Coach Ro helping Shawn C. figure out her kip during Anti-Gravity class. Read on to learn more about this awesome program!

The Past, Present, and Future of Anti-Gravity: An Interview with Noah Abbott and Arturo Ruiz

Edited by Josh Schneiderman

CFSBK has been offering Anti-Gravity, a class focused on gymnastics and body-weight movements, for just about a year now. To celebrate this milestone, we decided to check in with Coaches Noah and Ro, the masterminds behind the program, to see how things are going. Enjoy!

When did you guys start offering AG classes, and what was your motivation?

Noah: We started AG about a year ago.  I had been offering gymnastics skills workshops covering Kipping Pull-Ups, Muscle-Ups, Handstand Push-Ups, and other of the “higher skill” movements we see in CrossFit. While the workshops were successful, they were too periodic, and often didn’t match people’s schedules or give them consistent skill practice.  Around the same time, Arturo and I had been talking about how we noticed that our membership’s gymnastic skill and capacity seemed to be lagging behind their strength and Olympic lifting technique.  We envisioned a full class that let people work gymnastic skill, strength, and capacity with better CrossFit performance as the goal (as opposed to getting better at gymnastics in a vacuum).

How has the class changed or evolved over the past year?

Ro: The program is pretty much the same as when it started. We tend to focus on movements that will help folks in group class and any of the special workouts like the Open WODs, “Murph,” and Fight Gone Bad.  I think if it isn’t broken, why should you fix it?

Noah: Yeah, we have played around with some different programming formats and tend to tailor programming a bit based on what is going on in group class and when the Open comes up, but it has largely remained the same.  It runs very much like group class: warm-up, skill and strength work, conditioning.

What have you guys learned about coaching body-weight movements?

Noah: Like most of the stuff we do at CFSBK and in CrossFit in general, sexier isn’t necessarily better. We spend a lot of time building a base of strength and making sure people have checked all the boxes in a progression before they move along.  The needle often moves slowly, but it is always inexorably rising.

Ro: It’s just as hard, sometimes harder, as coaching everything else.  Gymnastics movements require a lot of spatial awareness, balance, and strength–all while being as graceful as possible.

Who are these classes for? Do I need to be a certainly level of strength before I show up?

Noah: They are for everyone!  We will have scaling for every movement for any level of ability, and since the classes are generally smaller than group class we can get really creative with scaling if something isn’t working for someone.

What’s the best way to fit AG into your training?

Noah: We had originally envisioned AG to stand alone as its own class, meant to replace a group class, but A LOT of people take group class and then AG, so we have made sure to make our programming not overlap too bad or punish people for doing both.  There was a week or two in the beginning when people did 100 Burpees in group class and walked into AG and saw another 100 programmed!  (We had them sub something else, and then made sure to check the group programming more closely before we programmed.)

Ro: Although many people take AG after group class, I recommend that you use it as a replacement class. Like I said, gymnastics movements require spatial awareness, balance, and strength. Taking it after a group class will usually make it more difficult to practice skills. I’m not saying not to come if you take group class before! I just think that if you are working on a new skill or trying to dial it in, you would benefit from being fresh.

How often should I take AG to get benefits out of it?

Noah: I think you’d benefit from dropping in randomly to get some skill practice and progressions to use on your own time, but I’d say at least 1x a week for some consistency and repeated practice.

What’s in store for AG in the future? Noah is, sadly, leaving us. Will Arturo start coaching Sunday AG? Any other changes you’re planning to make to the class structure/programming?

Ro: More of the same stuff as far as format goes, but I will be taking over Noah’s class on Sundays!   

Anti-Gravity is open to all CFSBK members and experienced visitors. It counts towards your weekly limit with recurring memberships. Check it out at 7:30pm on Tuesdays and 2:00pm on Sundays.

