CFSBK got its start in September of 2007 at St. Mary’s Playground, under the elevated F/G tracks that run along Smith Street. We made use of homemade sandbags, an old tire, and a jungle gym that has since been removed in the park’s renovation. We’ve come a long way since then! Check out this fun Flickr album from the Park Daze, which was recently unearthed from the CFSBK Archives (Coach David’s old computer).

This Week at CFSBK in Review

1. At CFSBK most of our classes are led by more than one coach. How does our coaching staff work together? Part 4 of CrossFit Journal’s series on our Group Class Coaching Expectations provides some of the answers!

2. Mer R. is going to DC for work for a while (*sniff*) and is looking to sublet her apartment at the start of January. It’s a large quiet one bedroom in Park Slope with a separate study, good light, laundry in the building and shared backyard. Most importantly, it’s just a half mile from the gym! Email her at mr3340 [at] nyu.edu for more details.

3. On Tuesday, we brought you a GHD how-to video guest starring gym pups Molly and Tucker Fox! Now you know how to develop those glutes and hams while getting some much needed pet therapy.

4. Hey, speaking of gym pups, be sure to reserve your 2018 Dogs of CFSBK Calendar! All proceeds go to PupStarz Rescue, a foster rescue started by our own Robyn O’Brien. Both the desk calendar and wall calendar are available for a sliding scale cash donation of $30-60 or more. See yesterday’s post for order info!

5. The most recent installment of CrossFit Journal‘s Inside CFSBK series focuses on our guiding principles. As Coach David explains in this awesome video, we strive to be professional, inclusive, and effective. Watch the video to find out what that means in practice!

6. CFSBK and the whole NYC fitness community lost a legend. Joe Gazio, who many members knew as our Friday evening Olympic weightlifting coach over the summer, recently passed away after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. To learn more about Coach Joe and the lives he touched, read Wednesday’s post.

_____________________
Yesterday’s Results Board: Power Snatch | Deadlifts, Double-Unders
Do Dogs Need Winter Coats? NY Times
Technique and Strength in the Martial Arts Starting Strength

Touch-and-Go Power Snatch

3-5-10-5-3

Each set should be heavy for the rep range. These should be true touch-and-go without the need for the barbell to be resting in the hang on the way down. If you’re newer to the lift, then focus more on maintaining good positions and a close bar path than on hanging on to the bar, and do sets of quick bailed singes as needed.

Post loads to comments.
Exposure 3 of 8

_____________________

For Time:
15 Deadlifts 275/185
50 Double-Unders
12 Deadlifts
40 Double-Unders
9 Deadlifts
30 Double-Unders
6 Deadlifts
20 Double-Unders
3 Deadlifts
10 Double-Unders

The barbell weight should be medium-heavy for you, and challenging to perform the reps unbroken. Scale the Dubs to 2x Singles or perform about half the attempts as needed.

Post time and Rx to comments.

“Professional, inclusive, effect.” Those are CFSBK’s guiding principles, and Captain Osorio elaborates on them in yet another great video in the Inside CrossFit South Brooklyn series!

Catching Up with Inside CFSBK

CrossFit HQ has released some awesome videos about our humble gym over the past month. Afraid you missed one? Fret not. Let’s recap!

• Diapers and Dumbells
  
• The Docs
  
• Variety
  
• Fit 55+
  
• CFSBK’s Group Class Coaching Expectations: Part 1
  
• CFSBK’s Group Class Coaching Expectations: Part 2
  
• CFSBK’s Group Class Coaching Expectations: Part 3
  
• CFSBK’s Group Class Coaching Expectations: Part 4
• Guiding Principles

You can always find these and lots of other great content on our Articles & Media page, which was just updated!

GET YOUR 2018 DOGS OF CFSBK CALENDAR!

The 2018 Dogs of CFSBK calendar features your favorite gym mutts! All proceeds go to PupStarz Rescue, a foster rescue started by our own Robyn O’Brien. Both the desk calendar and wall calendar are available for a sliding scale cash donation of $30-60 or more. A limited number of calendars are on their way to the gym but they are sure to run out quick.  Never fear, you can place your order by filling out this online form, or sign up at the front desk. Pre-paying at the front desk will guarantee your copy. Orders will be taken until Christmas day. Email Bree P. at breebree [at] mindspring.com for any questions.

