WOD 2.21.19

6 Push Presses
6e Rear-Foot-Elevated Split Squats
6 Kettlebell Hold Dead Bugs 

Warm up and work up to a few challenging sets on each exercise. Barbell comes off the floor for the Push Presses. Use dumbbells held at the Hang position to load the Split Squats, but focus on doing these as perfectly as possible, with good range of motion and balance.

Post work to comments.
Week 3 of 7

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4 Rounds for Time: 
50 Double-Unders or Alternating Foot Steps
30 Squats
10 Pull-Ups, Self-Assisted Pull-Ups, or Ring Rows

Post time and Rx to comments.

Want to take on Open Workout 19.1 in a fun, supportive environment tomorrow night? Sign up for a Friday Night Lights heat! 

Persistence, Resilience, and Truth

By Arturo Ruiz

Persistence, resilience, and truth. This time of the year there is so much to learn. For CrossFit athletes, the goal is to take a riskm, stare at yourself in the mirror, and get comfortable with being uncomfortable. The CrossFit Open is upon us, and I love watching individuals grow and learn through the process. Facing fear, anxiety, and stress about others’ perception is all a part of our experiences. They are real, and remember to not just push them under the rug. Use reliable resources to discuss these feelings, and use me to understand the context of what you may be feeling and experiencing. Those who do not judge or have bias toward your journey will be ones you can consistently look to for guidance.

For those who are not competing in the Open, this process and journey still has similar impact. Use it to your advantage and open up about the challenges you are facing, your successes and your failures.

Consider this:

Epictetus was once asked which words would help a person live a life of peace and goodness. The two words, he said, were ἀνέχου (bear) and ἀπέχου (forbear). (Another translation puts it at: Persist and Resist).

It’s remarkable how this wise man living in the ancient world, raised in a different culture and very different circumstances, speaking a very different language, in very different philosophies, could come to express the same concept.

But that’s why we must take it to heart. There is universality in their simple formula (though it’s not an easy one): We resist giving in, resist temptation, resist despair, and resist degradation. We persist in our efforts, we persist in trying to be a good example for others, we persist in our training, we persist despite the obstacles thrown at us.

The definition of forbearance perfectly captures both those ideas: Patient self-control. That’s our aim. Forever and always.

Have a great Open!

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Yesterday’s Results Board
6 Surprising Ways Improving Your Thoracic Spine & Shoulder Mobility Can Help You Reach Your Goals Girls Gone Strong
CrossFit Open Technique Tips: Double-Unders Boxrox

WOD 2.20.19

8 Sumo Stance Dumbbell Good Mornings
80′ Single Arm Farmer Carry (each)
20s Palloff Iso Hold

Keep the Good Mornings light and perfect. Work up to a challenging set on each side for the carries.

Post work to comments.
Week 3 of 7

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AMRAP 10 Minutes:
2-4-6-8-10-12-14-16-18-20
Deadlifts 225/155  (185/125)
Burpee Box Jumps 24/20

The Deadlift weight should be medium-heavy for you, something you could do a set of 10+ reps when fresh. The Burpee Box Jump Rx is “Games Standard,” meaning jump out-jump in, then jump to the box before reaching full extension atop the box with control. Otherwise you can step in and out. Choose the method that allows you to move the most efficiently.

Check out more awesome Friday Night Lights photos from last year here, here, and here! | Photo by Thomas H.

Friday Night Lights 19.1: Sign Up Now!

Our first Friday Night Lights event of 2019 goes down this Friday, February 22nd starting at 5:30pm. This is a great way to take on 19.1 in a super-fun, high-energy environment!

Go to the FNL Sign Up Sheet to reserve a space in the heat of your choice. Everyone is welcomed to participate; you don’t have to be on an Intramural team. But if you are on an Intramural team, get ready to throw down! The high fives will be plentiful.

We invite everyone to come out and cheer for your fellow CFSBKers! BYOB, if you’re into that.

