ring rows

Today’s schedule

6a: All Levels CrossFit- Casey
7a: All Levels CrossFit- Michael
8a: Open Gym- Michael
12n: All Levels CrossFit- Michael
1:15p: College CrossFit- Michael
4p: All Levels CrossFit- Lis
5p: All Levels CrossFit- Lis
6p: All Levels CrossFit- Lis

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. Thrusters: In 10 minutes work up to a heavy set of 3

B. Fran
21-15-9
Thrusters (95/65)
Pullups**

** No Bands. Sub barbell assisted pullups 1:1 or ring rows 2:1

And coming Saturday…

Rep Rounds of:
10-8-6-4-2 Power Clean (135/95)
20-16-12-8-4 Toes to bar
4 Tire flips each round

FRI 04.25.14 Fran Read More »

All the rings are taken for some ring dip strength work.

Today’s schedule

6a: All Levels CrossFit- Casey
7a: All Levels CrossFit- Michael
8a: Open Gym- Michael
12n: All Levels CrossFit- Kelly
1:45p: College CrossFit- Kelly
4p: Open Gym- Michael
5p: All Levels CrossFit- Michael
6p: All Levels CrossFit- Kelly
7p: All Levels CrossFit- Kelly
8p: Open Gym- Kelly

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. Back Squat: 3 sets of 5 worksets. All sets at the same weight. Rest 3 minutes between sets.

B. 7 minutes as many rounds as possible (AMRAP) of:
7 Wallball Shots 10ft (20/14)
7 Pullups**

**No Bands. Sub barbell assisted pullups 1:1 or ring rows 2:1

And coming tomorrow…

A. Push Press: 5 sets of 3 reps. Workup to a heavy set of 3.

B. 4 Rounds For Time:
4 Hang Power Clean (155/100)
8 Shoulder to overhead (155/100)
12 Pushups**

**Mod for pushups is incline pushups 1:1.

Thursday, April 24th is Bring a Friend Day!! We’ll have an all levels friendly WOD so invite a friend to join you for class on Thursday.

TUES 04.22.14 Read More »

What’s in a wall ball shot?
CrossFit’s wall ball exercise is an example high functionality and the marked carryover of cardiorespiratory benefit to sport and human performance in general, writes Coach Greg Glassman.
CrossFit Journal: Functionality & Wall Ball

YOGA Tonight: Monday, April 14th at 7:00pm in the front room with Monica Miller

Today’s schedule

6a: All Levels CrossFit- Becca
7a: All Levels CrossFit- Becca
8a: Open Gym- Becca
12n: All Levels CrossFit- Kelly
4p: Open Gym- Michael
5p: All Levels CrossFit- Ben
6p: All Levels CrossFit- Ben
7p: All Levels CrossFit- Kelly
7p: YOGA Front Room- Monica
8p: Open Gym- Kelly

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. Bench Press: 3 worksets of 5 reps. All sets at the same weight. Max reps 3rd set. Rest 3 minutes after each set.

B. 6 Rounds For Time:
7 Burpees to 6” target
8 Ring Rows
9 Wall ball shots 10ft target (20″/14″)

And coming tomorrow…

A. Power Snatch: Every minute on the minute for 10 minutes: 1 Power Snatch. All reps at the same weight.

B. 3 Rounds For Time:
500m Row
21 Power Snatch (95:75 / 65:55)**

**(men Rx+ : men Rx / women Rx+ : women Rx)

MON 04.14.14 Read More »

