Back Squat / Front Squat

Fitness
Back Squat: 2 x 5 Linear Progression
Front Squat: 2 x 3 Linear Progression

Heavier than last week

Performance
Back Squat: 85% x 3 x 2
Front Squat: 85% x 3 x 2

Post Loads to comments
Exposure 14 of 16
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Team WOD
In teams of 3, complete the following for time:
1 Mile run buy in (team runs the mile together) then,
300 Wall Balls 20/10, 14/9

All three teammates must be back in the gym before the first Wall Ball shot occurs. Break the Wall Balls up however desired.

Post time, Rx, and partners to comments.

Coaches Margie and Jeremy have watched an estimated 5,529,000 Deadlifts together | Photo by Thomas H.

Girls Gone Rx at CrossFit 718

Todayour friends at CrossFit 718 will be hosting Girls Gone Rx Brooklyn. Teams of 3 ladies will compete in 4 events throughout the day to raise awareness for Breast Cancer. $30 for each team’s registration fee will be donated directly to Bright Pink. CFSBK is proud to be sending four teams to the competition:

 Chainsaw Roses of Love: Charlie N., Kayleigh R., Kelly L.
Flexual Healing: Griselle O., Val K., Tyler G.
Wall Ball Busters: Melody W., Elyssa S., Natalie R.

Kick some ass, ladies!

718 is just a quick bike or train ride away. Head on up to cheer for our athletes!

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Warm Up Routine for Gymnastics and Handstands Tykato Fitness
Less Than 1 in 10 Teens Gets Enough Exericise Harvard Medical School

CFSBK mamas Mary H. and Coach MeLo | Photo by Coach JB

This Week at CFSBK in Review

1. In another week of Humans of Starting Strength Program, we talked to Andre L. and the dynamic duo of BFFs Micheline G. and Christina L.

2. With two weeks to go until the main event, Fight Gone Bad Fundraising season is in full swing! We just passed $5000, but we still have a long way to go. On Monday, we gave you a letter you can tweak and send to your friends and family. Let’s do this!

3. FGB TEAM CAPTAINS: Your t-shirt orders are due today by noon. Please submit them to Coach Jess at info [at] crossfitsouthbrooklyn.com.

4. In our latest installment of Behind the Desk, we learned more about another one of our beloved front desk staff members, Lynsey R. We also learned what a “smoggie” is and that Coach David’s sheep costume is still boring old white.

5. Yesterday we introduced a new class called Short Circuit! We’re very excited about this new offering and hope that you’ll spread the word to your friends and family.

Girls Gone Rx at CrossFit 718

Tomorrow, October 1st, our friends at CrossFit 718 will be hosting Girls Gone Rx Brooklyn. Teams of 3 ladies will compete in 4 events throughout the day to raise awareness for Breast Cancer. $30 for each team’s registration fee will be donated directly to Bright Pink. CFSBK is proud to be sending four teams to the competition:

Flexual Healing: Griselle O., Val K., Tyler G.
Wall Ball Busters: Melody W., Elyssa S., Natalie R.

718 is just a quick bike or train ride away. Head on up to cheer for our athletes!

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Yesterday’s Whiteboard: Clean and Jerk | “Jackie”
Ask a Swole Woman: 17th Century Whaler Problems The Hairpin
The Ninety-Two-Year-Old Powerlifter The Walrus

Power Clean and Push Jerk

Every minute on the minute x 15:
2 Power Clean and Push Jerks

These will add up quickly, so start modest on the load and only increase if the reps feel crisp. Do them touch-and-go if you can organize them. Do quick bailed singles if you cannot.

Post loads to comments.
Exposure 7 of 8

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“Jackie”

For Time:
1000m Row
50 Thrusters, 45 lbs
30 Pull-Ups

This classic benchmark (and CFSBK Leaderboard item) should hurt a bit and is all about how much you want to push it. Baller status for doing the reps all unbroken. Try to keep the bar on your body for all 50 reps. NO BAILING THE EMPTY BARS! If you think you’ll bail, then set up a lighter bar with bumps on it. Resting the bar on your back is allowed. Standard scaling options for Pull-Ups: volume, Jumping Chest-to-Bar, DIY bands, or Ring Rows.