If you haven’t registered for the Open yet, there’s still time to support your community and get in on the fun! Go here to sign up.

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Yesterday’s Results Board: Rest Day
How to Make Things Quieter NY Mag
How Much: Time, Quality, and Quantity Breaking Muscle

Today is a scheduled rest/recovery day, but don’t worry! We are open and running on our normal schedule. In today’s CrossFit group classes, you’ll have the option of doing either yesterday or tomorrow’s programming, which can be found in the comments section of today and every Rest Day’s post.

March 31st: Wim Hof Method Fundamentals Workshop at CFSBK

Put yourself in the expert hands of a certified Wim Hof Method Instructor to learn the 3 pillars of the Wim Hof Method: Breathing Technique, Cold Exposure, and Commitment. Find out how you can utilize oxygen and cold exposure to optimize body & mind, and learn about the underlying physiology.

The intimate quality allows for ample personal attention, and feedback tailored to your specific situation. Whether you are looking to improve mental or physical performance, relieve symptoms related to an illness, or are just curious to find out what the Wim Hof Method is all about— a WHM workshop offers something for everyone.

The program generally kicks off with an introduction to the Wim Hof Method, and always includes a breathing session and an (optional) ice bath. At the end there is ample room for reflection, and the Instructor is there to answer questions throughout the workshop. (Wim Hof will NOT be at the workshop.)

Instructors have their own specializations, and there is some variation across the individual workshops. A detailed overview of the day is sent out upon registration.

If you have no prior experience with cold exposure, we recommend you finish your showers cold in the days leading up to the workshop. This may be overwhelming at first, but just try to relax, focus on your breath, and bring it into a controlled, steady rhythm.

Date, Time, and Pricing

Sunday, March 31st from 2:15pm to 6:15pm
Price: $125

Register Here!

Who is this workshop for?

This workshop is suitable for everyone, but does require a basic level of health. Out of precaution, we advise against participation during pregnancy, or if you are epileptic. People with cardiovascular issues, or any other serious health conditions should always consult a medical professional before starting the Wim Hof Method.

What to Bring

• Warm comfy clothes
• Yoga mat (CFSBK has plenty you can borrow!)
• Bathing suit and towel (if ice bath bound)
• Open minds and hearts

Looking for a Sublet?

Paul A. is headed out of town for 3 months from April to July and is looking to sublet his awesome Prospect Heights apartment. Go HERE to check out the listing and feel free to send it to anyone who might be interested!

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Yesterday’s Results Board
Weightlifting Phenom Mahailya Reeves, 15, Is Raising the Bar ESPNW
The Coachable Client Starting Strength

WOD 2.18.19

4 Box Squats (2 count on box)
8e Dumbbell Upright Row to External Rotation

Warm up and work up to a few challenging but confident sets on each exercise. No failing, no bailing.

Post work to comments.
Week 3 of 7

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Performance
7 Rounds for Time:
7 Front Squats 135/95
3 Ring Muscle-Ups

The barbell comes off the floor and should be medium-heavy for you. 16 minute cap.

Fitness
7 Rounds for Time:
7 Front Squats
7/5 Ring Dips or (10/7 Push-Ups)

The barbell comes off the floor. Use a challenging  load that you can probably do unbroken for all 7 sets. You should be able to do unbroken sets of 10+ Dips to do the prescribed amount. If you cannot, then scale some volume or to Push-Ups instead. 16 minute cap.

Post time and Rx to comments.

Congrats to all of our CRASH-Beasts on a successful weekend in Boston. And a special congrats to Toni S. on taking home the bronze in the Women’s Open division and Coach Jess Fox on taking 3rd place in her division. That’s amazing! 

The Open is Here!