Crow Hill Open 2016 Results

As we mentioned yesterday, Coach JB qualified for the American Open with a 71kg Clean and Jerk and a 51kg Snatch. Coach Katie went 5 for 6 and took first in her weight class. Coach Lady Fox took 2nd place in the Masters division, and Amanda Mc went 3 for 6 in her first meet and PRed her Clean! Over on the men’s side, Coach Fox went 6 for 6 with an 87kg Snatch and a 115kg Clean and Jerk. Coach McDowell went 5 for 6 with a 108kg Snatch and a top Clean and Jerk of 125kg. Finally, Alex B. hit a 103kg Snatch and a 130kg Clean and Jerk. Congrats, guys! We’re so proud of you!

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Yesterday’s Whiteboard: Bench Press / Bent-Over Row | Deadlifts, Burpees
The Reflection of Light Medium
Strongman Smashes Deadlifting Record, Immediately Passes Out Huffington Post

Bench Press / Bent-Over Row Superset*

1A) Barbell Bench Press

Fitness
3 x 5 Linear Progression

Add a few pounds to last week’s weight.

Performance
3 x 8

Go heavier than last week’s 10s.

1B) Barbell Bent-Over Row

Fitness
3 x 5 Linear Progression

Add a few pounds to last week’s weight.

Performance
3 x 8

Go heavier than last week’s 10s.

In both cases, keep these light enough to perform strictly and with solid form. Don’t let these turn into an ego exercise. Really think about the movement rather than the weight moved. Keep the following notes in mind:

1) Set up like a Clean and Deadlift the bar up.
2) Hip hinge until bar is at least below the knee (try to be as horizontal as possible).
3) Maintaining a consistent back angle, pull your elbows up and back and aim to hit your stomach (not your chest) with the barbell.
4) Start with a weight that allows all the reps to be done perfect and without momentum. It should feel too light to start.

*Superset means that you perform a set of exercise A (in this case the Bench Press) and then after a short rest, 30 seconds to a minute, you perform a set of exercise B (in this case the Barbell Bent-Over Row). You then rest a short period before returning to exercise A and continue in this fashion until all warm up and work sets are completed.

Post loads to comments.
Exposure 5 of 8

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21-15-9 Reps for Time:
Deadlifts 225/155
Burpees

The Deadlift should be on the medium-heavy side for you. On the fast end, they’ll be done unbroken but 2-3 sets is appropriate as well.

Post time and Rx to comments.

Here’s Coach JB qualifying for the American Open with a 71kg Clean and Jerk at 46.2kg body weight at yesterday’s Crow Hill Open! Coach KHarpz also took first in her weight class. We’ll have the full results for you tomorrow. | Video by Chainsaw Charlie

July 24th: CFSBK Marathon Row!

• Single Scull: You do the whole marathon yourself
• Double Sculls: You and one partner divvy up the marathon however you want; you could each do one 21,098m block, or do multiple shorter pieces
• Quadruple Sculls: You and three other people divvy up the marathon however you want – you could each row one 10,549m block, or do multiple shorter pieces

Coach Nick will send a DIY program to everyone who signs up; the training will consist of at least two long erg sessions a week for those of you in the Single Scull and Double Sculls to physically and mentally prepare you for the distance. Expect to devote 1–2+ hours twice a week to this.

The enrollment fee is $60 per person. We will donate half the fee – and anything else you can raise – to Row New York, which teaches competitive rowing to kids in under-resourced communities.

Sign up here now – space is limited!

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Yesterday’s Whiteboard: Clean and Jerk | Thrusters, Bar Muscle-Ups
The Great American Obstacle Race The New Yorker
5 Daily Habits to Become Your Best Self Training Think Tank

Mid-Hang Clean and Power Jerk

Every 90 seconds for 10 reps:
Clean Deadlift + Mid-Hang Clean + Power Jerk

Start at about 50% and work up across the reps as appropriate.

Post loads to comments.
Exposure 4 of 8

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3 Rounds for Time:
15 Thrusters 95/65
5 Bar Muscle-Ups

The Thrusters should be medium-light today and unbroken on the fast end. Sub Jumping Bar Muscle-Ups or 2x (10) Pull-Ups as needed.

