 Peachtree Rd), 8:30a-12p
Sundays: -Grant Park (800 Cherokee Ave), 9:30a-1:30p

And Whole Foods Market is having a one-day sale this Friday on local grass-fed ground beef – just $4.99 a pound!
Streets Alive bike parade. Thanks to all who came out to play yesterday.

Today’s schedule

6a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
7a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
12n: All Levels CrossFit- Lis
5p: All Levels CrossFit- Ben
6p: All Levels CrossFit- Ben
6:30p: Group Intro- Lis
7p: All Levels CrossFit- Cassie
8p: Beginner CrossFit- Cassie

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. Deadlift: 4×4 workups
B. 7 rounds for time:
7 kettlebell snatch R
7 kettlebell snatch L
7 strict pull ups

And coming tomorrow…

A. Power clean: 3×3
B. “The Chief”
Max rounds in 3 minutes of:
3 Power cleans 135/95
6 Push-ups
9 Squats
Rest 1 minute. Repeat for a total of 5 cycles.

MON 9.9.13 Eat Locally Read More »