So far we have around 130 CFSBKers registered for the 2019 CrossFit Open. If you’ve registered, congrats on making this decision! It’s going to be an awesome 5 weeks in which you’ll get to benchmark your overall fitness and engage in some fun competition with yourself, the CFSBK community, and the rest of the world. Last year, about half a million people competed in the Open, making it the world’s largest participatory sporting event. If you haven’t registered for the Open yet, there’s still time to support your community and get in on the fun! Go here to sign up.

Open Workout 19.1 will be announced this Thursday night at 8pm New York time. See the CrossFit Games site for more info.

Intramural Teams

As you may have read right here on the blog, we’re going to do in-house intramural teams again for the 4th year in a row to make the Open even more exciting and inclusive. When you sign up for the league, you’ll be placed on a team in which your performance will contribute to your team’s overall score. Each team will be assigned a captain who will communicate with their team over the 5 weeks and submit their scores to management.

This is a great way to meet some new people, have a bit more fun with the Open, and motivate yourself to work a little harder. We encourage everyone to sign up and give it their all! Remember: your team won’t be penalized if you can’t do a workout for some reason.

Friday Night Lights

We’ll also be doing a series of “Friday Night Lights” events again this year. Every Friday night from 5:30 to 8:00pm for the next 5 weeks, you’ll have a chance to take on that week’s Open Workout with your fellow CFSBKers in a high-energy environment. These are open to EVERYONE who’s doing the Open, not just Intramural teams. Check the blog this week for more info!

Programming & Submissions

As usual, the Open workout will be programmed for Saturday’s group class, which means you’ll have the following opportunities to perform the workout:

• Friday morning/afternoon group classes
• Friday Night Lights, 5:30-8pm
• Saturday Group Classes, 8-2pm
• Saturday Open Gym, 2-4pm
• Sunday Open Gym, 6-8pm

For extenuating circumstances, we can try to work with you if you CAN’T make any of those times. With the exception of the Friday and Saturday group classes and Friday Night Lights, you’ll have to find someone to judge you in order to post a valid score. There are often folks hanging around to do the workouts, so just ask the coach to assist you if you can’t find someone to help out yourself.

In order for your score to be counted, you must submit your score and judge’s name to the CrossFit Games site by 8pm on Monday night. If you don’t submit a score, you’ll get a zero for the workout, but you’ll still be allowed to participate in the subsequent workouts. There’s nothing worse than crushing a workout and then posting a zero for the year! You’ll have to submit your judge’s name when you submit so remember to cut off the bottom of your scorecard and take it home with you. In a worst-case scenario, you can submit “David Osorio” as your judge.

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Yesterday’s Results Board
The Rise of “Zero Waste” Grocery Stores Smithsonian
Welcome to the 2019 CrossFit Games Season CrossFit Games

WOD 2.17.19

Every Minute on the Minute x 20:
1) :30 Jump Rope
2) :30 Double Dumbbell/Kettlebell Waiter Hold
3) :30 Reverse Bridge Plank
4) 10 Pike Press-Ups on Erg
5) Rest

For the jump rope, practice either Singles, alternating foot steps, or Double-Unders, in that order of degree of difficulty. Scale the Pike Press-Ups to Knee-Ins (like this but with feet on the seat of an erg).

Post work to comments.
Week 2 of 7

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Performance
AMRAP 10 Minutes:
10 Dumbbell Hang Power Clean and Push Press 50/35
10 Kipping Toes-to-Bar

Fitness
AMRAP 10 Minutes:
10 Dumbbell Hang Power Clean and Push Press 35/20
10 Kipping Hanging Knee Raises

The Dumbbell Hang Power Clean and Push Presses are done with two dumbbells. Aim to keep moving on the couplet with minimal rest.

Post rounds, reps, and Rx to comments.

CFSBK at CRASH-Bs

Coach Nick and his CRASH-Beasts, some of whom are pictured above, are in Boston today to compete at the CRASH-B World Indoor Rowing Championships. Good luck, CRASH-Beasts, and thanks for making our community proud! Be sure to show them some love in the comments.