Part 2: Homeostasis & exercise

by Instructor Training Program member Uran
In Part 2 of the Homeostasis blog series, we discussed the effect of diet on your body’s ability to regulate the metabolic condition. When your body fails to respond appropriately to your nutritional consumption, your metabolic systems shift out of balance, which can lead to all sorts of endocrine disorders. Today, we’re talking about something fun…
Something all of us in the CFM community share: a love of exercise.
Exercise, in all its forms, has a largely positive effect on the body. When you work out, you expend energy which sets off a series of reactions to try and maintain homeostasis. Your body knows it needs to get more oxygen to create new energy and sustain the increased activity level, and it does this in two ways.
First, your breathing rate increases to allow you to introduce oxygen to the bloodstream at a faster rate. Second, the increase of oxygen in the bloodstream prompts your heart to beat faster in order to deliver all that extra oxygen to your cells.
Why is this awesome?
By getting more oxygen into your lungs and then into your bloodstream, you exercise your heart, which in turn allows it to beat slower and with less effort. In the same way that repeated exercise in the gym relates to improved performance, repeated exercise for your heart causes it to work more efficiently and have more time to relax, thus lowering your blood pressure. So, come in, break a sweat, and feel even better about it than you already do.
And don’t forget that food and sleep are also major factors in helping your body maintain the stable condition it wants to be in. Help yourself out and give your body the tools to succeed.

Kerry and Tripp on wall balls and roll outs!

Today’s schedule

6a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
7a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
8a: Open Gym- Tirzah
12n: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
4p: Open Gym- Lis
5p: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
6p: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
7p: All Levels CrossFit- Cassie
8p: Open Gym- Cassie
8:15p: Yoga- Samantha

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A1. Dumbbell external rotation: 3 sets of 10 (ea arm)
A2. Ring rows (2-second pause at top): 3 set of 10, rest :30
B. Back squat: 3 at 70% of one-rep max, 3 @ 80%, 3 @ 90% (3:00 rest between sets)
C. 10 minutes max effort: Row for meters, AirDyne for calories, jump rope singles or double unders

And coming tomorrow…

“Angie” – complete for time:
100 pull ups
100 push ups
100 sit ups
100 squats

Holiday Travel Workout

100 burpees for time

THURS 12.5.13 Homeostasis & Exercise Read More »

Part 2: Homeostasis & food

by Instructor Training Program member Uran

In yesterday’s post, I talked about the effect of sleep on your body’s ability to maintain a stable condition.
When you don’t provide your body with enough rest and recovery, hormonal imbalances occur, resulting in weight gain, lackluster skin, and decreased muscle growth.
Nearly as important as rest is the role your diet plays in aiding your ability to stay in homeostasis.
Metabolism plays a big role in maintaining homeostasis. In the simplest terms, you can think of your metabolism as a fire. The quality of food you eat can be thought of as sawdust or logs that are thrown on the fire.
Things that produce a very quick insulin response or spike in blood sugar, such as sweets or heavily processed foods, are like sawdust being tossed into the fire. They create a big flash for a few seconds and then nada.
Good-quality, whole foods, on the other hand, are more akin to a log. They burn nice and consistently for a long period of time, providing sustained energy, rather than energy spikes and crashes that cause your body to overcompensate to regulate your blood sugar.
When your homeostatic balance becomes disrupted and stays that way, problems can occur. Your pancreas can become over-taxed from working extra hard on blood-sugar regulation due to consumption of less than stellar foods. Your cells can become resistant to insulin.
In any case, extended periods of metabolic imbalance in the body can lead to obesity, diabetes, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, and thyroid dysfunction.
Be kind to your body and give it the fuel it needs. Sure, this isn’t the time of year when many people are focused on nutrition, but don’t forget nutrition coaching is included with every CFM membership.
If you’d like us to take a look at a three-day food log for you and offer some feedback, contact us and we’ll send you details on what to track for us, so we can teach you how to optimize your health and make better gains in the box!
Stay tuned for final part of the series where I’ll discuss the relationship between exercise and homeostasis.

Jason (front), Jared & Scott D on barbell roll outs.

