From our Instagram account: “Congratulations to Ryan J. and Matt J. on their wedding this weekend! The guys decided to get together for their first date in part because they had both recently become interested in @crossfit. Their third date centered on cooking a paleo meal together. They’ve gone to a @crossfitaffiliates in every city they’ve ever visited and, after moving to Holland a year ago, are still going strong. They got married at @threesbrewing on Saturday but needed to get some wedding shots at the gym first” | Photo & words by Kate R.

This Week at CFSBK in Review

1. The Look, Feel, Perform Better Challenge is upon us! See that widget to the right of this post? All LFPB Challenge info can be found there. Signing up is easy! Buy in with $30 cash at the front desk and write your name on the big poster near the couches. Why should you sign up? Chas C., who participated in last year’s Challenge, says that one year later he has experienced “[a] significant loss of weight and boost in self-confidence.” The biggest change, Chas tells us, has been his diet: “While there’ve been ups and downs since the end of the challenge, I’ve successfully jettisoned french fries for good and am generally much more cognizant of the fact that a little fat (or salad dressing, or whatever) goes a long, long way!” He’ll be participating again this year! 

2. Our new 8-week programming cycle started Monday. Remember that you can always see what’s happening on the Current Programming Cycle page.

3. On Tuesday, we shared Mauricio A.’s thoughts one year after placing 3rd in the 2016 LFPB Challenge. As Mo says, “For those thinking about participating – DO IT!”

4. We love dogs at CFSBK, which is why we’re doing another Dogs of CFSBK calendar for 2017! 100% of the proceeds go to PupStarz Rescue, a foster rescue started by our own Robyn O. Both the desk calendar and wall calendar are available for a cash donation of $30-60. You can place your order by filling out this online form: http://bit.ly/cfsbkdogs. Pre-paying at the front desk will guarantee your copy. Orders will be taken until Christmas day. E-mail Bree P. at breebree [at] mindspring.com for any questions.

5. On Wednesday, we shared a fun photo from Matt and Alex K.’s honeymoon in Thailand. There are Inside the Affiliate readers all over the world!

6. As we continue to update our Coaching Staff page, we shared Coach Brett’s bio. Go to yesterday’s post to find out more about the most recent addition to our coaching staff! 

7. Finally, our holiday schedule kicks in tomorrow. The full rundown of classes and cancellations can be found at the top of the Class Schedule page.

Question of the Day: What was the highlight of your year at the gym? Tell us in the comments!

_____________________
Yesterday’s Whiteboard: Clean and Jerk | Deadlifts, HSPUs, Muscle-Ups
Sprint Start with Tiffeny Parker and Katrin Davidsdottir CrossFit
Octopuses Are the Closest We Will Come to Meeting an Intelligent Alien NY Mag

Power Clean and Power Jerk

4 rounds starting every 4 minutes:
Power Clean + Power Jerk every 10 seconds for 9 reps (90 seconds)

Start with a medium-light heavy load. If you make all the reps cleanly, then go up a bit for the next round.

Post loads to comments.
Exposure 1 of 8

______________________

AMRAP 7 Minutes:
30 Deadlifts 225/155
20/14 Strict Handstand Push-Ups
10/7 Ring Muscle-Ups

The Deadlifts should be medium-heavy for you and unbroken on the fast end. 2 to 3 sets is appropriate. Scale range of motion on the Handstand Push-Ups or to Box Piked HSPUs or heavy Dumbbell Push Presses as needed. Scale the Muscle-Ups to Jumping Muscle-Ups or to 10 Chest-to-Bar Pull-Ups.

Post rounds, reps, and Rx to comments.

