CrossFit Santa Cruz recently produced this video about “Grandpa Tom,” who is a lot like our own Neal G. and Constance T., proving once again that CrossFit is for people of all ages!

• Schedule Change: Tonight’s 6:30pm Active Recovery class is cancelled.
• The CFSBK Community Potluck is this Saturday at 7pm. Let us know what you’re bringing by posting in the comments section of the event page. We also need some volunteers to help set up before and clean up afterwards. E-mail our Events Coordinator Danae M. at Events [at] crossfitsouthbrooklyn [dot] com to let her know you’re available. We can’t wait to see you there! 
• The third LFPB Q&A Info Session, “How Active Recovery Techniques Aid Fitness and Body Composition,” is this Thursday at 6:30pm.

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!

About the Coach:

Coach Frank Murray has placed in the top 3 at 6 separate USA Weightlifting Nationals events. He is currently the best weightlifter in New York and one the best lifters in the country.
________________
Yesterday’s Whiteboard: Handstand Push-Ups | Push-Ups, Sit-Ups, Lunges
The Power of Habit YouTube 
The 100 Jokes That Shaped Modern Comedy Vulture 

Handstand Push-Ups

Performance
5 Rounds Not For Time:
Max Strict Handstand Push-Ups + Max Kipping HSPU
10-30 Second L-Sit
Take “max” to mean 1 to 2 reps shy of failure.  

Fitness
5 Rounds Not For Time:
5 Box Piked Handstand Push-Ups or 10 Second Box Pike Handstand Hold
10-30 Second L-Sit
If you perform the Box Piked Handstand Hold, then immediately after, perform a heavy set of 5 Dumbbell Presses. Perform L-Sits (and modifications) on rings, paralettes, benches, or boxes as appropriate. Here’s a nice GymnasticsWOD video on the L-Sit progression. 

Post reps and Rx to comments. 
_____________________

AMRAP 12 Minutes:
8 Push-Ups
16 AbMat Sit-Ups (unanchored)
24 Alternating Lunges (forward or reverse)

Post reps and Rx to comments.

Derrian and Bintou, two lifters from the Grace Outreach lifting team, working on the Deadlift with Coach Margie this past Saturday. Iron Maidens isn’t just an event in which powerlifters compete against each other. It’s also a community of gutsy, everyday women with kids, jobs, and a hundred other responsibilities who come together to train and make the world a little better.

• Schedule Change: Tommorow’s 6:30pm Active Recovery class is cancelled.
• The third LFPB Q&A Info Session, “How Active Recovery Techniques Aid Fitness and Body Composition,” is this Thursday at 7:30pm.
• The CFSBK Community Potluck is this Saturday at 7pm. Let us know what you’re bringing by posting in the comments section of the event page. We also need some volunteers to help set up before and clean up afterwards. E-mail our Events Coordinator Danae M. at Events [at] crossfitsouthbrooklyn [dot] com to let her know you’re available. We can’t wait to see you there!

The Iron Maidens of CFSBK: Rachel Hsiung

The Iron Maidens Raw Open is less than 5 weeks away. Leading up to the event, we’ll be posting brief interviews with CFSBK lifters to help you get to know our team and give you a sense of what these women are doing to prepare. This year, through competitors’ fundraising efforts, Iron Maidens will create the inaugural annual Iron Maidens Stay Strong Scholarship. Our goal is to raise $20,000 to pay for 70% of college tuition for 10 students in the College Prep program at the Bronx-based Grace Outreach, and we need your help to reach that goal! You can donate to a lifters’ campaign by going here.

First up: Rachel Hsiung…

Rachel! Thanks for being the first “Iron Maidens of CFSBK” interviewee. What’s your athletic background? How and when did you get started with barbell training? 

What are your goals for Iron Maidens?

What are your favorite and least favorite powerlifts? 

Yesterday’s Whiteboard: Clean | Wall Balls, Muscle-Ups
Efficiency Tips: Handstand Push-Ups with Chris Spealler YouTube
How The Iowa Caucus Works, In 2 Minutes (Starring Legos) Vermont Public Radio

Power Clean

Every 90 Seconds for 9 Minutes (7 Rounds):
3 Touch-and-Go Power Cleans

Work up to a max set of 3 for the day. Focus on pulling yourself down into a solid power receiving position and not splaying feet wide. The goal is to practice cycling heavier touch-and-go reps. But if you fall apart trying to recover your hook grip at the hips, then bail and quickly reset instead. 