Pilates Cancelled Today

Today’s 12pm Pilates class is cancelled. Still looking to do something other than group class today? Don’t forget that we offer 11am Active Recovery and 2pm Anti-Gravity.

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Yesterday’s Results Board: WODurday
Strong Parents, Strong Kids Breaking Muscle
Boys of Spring Players’ Tribune

WOD 2.16.19

3-4 Rounds Not for Time:
:15e Single-Arm Bar Hang
20 Dumbbell Russian Twists
80′ Bear Crawl

Post work to comments.
Week 2 of 7

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3 Rounds:
20 Burpees
40 Squats
600m Row

Rest 3 minutes between rounds. Aim for consistent efforts, within a few seconds on each round.

Post times and Rx to comments.

Next Level Weightlifting Club at CFSBK

Next Level Weightlifting Club offers Olympic lifting (the Snatch and the Clean and Jerk) with strength training and mobility all in one. Weightlifting classes will be held in two-hour windows and taught by Coach Frank Murray. While there will be a start to every class, you are allowed to show up at any time during the two-hour training session to lift. Those involved will receive the week’s programming which they can either do during the training session or on their own times during Open Gym hours. If you are unable to participate in class on a regular basis, you also have access to Coach Frank via email and can submit videos to be evaluated and critiqued. Think of him as your personal coach.

Days & Times

Mondays: 7-9pm
Wednesdays: 7-9pm
Fridays: 6-8pm

While there are weekly universal workouts, they can and likely will change from person to person depending on each individual’s needs. All people are different and therefore require different things to be successful. At Next Level Weightlifting Club, we take that into account and make adjustments as needed to optimize progress.

More Info

About the Coach: Frank Murray has competed in weightlifting for many years. During that time, he has medaled at five separate National Championships, most recently a Silver at last year’s Nationals. His all-time best lifts in competition include a 151kg (333lb) Snatch and a 182kg (400lb) Clean and Jerk at a body weight under 200lbs. He has worked with many athletes, from multiple CrossFits, including: CF Garden City, CF Queens, CF Great Neck, CF 516, CF King of Island Park, RADD CF, CF Greenpoint, CF Manhasset, CF L.I.C, among others.  Coached by Arthur Drechsler, former world record holder, chairman of the board of USAWeightlifting, and author of The Weightlifting Encyclopedia, Frank has learned from the many years of experience that Artie has had over his coaching career.

Frank is a USAW Level II Advanced Sports Performance Coach and has a B.A. in Physical Education.

Register Here!

Pilates Cancelled Tomorrow

Tomorrow’s 12pm Pilates class is cancelled. Karina is competing in her first Olympic lifting competition in Boston today. Let’s wish her luck in the comments!

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Yesterday’s Results Board: Rest Day
3 Exercises to Help Strengthen and Improve Posture BarBend
13 Reasons to Type in Lowercase NY Mag

Today is a scheduled rest/recovery day, but don’t worry! We are open and running on our normal schedule. In today’s CrossFit group classes, you’ll have the option of doing either yesterday or tomorrow’s programming, which can be found in the comments section of today and every Rest Day’s post.

Not exactly surprising, but Coach Keith does a killer Joe Cocker impression

This Week at CFSBK in Review

1. Want more Coach Keith? An AM cycle of Active Life Strength starts this Tuesday, February 19th! Get out of pain, stay out of pain, strengthen your weaknesses, and improve mobility and movement patterns, all while getting stronger in 2019. This is a predominantly strength-based class specifically programmed to strengthen movements and improve positions based on your individual needs.

2. Want more Community Potluck pics? Photos by Robert C. and your blog editor are up on Flickr!

3. We LOVED all the delicious food you made for the Potluck. In fact, we loved it so much that we want to make a CFSBK Potluck Cookbook! If you’d like to be included, please email Coach Brett at Brett [at] CrossFitSouthBrooklyn.com.

