CrossFit HQ recently released coverage of the 2014 CrossFit Games, and we love the Triple Three event. The workout: For Time, Row 3000m, 300 Double-Unders, Run 3 Miles. The video starts around 7:25. We’re still not over seeing Rich Froning walk for part of the run.

News and Notes

• CFSBK’s Movie Night, featuring Fight Club, is TONIGHT after Open Gym at 8pm. Bring your snacks (i.e., takeout from Dinosaur BBQ), drinks, lounge chairs, bean bag chairs, whatever, and come hang! 
• For the coders among us in the CFSBK community: Remember to get your team together for “Get Fit or Be Hacking” on May 2nd. Register on CrowdRise here. Questions? Send them to Rob at runderwood5+getfit [at] gmail.com.
• Happy birthday, Uzef G.!

Winter’s Articles, Interviews, and Media in Review

It’s only March, but 2015 has already been filled with fresh articles from our coaches and staff. In case you missed any of them, we’ve included this list for your Friday reading pleasure (starting with the latest): 

Chasing Rx: When to Scale and When to Go Heavier Jess Fox and David Osorio 
CFSBK’s Competition Team: Open Workout 15.3 Kate Reece
Heavy Thoughts David Osorio 
Stomachs and Eyeballs: The End of the LFPB Challenge Chris Fox
How to Bring CrossFit to Work, Literally Kate Reece
Warming Up a Lift Noah Abbott
Introducing a CFSBK Poet: Jynne Dilling Martin
More Thoughts On Being an Athlete Who Doesn’t Eat Meat Whitney Hubbard
Fail to Plan, Plan to Fail: Planning Your Lifts Before and During a Cycle Noah Abbott
Taking your Gainz Outside the Box Noah Abbott
All The Good Reps, and Only the Good Reps Chris Fox
Using CrossFit for Weight Loss Chris Fox

We also met February’s Athlete of the Month, Colleen Meagher, and the following Behind the Desk-ers:

Camille C.
Janelle B.
Josh S. 
Charlie N.
Sarah M.

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We will be hosting an OutWOD again soon—a CrossFit competition for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender athletes and their allies! Which LGBT organization/s do you like and think the workout should benefit?

Fitness: Hang Snatch 1RM
Performance: Hip Snatch 1RM
Watch this video to familiarize yourself with the hip snatch. The bar stays in the hips. Note the dynamic nature of the lift, that there is no pause in the hang but an aggressive and immediate extension. 

For both versions of the lift, catch as low as your mobility allows. Don’t start to catch higher as the weight gets heavier, get comfy down there! No pressing out. 

Post loads to comments.
e8/8
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At 0:00: Run 1 Mile (at about 85% pace)
At 10:00: Row 2,000m (at about 85% pace)
These should be challenging but not maximal efforts. You should have some rest between the run and the row. 

Post times to comments.

Sarah M. squatting heavy at Iron Maidens

Behind the Desk: Sarah M.

You all love the Underneath the Hoodie series and now we’ve brought 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.

A few weeks ago, it was Charlie. And now (drum roll, please), introducing…

Name (and any nicknames): Sarah Mount, Mount, sarahdactyl

Where were you born and where did you grow up: Born in Buffalo, NY and raised between Rochester, NY and Cleveland, OH.  

How long have you been CrossFitting, and how did you arrive at CFSBK? Did Foundations in May of 2014 and started coming regularly around August 2014. I was introduced to CFSBK by my dear, sweet friend Megan Dolce. We worked together at the lululemon in Brooklyn and she was always doing CrossFit all the time and I was intrigued/left out/wanted to know what it was all about. Needless to say, I got hooked pretty quick! I get really competitive with myself and have really enjoyed watching my body change while learning about/improving at the lifts. Even though there are a few CrossFit boxes closer to my apartment, I feel really rooted in this community and I can’t picture myself anywhere else.

What are you up to when you’re not at 597 Degraw Street: I’m a singer/songwriter so that’s what I’m doing mainly, or trying to do anyway. I’m writing/recording/rehearsing and then also nannying for two pretty cool three-year-olds in Prospect Heights! 

First album that you loved: No Doubt’s Tragic Kingdom, closely followed by Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill 

“Ask me about that time I…”: moved to Spain for a year to pursue a masters, having never left the US before. And then the actual five times I was robbed while living there.

Favorite restaurant or bar in Brooklyn: Barboncino in Crown Heights is dope, but I end up drinking at Boat Bar a lot somehow also?  

Favorite and least favorite lift: My favorite is probably the back squat. Least favorite used to be the snatch but I’ve been working on it and I kind of dig it now. Can I say my least favorite is nothing? I like all the things. 

Any Front Desk PSAs you’d like to share? The Front Desk staff works really hard and likes snacks. So you can bring us snacks and any other presents if you want to. Kidddding, just keep being a rad community and don’t make a mess at the gym!  