Post loads to comments.
_____________________

AMRAP 5 Minutes: 
Wall Balls 20/10, 14/9

Rest 5 Minutes

AMRAP 5 Minutes: 
Ring Muscle-Ups

There are two options if you don’t have Ring Muscle-Ups: 1) If you’re close, then spend 5 minutes on a few attempts 2) If you’re not close (don’t have multiple Chest-to-Bar Pull-Ups and multiple Ring-Dips), then perform 12-20 reps of Leg-Assisted Muscle-Ups on the low rings. 

Post reps and Rx to comments.

Last March, Neal P. suffered a devestating knee injury while jumping on a trampoline (no joke, those things are dangerous). He tore his ACL, PCL, MCL, and patellar tendon. Post-surgery and post-physical therapy, he’s been working with Coach McDowell to regain his strength. Here’s Neal, finally at the point where he can squat some weight below parallel. It’s been a long road, but he’s slowly regaining his knee joint function. Keep on truckin’, Neal! Give him a high five next time you see him at the gym. 

• Schedule Changes: 11am Active Recovery and 2pm Anti-Gravity are cancelled. 

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: 

• Actually, there are no goods. It looks like all of the goods that are currently posted have been sold. Get on there and post some more! CFSBK members have advertised everything from juicers to furniture to cars (no poisonous snakes, please).
• Looking for a nanny? Keith W.‘s good friends highly recommend theirs!
• Leah S. is available to tutor children ages 5 to 13 in math and reading. 

We hope you’ll take advantage of this fun feature. Many people have found roommates there. Why deal with Craigslist when you can live with your workout partner?
_____________________
Yesterday’s Whiteboard: Squat | Partner WOD
Zoe Pablo Smith Cleaning 282lbs Hook Grip 
Renting Vs. Owning a Home

Back Squat/Front Squat

Performance
Back Squat 80% x 8-12 x 2, Front Squat 80% x 8-12 x 2
Leave 2 reps in the tank. Be mindful of maintaining good positions and not devolving into bad form for the sake of an extra rep or two.

Fitness
Back Squat 2 x 5, Front Squat 2 x 5
Load is 90% of what you used on Wednesday. 

Post loads to comments.
Exposure 14 of 16.  
_____________________ 

Michael F. discusses proper Deadlift positioning with Coach Whit

Alex B. and Grace R. making those Dislocates look good. Today is Grace’s last day at the gym! We’ll miss you, Grace

• WEEKEND SCHEDULE UPDATES: Saturday’s 10am Yoga for Athletes class is cancelled, as is Sunday’s 11am Active Recovery class. You can still get your AR fix on Saturday at 11am!  
• KMo has another foster kitten who’s ready for adoption! Phoebe and her siblings will be at an adoption event tomorrow from 12 to 4:30pm at the Unleashed in Park Slope (81 7th Avenue). Come by and meet them if you are looking for your new forever friend(s).  

This Week at CFSBK in Review

So much is happening at the gym right now! Get your notebooks, calendars, iPhones, dayplanners, clay tablets, Palm Pilots, or other whatsits ready. 

1. Asha Banker is our January 2016 Athlete of the Month. Congrats again, Asha!

2. Iron Maidens! Have you started fundraising for the Iron Maidens Stay Strong Scholarship yet? Don’t delay! Sign up through Crowdrise here, and ask all of your CFSBK lifting buddies to donate. Also, keep your eyes peeled for a new Iron Maidens feature starting on the blog next week.  

3. Scroll down the page a little. See that countdown thingy? It says there are just 27 days until the annoucement of CrossFit Open Workout 16.1! Have you registered yet? There will be Rx’d and scaled versions of each workout, so you can only help CFSBK’s team by signing up. Even if you do one rep for one of the WODs, it won’t bring the team down. We just want you to join us! Why should you register? We’re glad you asked!  

4. In the return of the Behind the Desk series, we profiled Greg C. What is a “Daler,” anyway, Greg? 

5. Coaches MeLo and K Harpz recapped their weekend competing at Wodapalooza 2016. It’s a fun, inspriational read. Don’t miss it! 