The CFSBK Coaching Staff: Brett Ferguson

Editor’s note: We’re in the process of updating the bios on our Coaching Staff page. As we do so, we’ll be posting the new bios to the main blog as a way of reacquainting you with one of the main things that makes CFSBK a special gym: our wonderful, talented coaching staff! Last time, we gave you Coach Nick. Next, here’s the newest member of our staff, Coach Brett… 

Brett grew up in Syracuse, New York, and participated in athletics at both the high school (All-State soccer and lacrosse) and collegiate levels. A recurring injury eventually forced him to take a step back from sports, and he began weight training. While Brett studied Jazz Bass Performance and Public Speaking in college and moved to Brooklyn with aspirations of becoming a touring musician, he continued bodybuilding until he couldn’t stand going to the gym alone with his earbuds in, doing “chest” twice a week with the bros, and avoiding leg day anymore.

Enter CrossFit. It took a few months to grow on him, mostly because his range of motion was so poor that he couldn’t physically get into some of the positions. After that, he couldn’t get enough. He enjoyed the challenge of learning what CrossFit had to offer after being physically humbled by so many of its core movements and workouts.

Brett has previously worked as a personal trainer, frequently with clients on the road back from knee and shoulder injuries that required surgery. He’s also coached at Level 4 CrossFit Seattle and was instrumental in the opening of a new CrossFit gym in Seattle.

Brett holds his CrossFit Level 1, CrossFit Weightlifting, NASM Certified Personal Trainer, and NASM Corrective Exercise Science Certificates.

News and Notes

• We’ll be running on our normal schedule tomorrow, but our holiday schedule kicks in on Saturday. You can always see our schedule changes for the next couple of weeks here.
• SAVE THE DATE: The CFSBK Community Potluck goes down Saturday, January 28th. Check out the event page for more details.

_____________________
Yesterday’s Whiteboard: Front Rack Step-Ups / Chin-Ups | Open WOD 12.1
How to Avoid The Holiday Blues Thrive Global
3 Fool Proof Ways To Start Getting Stronger Today BarBend

Front Rack Step-Ups / Chin-Ups Superset*

1A) Front Rack Step-Ups

Perform 3 x 8-12 reps on each leg. Start the cycle light enough to make 12 reps on each leg without too much difficulty, and move up in weight week to week from there. Use your non-dominant leg to set the weight and only do as much weight and as many reps as that side can perform. The end goal by the end of the cycle is to perform 8-12 good reps on each leg with about 1/3 of your Back Squat 1-rep max. Use a height that allows you to be at full depth (hip crease below knee) when the working leg is on the box. Come to full standing using the working leg before the trail leg touches down for balance. Do not use the trail leg to help you stand up. Use the trail leg as little as possible to push off from, and use a tempo in which the down/eccentric phase of the movement is slower than the up/concentric phase. The barbell comes off the floor. Stop the set when you’re not sure you can do another rep or two (i.e., do not bail a bar on a box).

1B) Chin-Ups or Supinated-Grip Body Rows

Performance
Perform 4 sets of max reps. Once you can no longer clear your chin over the bar, your set is over. Each rep starts from a dead hang. Initiate the movement by pulling the shoulders down away from the ears and pull the elbows as far down and back as possible. If you can touch your chest to the bar on each rep, then do it. You should really be feeling these in your lats.

Fitness
Perform 3 challenging (but submaximal) sets of 2-4 reps using bands or a small partner assist as needed to achieve full range of motion, followed by a 4th set for max reps. These should be tough sets in a low rep range with the goal of performing around 10-15 total reps. If you can do them unassisted but only 1 at a time, then pepper in as many singles as you can in between sets of Step-Ups during the lifting segment.

*Superset means that you perform a set of exercise A (in this case the Press) and then after a short rest, 30 to 90 seconds, you perform a set of exercise B (in this case the Chin-Ups or Supinated-Grip Body Rows). 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 work to comments.
Exposure 1 of 8

_____________________

Open WOD 12.1

AMRAP 7 Minutes:
Burpees

Open WOD 12.1 was to a target 6″ above reach. No targets today, but make your jump legit.

