Video of the Week: “The Story of Nuno Costa” is a short documentary about a top CrossFitter’s journey to find meaning in movement

Common Hands Farm CSA: Sign Up Today!

Happy Spring! Getting fit and eating well starts now. We have your direct hook-up to fresh produce grown upstate, and its time to sign up to reserve your membership today!

In its fifth year, Common Hands will deliver CSA shares right next door to 575 Degraw (Brooklyn Boulders) on Tuesdays from 6 to 8:30pm.

What is a CSA Share?

It is a membership to a farm where you get an exclusive deal on fresh organically grown vegetables delivered straight from the farm to you! Once you pay the upfront membership fee (payment plans available) you receive a weekly delivery from the farm starting in June through November.

Why Should You Join?

Beyond receiving freshly harvested and health-giving food, grown cleanly with no pesticides or herbicides, you are also putting your money where your mouth is, and supporting the local food economy. This is food from real farmers, and by buying a share you are supporting small organic farms. We grow food for you, period. We are not a distributor or large conventional farm with lots of employees, but real down to earth people. On our farm, a team of less than ten people work to grow food for upwards of 200 members each year… and we care what you eat!

We offer Full and Half Vegetable Shares that can be paired with the optional Full or Half Fruit & Egg Share. A Full Share picks up weekly, while the Half Share picks up bi-weekly. Veg shares are $615 for a weekly (“full”) share or $375 for an every-other-week (“half”) share. Fruit and eggs can be purchased in addition to Veg Shares and are bundled together: a full share is $280 and a half share is $140. Pending interest, Flower Shares may be available as well.

Remember, your pick-up location is just down the block at Brooklyn Boulders!

Go to CommonHandsCSA.com for details or click here to sign up directly!  Questions? Email the farm at commonhandsfarm [at] gmail [dot] com, or the gym’s CSA coordinator, Michele, at mignyc [at] gmail [dot] com.

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Double-Under Progression for Beginners WODPrep
Have Fun Trying to Reach the Poles of Inaccessability Atlas Obscura

Ring Dips (or Close DB Bench Press)

Performance
Tempo Ring Dips (32X1):
4  x 6-12 Strict, 1 x Max Reps

Perform 4 sets across to 2 reps shy of failure, then 1 max effort set to failure. Perform a full range of motion on all reps. Rest as needed between sets. Goal is to add total reps each week by increasing the sets across and/or the max set.

Fitness
Tempo Close Dumbbell Bench Press (32X1):
4 x 6-12, 1 x Max Reps

Perform 4 sets across to 2 reps shy of failure, then 1 max effort set to failure. Rest as needed between sets. Start with a load that feels almost easy for 12 reps. Keep elbows in close to mimic the bottom of a dip.

The tempo note (32X1) means control the eccentric (down) portion for a 3 count, pause at the bottom for a 2 count, contract concentrically (up) as fast as possible, then hold the top for a 1 count before beginning the next rep.

Post loads/work to comments.

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5 Rounds NFT or 20 Minutes:
5ea 1-Armed Dumbbell or Kettlebell Thrusters, as heavy as possible
7ea Split Squats
5-10 Strict Toes-to-Bars or Hanging Leg Raises

Focus on keeping a rigid, squared off torso for the first two movements. Only add weight to the Split Squat if you can do all reps in both legs with perfect form. The goal on the Toes-to-Bars/Hanging Leg Raises is zero swing.

Post work and Rx to comments.

Dan L., Mike C., and Mark L. listen as Coach McDowell recites Walt Whitman’s “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry” from memory | Photo by Thomas H.

• CrossFit Kids programming returns today with a new schedule!
• Registration is now open for our seasonal vegetable/fruit/egg and fish CSAs. Don’t miss out!

Upcoming 8-Week Training Cycle Template

Training Cycle Dates: M 4/11- Su 6/5
Crush Week: M 5/29 – Su 6/5
Transition Week: Will be the first week of the following cycle, starting June 6, 2016

This cycle will bring us back to more progressive, less randomized programming with an added emphasis on developing/building intermediate gymnastics skills in warm ups. We’ll program the barbell movements on consistent days of the week and will once again squat twice a week.