6. The Gowanus Canal Conservancy will be hosting their annual ANTIFREEZE fundraiser tomorrow night at 7pm at Littlefield (right across the street), and CFSBK is one of the Silent Auction donors! The event will gather a wide range of attendees who care deeply about the health and resiliency of the Gowanus waterfront and the surrounding local urban environment. There will be delicious local food, plenty of beer, Silent Auction, and (of course) an excellent DJ. Tickets can be found here. 

7. The third LFPB Q&A Info Session, “How Active Recovery Techniques Aid in Fitness and Body Composition,” will take place next Thursday, February 4th at 6:30pm. 

8. The CFSBK Community Potluck is next Saturday, Febrary 6th at 7pm. Post in the comments of the event page to let us know what you’re bringing. We can’t wait to see you there! 
__________________ 
Yesterday’s Whiteboard: Snatch | Box Jumps, Dumbbell Powers Snatches
Don’t Distract Me The New York Times 
Mount Prospect Park Atlas Obscura 

Power Snatch

Every Minute on the Minute for 15 Minutes:
1 Power Snatch

Start light and build over the 15 minutes to a max for the day. Press outs are no reps. Be sure to hit reps with good technique before adding weight. 

Post loads to comments.
Exposure 6 of 8. 
_____________________ 

AMRAP 10 Minutes: 
20 Box Jumps 24/20″
20 Alternating Dumbbell Power Snatches

Post rounds and Rx to comments.

Greg C. cranking out the Sumo Deadlift High-Pulls at Fight Gone Bad

• Iron Maidens! Have you started fundraising for the Iron Maidens Stay Strong Scholarship yet? Don’t delay! Sign up through Crowdrise here, and ask all of your CFSBK lifting buddies to donate.
• Do you store your lifting shoes in the closet at 597 or the loft at 608? If so, please make sure they’re marked with your name. Unlabeled shoes will be removed on February 21st. Space is getting tight!

Behind the Desk: Greg C.

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 Chainsaw Charlie. And now (drum roll, please), introducing…

Name (and any nicknames): Gregory James Cohan, Greg, Gregor, Georgie, G.C.O.

Where were you born and where did you grow up: Born and raised in Farmingdale, NY, home of the Farmingdale Dalers. Don’t know what a Daler is? Ya better ask somebody.

How long have you been CrossFitting, and how did you arrive at CFSBK? I’ve been at CFSBK for about a year-and-a-half, but I’ve been CrossFitting for about 2-plus years. I was at a different gym in the neighborhood, where my close friend was coaching, but they cut the CrossFit programing, so I popped into CFSBK and haven’t looked back!

What are you up to when you’re not at 597 Degraw Street? I’m an actor working in film, TV, commercials, voiceover, and theater, and I write and direct some of my own projects. Check me out here! I also work for an amazing start-up company called Seed&Spark, a crowdfunding and distribution platform for truly independent films.

First album that you loved: Stone Temple Pilots, Core.

“Ask me about that time I…” saved my face from being impaled by doing a burpee.

Favorite restaurant or bar in Brooklyn: There are too many to name, but my go-to is Speedy Romeo in Clinton Hill. I love pizza.

Favorite and least favorite lift: I miss Meathead Mondays: Bench and Deadlift. Thrusters are my least favorite, then maybe Squats if Thrusters don’t count as a “lift.”

Any Front Desk PSAs you’d like to share? If you’re a longtime member, talk to new people!  And if you’re new, talk to people to find out how long they’ve been coming! CFSBK is truly a community where all boats rise with the tide. There’s nothing better than a good high-five after a workout. Pro Tip: For the perfect high five every time, just look at the elbow. Look. At. The Elbow.

ANTIFREEZE: The Gowanus Canal Conservancy Fundraiser

The Gowanus Canal Conservancy will be hosting their annual ANTIFREEZE fundraiser at 7pm on January 30 (this Saturday!) at Littlefield (right across the street), and CFSBK is one of the Silent Auction donors! The event will gather a wide range of attendees who care deeply about the health and resiliency of the Gowanus waterfront and the surrounding local urban environment. There will be delicious local food, plenty of beer, Silent Auction, and (of course) an excellent DJ. Tickets can be found here.
____________________
Yesterday’s Whiteboard: Squat | Deadlifts, Ring Push-Ups
Rethinking the Calorie The Atlantic
6 Signs We’re Not Alone in the Universe

Back Squat/Front Squat

Performance
Heavy: Back Squat 87.5% x 2 x 2, Front Squat 87.5% x 2 x 2
Based on 1RM.