Catching Up With CFSBK Classifieds and Travel Gym Recommendations

• Coach JB‘s other place of employment, Ithaka S+R, a non-profit research and consulting firm that focuses on higher education, is looking to fill three research positions. Check them out here.
• Don’t forget about Stella Z.‘s choir, which will be performing on Thursday, March 26 at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine on the Upper West Side. Tickets and full details available here.
• If you work for a business that has any documentation needs (or you currently keep all your passwords in an Excel file marked “passwords” and don’t want to become the next Sony Pictures), check out Todd C.‘s recent post about how his company can help.
• Bob S. wrote about his recent experience at Lutece CrossFit Paris, and Dave P. wrote about CrossFit Jogo in Bellingham, WA. 

Have a service you want to share with CFSBK’s community, or a need you think one of us could meet? Or stuff you want to give away/animals in need of adoption/tickets for sale/etc.? Post in CFSBK’s Classifieds! Our members have found apartments, pets, and jobs through our forum. 

Visited a new affiliate while traveling recently, or forgot to write one up from past travels? Post a recommendation (or friendly warning) now!

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This Viral GIF is Destroying Expectations About Women’s Strength
Dave Castro Q&A About the CrossFit Games on Reddit
Insane Russian Gymnastics Routine 

Fitness: 3-3-3-3-3
Establish a new 3 Rep Max. Use spotters
Performance: 1-1-1-1-1 
Establish a new 1 Rep Max. Use spotters. 

Post loads to comments.
e8/8
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Partner WOD
For Time:
100 Pull-Ups
150 Thrusters 75/55
200 Kettlebell Swings 53/35
Break the work up as desired between partners. Have a plan but be flexible with it so you and your partner  don’t slow down.

Post time and Rx to comments.

Kate B. getting set to snatch at the CFSBK Oly meet last Sunday 

News and Notes

• Muscle & Fitness Hers wrote an article about Iron Maidens, called “The Iron Maidens of Brooklyn,” and interviewed Margie, Coach Jess, and Serene K. Check it out here!
• Happy birthday, Front Desk Superstar Camillionaire! (Read her Behind the Desk interview here.)
• Happy birthday to CFSBK Blog Maven, photog and managing editor, Kate R!

CFSBK Movie Night Is Back THIS FRIDAY

What: Movie Night, featuring cult favorite Fight Club
When: Friday, March 20th, after Open Gym at 8pm

Bring your snacks (i.e., ice cream sandwiches from Bierkraft), drinks, lounge chairs, bean bag chairs, whatever, and come hang! Just remember… The first rule of Fight Club is: you do not talk about Fight Club… But feel free to talk about watching Fight Club this Friday. That’s totally okay.

2015 CrossFit Open Leaderboard: Team CFSBK

The results for 15.1, 15.1a, and 15.2 are in, and here are our team’s leaders! Congrats to everyone who has been pushing themselves the last couple weeks with two tough workouts. We can’t wait to see what’s on deck this Thursday…

CFSBK MEN’S MASTERS (40+)
1. Pierre D. 
2. Peter M.
3. Bob S. 
4. Coach Fox
5. Michael R.
6. Andy M. 
7. Chris P. 
8. Carlos G.
9. Bjorn B.
10. James K.

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Diagnosis Radiolab
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of CrossFit Tim Ferriss 

Rio tackling 15.3’s muscle-ups on Saturday

• Pilates with KH is canceled tonight. Check out Active Recovery at 6:30pm instead!

Chasing Rx: When To Scale and When To Go Heavier

An interview with David Osorio and Jess Fox, edited by Kate Reece

If you don’t know why workouts are named after women, Greg Glassman, the founder and President of CrossFit, explained it like this: “I thought that anything that left you flat on your back, looking up at the sky asking ‘What just happened to me?’ deserved a female’s name. Workouts are just like storms, they wreak havoc on towns.” 

Regardless of whether you welcome or abhor that feeling of being wrecked (particularly when it doesn’t happen in your bedroom), we all know what it’s like to approach a nasty WOD from the mindset of wanting it to be over before it even starts. But sometimes, the desire to cruise through a workout can cause us to take shortcuts, maybe not go as heavy as we could, and ultimately sacrifice our long-term strength goals on the altar of feeling like a beast in the moment. Hopefully, we all do want to get stronger. In that case, it’s important to realize that the lifting segments of group classes are not your only opportunities to achieve your goal. You should aim to get stronger through the conditioning portion of class as well.

Maintaining excellent technique should always be your priority, but if you want to close in on the Rx-ed loads for a WOD, you need to gradually increase your base numbers—which might involve surrendering a bit of the metabolic stimulus of some workouts. (“Rx” refers to the prescribed, standard weights for a workout, or those scary numbers written after each weighted movement on the blog and whiteboard.) Simply put: you need to lift heavier and go slower so that you can eventually lift heavier and go faster. 