_____________________
Yesterday’s Results Board: Back Squat | Run, Air Squats, Sit-Ups
Training Exercise vs. Novelty Catalyst Athletics
How Stupid Things Become Smart Together Kurzgesagt

Tempo Back Squat (32X1)

3 x 6

Heavier than Week 1, around the same as last week. Should be challenging for the last couple of reps on each set but never a grind.

Post loads to comments.
Exposure 3 of 8
_____________________

AMRAP 20 Minutes:
400m Run
20 Air Squats
20 AbMat Sit Ups

Post rounds, reps, and Rx to comments.

Coach Joe Gazio

By David Osorio

CFSBK is very sad to announce that Coach Joe Gazio, who many members knew as our Friday evening Olympic weightlifting coach over the summer, recently passed away after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Joe was a special person who brought enthusiasm and warmth to every single athlete he worked with. He was always kind, humble, and motivated to bring out the best in his athletes. We consider ourselves incredibly fortunate to have had Joe as part of our coaching team, and we want to extend our condolences to his family and everyone who was lucky enough to train with Coach Joe.

Coach Keith had this to say about Joe’s personality and approach to coaching:

There are a lot of important qualities to being a great coach, but at the top, I believe, is passion. Coach Joe had that as much as anyone for the sport of Weightlifting. He had an unbelievable wealth of knowledge, which he would readily share with anyone who was willing to listen. He treated every athlete the same, from renowned Games and Olympic athletes, to the first timer and average exerciser. Anyone who had the opportunity to work with him will tell you, you had Joe’s full attention, respect, and especially, honesty. Being around Joe helped me grow as an athlete as well as a coach, and his joy for doing what he did was always inspiring. His legacy will live on with every lift we attempt going forward, and every person we continue to share his knowledge with.

To learn more about Joe, read Coach Frank‘s tribute to him here and here. You can also watch Joe’s appearance on the ActiveLife podcast. We’ll miss you, Coach Joe.

_____________________
Yesterday’s Results Board: Rest Day
Why You Need Good Wrist Mobility Girls Gone Strong
How to Teach Your T-Spine to Bend Breaking Muscle

You asked for a GHD how-to video, and we delivered! Here’s Coach David (with special guest stars Molly and Tucker Fox) showing you how can develop your glutes, hams, and several other important body parts! 

Ask a Coach

Do  you like these little instructional videos we’ve been doing? We’d like to do more stuff like that and need your help. So, from time to time, we’ll be asking you for questions that we can address in short videos. Today is one of those times! Leave a CrossFit-related question that we can address in a short video in today’s comments. One of our illustrious coaches may respond in a future video!

Special Shop Night for CFSBK Members at Lululemon

On Thursday, December 7th, lululemon’s Smith Street location is offering a special shop night for CFSBK and Brooklyn Boulder’s members only! Here are the details:

• Open to all CFSBK & BKB members (must show key card for entrance)
• Members get 25% off all lululemon gear for one night only
• You can shop for yourself, friends, and family
• Shop night is open from 8pm to 9:30pm

If you plan to attend, please register through the Eventbrite link below. And don’t forget to bring your CFSBK key card!

Register Here!

_____________________
Yesterday’s Results Board: HSPUs / DBSSSLRDL | Burpee Box Jump Overs, Rowing
How to Be a Little Bit Better at Remembering Things NY Mag
Watch Weightlifter Gabriel Sincraian Try CrossFit for the First Time BarBend

Handstand Push-Up / Dumbbell Split-Stance Single-Leg Romanian Deadlift Superset*

Performance
A1) Tempo (40×1) Handstand Push-Up:
5 x 6-10 reps

Add a few reps to last week. These should all be sub-max sets, adding a deficit if you’re able to. Full range of motion, no AbMats. No crashing or resting on your head! Perform the reps strict if you can. You can kip the concentric if you must, but keep true to the tempo on the eccentric through the full range of motion and do not crash or rest on your head.