Monday – Upper Body Push: Dip or Dumbbell Bench Press + Metcon
Tuesday – Rest Day
Wednesday – Back Squat + Deadlift + Metcon
Thursday – Clean and Jerk + Metcon
Friday – Rest Day
Saturday – Front Squat + Metcon
Sunday – Snatch + Metcon

We’ve laid out the Fitness and Performance rep schemes and weekly progressions for each lift, as well as the standardized warm ups we’ll be doing for the next 8 weeks, over on the Current Programming Cycle page.

New to all this? Check out Coach Fox’s article “The Underlying Philosophy Behind Programming at CFSBK.”

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Yesterday’s Whiteboard: Bear Complex | Run, Power Snatches, Burpees
Kettlebell Thruster Technique MaxWOD

Bear Complex

Work up to a heavy load for one cycle through the Bear Complex:
Power Clean + FSQ + Push Press + BSQ + BTN Push Press

Jerks are acceptable for the shoulder-to-overhead portion of the complex. 

Post loads to comments.

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For Time:
800m Run
30 Dumbbell Power Snatches, Alternating
30 Burpees
550m Run
20 Dumbbell Power Snatches, Alternating
20 Burpees
400m Run
10 Dumbbell Power Snatches, Alternating
10 Burpees

Post time and Rx to comments.

Azam P. mid Box Jump | Photo by Thomas H.

• Today’s CrossFit Kids classes are cancelled. CrossFit Kids programming will resume tomorrow with new classes and a new schedule!
• Our new 8-week programming cycle starts tomorrow. Check tomorrow’s blog post for the new training template!

Catching Up with the CFSBK Classifieds 

Did you know that we offer a classifieds section of the website for our members? Well, we do! Here are a few examples of goods and services up for grabs at the moment:

• Charles S. wants you to know about the Kickstarter for Pistol Lake, a new active wear company that makes clothing from sustainable materials. Check it out! He also recommends his nanny, who is looking for a full-time position.
• Fatima A. offers her services as a Paleo-friendly chef.

We hope you’ll take advantage of this fun feature. Many CFSBK members have found roommates there. Why deal with Craigslist when you can live with your workout partner?

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These Are the Top Words People Say to Their Dogs NY Mag
Why Some People Can Eat More Carbs Than Others Greatist

Team WOD

In teams of two (Male + Female), partners alternate full rounds to complete 10 rounds for time of:
12 Deadlifts 315/205
12 Box Jumps 30/24

Partner 1 completes 12 Deadlifts and 12 Box Jumps, then Partner 2 Completes 12 Deadlifts and 12 Box Jumps, alternating until both partners have completed 5 rounds each.

The load on the Deadlift should be heavy for you, upward of 80-85% of your 1RM. The box should be a challenging height for you as well.

Post partner, time, and Rx to comments.

Amanda Mc attempts a Snatch at our Next Level Weightlifting Club

• Schedule Change: Today’s 10am Yoga for Athletes class with Coach Whitney is cancelled. Looking to try something other than group class this weekend? Check out Active Recovery today at 11am or at 11am on Sunday, and don’t forget about Anti-Gravity at 2pm on Sunday!

Kelly Starrett Talk and Book Signing

Everyone’s favorite mobility expert Kelly Starrett will be at the Barnes & Noble in Tribeca on Tuesday, April 26th at 6:00pm to discuss his new book Deskbound: Standing Up in a Sitting World. It looks like a super interest book, and it’s sure to be a fascinating talk! Round up your fellow MobiltyWOD fans and roll on over.

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Here’s How a Month of Exercise Affected My Brain Fast Company
Emily Abbott Does “Isabel” CrossFit

Brad L. getting after “Nasty Girls” on Wednesday night. What has been the toughest Crush Week workout for you?

This Week at CFSBK in Review

1. Tomorrow’s 10am Yoga for Athletes class with Coach Whitney is cancelled, as are our Saturday and Sunday kids classes. Our CrossFit Kids programming will return Monday with new classes and a new schedule!