I sat down (i.e. emailed a lot) with Coach David and Coach Jess to ask them everything you wanted to know (but were too scared to ask) about chasing Rx in workouts. The bottom line: don’t be complacent about the weights you choose for any given workout. Getting stronger is a process. Here are David and Jess’s experiences with exactly that.

CFSBK: When did you start Rx-ing all the WODs? What did your journey look like to get there?

David: When I started CrossFit, I was self-teaching myself the movements, so I did what I could and then practiced the movements that I didn’t know how to do yet. It took me about a year before I was doing almost everything Rx-ed. I definitely was biasing a heavier weight and slower times in the beginning, which helped me develop the requisite strength to be able to eventually move the Rx-ed weights faster. I still occasionally scale some of the weightlifting loads in WODs when appropriate 

Jess: I’d say the first things I could Rx fairly quickly were workouts with deadlifts, double-unders, box jumps, and kettlebell swings. I knew my road to Rx-ing weights in the Olympic lifts would take some time, and honestly we weren’t doing as much of those when I started. So, I chose to target kipping pull-ups as my first big goal, since they tend to come up in so many WODs—and what girl doesn’t want to do pull-ups! My road to getting them meant practicing them EVERY time I was in the gym. I started out with thick green-band but over the course of a few months, I was able to get my rhythm down enough to get a few unassisted kipping pull-ups in spurts. They weren’t consistent enough though so I always resorted back to the band for workouts.  

However, that changed when I visited my other “home” CrossFit in Ohio. The WOD was “Cindy” and although I knew that I could get a few rounds Rx-ed, I still set up a band. During the workout, when I started to slow down on pull-ups, I reached for the band. The coach there stopped me and just told me it was okay to move a little slower. Sure, I didn’t get a high number of rounds but it allowed me to continue to work on that skill and it gave me a baseline for “Cindy” Rx-ed. After that experience, I got rid of the band. That didn’t mean I did every pull-up workout Rx-ed right away though. Until I got better at them, scaled volume was my friend. 

CFSBK: If I’m moving fast and getting a good workout in the WODs, why should I worry about what weight I’m doing? 

David: The balancing act between performing workouts with their intended metabolic stimulus, versus going heavier or sticking to a calisthenics version that slows you down considerably, can be somewhat nuanced. Ideally, you want to be able to keep moving at a somewhat reasonable pace. If you’re shuffling your feet, looking at the pull-up bar for a minute, you’re probably not getting the most out of your time on either end. But if you’re not at the Rx-ed weights and want to start pushing toward them, you’ll just have to accept that you’re going to be slower and the workout probably won’t be as spicy. In my opinion, that’s fine. Recently, I told a member that would have rather her go with a heavier dumbbell and get capped versus going lighter and getting a good time. As long as you can perform about 3/4 of the workout before getting capped, you should be fine. If you want to get stronger in the WODs, you’re always going to have to bias a little heavier and slower, technique permitting. 

Jess: As CrossFitters, we’re all a little Type A and want to move fast through workouts. However, our training should include different stimuli and heavier weights—higher skilled movements can provide that. As I mentioned before, it took a little nudging from coaches, and a little/lot of swallowing my WOD pride to not scale those pull-ups in “Cindy.” Looking back though, I’m so grateful for that intervention. Not just because it was my first Rx-ed “Cindy,” but because I didn’t really realize that I had the strength and skill to do it. I see this a lot with push-ups in workouts as well. Though I see many of you work your strict push-ups like a boss in our warm-ups and even start a workout with strict pushups, as soon as the going gets tough, the knees drop down. Sometimes you just have to gut it out (provided your movement is technically sound), knowing that you might need to scale volume and accepting that you might be the last person to finish.   

CFSBK: How do I know when to go heavier during WODs?

David: When you feel like you “own” a weight that is below Rx-ed, then it’s time to bump it up. Don’t get complacent with certain loads. For example, if you’re a guy and you always do 65-pound thrusters, even if it still feels difficult, you need to start gradually adding five to 10 pounds to push your strength and comfort level with the movement and load. If you always swing the 16 kg kettlebell, start voyaging out to heavier territory. As long as you feel confident in your technique, which might mean going a bit slower or breaking up reps more, then the weights or your modification should feel heavy.

Jess: This is where logging your workouts comes into play. Early on in your CrossFit life, you will and should start lighter than you think. Use the warm-up time to pick a load that you know you’ll be able to move consistently well through. Then, take note of how that felt in your logbook so that you know what to aim for next time. Also, listen to the advice your coaches give you. I think we do a pretty good job of talking about the intention of the workout and providing scaling options or percentage markers to help guide you in determining an appropriate weight. If it’s ever not clear, just ask! 