A2) Dumbbell Split-Stance Single-Leg RDL:
5 x 6-10 reps

Add weight and/or reps to last week.

Fitness
A1) Tempo (40×1) Seated Dumbbell Press:
5 x 5-8 reps

Add weight and/or reps to last week. Optional: Perform a Kick-Up to the wall with a few second hold immediately after each set of Presses.

A2) Dumbbell Split-Stance Single-Leg RDL:
5 x 6-10 reps

Add weight and/or reps to last week.

*Warm up and then perform a set of Handstand Push-Ups, followed by a set of DB Split-Stance Single-Leg RDLs. Repeat for 5 work sets of each, resting about a minute between movements. The last few reps of each set should be tough, but the goal is no misses.

Post loads/reps to comments.
Exposure 3 of 8

_____________________

3 Rounds:
30 Seconds for Max Reps of Burpee Box Jump Overs 24/20
120 Seconds Rest
30 Seconds for Max Calories of Rowing
120 Seconds Rest

All out efforts on each work interval.

Post reps per round of each movement to comments.

At CFSBK most of our classes are led by more than one coach. How does our coaching staff work together? Part 4 of CrossFit Journal’s series on our Group Class Coaching Expectations provides some of the answers! 

Tandem Coaching Guidelines

We’ve been posting these CrossFit Journal videos for a few weeks now, but don’t forget that you can read all about our Group Class Coaching Expectations on Inside the Affiliate, our business blog! Here, for example, is the full list of our Tandem Coaching Guidelines:

• Discuss work distribution before class starts, trying to keep overall workload even.
• While one coach is leading flow, the second coach should be organizing logistics for the following segment or working with troubled movers.
• Evenly distribute athletes between coaches.
• If a class goes over, one coach should finish out that class while the other coach begins the next class.

Read more about these guidelines here! And be sure to poke around ITA for some crucial insights into all the stuff that makes CFSBK tick.

Looking for a Sublet Near the Gym?

Mer R. is going to DC for work for a while (*sniff*) and is looking to sublet her apartment at the start of January. It’s a large quiet one bedroom in Park Slope with a separate study, good light, laundry in the building and shared backyard. Most importantly, it’s just a half mile from the gym! Email her at mr3340 [at] nyu.edu for more details.

_____________________
Yesterday’s Results Board: Front Squat + Jerk | Power Cleans, Wall Balls
Why Lurks Behind Rabid Sports Fandom? Nautilus
10 Questions with CrossFit Athletic Group CrossFit Journal

Front Squat + Jerk Complex

3 x (5 Front Squats + 3 Jerks)

Perform 3 sets of the complex at 70-75% of your best Jerk from last week.

Post loads to comments.
Exposure 2 of 8

_____________________

AMRAP 10 Minutes:
10 Power Cleans 135/95
20 Wall Balls 20/10, 14/9

Post rounds, reps, and Rx to comments.

Coach Lauren gives Jen B.’s some individual attention on Squat day. Check out photosets from a couple of last week’s classes here and here!

CFSBK FAQs

As you may have noticed we’ve added a Frequently Asked Questions page accessible under Member Resources on the blog (to the right).  To draw your attention to the FAQs and to refamiliarize everyone with some important stuff, we’ll be reposting some of these questions and answers to the blog. Next up…

SHOULD I KEEP A TRAINING JOURNAL?

Yes. One of the most important parts of CrossFit as a training methodology is that it’s quantifiable. That aspect keeps everyone involved (the athletes and the coaches) honest and helps us to see what’s working and what’s not over the course of time. Plainly, your journal measures your progress (or lack thereof). Your training journal should have both some quantitative and qualitative data in it. You can use your favorite electronic device, a plain old notebook and a pen, or one of the fancy schmancy ones that we sell at the front desk. Your journal will provide you with important information that will be both informative and affirmative. What you were able to lift last week (quantitative) and how it went (qualitative) are pretty telling about what you should be able to lift this week. Also, it’s a nice affirmation that things are going in the right direction when you look back 6 weeks, months, or years into your journals and see the progress you’ve made. Keep a journal!