Post time and Rx to comments.

Short Circuit: Reprogram Your Body!™

CrossFit South Brooklyn is thrilled to announce Short Circuit, a new class utilizing some of the best training methods to give you a great total body workout in just one hour. Each class includes two circuits programmed specifically to help you shed pounds while increasing your strength, stamina, and flexibility. At Short Circuit, we want you to get sweaty, have fun, and build confidence, one workout at a time. We create an inclusive space where people can feel comfortable exactly where they are in their fitness journeys and, more importantly, challenge themselves to get better. Our instructors have worked with clients in every age group, with every body type, and across all ability levels. We want to show you that you’re capable of much more than you thought! This is our passion. This is our goal.

Each Short Circuit class consists of 4 segments:

Plug In
We start classes with a comprehensive, dynamic warm-up programmed to get your body ready for exercise while practicing skills and positions relevant to the day’s class.

1st Circuit (strength/stamina)
The 1st Circuit focuses on your strength and stamina by using 3-4 exercises done in sequence for 15-20 minutes. We use dumbbell, kettlebell, and bodyweight exercises programmed to keep your muscles strong and toned.

2nd Circuit (conditioning, intervals)
Here’s where things heat up! We’ll use a variety of high-intensity intervals to bump up your heart rate up and really make you sweat. Whether you’re on the rowing machine, swinging a kettlebell, or doing some Burpees, you’ll get your endorphins pumping with our higher intensity circuit.

Unplug
Finally, we finish with some extra core and flexibility work before sending you off to take on the rest of your day. You’ll be recharged and ready to go!

What if I can’t do something?
Every movement we teach and perform will have a variety of scaling options, so you’ll be challenged whether you’re flying through a set of 10 Push-Ups or still working on your first one. Our seasoned coaches can modify your workouts specifically for your abilities all while motivating you to do your best and to go a little further, faster, longer than you thought possible. We are here to help everyone achieve their goals, one drop of sweat at a time! No experience is required to take a Short Circuit class. Just show up and get fit!

Ok, so wait, is this CrossFit?
Not really! While we will offer CFSBK members a 15% discount on Short Circuit punchcards, this class is ideal for your friends and family who want to get fitter but perhaps aren’t quite ready to take the plunge into the world of WODs and AMRAPs and barbells. In short, please spread the word!

Schedule
Monday 9:00am
Wednesday 9:00am
Friday 9:00am

Class Cap: We will limit our class size to 15 people to ensure that every member gets individual attention and there is plenty of equipment to go around. RSVP will required to attend each class.

REGISTER HERE!

Fight Gone Bad Fundraising Update and Notes

• We far we’ve raised almost $5,000 for Brooklyn Community Foundation! Team He Man and the Masters of the Universe has surged into first place with team Bring It On Fleek! not far behind. So far, Charles S. is our top individual fundraiser. We’re off to a great start, but there’s still more work to be done. Onward, FGBers!
• A few spots have opened up! If you’d like to participate, please e-mail Coach Jess at info [at] crossfitsouthbrooklyn.com as soon as possible!
• TEAM CAPTAINS: You should have received an e-mail from Jess about shirt sizes. The deadline for submitting your team’s shirt info is this Friday by noon.

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Yesterday’s Whiteboard: Back Squat / Front Squat | Double Unders, Run, Burpees
Practice Doesn’t Make Perfect The New Yorker
Dan Bailey’s First “Jackie” CrossFit

Back Squat / Front Squat

Fitness
Back Squat: 2 x 12 Linear Progression
Front Squat: 2 x 8 Linear Progression

Heavier than last week

Performance
Back Squat: 70% x 2 x 2
Front Squat: 70% x 2 x 2

Every other exposure is a de-load so these should feel light.