2. And this week we annouced that new schedule as well as some changes to our kids programs, which will help us better serve our growing community. Next week is a perfect time to check out a CrossFit Kids class if you haven’t already!

3. Evan H.—one of the nicest, funniest guys you’ll ever meet—got the “Better Know a Member” treatment this week. He tells us to always listen to Coach Ro, which is good advice because…

4. Coach Ro took 3rd place in the 2016 National Masters Weightlifting Championship. Congratulate him next time you see him!

5. Into trivia? Check out Stella Z.’s Smart in DUMBO night!

6. Into seafood? Sign up for our seasonal fish CSA with Big City Fish Share!

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Yesterday’s Whiteboard: 2011 Regionals Event #1
I Only Look Like This Because I Have Good Genetics… Miranda Oldroyd

4 Rounds NFT

15 Erg Pulls
5-10 Pull-Ups
5 HSPU or 2-3 Wall Kick-Ups/Walk-Ups

Start the HSPU with 3 AbMats and work your way down to the ground.

Post work to comments.
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2011 Regionals Event #1

For Time:
1000m Run
30 Handstand Push-Ups
1000m Row

At the 2011 Regionals, there was a 15 minute time cap on this event. We will not be imposing the 15 minute time cap but aim to use a Handstand Push-Up version that allows you to move through them relatively smoothly without failing early on. Kipping is allowed but you must maintain control of your bodyweight with your arms, i.e., no crashing or resting on your head. The 1000m Run is 1 lap + 4th Ave. to 3rd Ave. and back. All runs start in the direction of 4th Ave. Subs for Handstand Push-Ups are as follows:

Reduced ROM: 2 AbMats, 1 AbMat
Reduced Load: Box Piked HSPU, Dumbbell Push Press

If substituting with DB Push Press, then choose a challenging weight that you can perform 7-10 reps unbroken when fresh.

Post time and Rx to comments.

Like the looks of this seafood bounty? Then sign up for our seasonal fish CSA!

• Today’s 9am Yoga class with Jaclyn K. is cancelled. Thursday Yoga with Jaclyn will resume next week.
• Don’t forget that our CrossFit Kids progamming is on a one-week hiatus. We’ll be back Monday with a new schedule!

Sign Up for Our Seasonal Fish CSA! Discount for Early Birds + Call for Co-coordinator!

Last summer, we brought in a new fish CSA partner and were blown away by the quality and freshness of their fish! Lucky for you, registration is now open for the 2016 season, which runs weekly from June 11 til late fall.

Big City Fish Share, now in its fifth season, delivers sustainably caught, never-frozen, super-fresh seafood from Montauk to New York City. You can sign up for a weekly share of either 1 pound or 2 pounds of filleted fish, littleneck clams, or oysters.  Sign up by June 7th, and lock in $16 per pound for the whole season.  After June 7th, the price will go back to $17 per pound.

The delivery window will be Saturday mornings, 10am to 12pm, starting June 11. This is a weekly, not monthly, share.

Customers can sign up for 4 deliveries at a time, and can easily place their orders on hold through the website if they go out of town. Any funds left in your account at the end of the season will be returned to you by check. Expect a good variety of fish, including big-eye tuna, squid, founder, fluke, swordfish, black sea bass, bluefish, porgy, and monkfish.

If you are interested in splitting a free share in exchange for volunteering to run the Saturday morning pickup every other week, contact Michele, below.

Any other questions? E-mail bigcityfishshare [at] gmail.com. For general CSA questions, e-mail Michele at mignyc [at] gmail.com.

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Yesterday’s Whiteboard: Nasty Girls V2
Bill Starr on Overtraining
$1240 Dumbbells? Yes, $1240 Dumbbells

2014 Regionals Event #3

Nasty Girls V2
3 Rounds for Time:
50 One-Legged Squats (Pistols), Alternating
7 Muscle-Ups
10 Hang Power Cleans 175/115

or

Nasty Girls
3 Rounds for Time:
50 Squats
7 Muscle Ups
10 Hang Power Cleans 135/95

or

3 Rounds For Time:
50 Squats
20 Chest-to-Bar Pull-Ups
15 Burpees
10 Hang Power Cleans 95/65

Coach David enjoying some cliff diving in Jamaica. We are not jealous! Definitely not jealous at all…

• Schedule Change: Today’s 4:30pm CrossFit Kids class is cancelled. Our kids programming will return with a new schedule next week!