CFSBK: If I want to set a goal to get to Rx or heavier weights (and I know I should!), what should my battle plan or strategy be?

David: As Jess mentioned, make sure you’re logging and writing down both qualitative and quantitative data! You’ll never remember to go heavier on that barbell if you can’t refer back to previous experiences. Focus on writing notes specific to how heavy things felt and if you think you could have gone a bit heavier and kept your technique together. You’ll have to dip into loads or movements that intimidate you a little if you want to get better.

Jess: Be consistent in your practice. If it’s barbell lifts, then aim to make each rep at lighter weights perfect and slowly increase the weights from week to week or from WOD to WOD.  If you did the past three thruster workouts at 75 pounds and flew through them, then go for 80 next time. If you’re training a skill, then lay out a specific plan to help you get there.  Also, tell a buddy and have them help keep you accountable, or better yet, have them join you! Note though, that skill is singular. Don’t be the person that has a list of 10 skillz and can never really devote enough time to any one of them. 

CFSBK: Any parting thoughts?

David: Use your coaches as a resource! We want you to improve and always will let you know how a movement looks and whether you should scale up or back down. Let us know you’re trying to get stronger and we can give you some thoughts about how to modify your workout intelligently.

Jess: Know that for most of us, this stuff doesn’t come naturally and that some of us might never hit Rx-ed weights. We’re now in the CrossFit Open season, so now you can compare your WOD scores to people around the world. But just remember that ultimately you’re competing with yourself. In the beginning, focus on establishing your baseline. Keep a good logbook, set realistic goals, set time aside to practice, and then use your training to beat yourself. 

(An important caveat: Rx is not an advisable goal for all athletes. It can serve as a point of reference to make the process of choosing your weights easier, and enables our coaches to help you scale appropriately at the whiteboard.) 

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Kevin Ogar 15.3 (1 rep)
Kara Webb 15.3 (624 reps) 

Fitness: 3-3-3-3-3
Establish a new 3 Rep Max. Use spotters
Performance: 1-1-1-1-1 
Establish a new 1 Rep Max. Use spotters. 

Post loads to comments.
e8/8
_____________________ 

10 Rounds, AMRAP:
:30 Burpees
:30 Rest

Post highest and lowest reps to comments.

Molly and Tucker came to cheer on their dad, Coach Fox, yesterday. Congrats to all the lifters that participated in Frankie Murray’s Olympic Lifting Program Mock Oly Meet! Photos from the snatching portion of the event are up in Flickr.

News and Notes

• Pilates with KH is canceled this Tuesday. Check out Active Recovery at 6:30pm instead!
• Sunday’s Kids Club is canceled this week (3/22), and will resume on March 29th. Email Janelle [at] CrossFitSouthBrooklyn.com with any questions. 
• CFSBK’s Movie Night returns this Friday night after Open Gym with Fight Club! 
• Ever wonder why CFSBK programs rest days? Check out Coach David’s new article, “Why Your Gym Should Program Rest Days,” over on his blog Inside the Affiliate. 
• Don’t forget to submit your Open scores for 15.3 by 8pm tonight. And ICYMI, we made a video of CFSBK’s competition team crushing the workout on Saturday. 
• CFSBK’s Hoopin’ Tacos have a game tonight at 9:30pm at John Jay! Come cheer them on!

Community News

• Congrats to Samir C., who just released his new book, Eye on Cricket: Reflections on the Great Game. Check it out!
• Rachel H. is our resident handstand whiz! Check out this cool video she posted on Instagram!
• Stella Z.‘s choir, the Oratorio Society of New York, will be performing the Verdi Requiem with the Manhattan School of Music chorus and orchestra on Thursday, March 26 at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine on the Upper West Side. It’s an epic piece of music and a really gorgeous space, and she would love it if some SBKers showed up! Tickets and full details available here.
• Happy birthday, Lauren B.!

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The Time You Have (in JellyBeans)
The Australian Meat Pie, with CFSBKer and Owner of Sheep Station, Jason C. Tasting Table 

Fitness: 2 Position Clean (High Hang + Hang) + Front Squat

Performance: 3 Position Clean (High Hang + Hang + Deck) + Jerk

Post loads to comments.
e7/8 
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Deadlift

Fitness and Performance: 1 x 5 Linear Progression
Add 5-10 pounds to last week’s exposure. Dead starts, no touch and go. Use a hook grip if you can. 

Post loads to comments.
e7/8
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For Time:
400m Run

Then,
5 Rounds For Time:
15 Box Jumps
30 Sit-Ups

Then,
400m Run

Post time and Rx to comments.

CFSBK’s competition team tackled 15.3 yesterday afternoon, and Kate made a video of the first heat. There are also photos of the 1pm class hitting the workout up in our Flickr account!