_____________________
Yesterday’s Results Board: Triple Metcons
Jerk Rack Adjustment Catalyst Athletics
Why You Should Eat More and Train Less This Christmas Breaking Muscle

Triple Metcon

At 0:00

For Time:
20 Chest-to-Bar Pull-Ups
30 Overhead Squats 95/65
40 Calorie Row

Scale to regular Kipping Pull-Ups or Jumping Chest-to-Bar Pull-Ups as needed. The Overhead Squats should be light for you and done in 1-3 sets. Push your comfort level on the row.

At 12:00

For Time:
20 Toes-to-Bars
30 Push Presses 95/65
400m Run

Scale to Hanging Leg/Knee Raises as needed. The Push Presses should be light for you and done in 1-3 sets. Run, don’t jog.

At 24:00

For Time:
15 Thrusters 95/65
10 Bar Muscle Ups
15 Thrusters 95/65

Scale the Bar Muscle-Ups to jumping bar muscle ups, or to 15 Chest-to-Bar Pull-Ups + 15 Burpees.

The gymnastics elements will be done unbroken on the fast end. If you’re scaling the first two workouts, choose an option that allows you to complete sets of 4-5 reps when fresh. Use one barbell with the same load for all three pieces. The bar should be light for all three movements. Scale as needed.

Score all three times and and post to comments.

Coach Keith teaching the Turkish Get-Up at Wednesday night’s 5:30 class. Keith’s full bio is now available on our Coaching Staff page! 

• Schedule Change: Today’s 10am Yoga for Athletes class is cancelled. 

Special Shop Night for CFSBK Members at Lululemon

On Thursday, December 7th, lululemon’s Smith Street location is offering a special shop night for CFSBK and Brooklyn Boulder’s members only! Here are the details:

• Open to all CFSBK & BKB members (must show key card for entrance)
• Members get 25% off all lululemon gear for one night only
• You can shop for yourself, friends, and family
• Shop night is open from 8pm to 9:30pm

If you plan to attend, please register through the Eventbrite link below. And don’t forget to bring your CFSBK key card!

Register Here!

_____________________
Yesterday’s Results Board: Rest Day
CrossFit Athlete in Kayak Note Sure Where to Adjust Resistance The Overheard Press
This Frostbitten Black Metal Album Was Created By Artificial Intelligence The Outline

This Week at CFSBK in Review

1. Come out to the gym tonight for  a very special screening of The VelociPastor, which stars our very own front desker and Renaissance man Gregory James Cohan! Here’s the IMDB summary: “After losing his parents, a troubled priest travels to China, where he inherits a mysterious ability that allows him to turn into a dinosaur. At first horrified by this new power, a hooker convinces him to use it to fight crime. And ninjas.” Sounds fun, huh? All the details are in Tuesday’s post!

2. Part 3 of CrossFit Journal’s series on our Group Class Coaching Expectations is out! This time Captain Osorio drops some knowledge about our approach to safety.

3. More good stuff: In Episode 4 of Inside CrossFit South Brooklyn, HQ took a look at our Fit 55+ class! This awesome video and everything you need to know about Fit 55+ can be found in Wednesday’s post. Know someone who might benefit from this program? Send them our way!

4. Missing something? Maybe a water bottle or a whole pair of pants (including belt)? Take a look at our latest lost and found dump, and be sure to claim your pants before we donate them to CHIPs in two weeks.

5. The 2018 Dogs of CFSBK calendar is coming! Imagine month after month of your favorite gym mutts. All proceeds go to PupStarz Rescue, a foster rescue started by our own Robyn O’Brien.

6. Tomorrow’s 10am Yoga for Athletes class is cancelled. 

_____________________
Yesterday’s Results Board: Power Snatch | KB Swings, Burpee Box Jumps
The Burgener Warm-Up CrossFit (video)
How to Talk to Our Children About Body Diversity Girls Gone Strong

Touch-and-Go Power Snatch

5-5-5-5-5

Lighter than last week. If you missed last week, then begin at about 50% of your best Power Snatch and work up from there as able. These should be true touch-and-go without the need for the barbell to be resting in the hang position on the way down. If you’re newer to the lift, then focus more on maintaining good positions and a close bar path than on hanging on to the bar, and do sets of 5 quick bailed singes as needed.