Fitness
Back Squat 2×5, Front Squat 2×5
Heavier than last week.

Post loads to comments.
Exposure 13 of 16.
____________________

For Time:
20 Deadlifts 135/95
20 Ring Push-Ups
15 Deadlifts 225/155
15 Ring Push-Ups
10 Deadlifts 315/205
10 Ring Push-Ups

Have the necessary plates nearby to make efficient weight changes. Must use clips. Scale the ascending loads on the Deadlift so that it starts very light and finishes on the heavy side for you. For the Ring Push-Ups, scale volume as necessary or scale degree of difficulty by performing regular or modified Push-Ups.

Post time and Rx to comments.

Brandon R. takes a breath between Thrusters

• Lots of good stuff in the Lost and Found right now. Let’s see… wrist wraps, lifters, gloves, shoes, several cool t-shirts. Claim your stuff before we donate it to CHIPS in two weeks!

Register for the 2016 CrossFit Open!

Registration for the 2016 CrossFit Open went live last week, and there are just 29 days until the annoucement of Open Workout 16.1. Get crackin’! There will be Rx’d and scaled versions of each workout, so you can only help CFSBK’s team by signing up. Even if you do one rep for one of the WODs, it won’t bring the team down. We just want you to join us! Why should you register? We’re glad you asked! 

Join Jacklyn K. For Yoga Tomorrow at 9am

Jaclyn has always had a love for fitness and overall health. She started practicing yoga as her source of recovery both physically and mentally. Her love for yoga drove her to get her first certification in 2007. Since, she has been teaching both Bikram and Vinyasa in the tri-state area. With her extensive study in many lineages of yoga, Jaclyn takes aspects from each creating a flow both challenging and accessible for everyone. 

For Jaclyn, CrossFit and yoga are a brilliant team. She uses her yoga practice not only for added mobility but for strength, focus, and breath work as well.  When Jaclyn works with athletes, she will gear her class around these principles while still keeping things light and fun in the same spirit that a CrossFit class has. Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or brand new to a yoga mat, Jaclyn will offer plenty of options so everyone feels challenged yet still comfortable in this Vinyasa flow class. 

When: Thursdays at 9am
Cost: Free as part of our Unlimited Membership option, or counts as one of your regular group classes
Scheduling Note: Jaclyn’s Yoga class will be cancelled next Thursday, February 4th and all Thursdays in March

Gym Etiquette Tip of the Week: Put Your Stuff Away!

Art by Jen Murray

From kettlebells (like this poor guy) to barbells to bumps to bands to all of our cool mobility toys, everything has its place on Captain Osorio’s ship, the S.S. South Brooklyn. We love that you take advantage of all this equipment. Please return it to its proper home so that someone else can use it next! 
____________________
Yesterday’s Whiteboard: Rest Day
Take Out Your Rage On The Rowing Machine Deadspin
The Life, Death, and Rebirth of “New York’s Coffee Cup” Anthora Hopes&Fears

• Due to the plowing on Degraw Street, our bike rack is currently buried under a mountain of snow. We can’t offer bike storage inside the gym because it has the potential to create a fire hazard, so please make alternate plans until the snow melts and/or we’re able to dig it out. Sorry for the inconvenience! 

January Athlete of the Month: Asha Banker

By Chris Fox

You may know her as the gal who spends time on the mat before and after class, stretching and prepping or cooling down. Or as the gal getting after it when the WOD gets tough, throwing down hard while still encouraging her classmates. Or maybe just as the gal with the perennial smile on her face. Asha has been training regularly at CFSBK for a few years now but has really progressed in leaps and bounds lately. Let’s spend some time learning a bit more about her.

Fox: Hey Asha, congrats on being our next featured AOM! When and how did you first start CrossFit?