“Smart in DUMBO” Trivia Night

Evan H. rowing at Fight Gone Bad 2015. Read on to learn more about Evan!

• Are you on the list to get our newsletter? You can sign up using the widget to the right, just above the link to CrossFit Journal. Don’t miss out on important news and events!

Better Know a Member: Evan Hunt

Welcome back to a newish feature on the CFSBK blog, Better Know a Member! (The name is a play on an old Stephen Colbert segment, Better Know a District.) You all love Underneath the Hoodie and Behind the Desk, and now, in a similar vein, we’ll be profiling members from across the CFSBK community. In our previous installment, we introduced you to Meredith R. Today it’s time to meet Evan H.! 

Name (and any nicknames) Evan Hunt, aka Big E, aka Evie Doug, aka De-De La (if you’re my mom or dad).

Where were you born and where did you grow up? I was born in the south burbs of Chicago. I grew up in the burbs and Chicago proper.

How long have you been CrossFitting, and how did you arrive at CFSBK? I have been at CFSBK for just over a year. I CrossFitted for a bit while I was living in the D.C. area, but really I was just having large amounts of money deducted from my bank account each month so that I could tell people I was doing CrossFit.

What are you up to when you’re not at 597 Degraw Street? I work in HR at The Plaza, which usually amounts to me telling Eloise that she is not supposed to steal or be mean to her colleagues. When I’m not at work, I love wandering around Brooklyn. My favorite is to grab a coffee and just start walking.

What’s the first movie you ever loved? I believe it was Flight of the Navigator. It seemed to have all the elements a child of the 80’s would love. I haven’t seen it in about 20 years, so I’m not sure if it stood the test of time.

You have friends or family coming to visit from out of town. What  do you take them to do in NYC? Cookies from Levain on the Upper West Side. Olive oil cake and a latte from Abraco on the Lower East Side. Pizza from Luigi’s. Ice cream from Ample Hills. They are just coming to eat, right? I guess we should probably spend some time in all of the wonderful parks, too.

Favorite and least favorite lift: Favorite – Deadlift. Least favorite – Thruster (If I wasn’t sure of it before, after 16.5, I certainly am.)

Any advice for new CFSBKers? If you’re like me, you probably aren’t good at much (i.e. Push-Ups, Pull-Ups, Squats… running). At first I spent a lot of my time avoiding workouts that “I wasn’t good at.” The problem was, I wasn’t good at anything, so I skipped a lot of workouts. The beautiful thing about CFSBK, is no one cares.  (Obviously the coaches do, but you know what I mean.) If you need to do Push-Ups from your knees, do them from your knees. If you need to do ring rows instead of pull-ups, knock yourself out! There is a beauty in conquering something new and that can only happen if you put in the work.  Also, always do what Coach Ro says. It’s not up for discussion.

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Yesterday’s Whiteboard: 2014 Regional Workout #6
The History of the Burpee Task & Purpose

2014 Regionals Event #6

For Time:
50 Calorie Row
50 Box Jump Overs 24/20
50 Wall Ball Shots 20/10, 14/9
50 Ring Dips
50 Wall Ball Shots
50 Box Jump Overs
50 Calorie Row

Scaling Option
For Time:
30 Calorie Row
30 Box Jump Overs 24/20
30 Wall Ball Shots 20/10, 14/9
30 Ring Dips or Push-Ups
30 Wall Ball Shots
30 Box Jump Overs
30 Calorie Row

There is a 21-minute time cap on both workouts.

Post times and Rx to comments.

Changes to our CrossFit Kids programs are adorably afoot! Read on to learn more.

• Schedule Change: Today’s 4:30pm CrossFit Preschool and 5:30pm CrossFit Kids classes are cancelled.
• Packer is still looking for some runners to participate in a Ragnar Trail Race at the end of September. E-mail david [dot] packer [at] gmail.com if you’re interested!
• Don’t forget that Inka H. is back in town and taking appointments for bodywork!