News and Notes

• Coach Frankie Murray’s Olympic Lifting Program has their Mock Oly Meet today at 2:30pm. Come check it out, and cheer on participants as they 1RM their snatch and clean and jerk!
• Coach Noah’s Kipping Pull-Up Workshops are today! The regular workshop is at 2pm and Random Kipping Skillz is at 3pm. There are still a few spaces in both. REGISTER HERE (scroll to the bottom).
• DON’T FORGET TO RSVP TO CLASS: Click on the Class Schedule and RSVP tab in the left-hand column (under General Information) and select the class for which you’d like to RSVP. 
• Want to work out today at 9am and bring your kid/s? Now you can! Sign them up at the Front Desk for CFSBK Kids Club, and learn more here.
• Don’t forget to submit your Open scores for 15.3 by 8pm tomorrow night.

Get Hella Strong with Coach Margie: Schedule Change for Strength Cycle F

We are moving the M/Th, 12pm Strength Cycle to different days/times. The cycle will begin the week of March 23rd and run for seven weeks in order to participate in the Total with the other cycles. The cost will be two payments of $175, or $350 total. Class size is capped at six.

If you are interested, please email Margie before Monday, March 16: Margie (at) CrossFitSouthBrooklyn.com, and include the following:

+ Two preferred choices of 2x/week 
+ Best time of day for each choice, specifying: early morning; mid-morning; noon; mid-afternoon; or evening. 

Example:
1) Tues/Thurs; noon or mid-afternoon
2) Mon/Wed; evening

If you don’t know Margie, learn more about her awesomeness by reading Coach Noah’s Underneath the Hoodie article about her. 

CFSBK Movie Night Is Back: FIGHT CLUB

What: Movie Night, featuring cult favorite Fight Club
When: Friday, March 20th, after Open Gym at 8pm

Bring your snacks, drinks, lounge chairs, whatever, and come hang! Just remember… The first rule of Fight Club is: you do not talk about Fight Club… 

_____________________
Gratitude Louie Schwartzberg 

FITNESS

Front Squat: 3 x 3 Linear Progression
Add 5-10 lbs to last week.

Post loads to comments.
e7/8 
_____________________  

AMRAP 14 Minutes:
20 Burpees
30 Dumbbell Thrusters
40 Kettlebell Swings 

Post reps and Rx to comments.  
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PERFORMANCE 

Open Workout 15.3 

AMRAP 14 Minutes:
7 Muscle-Ups
50 Wall Balls
100 Double-Unders

Post reps to comments.

Coach McDowell getting ready to jerk during 15.2

News and Notes

• Come watch CFSBK’s Competition Team crush 15.3! Our gym’s strongest will be tackling 15.3 this afternoon. They’ll start warming up around 2:15 and the first heat is at 2:45pm. Come cheer them on!
• Coach Noah’s Kipping Pull-Up Workshops begin today! The regular workshop is at 2pm on Saturday and Random Kipping Skillz is at 3pm. If you can’t make it today, there’s still space tomorrow. REGISTER HERE (scroll to the bottom)!
• DON’T FORGET TO RSVP TO CLASS: Click on the Class Schedule and RSVP tab in the left-hand column (under General Information) and select the class for which you’d like to RSVP. 
• Want to work out tomorrow at 9am and bring your kid/s? Now you can! Sign them up at the Front Desk for CFSBK Kids Club, and learn more here. 

Attention: People Signed Up For the Open 

The Games system will not let you enter a zero as your score for an Open workout. We know many of you don’t want to do the Scaled version of 15.3 and had planned to attempt a muscle-up for 14 minutes and take a zero if you didn’t get one. If you want to attempt to get a muscle-up and end up not being able to, you will also have to complete the Scaled workout and enter your score for that version.

Get Hella Strong with Coach Margie: Schedule Change for Strength Cycle F

We are moving the M/Th, 12pm Strength Cycle to different days/times. The cycle will begin the week of March 23rd and run for seven weeks in order to participate in the Total with the other cycles. The cost will be two payments of $175, or $350 total. Class size is capped at six.

If you are interested, please email Margie before Monday, March 16: Margie (at) CrossFitSouthBrooklyn.com, and include the following:

+ Two preferred choices of 2x/week 
+ Best time of day for each choice, specifying: early morning; mid-morning; noon; mid-afternoon; or evening. 

Example:
1) Tues/Thurs; noon or mid-afternoon
2) Mon/Wed; evening

If you don’t know Margie, learn more about her awesomeness by reading Coach Noah’s Underneath the Hoodie article about her. 