Today’s schedule

6a: All Levels CrossFit- Rebecca
7a: All Levels CrossFit- Rebecca
8a: Open Gym- Tirzah
11a: Yoga- Amy
12n: All Levels CrossFit- Amy
4p: Open Gym- Jim
5p: All Levels CrossFit- Lis
6p: All Levels CrossFit- Lis
7p: All Levels CrossFit- Raul
8p: Open Gym- Raul

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A1. Bench Press: 3 at 70% of your one-rep max, 3 @ 80%, 3 @ 90%
A2. Dips: 3 x 10 (1 min rest)
B. Complete 5 one-minute rounds:
You have one minute to complete the following:
5 thrusters 95/65
Max rep rope climbs
*Rest 1 min between rounds

And coming tomorrow…

Holiday Travel Workout

As many rounds & reps as possible in 20 minutes:
10 hollow rocks
10 supermans
10 mountain climbers

WED 12.4.13 Homeostasis & Food Read More »

REMINDER:

Open Gym schedule starts NOV 1 (that’s Friday). We’re super excited you all are chomping at the bit to get in for Open Gym time though!

Halloween Party is tomorrow

The 8p CrossFit class & 8:15p Yoga class will both be cancelled so we can celebrate all the CFMakeover prize winners! Join us at 7p for a GLOW STICK partner WOD (all levels welcome… BRING A FRIEND!) and stay for some not-paleo beverages. The Thursday night 7p class doesn’t count against your weekly class limits, so you can still get an extra workout in tomorrow, Fri or Sat. Get after it!

Congrats on all the October PRs

Here’s a few more videos from Friday afternoon classes CRUSHING CrossFit Total. Post to the comments if you set a PR last week, so we can all celebrate with you. Way to go!

Regina’s back squat PR!

P-Lane’s back squat PR!

Kelli’s press PR! (sorry girl, I barely caught this one!)

Greg’s deadlift PR!

Ben’s deadlift PR!

Today’s schedule

6a: All Levels CrossFit- Rebecca
7a: All Levels CrossFit- Rebecca
12n: All Levels CrossFit- Ben
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*
*CFMakeover challengers, use set 1 as your re-test/finals result.
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 challengers, use same modifications as you did for prelims.

And coming tomorrow…

Partner “Cindy”
As many rounds & reps as possible in 20 minutes:
5 pull ups
10 push ups
15 squats
OR, if you insist on working solo:
“Chelsea”:
Every minute on the minute for 30 minutes:
5 pull ups
10 push ups
15 squats

WED 10.30.13 More CrossFit Total PR videos! Read More »

New classes in November!

GOOD NEWS! Starting in November, we’ll be offering more Open Gym access during off-peak hours AND those hours won’t count toward your weekly class limits as they did in the past.
So what’s that mean? You have more access to CFM! For instance, Bronze members can attend two regular classes a week PLUS as many Open Gym hours as you wish!
Open Gym will still be supervised by one of the CFM coaches.
This is a great time for:
-beginners to get extra skill work on movements you need help with
-aspiring Team CFM competitors to do accessory work/skill work
-Olympic lifting, powerlifting or gymnastics skill work
-MOBILITY WORK!!!
The new Open Gym schedule will be:
Mon-Fri: 8-9a
Mon-Thurs: 4-5p & 8-9p
Sun: 1-2p
So yes, the M & Fri 8a and M & Th 8p classes will go away, but you’ll still have access to a CFM coach during Open Gym, just not in a structured class setting.
We’ll also be adding another membership option – unlimited access to yoga & Open Gym only, as a month-to-month option, for $100 per month. Check your email later this week for more details, and/or hit Lis up with questions.

We’re also adding a new yoga class, led by Coach Amy (did you know she’s also a certified yoga instructor?!?), Wednesday mornings at 11a. Come do yoga & stay for CrossFit at noon!

Congrats to Liz M on a new deadlift PR (bonus points for the salty camera stare after the lift!)
Matt T PR’ing during CrossFit Total!