CFSBK Kids Program Anniversary and Changes to Come!

This month we celebrate the one-year anniversary of the launch of our CrossFit Preschool & CrossFit Kids programs at CFSBK. Over the course of the year, we have doubled our weekly class offerings, added birthday parties, hosted a school field trip, offered day off from school camps, and have served over 100 children between the ages of 3 – 12 years old!

We’re excited to announce some changes to our current programming. Beginning Monday, 4/11 we will be offering new age groupings for our classes.

CF Preschool (3 – 4 years old): Run! Jump! Skip! Roll! Through playful games and fun activities, children learn to move safely and gain basic coordination and body awareness. Together we explore tumbling and movement using fun, kid-friendly scenarios and games. Your preschooler will flex their mini-muscles as they build their confidence and develop their fine and gross motor skills.

• Mondays, 4:15 – 5:15pm
• Sundays, 9:00am – 10:00am & 10:00am – 11:00am

CF Kids (5 – 7 years old): Building on the skills they developed in CrossFit Preschool, our new Kids classes are designed to further develop coordination and strength, and encourage a lifelong love of fitness. Age-appropriate programming includes calisthenics, basic tumbling, running, climbing, throwing, and other modalities to stimulate bone density and vestibular system development while improving fine and gross motor skills, coordination, and flexibility. On top of physical development, social and cognitive growth is encouraged through teamwork, problem-solving, and building the confidence that helps kids make healthy choices. 

• Sundays, 11:00am – 12:00pm

CF Preteens (8 – 11 years old): Our preteens program is focused on building strength, stamina, endurance, and grit. These classes are structured similar to our teen and adult classes and include a group warm-up, skill practice, WOD, and a class ending challenge/game. Classes will include calisthenics, tumbling, running, rowing, climbing, throwing and basic barbell and kettlebell movements. On top of physical development, social and cognitive growth is encouraged through teamwork, problem-solving, and building the confidence that will prepare them for the CrossFit Teens program.

• Wednesdays & Fridays, 4:30pm – 5:30pm

CF Kids/Pre-teens (combined age groups):

• Mondays, 5:30pm – 6:30pm

CF Teens (12 – 17 years old): CrossFit Teens is a strength and conditioning program that is specifically designed for teenagers and helps them develop a lifelong love of fitness. In a group setting, teens participate in fun and engaging workouts that deliver measurable results and prepare them to be well- rounded athletes. The workouts consist of constantly varied, functional movements that deliver a fitness that is broad, inclusive and general and scalable for any participant at any level. Each class will include skill practice and a strength development aspect, specifically designed to be accessible and appropriate to teenaged athletes. Classes will finish with a WOD, or Workout of the Day, designed to test work capacity, endurance, skill, and strength in a fun, competitive, but inclusive environment. (E-mail Coach Noah at noah [at] crossfitsouthbrookly [dot] com for more info.)

• Tuesdays & Thursdays, 4:30pm – 5:30pm

As we prepare for these changes, our CrossFit Preschool & Kids programs will be on break from Friday, 4/1 – Sunday, 4/10. Classes will start up again on Monday, 4/11 with our new age groups. CrossFit Teens classes will run as scheduled.

We are so proud to bring a love of fitness to so many children! Thank you for being a part of our program. Let us know if you have any questions or concerns. We’ll see you after the break!

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Yesterday’s Whiteboard: Back Squat | Toes-to-Bar, Power Snatch, Row
How To Do Handstand Push-Ups: 5 Simple Drills WODPrep

Back Squat

10-10-10

Build up to a heavy 10 on the Back Squat. Use spotters, but the goal is no failing. Suggested starting weight is about 60% then go by feel from there. When heavy enough, on longer sets like this, you won’t simply bounce from one rep to the next all the way through. Take your time and get set at the top for each one. Stay tight and work on controlling your breathing.

Post loads to comments.