Post loads to comments.
Exposure 13 of 16

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3 Rounds for Time:
30 Double-Unders
200m Run
10 Burpees

The goal is to push the pace on this one and try and finish before the hurt kicks in. Sub 10 attempts or 75 singles for dubs as needed.

Post time and Rx to comments.

Behind the Desk: Lynsey Roddham

You all love the Underneath the Hoodie series and now we’re bringing back the Behind the Desk series, about our beloved and much appreciated Front Desk staff. These CrossFitters take care of the important duties of checking in our members, handling walk-ins, tidying up after classes, and so many other things that it would take forever to list them. They are the glue that holds this gym together.

Last time, it was Juan L. And now (drum roll, please), introducing another newish front desker…

Name (and any nicknames): Lynsey Roddam, aka Lynz, Roddam, Rodderz, or Rodney.

Where were you born and where did you grow up? I was born in a town called Middlesbrough in the North East of England where people are often referred to as “smoggies” (mainly by opposing soccer supporters) due to the pollution emitted by the industrial power stations! I was then brought up in a market town from the age of 7 in North Yorkshire called Northallerton. Think Sheep, Yorkshire tea, Yorkshire puddings, and lots and lots of gravy, as well as phrases such as “ee by gum” and “aye up.” Baffled?! You can find more examples and translations here!

How long have you been CrossFitting, and how did you arrive at CFSBK? I briefly started CrossFit in London back in June(ish) 2015. Shortly after we found out about our move to New York so I put it on hold and started again in January 2016. We live just around the corner so CFSBK is our nearest CrossFit, which incidentally we’re thrilled about because it’s clearly the best one!

Any front-desk public service announcements? Please put your kettlebells and dumbbells back in the right order! 🙂

Ask me about that time I… Texted David O. to ask him if he wanted me to dye his sheep costume!

What are you up to when you’re not at 597 Degraw Street? I’m always at 597 Degraw Street.

What are three (non essential like food and water) things you can’t live without? Good people, positive vibes, and Yorkshire tea!

You have friends or family coming to visit from out of town. What do you take them to do in NYC? Even though Rob and I have only been here for just less than a year we’ve had soooo many visitors, so I’m pretty much an established tour guide! The first thing, especially if they’ve never been here before, has to be a walk along Brooklyn Heights promenade towards Brooklyn Bridge Park, usually followed by a stroll over Brooklyn Bridge. It offers great photo opportunities and a cultural slap in the face. Especially when the biggest city your visitor has ever been to is Leeds, West Yorkshire with a population of 750,000 and where the tallest building sits at a staggering height of 370ft! We always take guests to our favourite restaurant in our neighborhood: Al Di La and an NYC trip wouldn’t be complete without a roof top view in the form of Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, or a rooftop bar hop! Finally, for those who get truly starstruck, a visit to 66 Perry Street (Carrie Bradshaw’s house!). 

Favorite and least favorite lift:  My favourite lift would have to be a Split Jerk or a Deadlift. My least favourite lift (its not a lift!) is anything involving running. Literally my most hated thing in the world.

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Yesterday’s Whiteboard: Rest Day
Proteins Preserved on 3.8 Million-Year-Old Eggshell Are a Portal to “Deep Time” Atlas Obscura
The Kids Are All Fit CrossFit

Humans of Starting Strength Cycle: Micheline G. and Christina L.

Registration for our next round of Starting Strength Program cycles opened last week! Between now and when the cycle starts, we’ll be bringing you some Humans of New York-style interviews of our Starting Strengthers. For our next installment, Coach Margie suggested that we interview Micheline G. and Christina L. together, because “they are CFSBK BFFs and do everything together.” So that’s what we did!

Thanks, Micheline and Christina! Keep a lookout for more profiles of these wonderful humans over the next couple of weeks.

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Yesterday’s Whiteboard: Deadlift / Handstand Push-Ups | NFT Work         
The Secret Life of Trees Brain Pickings
800 Pounds for 7 Reps BarBend

Deadlift / Handstand Push-Up Superset*

1A) Deadlift

Fitness
3 x 2

Heavier than last week.