Post time and Rx to comments.

Click above to see a special video message from OUTWOD’s organizer. Thanks to all who participated in solidarity with the Orlando vitctims and the LGBT community as a whole. If you couldn’t make it, you can still donate here.

• Today’s 11:00am Active Recovery class with Coach Fox is cancelled.
  
• Wanna play Spikeball? Go to the event page and sign up for our first-ever Spikeball tournament!

CFSBK at the Crow Hill Open 2016

Coaches McDowell, Coach Chris Fox, and Alex B.  competed in the Crow Hill Open 2016 at nearby CrossFit Crow Hill yesterday. We’ll have their results up soon! Today, Coaches Jess Fox, JB, KHarpz, and Amanda Mc will be competing, too! Go here for the full schedule. Stop in and cheer them on. Good luck CFSBK TFBAs!

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Yesterday’s Whiteboard: Front Squat | OUTWOD
The Case for Eating Butter Just Got Stronger Time
Aleksey Torokhity: 540lbs Power Jerk YouTube

Back Squat

Fitness
3 x 5 Linear Progression

Add 5-10 lbs to last week’s weight.

Performance
3 x 6

Sets of 4 next week.

Post loads to comments
Exposure 4 of 8
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OUTWOD

In teams of 2, perform the following 20:00 AMRAP:
6 Power Clean + Jerks (Rx: 155/105, Scale One: 135/95, Scale Two: 95/65)
12 Push-Ups
16 Kettlebell Swings (Rx: 32kg/24kg, Scale One: 24kg/16kg, Scale Two: 16kg/12kg)
49 Air Squats

Alternate movements between partners. For the 49 Air Squats, partners will decide how to split the reps. Partners will alternate their starting movement each round. For example, Partner 1 does 6 Power Cleans + Jeks, then Partner 2 will do 12 Push-ups, Partner 1 will do Kettlebell Swings, the Partners will share the 49 reps and on the next round Partner 2 will begin with the Power Cleans… and so on for 20 minutes.

Post rounds, reps, Rx, and partner to comments.

OUTWOD: Everything You Need to Know

• Today we’ll be hosting OUTWOD during every group class from 8:00am to 1:00pm as part of a national benefit for victims of the Orlando shooting. CrossFit gyms from New York, Miami, Chicago, Detroit, LA, and Tennessee will be participating in this special OUTWOD event.
• Class will be “free” to any CrossFitter, but we’ll ask all participants throughout the day to donate a drop-in membership’s worth to the Orlando Victims Fund.  
• While you don’t have to register for a particular class (just come to the class of your choice), we do encourage you to “register” through the OUTWOD site in advance and make your donation here.
• If you’re a visitor, please arrive 15 to 20 minutes before the start of class so we can get you set up, and be sure to fill out our online visitor waiver.
• CFSBK rainbow tees will be available for purchase!

News and Notes

• Coaches McDowell, Coach Chris Fox, and Alex B. will be competing in the Crow Hill Open 2016 at nearby CrossFit Crow Hill today. On Sunday, Coaches Jess Fox, JB, KHarpz, and Amanda Mc will be competing, too! Go here for the full schedule. Stop in and cheer them on!
• Wanna play Spikeball? Go to the event page and sign up for our first-ever Spikeball tournament!
• Tomorrow’s 11:00am Active Recovery class with Coach Fox is cancelled.

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Yesterday’s Whiteboard: Rest Day
In Depth with Rory Zambard She Thrives

Video of the Week: CrossFit Games athlete and former Junior Olympic weightlifter Kenneth Leverich went to the famed Muscle Beach disguised as an elderly gentleman and put the regulars to shame. Super funny!

This Week at CFSBK in Review

1. Tomorrow we’ll be hosting OUTWOD during every group class from 8:00am to 1:00pm. Class will be “free” to any CrossFitter, but we’ll ask all participants throughout the day to donate a drop in membership’s worth to the Orlando Victims Fund. We encourage everyone to register through the OUTWOD site and make their donatation in advance. All classes will be running on our regular schedule.