4. As most or all of you know, the 2019 CrossFit Open starts on February 21st, less than a week from today! For the 9th year in a row, CFSBK will be participating in the Open, and Monday’s post provides a quick rundown of how to sign up and participate.

5. Anise F. is competing in her first USAPL meet this Saturday, February 16th at the Murder of Crows Open. Head over to 919 Bergen Street to support her (admission is $10 at the door, cash only). Anyone else competing? Let us know in the comments so we can shout you out!

6. Sunday’s 12pm Pilates class with Karina is cancelled.

7. Coach Nick and his CRASH-Beasts are headed to Boston to compete in the World Indoor Rowing Championships on Sunday. Let’s show them some love in the comments!

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Yesterday’s Results Board
Exercise May Help to Fend Off Depression NY Times
2019 Reebok CrossFit Open Announcements CrossFit Games

WOD 2.14.19

3 Jefferson Deadlifts
6 Strict Toes-to-Bar / Hanging High Knee Raises
9 Single-Arm Dumbbell Presses

The Jeffersons and Presses are each side. Work up to a challenging set or two on each exercise. Jefferson Deadlifts are likely a movement you have not trained much so begin conservative and increase load as appropriate.

Post work to comments.
Week 2 of 7

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Performance
For Time:
21-15-9
Power Cleans 115/80
Push Presses 115/80
Kipping Pull-Ups

The load should be light for you and the reps unbroken on the fast end.

Fitness
For Time:
21-15-9
Power Cleans 75/55
Push Presses 75/55
Jumping Pull-Ups

The load should be light for you and the reps unbroken on the fast end.

Post time and Rx to comments.

Join the 2019 CFSBK Open Intramural Team Competition!

For the 4th year in a row, CFSBK is organizing a friendly, in-house intramural team competition during the CrossFit Open. This competition aims to promote a healthy community rivalry and provide motivation for all Open competitors to perform their best each week! Participation is voluntary, and those who wish to participate will be split into balanced teams with team captains assigned by CFSBK management. Team scores will be compiled at the close of each week by the captains using an average team ranking. Last year, we had 122 CFSBK athletes compete in this in-house competition.

You may perform the workouts scaled or Rx’d, whichever is most appropriate for you.

The Open workouts will be programmed for Saturday group class each week, which provides team members the opportunity to complete the workouts on Friday and Saturday during group class or Saturday and Sunday during Open Gym. However, if you must miss a workout (due to travel, injury, illness, etc.), it won’t necessarily negatively affect your team’s score, because the score will be an average of top submitted scores for each week.

Intramural teams are encouraged to attend the same group class, wear matching outfits/t-shirts (we’ll assign each team a color), and trash talk. Teams will be invited to compete against each other every week during a super-fun, good-vibez, open-to-all Friday Night Lights event.

This isn’t mandatory, so if you want to do the Open workouts without joining the Intramural Competition, you can.

You must be officially registered for the CrossFit Open to compete in the Intramural Team Competition, so go here to sign up if you haven’t already! Be sure to select CFSBK as your affiliate. 

Last year, we had 202 members register for the Open. That’s amazing, and we’d like to beat it this year. Right now we’re about halfway there. Can we get to 125 by the end of the day?

CFSBK & BCL

Your favorite gym (this one) was recently featured on the Brooklyn Creative League blog’s list “6 Gyms Within Walking Distance of Brooklyn Creative League.” As they say, we aim “to challenge and motivate all its attendees, striving to accept everyone for who they are.” Thanks, friends!

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The Machine Stops The New Yorker
Eye Gaze Direction for the Bench Press Starting Strength

WOD 2.13.19

Every Minute on the Minute x 4:
1) 8e Alternating Cossack Squats
2) 8e Single-Arm High Pulls
3) 8e Split Stance Single-Arm Band Chest Press
4) :20e Side Plank
5) Rest

Work up to a few challenging sets on each exercise. Perform the Cossacks using a rig for support as needed. Doing them well is more important than doing them heavy. For the Chest Press, square your chest and hips up and resist rotation as you perform them.