Performance
85% x 3 x 3

1B) Handstand Push-Up

Fitness
3 x 5-10 Box Piked HSPUs

1-2 AbMats are ok. Knees are easier than toes. Sub 8-12 Seated Dumbbell Presses if you don’t have Boxed Pike HSPUs yet. 

Performance
3 x 6-12 Strict HSPUs  

1-3 AbMats are allowed as long as you’re getting some range of motion out of it. If you can do 3 sets of 12 easily, then add a deficit. DC blocks and bumpers work well for this.

*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/work to comments.
Exposure 7 of 8

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5 RNFT or 20 Minutes:
8ea Single Leg Romanian Deadlift, contra-laterally loaded
8 Dumbbell Bench Press, as heavy as possible.
8 Chin-Ups, as heavy as possible.

Use a modest weight on the SDRDLs and focus on staying engaged with the movement. Kettlebells work well for these. Work up to a challenging set of 8 on the other two movements, using bands or adding weight as appropriate on the Chins.

Post work to comments.

Coach MeLo stopped by the gym with Lilyanne yesterday. They’re doing great! | Photo by Rob U.

Fight Gone Bad Fundraising Update

Comrades! We’re almost at $3,000—which is 20% of our fundraising goal for Brooklyn Community Foundation. Team Posterior Chaingang is in the lead with team Bring It On Fleek not far behind. We’re off to a great start!

Now’s a good time to start e-mailing your friends and family. Rip off a version of this one below, and select, replace, or delete adjectives as you feel led. One of our members used this email a couple of years ago (with almost all of the adjectives) and quickly raised over $500. Jump on it!

Dear/Salutations/Greetings/Hola/Aloha/Beloved [insert name], 

As you probably know, I’m really into CrossFit. It’s helped me/I love it because _______. Every year at my gym, CrossFit South Brooklyn, we have an event called Fight Gone Bad, where we do this crazy/hard/weird/incredible/soul-crushing/soul-enhancing workout (which you can see here). 

What makes the event even more cool/inspiring/sweet/meaningful is that it’s not just a competition for highest reps, but also a competition to raise money for a local organization called Brooklyn Community Foundation. BCF supports a variety of artistic, agricultural, environmental, social, and educational programs in Brooklyn, helping people of all ages. 

So, why am I telling you all of this? Because I need your help! [Insert any crazy story or incentives for hitting certain fundraising markers, i.e., If you donate $XX, I will do X, Y, and/or Z.] Donate here [insert link to your page]! 

I will be sure to let you know how the event goes, and probably send along a sweaty/hot/sexy/revolting photo of myself post-workout.

Sincerely/With love/Gratefully/Be well/Shalom,
[Your name]

AND REMEMBER TO SAY THANK YOU WHEN PEOPLE DONATE! It’s what our moms taught us to do.

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Maybe There’s Some Hope for Political Fact Checking After All NY Mag
Sticky Catch Position CrossFit

Power Snatch

Every minute on the minute x 15:
3 Power Snatches

These will add up quickly so start modest on the load and only increase if the reps feel crisp. Do them touch-and-go if you can organize them. Do quick bailed singles if you cannot.

Post loads to comments.
Exposure 6 of 8

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Partner WOD
In teams of 2, with one partner working at a time, complete the following for time:
2000 Meter Row
100 Russian Kettlebell Swings 32/24kg
50 Overhead Squats 135/95

Break up the work however desired (though relatively even is the goal) and get through the reps chipper style. The barbell should be a medium-heavy load for you.

Humans of Starting Strength Program: Andre Lawrence

Registration for our next round of Starting Strength Program cycles opened yesterday! Between now and when the cycle starts, we’ll be bringing you some Humans of New York-style interviews of our Starting Strengthers. Who are these intrepid powerlifters? What brings them together? What is Starting Strength Program like? Let’s find out! For our next installment, we talked to a relatively new CFSBKer, Andre L.

What are some differences between SS and group class? Were any a surprise to you? 