Post reps and Rx to comments.
Compare with 2.25.12

Alex and Matt K. are honeymooning in Thailand (congrats again, you two!) and dropped into CrossFit Chiang Mai. Matt reports: “They’re huge fans of Coach David and Inside the Affiliate. They recently implemented Fitness and Performance programming. Our class started off with a question of the day (‘What are your thoughts on Star Wars?’) followed by Back Squats and a metcon. It was almost like being back at CFSBK!”

• After a too-long hiatus, the “search bar” is back on the blog (over to the right, under Upcoming Events)! This is a handy way to look up past workouts and other info.
  

Announcing the 2017 Dogs of CFSBK Calendar!

The 2017 Dogs of CFSBK calendar features your favorite gym mutts! 100% of the proceeds go to PupStarz Rescue, a foster rescue started by our own Robyn O’Brien. Both the desk calendar and wall calendar are available for a cash donation of $30-60. A limited number of calendars are on their way to the gym, but they are sure to run out quick. Never fear! You can place your order by filling out this online form: http://bit.ly/cfsbkdogs. Pre-paying at the front desk will guarantee your copy. Orders will be taken until Christmas day.  E-mail Bree P. at breebree [at] mindspring.com for any questions.

2016-17 Holiday Schedule

Holiday madness is upon us! As always, we’re committed to helping you get your fitness on throughout the season. Here’s what you can expect this weekend:

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23rd

All classes run on our normal schedule

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24th

CF Group Class:
8am, 9am, 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm

Open Gym:
2pm-4pm

Cancelled:
9am Short Circuit
10am Yoga
11am Active Recovery
2pm Comp Class

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25th

CF Group Class:
9am, 10am, 11am

Cancelled:
10am CrossFit Preschool
11am CrossFit Kids
11am Active Recovery
2pm Anti-Gravity
2:15pm Free Intro Class
6-8pm Proctored Open Gym

MONDAY, DECEMBER 26th

CF Group Class:
10am, 12pm, 4:30pm, 5:30pm, 6:30pm, 7:30pm, 8:30pm

Cancelled:
6pm, 7pm, 8am CrossFit Group
9am Short Circuit
4:30pm CrossFit PreTeens

_____________________
Movement and the Placebo Effect FootLove Yoga
STONELAND: An Original Film by Rogue Rogue Fitness

Give your kids the gifts of fun and fitness with our CrossFit Kids program

Mauricio A. on the Look, Feel, Perform Better Challenge

We’ve been plugging the 2017 Look, Feel, Perform Better Challenge a lot over the past couple of weeks, and for good reason! It’s one of our most popular, successful programs of the year. But the best way to get a sense of how the Challenge helps our members establish healthier habits in the New Year is to hear from past participants. Here’s Mauricio A., one of the winners of last year’s Challenge, on how it has affected him:

I’m glad to see the LFPBC is back for 2017. For those thinking about participating – DO IT! I can honestly say you are in for a lifestyle changing experience.  

Here’s what happened to me during the 3 months:

• Weight: I went from 206Lbs to 190Lbs in those 3 months.
• Food: I went from poor eating to healthy 3 to 5 small meals per day.
• Drinking: I went from a beer a day to 1 to 2 drinks per week.
• Supplements: I went from zero to a daily vitamin and fish oil
• Sleep: I always sleep 8+ hours, so not a ton changed with sleep.  That said, chances are you will see better sleeping habits.
• Water: same as sleep. I’m pretty good at keeping hydrated. 

The challenge is 3 months, and for some it might be a long time. 3 months is the perfect time for your body and mind to get used to a new lifestyle of healthy eating and exercise. I was able to keep up with it, and today I’m currently at 183lbs and in better shape than when I was 20.

The best part of the challenge: you really don’t have to do much.  Fox programs the entire thing, provides a tracking document, and all meeting are designed and organized to help you with your goals.

Oh, and you can win stuff!

Thanks, Mo! What are you waiting for? Sign up with $30 cash at the front desk!

News and Notes

• Starting Saturday, we’ll be running on a modified schedule for the holidays. You can always find our 2016-17 holiday schedule on the Class Schedule page. 
• Speaking of the holidays, we celebrated Festivus over on our Instagram account. Want to give Coach David the greatest gift of all (other than a donation to The Human Fund)? Help us get to 4,000 followers by the end of the day!