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For Time:
25 Toes-to-Bars
15 Power Snatches 95/65
30 Calorie Row
15 Power Snatches 95/65
25 Toes-to-Bars

Scale the Toes-to-Bars as needed to Hanging Leg or Knee Raises. The Snatch weight is meant to be light enough to go unbroken on the fast end, with no more than 3 sets on the slow end. Don’t sandbag the row!

Post times and Rx to comments.

Coach Ro on the podium at the 2016 National Masters Weightlifting Championship. We’re proud of you, Ro!

Next Level Weightlifting Club at CrossFit South Brooklyn

Want to get better at Olympic lifting? Next Level Weightlifting Club at CFSBK offers Olympic lifting, strength training, and mobility all in one. Weightlifting classes are held in two-hour windows and taught by Coach Frank Murray, one of the best weighlifters in the country. While there is a start to every class, you are allowed to show up at any time during the two-hour training session to lift. Those involved receive the week’s programming. which they can either do during the training session or on their own during Open Gyms. If you are unable to participate in class on a regular basis, you also have access to Coach Frank via e-mail and can submit videos to be evaluated and critiqued. Think of him as your personal coach.

Next Level Weightlifting Club has been running at CFSBK for several months with great success. Frank recently answered some frequently asked questions about the program. Enjoy!

Do I need a lot of experience to participate in Next Level Weightlifting Club?

NLWC is for all levels. In fact, we encourage beginners to join! The sooner you start, the better foundation we can build. If you spend too much time trying to teach yourself or waiting until you’re “good,” it will be harded to break bad habits. So, the sooner you join the better! 

Why should I join NLWC?

The Olympic lifts are among the most practiced exercises in CrossFit and are some of the most technically challenging movements. Learning how to lift properly will improve overall coordination, build strength and flexibility, and reduce your chance of injury. The Olympic lifts are also full-body movements with high transferability to other CrossFit skills. Look at athletes such as Matt Fraser.  With only a background in weightlifting, he was able to become a top CrossFit athlete within a year!  

I don’t want to stop CrossFitting. Can I do both?

Yes! In fact, we created the program just for that reason! CrossFit and weightlifting should be done in conjunction. That is, CrossFitters should always be practicing the Olympic lifts (with greater or lesser degrees of frequency, depending on training goals, of course).

Is this program just for weighlifting, or would I do strength training as well?

In short, YES, we do a lot of strength training! Olympic weightlifters are the strongest athletes on the planet, and while their technique, speed, and flexibility are tremendous, it’s their strength that separates them from other athletes! We can teach you proper technique. but without additional emphasis on strength training, it would be possible to reach your full potential. That’s why we incorporate exercises such as Back Squats, Front Squats, Presses, Snatch Pulls, and Clean Pulls into the program. Our goal is to make you as strong and as technically proficient as possible.

What are the pricing options? What if I can’t be there on a regular basis?

We offer 2 classes per week, which last 2 hours per class. Classes meet on Monday and Wednesday nights from 7 to 9pm. Our recurring monthly membership rate is $150. That option gets you access to our weekly programming and to me as your coach!

If you can’t make those times on a regular basis, we also have 10-class punch card ($250) and drop-in ($30) options!  Finally, if you want to keep CrossFitting at CFSBK, you can add 2 group classes/Open Gym sessions a week (8 classes total) for an additional $100 a month!

If I can’t make it regularly, is it really worth it?

Absolutely! Even if you only drop in occasionally, I can give you important feedback that you can take away and work on outside of NLWC. In just one class, we can identify what aspects of your lifting need work and how best to improve. 

What if I can’t make it on time or can’t stay for the entire class?

Not a problem. NLWC is an Open Gym-style class. The idea has always beenthat members could do just that: come in when they can and work on the lifts they want to work on while being coached. You can show up at anytime and leave at anytime. Also, we’ve tweaked the schedule a bit: Classes now run from 7 to 9pm!  

Can I follow a different program but still get feedback on my form?

As long as the program is safe and you’re practicing Olympic lifts, that’s fine!

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Yesterday’s Whiteboard: Muscle-Ups | Kettlebell Swings, Burpee Box Jumps
Can an Outsider Ever Truly Become Amish? Atlas Obscura