Asha: Thanks! I’m surprised and excited! In 2011, a co-worker first told me about CrossFit. Although he was really into it, I was hesitant, having heard stories of injuries and such. In July 2012, my mom broke her ankle in a bicycle accident in the Boston suburbs, where I grew up. I went home to help take care of her and it turned out that her orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Rockett, (who also happens to be part of the CrossFit Games Medical Team) did CrossFit! I was sold and signed up for Foundations at CFSBK before even returning to Brooklyn. I realized later how fortunate I was that CFSBK happened to be the box closest to me. I did Foundations and have been hooked since! Because I like to stick to our programming, when I travel, I try to change things up, getting in running, yoga and AR. I did go to CrossFit Original Addicts in Paris last March so I could do 15.5, and over Christmas, tried out classes a couple classes at boxes near my parents. I may convince them to start training!

Fox: Those are all such great compliments to the SBK staff and community alike! I’m glad we’re filling those roles for members. You were sort of coming in and flying under the radar for a while, but at some point you really kicked it up a notch. Was there something that changed? 

Asha: I did 3x/week until the summer of 2014 when I took Coach Frank’s Next Level Olympic Weightlifting Cycle and added on the 2x/week CF option. The combination upped me to 4x/week, which was a good transition. After Frank’s class, I felt ready to become a 5-time-a-weeker. In 2014, I also started putting in additional time for skill work. Getting my first strict chin-ups that summer became a gateway to work on more bodyweight movements.

Fox: That’s great! I love to see people get their “firsts” in the gym. Can you tell us a bit about your life outside of the gym? Family and hobbies? 

Asha: My family is Indian. My mom grew up in Mumbai and my father in Sri Lanka; they moved to the US right after they got married. I was born in Chicago, but we moved to the Boston area when I was two and a half. The year after we moved was the Blizzard of ‘78 – I remember seeing snow higher than me! Fun fact: CFSBK photog extraordinaire Thomas Hinton was in my fifth grade class. I also have an older sister who lives in Manhattan. Our parents always encouraged us to be active. We started skiing when I was three and my sister was six. My parents and sister were good role models for being active and healthy. I love cooking (and eating) good food and am fortunate to have friend groups in New York from different chapters in my life. I’m in a book club, and last summer, I took an improv class just for fun. And I am doing a ski trip to Italy in March, right around the Open. 

Fox: Tell us about your work life. What do you do?

Asha: I studied economics in college and was always interested in social and economic development. I have been working in education since 2009, but my path there was not typical. After college, I worked in finance in New York and then London. It was tempting to stay but I wanted to channel my analytical and people skills to help build organizations. So after business school, I worked first as a product manager in open source software, and in 2005, volunteered in Gujarat in India, working with a women artisan non-profit. Being able to apply my different expertise towards truly tangible work was exhilarating. I moved to India for three years, transitioning to the education sector while there. I then came to Brooklyn to develop the K-12 school turnaround practice for Wireless Generation/Amplify. After subsequently working for Newark Public Schools, I started an organization last year, Verdant Learning. Having seen top-down approaches to school improvement fail, I wanted to support schools hungry for grassroots change. Verdant helps middle schools (as CFSBK parents know, they are in particularly high need in New York), make parent engagement a core driver of school improvement. We help schools link parent engagement to learning outcomes, make communication easier and more meaningful, and build capacity within their community. Quick plug to our highly talented CFSBK peeps: I am looking for a visual designer to help with my website and some marketing docs, and am always looking to brainstorm with interested educators and philanthropic investor folks.

Fox: Sounds like you’re doing worthwhile work. Can you tell us one odd thing about you?

Asha: Hah! Ask me in person about all the cities and apartments I’ve lived in. Until finding my apartment in Brooklyn five years ago, I had moved a lot! 

Fox: Alright, last question. What should we look for in a future AOM?

Asha: Humility, perseverance, and someone who is quietly progressing while genuinely cheering for the success of others. Also, they should have a sense of humor. We’re in this for the long haul!
_____________________
Yesterday’s Whiteboard: Push Press | Push Press, Row
When Is It Enough? YouTube
This Is No Game The New Yorker 

Push Press

Push Press
5-3-3-2-1-1-1
Work up to a heavy single for the day. Practice cycling the barbell from overhead directly to the front rack/dip and drive in your early sets. Work hard to stay braced, especially on the heavy singles. 

Post loads to comments.
____________________

5 Rounds for Reps: 
1 Minute Max Push Press at 70% of your heavy single
Rest 1 Minute
1 Minute Max Calories Rowed
Rest 1 Minute
Aim for consistent reps/cals on all rounds.

Post Rx, reps, and cals to comments. 

Miami sounds real nice right about now, doesn’t it?

