Are you ready for a summer filled with gorgeous local vegetables? Time is running out to sign up for the annual vegetable CSA with Sol Flower Farm. The deliveries are weekly and begin in June! 

Sign-up directions, pricing, and FAQ can all be found here. They also offer a separate flower share. If you want to split a share with someone, post to the blog to find a buddy!

• Happy birthday, Daniel B. and Carolyn H.!

The original version of this article appeared on Coach David’s blog Inside the Affiliate. 

A longstanding tradition at CFSBK is to start classes with introductions and a short Question of the Day (QOD) while we do our general movement preparation. We’ve been doing this since the 2007 days when were still meeting in a park and over time, it’s become a staple of our class template. Initially, I just thought it was a nice way to start classes and get people acquainted, but it has since proven to be a valuable tool for setting the tone of the class, learning peoples’ names, and showcasing the personality of our members and coaches. The QOD reflects the importance we place on both having an on-going, continual conversation with our members and creating opportunities to foster a sense of community.

Tone
Especially for newbies, CrossFit group classes can be really intimidating. By adding some light introductions and silly banter at the beginning of class, we simultaneously break the ice and get everyone to relax and laugh at themselves.

Names
Intros are a great opportunity for people to help learn each other’s names, especially for regulars who often share a bar with the same few people each class. 

Multitasking
A lot needs to be accomplished within a group class and there isn’t much time to spend trying to create the warm and fuzzys. This is why we always couple intros alongside basic movement prep. You’ve probably noticed that class usually starts with the coach having everyone circle up to start some dynamic range of motion movements (DROMs). We also do this during ground-based mobilization. As folks are hunting around looking for tight positions, we go through names and questions. 

You may have noticed that in some larger classes, the coach will skip the QOD. We know this makes you sad, but completing the QOD sometimes becomes difficult since it will take longer to go around the circle and people might not talk loud enough for those across the circle to hear. (Talk louder!! We all want to know your answers!) It also makes it harder for our coaches to stay within the time budgeted for movement prep. Take these classes as an opportunity to ask questions of your bar partner or get to know a person you’ve never met before. 

Testimonials
We asked for our members’ thoughts on the Question of the Day and we’ve included some of their responses below:

Two people said the QOD was incredibly helpful when they came out of our Foundations program, in terms of getting to know the coaches and other members, and another wrote that it “makes us closer in a weird way.” Peter M. said that “knowing the names of the people you’re working out with and a little something about their personalities is a part of what makes CrossFit special to me.” Lauren B. wrote that she’s a “big fan of introductions and hearing bizarre bits about people. When you’re new it makes you feel part of what’s going on instantly. Over time it builds community. Discovering your own strange habits and opinions is a nice bonus.” Richard G. wrote, “Of all the reasons I keep coming back to CFSBK (health, fitness, varied workouts), one of the main reasons has been the community. And learning names facilitates those encouraging hoots and cheers during the workouts.” 

We don’t underestimate the power of creating a novel and interesting experience in your day. We hope these are the kinds of little things that keep people coming back to CFSBK. We want to make space for you to put some names to new faces and have a laugh, and for us, it’s an opportunity to learn your names and have informal face time with everyone who takes classes at the gym.

We also love occasionally posting QODs on the blog. So tell us: What is your favorite piece of art?

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Mobility for People Who Hate Doing Mobility Catalyst Athletics
First Day of 2014 CrossFit Regionals Announced CrossFit
When You’re Just Learning to Walk, Every Step is a Personal Record CrossFit NYC
Weight Gains New York Times 

For Time:
100 Double Unders
then,
3 Rounds
25 Wall Ball 20/10, 14/9
7 Hang Power Clean 155/105
then,
40 Calorie Row

Yesterday’s 10:30am Prospect Park WOD-ers 

• Regular programming resumes today! We hope you enjoyed the outdoor WODs and yoga and AR.
• In case you missed it yesterday, CFSBK’s Endurance Program coach Michael O. shared some running training tips on the blog. Check it out!
• There’s a new post over on Inside the Affiliate about how to manage large group classes in an efficient and professional manner. It’s only Part 1 since David had so much to say about it, so stay tuned for next week’s too!

Help End Homelessness in Brooklyn 

CFSBKer Richard G. is a volunteer and board member of an organization called Brooklyn Community Housing & Services (BCHS). BCHS’s mission is to end homelessness in Brooklyn, and the organization is highly regarded for its work providing supportive services and housing to the mentally ill and homeless who might otherwise be living in our streets, subways, parks and armories.  Their annual gala is this Wednesday afternoon, April 30, at the Green Room right around the corner at 452 Union Street. There will be a cocktail party and silent auction, and music by Jean Rohe with special guest emcee Wesley Stace (John Wesley Harding). Richard would love for you to join! Purchase tickets here.

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A Life Saved by CrossFit CrossFit 
The Search for Our Inner Lie Detectors New York Times