_____________________ 
An Aerial Tour of the World’s Largest Cave 

Morton having a moment with the bar

News and Notes

• There’s still time to sign up for Coach Noah’s Kipping Pull-Up Workshops! Regular workshop at 2pm on Saturday and Sunday, Random Kipping Skillz at 3pm on Saturday and Sunday. REGISTER HERE (scroll to the bottom)!
• Congrats to CFSBK’s Hoopin’ Tacos, who went 1-1 on Wednesday night. They lost a tough one to the second-place team, and then blew out another team. With four games to go, they are 9-1 and tied for first! 
• There are a whole bunch of new items in Lost and Found. Seriously, it’s surprising you’re not leaving the gym in the nude given how much clothing gets left behind. Shirts here, mixed apparel here, and mostly shoes and hats here.

Announcing: “Get Fit or Be Hacking”!

As our community at CrossFit South Brooklyn has grown, it’s been noteworthy the large number of members who work in the NYC technology and start-up community. We’ve been impressed by how these members have taken it upon themselves to self-organize to support programs that teach coding in local Brooklyn schools, which is very much in the community spirit of the gym.

Now, we’re taking the next step and putting this—coding and fitness—together into a single event: “Get Fit or Be Hacking!” REGISTER HERE.

What is “Get Fit or Be Hacking”? When and where is it?
“Get Fit or Be Hacking” is part coding contest, part fitness competition, and part fundraiser that will take place at CrossFit South Brooklyn on May 2, 2015 at 2pm to 8pm. Afterward, there will be a post-party at Threes Brewing for all participants. They have beer there.

Do I have to be a member of CrossFit South Brooklyn?
No! 

People are coding AND working out?
Yes! Each participant will be part of a team of four. Each four-person team will complete two fitness workouts, lasting about 10-15 minutes each, together, as well as several coding challenges between the two work outs. There will also be mobility and active recovery work done during the event to warm-up, keep loose, and cool down. 

Do we have to register as a team?  Can we register as an individual and will you place me on a team?
Ideally we would like people to self-create and join into teams of 4, but we are prepared to organize some teams for people who register as individuals. We will also re-balance teams if some teams do not have at least one woman on their team. We are capping the registration to 100 participants (25 teams). We will keep registration open until we hit capacity.   

What are we fundraising for?
CSNYC, the Computer Science Foundation in New York City, a non-profit organization, which supports programs that teach coding and computational thinking in NYC public schools. 

Is there a registration fee?
Yes, there is a $20.00 registration fee for each participant, which will be paid when you first sign up in CrowdRise. This covers event costs including food, drinks, and swag. The remainder of the registration fees will go into the fundraising pot, adding to the massive check that we will be giving CSNYC on May 2! 

Then how do we fundraise? Do we have to?
The expectation is that you’ll raise money individually which in turn will aggregate into your team total. Some people don’t like fundraising and will raise just a bit. That’s cool. Other will get creative, either individually or as a team, and raise a bunch. We hope you’ll come up with some clever and innovative ways to raise money for CSNYC—getting competitive is okay too!

The key idea is that each four-person team will work together to raise as much money as they can from their friends, work, family, and other legal sources. Each team will have its own page on Crowdrise that they can customize.  While there is no minimum, we are hoping each team will be sign on to raise at least $500. Of course, we hope some crazy Type A fundraising competition ensue. There will be a grand prize “mystery surprise” given to the team that raises the most money. It will be once-in-a-lifetime experience.   

What kind of coding will we be doing?
There will be at least one JavaScript challenge, as well as at least one other where you can choose your scripting language 

Do I need to know how to code?
Yes, you need to know how to code, at least a bit. Ideally you’d know at least some JavaScript plus one other scripting language such as Ruby or Python. You’ll be a competing as a team so if you don’t feel completely comfortable in certain parts of a language, you’ll likely have a team members whose skills will complement yours. 

What will the fitness portion be?
There will be two 10-15 minutes workouts, one at the start of the event and one towards the end. The workout will be composed of body weight type exercises—think push-ups, planks, etc. We will also be likely do some stuff on an erg (rowing machine) and with dumbbells. We will NOT be doing “barbell stuff”—i.e., power lifting or Olympic lifts often associated with CrossFit. There will also be warm-up, cool-down, and mobility activities. 

“Get Fit or Be Hacking” is at CrossFit South Brooklyn. Do I need to be CrossFitter?
No, but you should be someone who exercises regularly and has doctor’s permission to physically exert yourself. Ideally you’d be able to do a couple push-ups unbroken, a 30-second plank, and know how to row a bit. (Please note that all participants will have to sign a health and liability waiver from CrossFit South Brooklyn on the day of the event). 

What should I bring?
Your laptop, your charger, workout clothes, and something to wear afterward at Threes Brewing. 

How old must I be?
18 to participate in the event. 21 to join us at the after-party at Threes. 

Great I’m ready to participate! How to I start?
Go to our Crowdrise Event page (Log-on to CrowdRise, and create a CrowdRise account if need be, when you first arrive) and, once logged on, hit REGISTER. When you click REGISTER, you’ll be asked to complete some basic information in CrowdRise, asked to join or create a team, and pay the registration fee. Upon successful registration, you’ll be redirected back to CrowdRise where you can begin fundraising! From there, it’s time to raise money, practice your algorithms, and train! 