The two main differences between SS and group class are 1) The amount of time between work sets. This was shocking and greatly appreciated. For a set of 3 x 5 Back Squats, we would spend 30 to 40 minutes vs. 15-17 minutes in group class. This rest period is key to recovery and allowing you to hit your target weight and continuously progress. This leads me to number 2) Individualized programming and tracking. SS starts everyone out on a linear progression, and the first couple of weeks feel easy, leaving you with a “That’s it?” feeling. That changes later on and you will feel drained after heavy work sets. Eventually most people hit a failure point on linear progression during the cycle, and that’s where Coaches Jeremy and Margie come in. They then adjust your programming by either dialing back a little and working back up, or by substituting a movement (i.e., pause squats vs. regular squats) to help you continue on and overcome the roadblock

What are a few of the biggest things you took from SS?

Some of the things I took from SS are belief in my capabilities. There will be times where you see the programming set for you by the coaches and wonder how you will get it done. Trust the programming and the knowledge and experience of the coaches. They won’t steer you wrong. The other thing I took from SS is that strength is the foundation of life. The stronger you are, the easier things become. No, it wont make everything easier, but there is nothing that being stronger will make harder.

If you typically take CF classes, how did the SS cycle impact your capacity in group class? If not, did SS impact your life in other ways?

This was the biggest impact I saw from taking SS. My main reason for taking SS was to be able to Rx more group class workouts, and that is exactly what happened. I did lose some conditioning from only focusing on strength, but that came back in due time and the ability to Rx workouts was all worth it. I feel everyone should take SS at least once and I plan on taking one cycle per year.

We would like to congratulate Coach Melo and “The Professor” Alex B. on the birth of their first daughter, Lilyanne Gabriela Burrowes (nickname TBD)! Baby Burrowes was born yesterday and came in at 5lbs and 15oz. Post love to blog comments!

Join Us for the Next Iron Maiden’s Lift n’ Learn Session

All IM competitors and IM curious are welcome!
October 16, 2016
2-4pm

Press and Negotiating
BYOProgram OR plan to focus on working up to a heavy five on your Overhead Press. Feedback on technique can be provided. Post-lifting, we’re happy to welcome CFSBKer and Starting Strength Cycle alum Karina Totah for a workshop in negotiation skills:

Women don’t ask. Research shows they forego over ½ million dollars in salary over their lifetimes. 

Like lifting, negotiation skills get better with practice. But unlike lifting, success and failure aren’t as black and white in negotiations. Come out to lift, and stay to learn the nuance of negotiation so you can successfully navigate asking for what you need and want.

In this workshop, we’ll cover negotiation framing and prep, do a live practice, and discuss negotiation plans.

Karina Totah‘s Middle-Eastern father had her haggling from a young age.  She strengthened her negotiation instinct with more structured training at Yale’s School of Management.  Now she enjoys sharing her knowledge with other women.  By day, Karina is Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at the New York City Housing Authority; by morning, usually at 7am, she’s a CFSBKer.

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How to Eliminate One of Our Deadliest Enemies Kurzgesagt
Real World Overhead Mobility for Weightlifting Catalyst Athletics

The aptly named Team Height Disparity at last weekend’s Flex on the Beach event

This Week at CFSBK in Review

1. Fight Gone Bad season is here! That means your teams should have done some housekeeping this week, and you should be getting started with fundraising. We’ve already raised close to $2000 for Brooklyn Community Foundation. Let’s keep it going!

2. Registration for our Starting Strength Program opened Tuesday. There are still some spots left!

3. Speaking of Starting Strength Program, we’ve been interviewing some recent members in a new feature called Humans of Starting Strength. It’s the best way possible to get a sense of what the program is about and why you might consider doing it. Listen to Wendy S. and Manny B., and look out for a few more profiles over the next week and a half.

4. Starting in October, Jesse Leach will be teaching Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at our facilities. Jesse is offering CFSBK members their first one month pass for $50. Go to Wednesday’s post for more info.