_____________________
Yesterday’s Whiteboard: Push Press / T2Bs | Farmer Carries
What Does a Human Taste Like? Scientific American
These Are Essential Movements CrossFit

Push Press / Toes-to-Bar

Every minute on the minute x 20:
Even: 10 Push Presses
Odd: 10 Toes-to-Bars

The barbell comes off the floor, and the Push Press reps should be cycled unbroken. If you drop the bar, the set ends. Keep these on the medium-heavy side today. The Toes-to-Bars should also be cycled unbroken, so scale some volume as needed or scale ROM to Hanging Leg or Hanging Knee Raises.

Post work to comments.
Exposure 1 of 8

_____________________

3 sets each side:
100′ Unilateral Farmer Carry, as heavy as possible

These should be heavy enough that you need to rest in between sets.

Post work to comments.

Photo by Thomas H.

Upcoming Training Cycle Template

Training Cycle Dates: M 12/19/16 – Su 2/19/17
Crush Week: M 2/20/16 – Su 2/27/17
Transition Week: Will be the first week of the following cycle, starting February 28th.

This cycle leads us into the CrossFit Open, which starts February 13th! We’ll see some days with multiple AMRAPs, where the goal is pacing and consistent scoring, a unilateral leg-training day, and of course we’ll revisit some Open WODs from years past. There will be regular exposures to movements that regularly show up during Open WODs.

Monday – Upper Body Push + Metcon

Wednesday – Lower Body Unilateral + Upper Body Pull + Metcon

Thursday – Clean and Jerk + Metcon

Saturday – Back Squat / Front Squat + Metcon

Sunday – Snatch + Metcon

Monday

Upper Body Push days will vary in movements, sets, and reps.

Wednesday

Lower Body/Upper Body Super Set

A – Front Rack Step-Ups:

Each week will be 3 sets of 8-12 reps each leg. Start light enough to make 12 reps each rep without too much difficulty and move up in weight week to week from there. Use your non-dominant leg to set the weight and only do as much weight and as many reps as you can perform on that side. The end goal is to perform 8-12 reps on each leg with half of your back squat 1RM. Use a height that allows you to be at full depth (hip crease below knee) when the working leg is on the box. Come to full standing using the working leg before the trail leg touches down for balance. Do not use the trail leg to help you stand up. Use the trail leg as little as possible to push off from and use a tempo where the down/eccentric phase of the movement is slower than the up/concentric phase. The barbell comes off the floor. Stop the set when you’re not sure you can do another rep or two (i.e., do not bail a bar on a box).

Superset with…
B – Chin-Ups or Supinated-Grip Body Row:

Performance
Perform 4 sets of max reps. Once you can no longer clear your chin over the bar, your set is over. Each rep starts from a dead hang. Initiate the movement by pulling the shoulders down away from the ears and pull the elbows as far down/back as possible. If you can touch your chest to the bar on each rep then do it. You should really be feeling these in your lats.

Fitness
Perform 3 challenging but sub-maximal sets of 2-4 reps, using bands or a small partner assist as needed to achieve full range of motion, followed by a max-rep set. These should be tough sets in a low rep range with the goal of performing around 10-15 total reps. If you can do them unassisted but only 1 at a time, then pepper in as many singles as you can in between sets of Step-Ups during the lifting segment.

Thursday

Clean and Jerk

These days will use EMOM barbell cycling in addition to using Clean and Jerks in WOD format.

Saturday

Back Squat and Front Squat

Weeks 1-8:
2 x 10 of each Back Squat and Front Squat

Move directly from the Back Squat to the Front Squat. Start at 50% for each and add weight each week throughout the cycle.

Sunday

Snatch

These days will use EMOM barbell cycling in addition to using snatches in WOD format.

What are you most looking forward to in this new cycle? What would you like to improve on? Tell us in the comments!