2. Sunday’s 11:00am Active Recovery class with Coach Fox is cancelled.

3. Tomorrow’s 10:00am Yoga for Athletes class is ON with guest instructor Sasha S.

4. We caught you up on the CFSBK Classifieds. Don’t forget to use this fun feature of the site!

5. Next Saturday, July 16th, we’ll be hosting our first-ever Spikeball tournament! Head over to the event page for more details and to let us know if you’re planning to compete. Spikeball!

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Yesterday’s Whiteboard: Hang Snatch | Wall Balls, Farmer Carry
Milk and Other Surprising Ways to Stay Hydrated NY Times
Why Do So Many Artists Have Synesthesia? NY Mag

Hang Snatch

Every 90 seconds for 10 reps:
1 Mid-Hang Snatch

Start at about 50% and work up as appropriate. If you’re newer or less flexible, then perform a Mid-Hang Power Snatch plus your best Overhead Squat.

Post loads to comments.
Exposure 4 of 8

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5 Rounds for Time:
15 Wall Ball Shots 20/10, 14/9
50m 1-Arm Farmer Carry, Left
50m 1-Arm Farmer Carry, Right

The carries should be heavy. Use last week’s carries to inform you of a weight to use today.

Post time and Rx to comments.

Saturday, July 16th: Spikeball Tournament!

An afternoon of friendly Spikeball competition. Haven’t played before? Don’t worry! It’s pretty simple, and the video above explains everything. All are invited! Please let us know in the comments section of the event page if you plan to compete. Teams (of two) can declare beforehand, or we’ll pair you up the day of the tournament. The top three winning teams go on the leaderboard until the next tournament!

When?
Saturday, July 16th at 4:00pm. We’ll start with about 30 minutes of practice and organization. The tournament proper will begin at 4:30, but please be at 597 by 4:00 so we know how many people are participating.

Head on over to the event page to sign up and see more videos!

News and Notes

• Today’s 9:00am Yoga class with Jaclyn K. is cancelled.
• This Saturday we’ll be hosting OUTWOD during every group class from 8:00am to 1:00pm. Class will be “free” to any CrossFitter, but we’ll ask all participants throughout the day to donate a drop in membership’s worth to the Orlando Victims Fund. Participants can donate money in advance, but we’ll also set up a computer at our front desk for donations throughout the day. All classes will be running on our regular schedule.  
• Sunday’s 11:00am Active Recovery class with Coach Fox is cancelled.
  

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Yesterday’s Whiteboard: Front Squat | Row, Burpees, KB Swings, Box Jumps
Slushies vs. Frozen Underwear for Hot Weather Workouts NY Times
Dad’s Eyes Well Up At Sight Of Perfectly Packed Cooler

Front Squat

Fitness
3 x 5 Linear Progression

Add 5-10 lbs to last week’s weight.

Performance
3 x 6

Heavier than last week

Post loads to comments.
Exposure 4 of 8
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5 Rounds for Time:
200m Row
15 Burpees
20 Russian Kettlebell Swings 53/35
15 Box Jumps 24/20″

Post time and Rx to comments.

KLove showing off her handstand skills  in the Azores. We are not jealous, not jealous at all 

• Tomorrow’s 9:00am Yoga class with Jaclyn K. is cancelled.
  

This Saturday, July 9th: OUTWOD at CFSBK

Don’t just track your gainz. Track your gainz in style

New Merch!

In addition to our new and (much) improved log books (shown above and available at the front desk for $20), we also have CFSBK 3D logo shirts for sale ($25). They come in both a men’s t-shirt (modeled here by Coach Ro) and a women’s crop top (modeled by Coach JB). CFSBK rainbow tees are coming soon!

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How Exercise Shapes You, Far Beyond The Gym NY Mag
Learning How To Snatch Barbell Brigade

Bench Press / Bent-Over Row Superset*

1A) Barbell Bench Press

Fitness
3 x 5 Linear Progression

Add a few pounds to last week’s weight.