5. A few spots are still open in Coach Whit’s upcoming Road to Gymnastics clinics. Sign up here!

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Generation Cryo: Fighting Death in the Frozen Unknown Gizmodo
Mattie Rogers Workout Session hookgrip

Clean and Jerk Complex

Every minute on the minute x 15:
3 Power Clean + Push Jerk

These will add up quickly, so start modestly on the load and only increase if the reps feel crisp. Do them touch-and-go if you can organize them, do quick bailed singles if you can’t.

Post loads to comments.
Exposure 6 of 8

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AMRAP 12 Minutes:
50 Double-Unders
25 Squats
10 Chest-to-Bar Pull-Ups

Post rounds, reps, and Rx to comments.

Manny B. pulls a Deadlift at July’s Starting Strength Program Total

Humans of Starting Strength Program: Manny Bocchieri

Registration for our next round of Starting Strength Program cycles opened yesterday! Between now and when the cycle starts, we’ll be bringing you some Humans of New York-style interviews of our Starting Strengthers. Who are these intrepid powerlifters? What brings them together? What is Starting Strength Program like? Let’s find out! For our next installment, veteran Starting Strengther Manny B. was kind enough to answer a few questions.

What are some differences between SS and group class? Were any a surprise to you?

Well, the biggest difference is that Margie and Jeremy create a program for you within the Starting Strength philosophy to specifically address your weaknesses and help you build strength. When I joined CFSBK, I had the superfecta of being overweight, having been inactive for a long period, having just quit smoking cigarettes, and having had the bare minimum exposure to weightlifting. Needless to say, I was working through a few different issues. It was an uphill battle embracing a new lifestyle. Maybe it was too much change, too soon? I don’t know. I was making progress. Slowly. My biggest issue was my diet. I kept sabotaging my progress in the gym, probably because I quit smoking, but I just couldn’t stop overeating and drinking. I hit a number on the scale I didn’t like. Plus, my strength issues were beginning to take a toll on my confidence. I don’t want to do Push-Ups from my damn knees anymore! I was tired of using a band to do Chin-Ups! So, I drew a line in the sand and took a step back. I had to reevaluate my goals and figure out a better path to achieve them at my fitness level.  Starting Strength allowed me to go back to square one and refocus my goals by keeping it simple. It’s about taking 4 barbell movements, dissecting their importance, putting it in motion and learning how to adapt as the weight gets heavier. With Jeremy and Margie’s guidance they’ve hammered, rebuilt my technique, and set up a program in which every cycle I’ve gotten stronger. Since the class is an hour and a half, it’s a slower pace from the group class. You can take the extra time to workout the flaws in your lifting form, make each rep meaningful and work towards manageable goals.

If you typically take CF classes, how did the SS cycle impact your capacity in group class? If not, did SS impact your life in other ways?

Where do I begin? Again, it’s all part of my reboot. After a cycle of SS, I signed up for the “Add On” and slowly got back into the group Crossfit classes.  First, once a week and now twice. The combination of both SS and CF classes has worked great for me. It’s night and day. I have a new attitude with some experience under my belt. I’m training vs. exercising. (Read David’s great article.) I’ve lost 20lbs, so I feel more connected to my body. My mobility has gotten better. I’ve added 80lbs on my squat. I can do something that resembles a Push-Up. I can do Chin-Ups! My lungs are finally coming around. Since, I’m stronger, I do can more of the movements. My overall effort and endurance is better. I’m more engaged mentally and physically with the class as opposed to struggling to keep up. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still finishing last in all the metcons and scaling some of the movements but not the volume!! Which is a big victory for me and something I build on in every class. My fitness journey has a long way to go but the path seems clearer. “Sometimes it’s necessary to go a long distance out of the way in order to come back a short distance correctly.” – The late great Edward Albee

What’s the culture like?

