Bench Press / Bent-Over Row Superset*
1A) Barbell Bench Press
Fitness
3 x 5 Linear Progression
Add a few pounds to last week’s weight.
Performance
3 x 6
Go heavier than last week’s 8s.
1B) Barbell Bent-Over Row
Fitness
3 x 5 Linear Progression
Add a few pounds to last week’s weight.
Performance
3 x 6
Go heavier than last week’s 8s.
In both cases, keep these light enough to perform strictly and with solid form. Don’t let these turn into an ego exercise. Really think about the movement rather than the weight moved. Keep the following notes in mind:
1) Set up like a Clean and Deadlift the bar up.
2) Hip hinge until bar is at least below the knee (try to be as horizontal as possible).
3) Maintaining a consistent back angle, pull your elbows up and back and aim to hit your stomach (not your chest) with the barbell.
4) Start with a weight that allows all the reps to be done perfect and without momentum. It should feel too light to start.
*Superset means that you perform a set of exercise A (in this case the Bench Press) and then after a short rest, 30 seconds to a minute, you perform a set of exercise B (in this case the Barbell Bent-Over Row). You then rest a short period before returning to exercise A and continue in this fashion until all warm up and work sets are completed.
Post loads to comments.
Exposure 7 of 8
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3 Rounds for Time:
15 Front Squats 95/65
15 Push Presses 95/65
15 Pull-Ups
The barbell comes off the floor. This should be on the light side light and will be unbroken sets on the fast end. Sub Jumping Pull-Ups or scale volume as needed.
Post time and Rx to comments.
CFSBK Athlete of the Month Michael A. “I was in 11th grade,” he explains, “and DJing pretty heavily.”
July Athlete of the Month: Michael Affronti
By Chris Fox
This month we honor yet another 6am regular. Something in the water? Is the coffee you sip before sunrise somehow more caffeinated, more powerful? We’re not sure, but the 6am class does seem to get after it, and as expected the banter was quite strong during the interview that informed this article. He’s been with us for about 3 years now and from our first introduction (doing a cool down mile on a Saturday with coaches Jess, MeLo, and myself) I knew he was a great guy. I hope you enjoy getting to know a little bit a bit about the “Tornado of Fitness,” Michael Affronti.
Fox: Hey Mike! Thanks for coming in on an evening to sit down with me, and congrats!
MA: Thanks! I just want to say how honored I am to be AOM. You made my whole month when you told me that yesterday. CFSBK is such an important part of my life, and I feel fortunate to be a part of our community.
Fox: Well, it’s very well-deserved. Tell us about how and when you found CrossFit?
MA: I started at CrossFit Belltown in Seattle in 2009, which was and is an amazing gym. I really cannot say enough great things about Nadia and Eric and the place they’ve created. Anyway, I actually found CrossFit through the Paleo/Primal-sphere. The short version is that I’d torn my ACL playing soccer and had a long rehab, during which I continued to eat like someone playing sports for a few hours each day. I got pretty heavy. I found Mark Sisson (Mark’s Daily Apple), Robb Wolf, and a few other sources and began eating a paleo/primal diet, which eventually swung me too far in the other direction. I got too skinny. I wanted to follow a fitness program that would get me results and not be boring. I was tired of my meathead days of following magazine routines at the 24-Hour Fitness. I eventually found CFBT and I was hooked. It’s a beautiful space with a great community, and I quickly began to see results. CrossFit just really clicked for me and when I find something I’m interested in I generally go all in. I eventually pulled some friends in and most of them still train there.
Fox: I’ve heard great things about that gym. I remember watching videos of Nadia and Robb on Kipping Pull-Up progressions. It’s awesome that you got a great start with CrossFit. How’d you wind up with us at CFSBK and why do you stay?
MA: I’m originally from here (Brooklyn and Long Island) but had been living in Seattle since 2004. I decided to quit my job at Microsoft and move back to NY to work on a startup with some friends. Leaving Seattle was really hard and a big part of it was how integral CrossFit Belltown was to my life. Honestly, I was really nervous about joining another CrossFit, but when I came to check out CFSBK, I got good vibes right away. The first person I met was Matt Katz, who chatted with me a bit, which put me at ease. I did “Diane” at my first 6:00am class and then chatted with Peter (Mattis, former AOM) about tech for 20 minutes after class. I felt like I’d found my new gym home. The programming here is a bit different from Belltown’s, and I found myself PRing most of my lifts in the first year, which was motivating. Overall this place is great, and the 6am regulars have a special little relationship. One thing I’ll say about why I love CFSBK is that I don’t have to really work on creating (fitness) goals. The programming is laid out such that it takes care of that for me. As someone who is constantly creating and working on goals in my professional life, it’s quite a relief to come here and zone out in a sense.