Wodapalooza 2016: A Recap

Last weekend we kept you updated on CFSBK’s exploits at Wodapalooza 2016 in Miami. Among stiff competition, team Steel Magnolias (Coach Melissa, Coach Katie, and Tina D.) finshed tied for 10th place out of 21 teams in the Intermediate Women divsion. We couldn’t be more proud of them! Today we’re thrilled to bring you K Harpz and MeLo’s impressions of the event. Read on, reader!

Katie:
Wodapalooza 2016—what a weekend! Despite the torrential downpour on Day 1 (RIP Nike Metcons), the event was well organized and flooded with CrossFit Games athletes. The positive environment was infectious to say the least. It was an important experience for me in many ways, and I couldn’t have asked for better teammates. 

Competitive CrossFit is awesome because it pushes you outside of your comfort zone, and you get a sense of how you perform under pressure. At an event like Wodapalooza, we knew weren’t going to be the most jacked and tan athletes in the arena. But we knew our strengths, and with a little strategy, we were able to clinch a spot in the top 10 of our division! Hurray Steel Magnolias!

I started doing CrossFit 6 years ago, in January 2010, by attending a beginner class at Crossfit NYC. The workout in that beginner class was half “Cindy,” a 10-minute AMRAP of 5 Pull-Ups, 10 Push-Ups and 15 Squats. I performed the Pull-Ups using the thickest band available and the Push-Ups from my knees. The depth on my Squats was questionable. I quite clearly remember thinking that that was the hardest workout I’d ever done. My arms were too smoked to pick up a coffee cup. I couldn’t wait to do it again. 

Fast forward 6 years, and incredibly, last weekend, I was able to throw down with my teammates at a national event and compete amongst the best of the best at Wodapalooza. The weekend highlighted two things I cherish about CrossFit: the continual, measureable progress observed over time; and the supportive, friendly community. The inclusiveness, support, and general good nature of CrossFitters was evident throughout the event, from the elite-level athletes in attendance to the spectators, organizers, and vendors. Arrogance and ego were rare.

The 3-day competition included successes, surprises, and challenges. Here’s a recap of my experience and some of the lessons I learned.

Friday, Day 1:  The Storm
The conditions on Day 1 were less than ideal. I expected abundant sunshine and sunscreen. Instead, it was a rainy, muddy mess. However, we didn’t let that kill our competitive spirit. We rallied as a team and started with a workout called “The Little Chipper”: each teammate was to complete 9 Bar-Facing Burpees, 12 Power Snatches (65lbs), 15 Thrusters (65lbs), and 18 calories on the Assult Bike in a relay race to the finish. It was a quick burner, with nowhere to hide and no reason to slow down. Worst part? The bike. If you’ve never spent time on that thing, make it a point to do an 8-round tabata the next time you’re in the gym as a warm-up. (And mention to David that we need a few more bikes.) We finished 10th in the first event.

The second workout was “The Big Chipper,” which included Pistols, GHD Sit-Ups, Overhead Squats (95lbs) and D-Ball Holds and Carries (50lbs). I’ve always struggled with Overhead Squats, and this workout was no exception. While I’ve certainly made progress and have become more comfortable with them, they’re still a goat. I will make them a regular part of my training and will master them by the end of the year. Don’t let me slip on this, friends! Fortunately, Tina is incredible at Overhead Squats and banged out 27 unbroken reps (WHAT!?!?) to earn us a 5^th place finish in the event, a strong start to the three-day competition. 

Saturday, Day 2: The Sunshine
Conditions on Day 2 were everything we could have hoped for, and it was another successful day for the Steel Magnolias. The first workout was the Snatch Medley: 3 Rep Max Snatch, 3000m Row, 5 RM Snatch, 400 Double-Unders, 7 RM Snatch, and 70 Bar Muscle-Ups. While we didn’t move as much weight as the other teams on the Snatch, our teamwork was on point, and we were all able to contribute at each stage of the workout. Personally, I’ve been inconsistent with Bar Muscle-Ups and was nervous about whether I’d be able to contribute to my team. I’ve always been more of a team player rather than an individual competitor, and I hated the thought of letting my team down. With the energy of the crowd and the encouragement of my teammates, I was miraculously able to perform numerous Bar Muscle-Ups, contributing to our 49 reps total.  Definitely a high point of the weekend! 