3 things that are similar to the group class: Great coaching. Great people. Great environment. It’s such a good time. I look forward to this class every week.  t’s a class for everyone. In my class, there are competitive power lifters to novice lifters. It’s 8 weeks with the same group, so lots of opportunity to know your rack mates. We’re all doing the same 4 movements, so we can empathize with each others struggles and breakthroughs. Margie and Jeremy track your weekly lifts and plot a program that’s adaptable based on your progress. There’s some coddling and hand holding that goes on. But, there’s a lot of tough love. Hardcore reality checks. Somedays the weight doesn’t move. Sometimes you lose focus and form. Now what do you? It’s about learning how to break through these walls, evaluate yourself and figuring out the right approach to move forward. What Margie and Jeremy teach you is that weightlifting is a craft. It’s something you hone, adapt and master. When I first started Starting Strength, my fear was: “Man, I got a lot weight on my back. What if can’t get up from the bottom of this squat?” And now it’s: ”Did I get good depth on that last squat? I don’t want to rack this bar and see Margie’s disappointment scowl!” It’s been a good six months.

Great stuff! Thanks, Manny! Keep a lookout for more profiles of these wonderful humans over the next couple of weeks. Have you partcipiated in our Starting Strength Program? Tell us about your experience in the comments!

Fight Gone Bad Fundraising Tips (T-25 Days!)

Have you started fundraising for Fight Gone Bad? You and your team should be registered with CrowdRise. We’ve included some fundraising tips below to get you started, adapted from Convio. We’ve also included info below about Brooklyn Community Foundation (the organization for which we’re raising money!). 

Tip #1: Start early. The sooner you start asking for donations, the more money you will raise. 

Tip #2: Set a challenging but attainable goal. Your fundraising goal should be a stretch, but doable. If you are getting close to your goal, then raise it so people continue to donate.

Tip #3: Contact everyone you know. Start with your email address book, then your regular address book and member lists from clubs you belong to. You’ll be surprised who gives! 

Tip #4: Customize your emails. Make the email template yours! Include a personal story—why you’re raising money, why it’s important to you, and where the money goes. (Tell people why you love Brooklyn, and why you love CFSBK and that we partner with BCF!) 

Tip #5: Create an email schedule and stick to it. Set dates to send a first email announcing your participation, a second email asking for donations, an update email, and a ‘last chance’ email.

Tip #6: Ask, ask, and ask again. People can only make a donation if you give them the opportunity. Don’t be shy about asking more than once. People need to be reminded! 

Tip #7: Add social media to the mix. Use status updates in Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn to update friends on your fundraising and provide a direct link to your fundraising webpage.

Tip #8: Get creative. Add the URL for your fundraising webpage to your email signature. Give out “piggy banks” and ask people to save their change for a month. Hold an auction. Throw a party!

Tip #9: Stay focused. Remind yourself of why you are participating in the event, and how the money you will raise will help others. Turn to other fundraisers for inspiration and ideas.

Tip #10: Send a personalized thank you. After you’ve completed your fundraising, send your results to donors and thank them again for their help. You might need their support again next year! (And dude, always say thank you. It’s the right thing to do.)

Brooklyn Community Foundation (BCF) is proud to partner with CrossFit South Brooklyn on Fight Gone Bad for the fourth year running. BCF is on a mission to spark lasting social change, mobilizing people, capital, and expertise for a fair and just Brooklyn. Since their founding in 2009, the Foundation and their donors have provided over $20 million in grants to more than 300 nonprofits throughout the borough, bolstering vital programs and services while responding to urgent community needs and opportunities to fuel community-led change. 

Highlights from 2015 include the launch of the Brooklyn Youth Fellowship supporting 10-month fellowships for young people at 12 youth-serving organizations, a Restorative Justice Project in partnership with four public schools in Brooklyn and the Mayor’s Leadership Team on School Climate and Discipline, and an Incubator Project for Brooklyn nonprofits. Visit bcfny.org to learn more about all of their work.

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Yesterday’s Whiteboard: Back Squat / Front Squat | Box Jump Overs, Run
The Insane Rise of Mas Wrestling, the Best Strength Sport You Haven’t Tried Yet BarBend
Mr. Autumn Man Walking Down Street With Coffee