Performance
3 x 10

Go heavier than last week. 

1B) Barbell Bent-Over Row

Fitness
3 x 5 Linear Progression

Add a few pounds to last week’s weight.

Performance
3 x 10

In both cases, keep these light enough to perform strictly and with solid form. Don’t let these turn into an ego exercise. Really think about the movement rather than the weight moved. Keep the following notes in mind:

1) Set up like a Clean and Deadlift the bar up.
2) Hip hinge until bar is at least below the knee (try to be as horizontal as possible).
3) Maintaining a consistent back angle, pull your elbows up and back and aim to hit your stomach (not your chest) with the barbell.
4) Start with a weight that allows all the reps to be done perfect and without momentum. It should feel too light to start.

*Superset means that you perform a set of exercise A (in this case the Bench Press) and then after a short rest, 30 seconds to a minute, you perform a set of exercise B (in this case the Barbell Bent-Over Row). You then rest a short period before returning to exercise A and continue in this fashion until all warm up and work sets are completed.

Post loads to comments.
Exposure 4 of 8

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5 Rounds for Time:
3 Muscle-Ups
5 Hang Power Snatches 115/75
270m Run

The Snatches should be light and unbroken today, so scale accordingly. Sub 3 Jumping Muscle-Ups (buy-in is a mature ring support + 5 strict Ring Dips) or 10 Chest-to-Bar Pull-Ups if you don’t have Muscle-Ups on the high rings. Sub Jumping Chest-to-Bar Pull-Ups as needed.

Post time and Rx to comments.

CFSBK photographer extraordinaire Thomas H. just goofin’ around

Happy 4th of July from CFSBK!

We here at CFSBK wish you a happy Independence Day. All classes and CrossFit Kids programming are cancelled today. We’ll be open for Open Gym hours from 8:00am to 12:00pm. Regular programming will resume tomorrow. Have fun and be safe!

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Yesterday’s Whiteboard: Clean and Jerk | Deadlifts, Double-Unders
Glide Blissfully Across The Entire Rockaway Beach Boardwalk Gothamist

Clean and Jerk

Fitness
Clean Deadlift + Mid-Hang Clean + 2 Power Jerks:
5x (1+1+2)

Warm up to a medium-heavy load and perform 5 sets across of the complex.

Performance
Clean Pull + Hang Clean + Power Jerk + Jerk

Work up to a heavy load on the complex.

Post loads to comments.
Exposure 3 of 8

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For Time:
5 Deadlifts 365/255
50 Double-Unders
5 Deadlifts
40 Double-Unders
3 Deadlifts
30 Double-Unders
2 Deadlifts
20 Double-Unders
1 Deadlift
10 Double-Unders

Today’s Deadlift in the metcon is meant to be a heavy stimulus, so scale accordingly and use upward of 80% of your 1RM. These will be done unbroken on the fast end, but breaking them up quickly is appropriate if you have trouble organizing touch-and-go reps at high loads. In either case, be sure to keep a neutral spine and load the hips on the decent if performing touch-and-go reps. The scaling option for dubs is 2x singles or 20-16-12-8-4 attempts.

Post time and Rx to comments.

Meredith R. and Matt E. high five in the final frame of the CFSBK sitcom pilot | Photo by Thomas H.

• Schedule Changes: Today’s CrossFit Kids programming is cancelled. For tomorrow, the 4th of July, we’ll be offering Open Gym from 8:00am to 12:00pm. 

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 illegal exotic animals, please).
• Paul A. and his wife are looking for an apartment. Got any leads?
• Stella Z. wants you to join the CFSBK Pub Quiz Team! They’ll be competing Mondays at 8:00pm at The Gate.
• Colleen M. is looking to swap veggie CSA shares. 

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?
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The Ambiguous Cylinder Optical Illusion Kottke
Beatriz Piron: 108kg Clean and Jerk Hookgrip