Questions? Send a note to Rob at runderwood5+getfit [at] gmail.com.

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Fitness: 2 Position Snatch (High Hang + Hang)
You can also Power Snatch. Catch as low as your mobility allows.
Performance: 3 Position Snatch (High Hang + Hang + Deck)

Post loads to comments.
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18 Minutes, Not For Rounds:
270m Jog (because it’s nice outside!!!)
5 Hang Muscle Snatches 
10 Kipping Pull-Ups 

Post rounds and what you worked on to comments.

Steph M. (third on CFSBK’s Lady Leaderboard for the Open!) locks out her deadlift at Iron Maidens

Crush Your Pull-Ups With Coach Noah

There’s still space in Coach Noah’s Kipping Pull-Up Workshops. Sign up now, as these workshops always sell out! REGISTER HERE (scroll to the bottom)

What: For those who have yet to accomplish their first kipping pull-up or need significant work organizing the movement and linking them together
When: Saturday and Sunday at 2PM
Buy-in: 3 chin-ups or pull-ups (special cases can be considered, email Noah [at] CrossFitSouthBrooklyn.com) 

But wait, there’s more! Noah will also host his first Random Kipping Skillz Workshop. 

What: Kipping Toes-to-Bar, Kipping Handstand Push-ups, Kipping Ring Dips, and possibly Butterfly Pull-Ups.
When: Saturday and Sunday at 3PM
Buy-in: You should have the ability to do at least five strict versions of each movement to enroll

Each class will cost $20 and run one hour. REGISTER HERE (scroll to the bottom)

2015 CrossFit Open Leaderboard: Team CFSBK

The results for 15.1, 15.1a, and 15.2 are in, and here are our team’s leaders! Congrats to everyone who has been pushing themselves the last couple weeks with two tough workouts. We can’t wait to see what’s on deck this Thursday…

CFSBK MEN’S MASTERS (40+)
1. Bob S.
1. Pierre D. (tied with Bob)
3. Peter M.
4. Coach Fox
5. Chris P.
6. Michael R.
7. Carlos G. 
7. Andy M. (tied with Carlos)
9. Bjorn B.
10. James K.

Fitness: 3 x 5 Linear Progression
Add 5-10 pounds to last week’s exposure.
Performance: 95% x 2, 85% x 10 
You’re getting into territory where 10 reps might not be a given. Use spotters, but try to leave a rep in the tank.  

Post loads to comments.
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Partner WOD
For Time:
2000m Row
100 Box Jumps 24/20
100 Wall Ball 20/10, 14/9
Break the work up as desired between partners.

Post time and Rx to comments.

Coach K HarpZ at CrossFit Solace’s “February Fling”

News and Notes

• There are still a few spots left in the A, E, and F cycles of Strength Cycle. Learn more on Monday’s post and sign up now to secure your spot! If you don’t know Margie (who’s leading the F cycle), learn more about her awesomeness by reading Coach Noah’s Underneath the Hoodie article about her. 
• Thank you again to everyone who nominated Inside the Affiliate in Breaking Muscle’s Top 10 Fitness Blogs of 2015 contest. Sadly, we were defeated. But, the winners are pretty excellent, so we’re happy we were in such great company. Check them out here!
• The undefeated Hoopin’ Tacos have a game tonight at 6:30pm at John Jay. Come cheer them on!

Introducing Katie: CFSBK’s New Coach!

David here! Please join me in welcoming our new coach Katie Harper (better known as “K HarpZ”) to CFSBK’s staff. I’m extremely excited to bring Katie on as one of our group class coaches. Katie approached me months ago regarding her interest in coaching at the gym, and as we transitioned to a point where we were looking to expand our staff, her name was at the top of the list. She’s exhibited good long-term training habits at the gym and she’s been an active member of the community since she joined (she penned an excellent article about her experiences being injured back in May of 2014). She’s dedicated herself professionally to working with human movement as a full time physical therapy student at LIU. Katie has been working closely with Coach Fox to build up her coaching skill set and we’re excited to welcome another strong female coach to our staff. ICYMI, she won the Ladies division at Iron Maidens and is currently second on our female leaderboard for the CrossFit Open.

Look forward to getting to know Katie in a group class near you, and through her first interview with Kate below…

CFSBK: Welcome, Katie! Tell us a bit about yourself. Where did you grow up and what are some interesting things we should know about you? 