The second event of Day 2 was the SWIM: 3 rounds of 40 Deadlifts (135lbs), 50m Swim, 40 Handstand Push-Ups, 50m Swim with two people working at a time. And OMG, we finished 2nd in that event! Who knew 3 girls from Brooklyn could swim so well? Yes, I automatically defaulted to the sidestroke, and no, we did not practice in the Gowanus. 

Sunday, Day 3: A Struggle with Synchronicity
Event 1 on Day 3 involved D-Ball Tosses (80lbs), synchronized Toes-to-Bars, and synchronized Pull-Ups. We didn’t have an opportunity to practice synchronization prior to the event, and it showed. We definitely lost time trying to get our rhythm together. On the positive side, our communication as a team was solid, and we managed to place 10th. We happen to have an 80lb D-Ball at the gym. Toss it over your shoulder a few times. It’s a great way to let out some aggression!

Event 2, Day 3: two short chippers, the first was legless rope climbs, Squat Cleans (155lbs), and Dumbbell Squat Snatches (60lbs); the second was 100 Clean and Jerks for time (65lbs). None of us had spent a lot of time practicing legless climbs. Turns out they’re pretty hard, especially when you have to do 7 of them. Harper stepped up and took on that challenge for us, and she did an incredible job. You better believe that you’ll see all of us practicing that skill more often. We placed 15th and 13th respectively on those last two events.   

We ended up 10th overall out of 21 Intermediate Women teams, a finish that I’m definitely happy with. I look forward to bringing more CSFBK teams down next year to represent. 

The Bottom Line:
Competing gives you perspective. Training in the same environment with the same people can make you complacent. It’s easy to lose track of the bigger picture. Getting out of your comfort zone can make you realize that what you thought was impossible is indeed attainable. For example, several women in our division were Touch-and-Go Power Snatching 135-145lbs. I need to get on that. Competitions can be stressful, nerve-wracking and, at times, disappointing. But they are also quite memorable, incredibly gratifying, and can be excellent learning opportunities. My team was incredible, and CSFBK’s support over the weekend was humbling. Thank you to our CFSBK family for supporting us from afar and to Alex and Marcos for being our entourage.

If anyone is interested in competing, seeing where you’re at, and having fun in the process, The Open is a great way to get your feet wet. Sign up. Challenge yourself. Surprise yourself. Talk to me if you’re at all hesitant. 

The Return of the Monthly Egg CSA!

If you love the incredibly delicious farm-fresh eggs we occasionally get from Herondale Farm, our meat and egg CSA provider, this is your lucky day.

Clean Deadlift/Pull + Hang Clean

Fitness
Every 90 seconds for 7 Rounds
Clean Deadlift + Hang Clean

Performance
Clean Pull + Hang Clean

Hang for today is anywhere above the knee.

Post Rx and loads to comments.
Exposure 6 of 8
_____________________

7 Rounds For Time: 
7 Deadlifts 115/75
7 Hang Power Cleans 115/75
7 Burpees
7 Kettlebell Swings 53/35
7 Toes-to-Bars 

Post time and Rx to comments. 

Allie B., KLove, and Kristin C. are ready to do the blizzard in style

• 2:00pm Anti-Gravity class is cancelled.
• 9:00am and 10:00am CF Preschool classes are cancelled.
• All group classes, Active Recovery, and the Free Intro class are ON today. We’ll let you know if anything changes. 

Prepping for Iron Maidens: Advice on Modifying Group Classes

By Margie Lempert
Originally Posted on 2.2.15

We’re about six weeks out from Iron Maidens, which means there is still time to do some specific training. Below are suggestions for how to modify what you do in group class in order to prep for the meet. Our coaches are on-board, but always be sure to talk to whoever is coaching class about your plans so they can adjust logistics accordingly. And, of course, ask any coaches or me for specific advice on choosing loads/exercises. 

If this is your first meet and you’ve never maxed out a linear progression, then you should stick to the Fitness track in group class with some potential additions/substitutions. If this is your second, third, or more meet, or you’ve done quite a few linear progressions, then you can play with some other training regimens, as well as accessory work to address particular weaknesses. Most important is to get the work in every week. Consistency = gains.

