For anyone using the gym in the morning 5/24: We ran into a problem with our cleaners, so we are temporarily out of towels in the shower rooms. We should have the problem resolved by late morning. Sorry for the inconvenience, thank you for your patience. -CFSBK
Humans of Starting Strength: Anise F.
CFSBK’s Starting Strength Program is a cornerstone of our gym’s culture. Over the past few weeks, we’ve been bringing you some Humans of New York-style interviews with our Starting Strengthers. Who are these intrepid powerlifters? What brings them together? What is Starting Strength Program like? How is it different from other classes? What kind of funny stuff does Coach Jeremy say in class? Let’s find out! In last week’s installment, we talked to Rob U. This time it’s lifter and multi-disciplinary performer Anise F.!
What are a few of the biggest things you took from or accomplished in Starting Strength?
For me Starting Strength was the first time I’ve gotten serious about doing anything for my body. I find it strange now that the concept of getting stronger was so foreign to me before taking this cycle. Powerlifting for me has been about doing something for my body that is not about losing weight, getting smaller, or changing an aesthetic. Those things are fine for some people but for me the fact that most if not all fitness is about those goals has been damaging and discouraging to me in my pursuit of health and a strong, capable body. The biggest thing I have taken from Starting Strength (besides several PR’s haha) is that strength is for everyone. Everyone can get a little stronger. And deciding to get stronger, not smaller, is a radical and life-changing thing.
Did Starting Strength impact your life in other areas?
As many people at the gym know, I am also a performer, a physical artist. I train and create work in multiple disciplines including theatre, contemporary dance, contact improvisation and performance art. All my work begins and ends with the body and strengthening my body has radically affected my approach to my work. I am writing a blog post for Women’s Strength Coalition on this subject that will come out sometime in the next month if you want to know more!
What’s the culture like?
The culture is amazing. I take the late morning class, which meets at 10am on Monday and Thursday. I have visited other cycles and they all kind of find their own groove based on the time of day and the personalities of the athletes. I love that the Starting Strength Program is full of people who have been lifting for a long time and understand powerlifting really well. They all offer really helpful advice and encouragement and everyone supports each other from watching each other’s heavy reps to putting away the 45 lb plates at the end of a workout. I feel like there is a lot of mutual respect for each others’ strength journeys and understanding of why are there—to prioritize getting stronger.
News and Notes
- Check out photos from our most recent Starting Strength Total on our Flickr account!
- Murph Day 2018 is just 5 days away! So far, 118 of you have signed up. Head over to the event page to learn more and get in on the fun.
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Yesterday’s Results Board: Rest Day
Why You Shouldn’t Look Up When You Life Eric Cressey
There’s More to Lifting Weights Than Lifting Weights Breaking Muscle
FRONT SQUAT / SINGLE-ARM RING ROW SUPERSET*
A1) Front Squat:
4 x 5-8
A2) Single-Arm Ring Row:
4 x 5-8
Use a heavy load (or degree of difficulty for the Ring Row) for the rep range that allows you to move with perfect form, heavier than last week. Keep rest to a minimum, 30-60 seconds between movements. If the Clean is the limiter in how much weight you’ll be able to Front Squat, and you feel like they’ll be too easy for 5-8 reps, perform them at a 31X0 tempo.
*Warm up and then perform a set of Front Squats, followed by a set of Ring Rows, heavier than last week. Repeat for 4 work sets of each, resting 30 seconds to a minute between movements.
Post loads to comments.
Exposure 8 of 8
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For Time:
30 Power Cleans 115/75
30 Push Jerks
The load should be light, and you should be fast, scale accordingly. The Push Jerks are “shoulder-to-overhead anyhow.” Be sure to fully stand up on all 60 reps.
Post time and Rx to comments.