_____________________
CrossFit Games Move to Madison, WI CrossFit
Exploring Stress, Relaxation, and Recovery Training Think Tank

Power Clean

Take 7 minutes to warm up to work weight for the metcon.

Post work to comments.

_____________________

For Time:
10 Power Cleans 185/125
10 Double-Unders
9 Power Cleans 185/125
20 Double-Unders
8 Power Cleans 185/125
30 Double-Unders
7 Power Cleans 185/125
40 Double-Unders
6 Power Cleans 185/125
50 Double-Unders
5 Power Cleans 185/125
60 Double-Unders
4 Power Cleans 185/125
70 Double-Unders
3 Power Cleans 185/125
80 Double-Unders
2 Power Cleans 185/125
90 Double-Unders
1 Power Clean 185/125
100 Double-Unders

30 minute cap. The Power Clean should be on the heavy side. Scale half attempts or 3x Singles for dubs as needed.

Post rounds, reps, and Rx to comments.
Compare with 8.10.16

Front Desker Lynsey R. loves numbering our new dumbbells so much

• Schedule Change: Open Gym is cancelled tonight for the staff holiday party

TODAY: The Look Feel Perform Better Challenge Info Session and Q&A

Want to learn more about our upcoming Look Feel Perform Better Challenge? You’re invited to an Info Session and Q&A today at 12pm in the Annex. Here we’ll further outline the Challenge and answer any questions you might have. The dates of the Challenge are from Saturday 1/2/17 through Saturday 3/25/17. This is when the CrossFit South Brooklyn community comes together to kickstart healthier nutrition and recovery habits in the New Year. See the LFPB Challenge event page for more details and to learn how you can participate!

Here’s what Jenny M., who participated in last year’s Challenge, had to say about her experience one year later: “The biggest change is that I’m still 10 lbs lighter than I was a year ago! I feel more confident in and out of the gym, and I’m more conscious of how weight can slowly creep on without you really noticing…until you see yourself in a photo. It’s so easy for me to chalk it up to “I’m putting on tons of muscle” (not really!) or “I’m retaining water” (try again!). I feel like I’m more accountable now. I can make small tweaks if I notice a couple pounds of weight gain.”

_____________________
Yesterday’s Whiteboard: “Fran”
How Much Can Rudolph Snatch? BarBend
How Your Brain Controls the Speed of Time NY Mag

“Fran”

For Time:
21-15-9
Thrusters 95/65
Pull-Ups

This is THE classic CrossFit couplet that has inspired and hooked so many CrossFitters over the years. So simple, yet so potent. The intention is for this to be brutally fast. The fastest times world-wide are completed unbroken and under 2 minutes. Scale accordingly. However, as always, there’s is room to gut out Rx’ing a benchmark such as this at a load or degree of difficulty that’s at the edge of your ability so you might also consider that when deciding what your “Fran” will look like today. Top athletes complete the reps unbroken and with minimal rest but your (and my) Fran might be very different. If you can do the 21 thrusters unbroken but then you wind up in a world of shit for the 21 Pull-Ups, then you should probably break those Thrusters up! Do you rest too much during the 15s? Have a strategy to minimize rest like: 3-5 breaths between sets or a controlled 3-5 count in your head. In any case, have a plan that is honest to your level of ability. Let your judge know your plan and ask them to help keep you to it. And as always, have fun!

Sub Jumping Pull-Ups or scale volume as needed. Use lighter bars and larger bumps as available to save the 10s and 15s!

Post time and Rx to comments.
Compare with 8.8.16

Nikhil B. was in Austin this past week and was fortunate enough to drop in at Coach Noah’s new gym, Crossfit Lumos. He had just opened doors over the weekend! Nikhil is pictured here with Noah and Coach Anna

• Schedule Change: Open Gym is cancelled tomorrow for the CFSBK staff holiday party.