Fox: Maybe it’s a “less thinking, more doing” mentality that breeds this interesting 6am group? I’ve heard tales of late nights and mezcal fueled workouts.
MA: Yeah, we’ve obviously found a common bond with CrossFit but our group gets along easily and doesn’t even talk about fitness all the time! There certainly are some late nights followed by early classes that we get through somehow. We’re sort of like a team within a team. We send texts to egg each other on and support each other outside the gym, too. We’ve helped each other through more than a few tough times over the years.
Fox: As someone who rarely coaches 6am group classes, I have to say that walking in and overhearing you guys banter as I drink my coffee is a fun way to start a work day. You’re all there to work but still manage to have fun. Tell us about growing up, where you’re from, and your family.
MA: Of course! I grew up in New Hyde Park, Long Island and all my family is still there. I’ve got a sister, a niece, a nephew, a brother, and my parents all in Long Island, so I visit regularly for family time. I’ve got Brooklyn roots, though. My grandfather immigrated from Sicily in the 40s and eventually opened up Paisano’s Butcher Shop on Smith Street, which my family has run for years. Dad is semi-retired, and now my brother Tony oversees the day-to-day operations. I went to New Hyde Park Memorial High School and played soccer, lacrosse, and football there. I also swam competitively, so I’ve been an athlete of some sort for my whole life. I attended Boston University after high school and stayed active there as well. Fun fact: David Silk was a professor of mine. He showed us his gold medal on day one and sure got our attention.
Fox: I’ve heard rumors that you used to DJ?
MA: Sure did. DJ Flash! I got the nickname since I was “the fast guy” on the soccer team. I am very passionate about music and am always looking for something new to learn. In high school I bought a double tape deck and started recording and mixing songs from the radio. I gave away the tapes to some of my friends and they were into it, so I then started selling mix tapes out of my trunk. I was once at a sweet 16 party with a pretty bad DJ and no one was dancing. I approached the booth and said “Listen, if you just play this tape people will come back on to the dance floor.” Well, they did. DJ Flash to the rescue!
Fox: You were entrepreneurial pretty young! What do you do now?
MA: Actually, I started my first business when I was 10, making menus for local restaurants! I’m currently VP of Product for Fuze, a technology company that builds communication apps for large companies. It’s like WhatsApp and Skype but for enterprises. Prior to Fuze I was helping run a startup called Contactive here in NYC. I spent the first ten years of my career after college living in Seattle and working at Microsoft building communication and social experiences in Microsoft Office.
Fox: How about in your spare time? Any hobbies?
MA: I’m fortunate that my work allows me to pursue one of my favorite hobbies, which is travel. I travel a lot for work. Whenever possible I turn a few days surrounding a work trip into some adventure travel, and of course, visit new CrossFit gyms whenever I can. I was recently in Iceland and loved every minute. I go to concerts as often as I can, as often as once a week. I recently saw Balkan Beat Box who killed! I mentor frequently also, working with startups here in NYC and also speaking regularly at my high school alma mater about picking and growing your career. I’ve also got a blog, where I post monthly on various topics and have recently become a writer at Inc.com! I also teach a course at General Assembly on Product Management and Entrepreneurship.
Fox: You’re a pretty active guy! Great stuff. Last few questions. Getting back to fitness, what are your current goals in the gym?
MA: I’d have to say increasing my technical skill on the Olympic lifts so that they catch up with my strength numbers. When I first started, I needed to get my gymnastics skills up, and I’m pretty happy overall with that area. I’ve been working on staying humble with my numbers, especially after a few minor injuries.
Fox: Alright Michael, last question. What do you think we should look for in a future AOM?
MA: Someone who leads by example, makes sure people feel included. Sticking around so folks finish together is so important, I think. You can always put your weights away a few minutes later once the last person finishes. Also, someone who busts ass a bit!
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Weighting Game CrossFit Games