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
7p: All Levels CrossFit- Lis
8p: Open Gym- Lis

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. Front squat: 15 min to find your 3-rep max
B. Row sprint: 1 minute for max meters
C. For time:
Accumulate 3 minutes in each position:
1. plank
2. left-side plank
3. right-side plank

And coming tomorrow…

TUES 10.29.13 New Open Gym access! Read More »

Let the CFMakeover begin!

Happy October & good luck to our 32 CFMers embarking on the Fall Challenge. We’ll be testing four prelim workouts today & tomorrow as part of regular class programming, and retesting them in four weeks on October 29 & 30th.
Challengers: Enter your scores for the four workouts on the clipboard by the stereo. The four workouts are: 1) 3-rep max front squat, 2) 1:00 row for max meters, 3) one attempt at max-rep pull ups, 4) As many rounds & reps as possible in 15 minutes of double unders, burpee broad jumps & handstand push ups.
Email Tirzah if you still need prelim measurements & pics done.
Darcy crushing yesterday’s workout at 6a.

8am classes will continue on TUESDAY & FRIDAY for two more weeks.

The attendance average must improve to THREE in order for the classes to continue. We know a few of you LOVE that class, so be sure to attend if you want it to stay on the schedule!

Today’s schedule

Workout of the Day (WOD)

A. 15 min to find 3 RM front squat
B. 1 min row for max meters
C. Accumulate 3:00 in each position: 1. plank 2. L side plank 3. R side plank

And coming tomorrow…

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.

TUES 10.1.13 CFMakeover begins! Read More »

Bring-A-Friend Days today, tomorrow & Sat!

Invite your friends to join us for any class today, tomorrow & Saturday. PLEASE RSVP to reserve guest spots. The WODs this weekend are planned to accommodate larger than normal class sizes, but we’re still capping classes at 20 (14 CFMers, 6 guests) per class.

Reflecting

Today I turn 34, and CrossFit Midtown has been open just over 15 months. Every year on my birthday I like to spend some time reflecting on the past year.
Last year on my birthday, I coached every class at the gym that day. I also coached most of the classes that week. This year, I have an amazing team of coaches & Instructor Training Program students to keep the gym running smoothly. I want to take this time to thank everyone coaching & helping out this weekend to allow me to spend my birthday weekend at the beach rather than glued to CFM like I was last year. Beka, Tirzah, Cassie, Dyer, Amy, Justin, Ian, Carlos, Uran, Khaki, Raul, Ben, Samantha & Monica – thanks for the best birthday present I could ask for: keeping the CFM machine running smoothly & taking pride & passion in your work!
And thanks to all of you, our students, for continuing to make CrossFit Midtown a great community, a great place to train, and for trusting your coaches to help you get healthier, faster, stronger and LOOKING BETTER NAKED.
If anyone would like to join me for a nightcap this evening, I’ll be at the Nook at 10p to sing a karaoke ditty or two before departing to spend the weekend in Dewey Beach, Delaware. BRING IT!
To Helen Back finals crew

Today’s schedule

6a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
7a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
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)

BRING-A-FRIEND
A. Deadlift: 5-5-5+
B. In teams of 3-4, rotate through each station 3x for max reps in 1 minute:
1. Burpees
2. Ring Rows (advanced: prop feet on box)
3. Overhead walking lunges (45/25#)
4. Air squats
Rest :30 between stations

And coming tomorrow…

BRING-A-FRIEND
A. Strict press: 5-5-5+
B. Partner WOD: Race your partner!
1. Partner 1 does max push ups while Partner 2 runs 400m
2. Switch
3. Partner 1 does max situps while Partner 2 rows 500m
4. Switch
5. Partner 1 does max pull ups while Partner 2 does 50 double unders or 150 single unders (jump rope)
6. Switch
*The goal is to get as many reps as possible while your partner is running/rowing/jumping rope. Compare scores with your partner at the end. Who won two out of three? Losing partner has a 25 burpee penalty!

THURS 8.22.13 Bring-A-Friend Days 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

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.

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!