TOMORROW: The Look Feel Perform Better Challenge Info Session and Q&A

Want to learn more about our upcoming Look Feel Perform Better Challenge? You’re invited to an Info Session and Q&A on Sunday, December 18th at 12pm in the Annex. Here we’ll further outline the Challenge and answer any questions you might have. The dates of the Challenge are from Saturday 1/2/17 through Saturday 3/25/17. This is when the CrossFit South Brooklyn community comes together to kickstart healthier nutrition and recovery habits in the New Year. See the LFPB Challenge event page for more details and to learn how you can participate!

_____________________
First CrossFit Workout? CrossFit
The First Time “Fran” Was Posted to the CF Main Site

Coach David and CFSBKer Elyssa S. were asked to help Refinery29 vlogger Lucie Fink with her 5 Days of Paleo video. Check it out! (Also, we don’t recommend eating only one Rx Bar for breakfast…)

This Week at CFSBK in Review

1. The Look, Feel, Perform Better Challenge is upon us! See that widget to the right of this post? All LFPB Challenge info can be found there. Signing up is easy! Buy in with $30 cash at the front desk and write your name on the big poster near the couches. On the fence? Here’s what one of last year’s participants, Evan H., had to say about the Challenge: “The reason I sought out Crossfit in the first place is because I wanted to live a healthier life overall & I was looking for something that would assist me in building functional strength (i.e. lifting heavy things, going up stairs without breathing hard, etc). The Challenge really helped me take the goal of living a healthier lifestyle to the next level.”

2. Still not convinced, or just looking for more info? Come to the LFPB Challenge Info Session and Q&A this Sunday at 12pm (right after Active Recovery). Coach Fox will talk about the Challenge and answer all of your questions!

3. On Tuesday, we posted our 2016-17 holiday schedule. You can always find this over on the Class Schedule page.

4. Just in time for the holidays, our new Skyline Hoodie is available in both pullover and zip-up styles. Pick one up for your favorite CrossFit fiend or, you know, yourself. Check out all of our awesome merch at the front desk or in our online store.

5. We love dogs at CFSBK, which is why we’re doing another Dogs of CFSBK calendar for 2017! 100% of the proceeds go to PupStarz Rescue, a foster rescue started by our own Robyn O. Both the desk calendar and wall calendar are available for a cash donation of $30-$60. You can place your order by filling out this online form, http://bit.ly/cfsbkdogs.  Pre-paying at the front desk will guarantee your copy. Orders will be taken until Christmas day.  E-mail Bree P. at breebree [at] mindspring.com for any questions.

6. Schedule Change: Sunday OG is cancelled due to the CFSBK staff holiday party.

7. Finally, yesterday we told you about one of our newest pieces of equipment, a Y-2 Rogue Yoke, and how to use it. Enjoy!

_____________________
Yesterday’s Whiteboard: “Isabel” and “Grace”
Adam Machin: Sweat It Vice Video
4 Lessons Learned from Waking Up at 4:45 To Do CrossFit WOD University

“Isabel”

For Time:
30 Snatches 135/95

Start at 0:00. 7 minute cap.

Post time and Rx to comments.
Compare with 6.7.15

_____________________

“Grace”

For Time:
30 Clean and Jerks 135/95

Start at 20:00. 7 minute cap.

Post time and Rx to comments.
Compare with 10.13.16

Our friends at Spartan Race are gearing up for the 2017 season and want you to know that they’re offering three different season passes this year: the Elite, Open, and Trifecta passes. These are sure to sell out fast! Check out the Spartan Race website for more details!

Gymprovements: The Yoke’s on You

As you may have noticed, CFSBK recently purchased a Y-2 Rogue Yoke which lives in 608 on platform five. We thought many of you might be interested in using it, so we wanted to provide some info for you to consider and review before you try to use it. The unloaded Yoke is 195lbs. If you add weight, load the weight carriers above all 4 skids, or load two diagonally if you’re only going to add two bumpers. Because the yoke takes up so much space, be sure to ask a coach if you can use it when a class is happening, and use common sense when considering if there is enough room to use it during OG. When you’re finished, please always put it back where you found it.