Here are some suggestions:

For Everyone
In the week before the meet, you should work up to one heavy triple for each lift. This should be a tough triple, though not necessarily an all-out max. No need to get ugly about it. This will be your opening weight at the meet. You should hit all your triples by the Wednesday before the meet, but they do not have to be done in the same day. Make sure you pause the bench press. (After Wednesday, your aim should be sleep, active recovery/light training, and food.)

For Novices

Squat
Linear progression

• Substitute front squat with low bar back squat so that you back squat 2x/week, increasing 5lbs/exposure if possible. Make sure you have at least 48 hours between squat sessions. 

Bench Press
Linear progression

• Make sure you practice the pause command on your bench press. You can do this on your warm up sets throughout your training, as well as on your heavy triple day just before the meet. Get a friend/coach to cue you to press when the bar has made solid contact with your chest, or give yourself a one count.
• Consider adding in daily pushups via frequent, submaximal sets. Example: if max pushups = 5, aim for 5 sets of 3 pushups spread throughout the day. Do this 5 to 6 days a week. These should never be sets to fatigue. Each week, try to add one pushup to all your sets OR add one set of pushups/day
• Consider adding an overhead press exposure 1x/week during open gym. Follow a linear progression here as well. 
• Special note: ladies, we can always do with more pressing. As long as your joints feel good, go for all of it. 

Deadlift
Linear progression

• Replace Snatch OR Clean complex with DL so that you DL 1x/week. Warm-up to one workset set of 5; linear progression of 10lbs each exposure. All warm-ups should be sets of 5. Do not touch and go; take a breath and reset your back for each pull. If you have never hooked or switch gripped, start to practice this on your heaviest set. 

For Intermediate Lifters

Squat
Substitute front squat with low bar squat on both days. Make sure you have at least 48 hours between squat sessions. 

Option 1: Moderate volume, with heavy singles. Good choice for novice/intermediate who is looking for a little more experience with heavier weight.
Day 1: 3×5 linear progression
Day 2: Follow Performance track 

Option 2: Lower volume, with emphasis on finding and driving out of the bottom. Good choice for those who have trouble hitting depth or get stuck at the bottom. Also works postural strength (i.e. extended back, knees out, even pressure through the feet).
Day 1: Performance track
Day 2: 3×3 Pause Squat, increasing each week. Two count at the bottom. 

Option 3: Moderate volume, with heavy doubles/triples. Good choice for advanced intermediate who is able to put in a lot of work and manage recovery well.
Day 1: 2×5; 1×10 all at same weight (i.e. 155x5x2; 155×10) increasing each week
Day 2: Work up to heavy double or triple in no more than 5 total sets, including warm-ups. Try to beat yourself each week 

Bench Press
Option 1: Follow Fitness track; pause at least one, if not all sets. 

Option 2: Follow Performance track. Choose to hit a heavy single, double or triple. Pause your top set, but not your drop set of 10. 

• If a coach approves, try to add a pulling exercise between each work set, i.e. chin/pullups x submax; or DB rows x 10-12 or Ring rows x 10-12. If there’s not space during class, get it done during open gym.
• Consider adding an overhead press day at open gym. Work up to a top set of 5 – this should feel like you have one or two left in the tank. Then drop 6-9% and hit sets of 5 until it feels as difficult as your heavy set (should take 1-4 sets, rest 2-3 min between sets).

Deadlift
Replace snatch OR clean complex with deadlift.

Option 1: Linear progression of one set of 5 reps

Option 2: Linear progression of one set of 3 reps; drop 6-9% and hit another set of 3-5

• Consider adding in a second day for accessory work or a deadlift variant to address weakness in your deadlift. This would be done at open gym.
• Options:
  • Back: barbell rows from the floor, or heavy dumbbell rows; Pullups (weighted); ring rows (feet on a box). 3 sets of 10-12
  • Weak off the floor: deficit pulls from 1 or 2″. 1 top set of 5, or 3×3; linear increase. (25# rogue plate is 1” and the dc blocks are 2”.)
  • Weak past the knee: rack pulls, 1 set of 5 or 3×3, linear increase. Set the pins so that the bar is just below your knee. See this video for a thorough explanation.

Please feel free to ask me for clarification or advice any time: Margie [at] crossfitsouthbrooklyn.com.

Happy Training!
_____________________
The Blizzard of 1996 Made NYC an Eerie Ghost Town Gothamist
Report: Mom Saw Car That Slid Off Road Into Ditch