Post loads to comments.
Exposure 2 of 8

_____________________

For Time:
10 Russian Kettlebell Swings 32/24kg
20 Burpee Box Jumps 24/20″
20 Russian Kettlebell Swings
15 Burpee Box Jumps
30Russian Kettlebell Swings
10 Burpee Box Jumps
40 Russian Kettlebell Swings

The Kettelbell Swings should be medium-heavy and unbroken on the fast end. The jump on the Burpee Box Jumps is Rx’d as a two-foot takeoff. Come to full extension atop the box then step or jump down as desired.

Post time and Rx to comments.

Get Your 2018 Dogs of CFSBK Calendar!

The 2018 Dogs of CFSBK calendar features your favorite gym mutts! All proceeds go to PupStarz Rescue, a foster rescue started by our own Robyn O’Brien. Both the desk calendar and wall calendar are available for a sliding scale cash donation of $30-60 or more. A limited number of calendars are on their way to the gym but they are sure to run out quick.  Never fear, you can place your order by filling out this online form, or sign up at the front desk. Pre-paying at the front desk will guarantee your copy. Orders will be taken until Christmas day. Email Bree P. at breebree [at] mindspring.com for any questions.

Work Part Time at Amika

Steph M.’s company amika is opening a pop-up shop in Times Square for all of December and potentially into January! They’re looking for sales people and cashiers. They compensation is $14 per hour plus $50 in amika products every week. The hours of the shop are 10am to 10/11pm. Shifts are 8 hours, but the schedule is pretty flexible and shorter shifts are available if needed. They’re hoping to hire friends and relatives first. It would be a good gig for students home for the holidays. Candidates can send their resumes to amikapopup [at] loveamika.com. Please also include your availability in the email!

_____________________
Yesterday’s Results Board: Back Squat | Turkish Get-Ups
Sisters in Sweat ft. Serena Williams Gatorade
New Research Suggests Working Out in Groups Improves Quality of Life BarBend

Tempo Back Squat (30X1)

3 x 8

No pause this week, so go heavier than last week. The last couple of reps on each set should be challenging but never a grind.

Post loads to comments.
Exposure 2 of 8

_____________________

Not for Time:
50 Turkish Get-Ups

Alternate every few reps so you end up with 25 on each side. Use a dumbbell or kettlebell that is about 25-30% of your body weight on the top end.

Post work to comments.

“Just that mental benefit of I can do things, I can carry things, I can pick things up off the floor.” That’s Coach Fox talking about the biggest benefit that our masters athletes can expect from the Fit 55+ program. Watch this Inside CrossFit South Brooklyn video about one of the coolest classes at CFSBK! 

Stay Strong, Mobile, and Able with Fit 55+

Fit 55+ is a strength and conditioning class for older adults who are not content to simply sit on the couch getting older. As the old adage goes, “If you don’t use it, you lose it.” Research points to development of chronic disease in older populations not as a consequence of aging alone, but as a product of decreased activity and less-than-healthy lifestyle choices. Fit 55+ to the rescue! All classes include a warm up, a weight-training circuit intended to build strength and bone density, and a conditioning circuit designed to improve cardiovascular health.

Know someone who might benefit from Fit 55+? Send them today’s post! 

DAYS & TIMES

Mondays at 11am
Wednesdays at 11am
Fridays at 11am

FIT 55+ WILL HELP YOU:

• Build muscular strength and joint integrity
• Increase and maintain bone density
• Improve cardiovascular function
• Improve balance, coordination, and mobility
• Reduce your risk of falling (and be more resilient in case you do)
• Maintain independence and improve quality of life
• Train with a supportive community of your peers

Register Here!

_____________________
Yesterday’s Results Board: Rest Day
Run Lighter Tabata Times
The Rapid Rise and Spectacular Fall of London’s Greatest Bonesetter Atlas Obscura