Katie: I’ve bounced around to various suburbs, but I guess I would have to consider Columbia, Maryland home. Believe it or not (definitely believable), I was one of those kids always digging in the dirt, climbing whatever I could, building epic forts, and coming home covered in cuts and bruises. I’m relatively the same, except now I’m a little taller and all of my bruises are at the mercy of a barbell. 🙂

I attended the University of Maryland to pursue my Kinesiology degree, knowing full well that I wanted to end up working with athletes. I’ve tried on a few jobs for size: physical education, athletic training, and eventually I found my way into physical therapy. I was accepted into the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at LIU in Brooklyn, so I moved here in July of 2013. Being a student takes up the majority of my time, but other than the gym, I enjoy listening to music, taking photographs, being in the company of good people, and having a nice refreshing swim in the Gowanus Canal.

CFSBK: Yes, the Canal is excellent for a long swim or kayaking adventure. What’s your athletic background?  

Katie: I wish I could say I was a gymnast, but I wasn’t. Apparently I attended gymnastics for a year when I was four because I was so clumsy that I kept running into walls. After conquering that feat, I was mostly into field sports. I got into lacrosse when I was seven, which I stuck with all the way into college. That was my best sport. Other than that, I did a few seasons of field hockey, track and field, as well as swimming and diving.

CFSBK: How did you find CrossFit? 

Katie: I was at one of my stepdad’s powerlifting meets taking photographs, which happened to be at a local CrossFit gym. I was watching this insanely fit blonde girl doing a “skin the cat”—okay, watching is an understatement. It was more of an open-mouthed stare. My stepdad nudged me in the ribs and said, “It’s called CrossFit…you should try it sometime.” Coincidentally, it was also Thanksgiving weekend, so after several helpings of stuffing I decided I might as well sign up to help burn off all of the extra holiday food.

CFSBK: And now you’ve done a powerlifting meet of your own! What was it about CrossFit that compelled you so much?  

Katie: I’ll never forget my first day of Foundations. I started out at an awesome affiliate back home called CrossFit Critical Mass. I hadn’t done my research, so when I arrived at the doors of somebody’s three-car garage, you can imagine I was very confused. I walked in hesitantly, only to find it occupied by a man in a sweat suit aggressively shadowboxing in circles. Needless to say, I was a bit intimidated. But that’s what I think I liked the most about it—the entire concept of CrossFit was challenging, both physically and mentally. The barbells were painful and I was constantly sore. But as a whole, I not only felt physically stronger, I was also more driven and confident in the ability to accomplish my goals. The community that’s associated with CrossFit is incredible, which is why I think the sport is so infectious. I had no reserves when it came to packing up my bags and heading to Brooklyn, mostly because I had researched CFSBK and knew it would be filled with a boatload of awesome people.

CFSBK: We’re so glad you did. What are you up to when you’re not at 597 Degraw?

Katie: Like I said, student life is time consuming, so mostly finishing up my Physical Therapy program over at LIU. It’s been a lot of fun figuring out how to connect CrossFit to what I’m learning in the classroom. Before getting into graduate school, I worked with a very inspiring therapist, who emphasized functional movement as his main philosophy. No matter what the age or injury, every patient was guaranteed to learn to squat, deadlift, farmer’s carry, and all of the other essentials needed to lead a healthy lifestyle. I remember thinking, “This is exactly the kind of therapist I want to be.” Not only will I be able to use this style of training for the high-level athlete, but also as a tool to empower those who simply want to improve their quality of life. I truly look forward to coaching at CFSBK, where I can continue to bridge the gap between rehabilitation and fitness throughout my career.

CFSBK: Any hidden talents, weird things, or bizarre parts of your life history we should know? Since we’re family now and all. 

Katie: Lets see… I can curl my tongue into a three-leaf clover, I have webbed toes (with the tattoo to prove it), I’m unnaturally good at Tetris, and I have a prettyyy decent Alanis Morissette impression. All contenders on the karaoke stage are welcome.

Master Your Kipping Pull-Up This Weekend at Coach Noah’s Famous Workshop! 

Coach Noah’s Kipping Pull-up Workshop is back with a vengeance and some added wrinkles! This weekend, he will be holding two Beginner Kipping Pull-Up Workshops. These classes are for those who have yet to accomplish their first kipping pull-up or need significant work organizing the movement and linking them together. By the end of the hour class, everyone will have gotten their chin over the bar, will likely have strung a few together, and will definitely have a plan for practice and perfection of their kip.

When: Saturday and Sunday at 2PM
Buy-in: 3 chin-ups or pull-ups (special cases can be considered, email Noah [at] CrossFitSouthBrooklyn.com) 

But wait, there’s more! Noah will also host his first Random Kipping Skillz Workshop. We will cover Kipping Toes-to-Bar, Kipping Handstand Push-ups, Kipping Ring Dips, and if time permits, Butterfly Pull-ups.

When: Saturday and Sunday at 3PM
Buy-in: You should have the ability to do at least five strict versions of each movement to enroll

Each class will cost $20 and run one hour. REGISTER HERE (scroll to the bottom)

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