Post work to comments.
Week 2 of 7

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A1) 8e Barbell Front Rack Reverse Lunges
A2) 5e Renegade Rows (no Push-Up)

Work up to a heavy but doable set on each exercise, resting as needed between sets.

Post work to comments.

Vini gets emotional during karaoke. Check out more photos from the Community Potluck on our Flickr account. And hey, don’t forget to send your Potluck recipes to Brett [at] CrossFitSouthBrooklyn.com for our cookbook!

News and Notes from CFSBK Members

• Anise F. is competing in her first USAPL meet this Saturday, February 16th at the Murder of Crows Open. Head over to 919 Bergen Street to support her (admission is $10 at the door, cash only). Anyone else competing? Let us know in the comments so we can shout you out!
• My Body, My Jokes is a bimonthly stand up comedy show all about living inside these weird, gross, human-shaped bodies, and what they go through. As an antidote for Valentine’s Day, February’s theme is BREAK-UPS! Join host and CFSBKer Maria Heinegg and a group of hilarious comics as they tell jokes about the break-ups they’ve lived through, plus our relationship expert, Effy Blue, who will tell us everything we’ve been doing wrong in love. This months proceeds will be donated to Survived & Punished (S&P). S&P is a national coalition that organizes to de-criminalize efforts to survive domestic and sexual violence, support and free criminalized survivors, and abolish gender violence, policing, prisons, and deportations. Tickets: $15 in advance/ $20 at the door

TWEET THE DEETS

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Yesterday’s Results Board: Rest Day
Sigurdardottir Shares Advice for Training Through Injury Morning Chalk Up
On the Origin of Darwin Scientific American

Today is a scheduled rest/recovery day, but don’t worry! We are open and running on our normal schedule. In today’s CrossFit group classes, you’ll have the option of doing either yesterday or tomorrow’s programming, which can be found in the comments section of today and every Rest Day’s post.

Pat left it all on the field for team 50 Shades of Gainz at one of last year’s Friday Night Lights events

Join the 2019 CFSBK Open Intramural Team Competition!

For the 4th year in a row, CFSBK is organizing a friendly, in-house intramural team competition during the CrossFit Open. This competition aims to promote a healthy community rivalry and provide motivation for all Open competitors to perform their best each week! Participation is voluntary, and those who wish to participate will be split into balanced teams with team captains assigned by CFSBK management. Team scores will be compiled at the close of each week by the captains using an average team ranking. Last year, we had 122 CFSBK athletes compete in this in-house competition. We’re hoping to surpass that number this year, but we need everyone to sign up as soon as possible!

You may perform the workouts scaled or Rx’d, whichever is most appropriate for you.

The Open workouts will be programmed for Saturday group class each week, which provides team members the opportunity to complete the workouts on Friday and Saturday during group class or Saturday and Sunday during Open Gym. However, if you must miss a workout (due to travel, injury, illness, etc.), it won’t necessarily negatively affect your team’s score, because the score will be an average of top submitted scores for each week.

Intramural teams are encouraged to attend the same group class, wear matching outfits/t-shirts (we’ll assign each team a color), and trash talk. Teams will be invited to compete against each other every week during a super-fun, good-vibez, open-to-all Friday Night Lights event.

This isn’t mandatory, so if you want to do the Open workouts without joining the intramural competition, you can.

You must be officially registered for the CrossFit Open to compete in the Intramural Team Competition, so go here to sign up if you haven’t already! Be sure to select CFSBK as your affiliate. 

Last year, we had 202 members register for the Open. That’s amazing, and we’d like to beat it this year. Right now we’re about halfway there. Can we get to 125 by the end of the day?

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Yesterday’s Results Board
CrossFit Open Workouts: What to Expect for 2019 WODprep
Museum of the Dog Takes Manhattan Smithsonian