Clean and Jerk

1-1-1-1-1

Take 5 attempts to establish a new 1RM. You’re allowed 3 misses total, so plan your attempts accordingly. End today’s session on a good lift. Press-outs are misses. If you’re newer to the lifts you can go heavy on the Fitness complex from this cycle (Clean Deadlift + Hang Clean + Jerk or Push Press).

Post loads to comments.
Exposure 8 of 8

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For Time:
400m Run
then..
21-15-9
Shoulder-to-Overhead 95/65
Burpees
then…
400m Run 

The Shoulder-to-Overhead can be completed any way you wish. Push Jerks are probably the most efficient way. These should be on the light side and done unbroken on the fast end.

Coach David cools off after “Murph” | Photo by Thomas H.

• We’re still looking for suggestions for Movie Night on June 24th. Let us know what you’d like to see in the comments section of the event page.

REGISTER NOW FOR THE 2016 SUBWAY SERIES!

Another year has gone by, and it’s time once again for an NYC affiliate throwdown: the sixth annual Subway Series! All NYC affiliates are invited to participate—the affiliate with the best overall score at the end of four events wins the Subway Series Trophy and bragging rights for a whole year!

Event Schedule
Sunday, August 7th: CrossFit Virtuosity
Sunday, August 14th: CrossFit Gantry
Sunday, August 21st: CFSBK
Sunday, August 28th: CrossFit Queens

Scoring
Scoring will work “Open-style”: top 3 male and top 3 female athletes from each affiliate will score based on their place finish in each event. Athletes may score in any event regardless of attendance at other events. 

The ultimate series winner will be the affiliate with the least points after all 4 events have been completed. In the event of a tie, a 5th tie-breaking event will be held. 

As last year, an Rx division and Scaled division trophy will be awarded. 

Registration
All athletes MUST register for each individual event in advance via the Subway Series website in order to participate. Each event will be capped at 100 total participants, so we strongly advise you to register ASAP. These events sell out quickly. 

REGISTER HERE!

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Yesterday’s Whiteboard: Squat / Deadlift | Kettlebell Swings, Sit-Ups
A Punch in the Heart BuzzFeed
Smashed Cameras Eric J. Hessler

Back Squat / Deadlift

Performance
3×6

Add weight to last week. Use a full range of motion and control.

Fitness
3×5 Linear Progression

Add 5-10 lbs to last week.

Deadlift
1×4

Warm up and perform one heavy (and perfect) set of 4 reps, heavier than last week. Touch-and-go is permitted.

Post loads to comments.
Exposure 8 of 8
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AMRAP 10 Minutes:
20 Kettlebell Swings 24/16kg
20 AbMat Sit-Ups

The swings are Rx’d as overhead today. Scale load or range of motion as appropriate. Use the kettlebell as an anchor for your feet. If you’re feeling beet up from ” Murph,” then go easy on this and simply move for 10 minutes.

Post rounds and reps to comments.

Members of the 6am crew doing “Murph” together at 8am (of course) | Photo by Thomas H.

Sign Up for Our Seasonal Fish CSA!

Last summer, we brought in a new fish CSA partner and were blown away by the quality and freshness of their fish! Lucky for you, registration is now open for the 2016 season, which runs weekly from June 11 til late fall. We need 6 more people to sign up to make the program go!

Big City Fish Share, now in its fifth season, delivers sustainably caught, never-frozen, super-fresh seafood from Montauk to New York City. You can sign up for a weekly share of either 1 pound or 2 pounds of filleted fish, littleneck clams, or oysters.  Sign up by June 7th, and lock in $16 per pound for the whole season. After June 7th, the price will go back to $17 per pound.

The delivery window will be Saturday mornings, 10am to 12pm, starting June 11. This is a weekly, not monthly, share.

Customers can sign up for 4 deliveries at a time, and can easily place their orders on hold through the website if they go out of town. Any funds left in your account at the end of the season will be returned to you by check. Expect a good variety of fish, including big-eye tuna, squid, founder, fluke, swordfish, black sea bass, bluefish, porgy, and monkfish.

Any other questions? E-mail bigcityfishshare [at] gmail.com. For general CSA questions, e-mail Michele at mignyc [at] gmail.com.

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Yesterday’s Whiteboard: Rest Day
3 Practical Tips for Busy Weightlifters BarBend
20 Ways to Make Your June Jubilant Gothamist

Yesterday’s 8:00am “Murph” heat takes off with Coaches Jess and McDowell leading the way. Thanks to all of you who came out yesterday and made it a special day. And thanks to our coaches, volunteers, and staff for keeping everything running smoothy!

• If you’d still like to donate to K9s for Warriors, you can do that here (write “CFSBK” in the “Salutation” box so we can check in on the amount we donated). We apologize for any whackiness with the original donation announcement. For some reason, our fundraising page was never activated. Anyway, thanks to all who have donated to this great cause so far!
• Movie Night returns on June 24th after Open Gym. We’ll be showing the family favorite Taxi Driver (1976) on our big screen, followed by a Q&A with director Martin Scorcese and lead actors Robert De Niro and Jodie Foster. Just kidding! We we have no idea what we’re showing. Please go to the event page and give us suggestions that aren’t Taxi Driver.
• Schedule Change: Tonight’s 7:30pm Anti-Gravity class is cancelled.

Graduation WOD and BBQ for Coaches MeLo and KHarpz!

“Murph”

For time:
1 Mile Run
100 Pull-Ups
200 Push-Ups
300 Squats
1 Mile Run

In memory of Navy Lieutenant Michael Murphy, 29, of Patchogue, N.Y., who was killed in Afghanistan June 28th, 2005.

This workout was one of Mike’s favorites and he’d named it “Body Armor.” From here on it will be referred to as “Murph” in honor of the focused warrior and great American who wanted nothing more in life than to serve this great country and the beautiful people who make it what it is.

Partition the Pull-Ups, Push-Ups, and Squats as needed. Start and finish with a mile run. If you’ve got a twenty pound vest or body armor, wear it.

There is no charge for the workout, nor will it be deducted from your weekly class limit. There are still a few spots left in several heats, and you can sign up here! If you decide not to do it at the last minute, please delete your name from the spreadsheet so someone else can take your place.

Murph Day 2016 Notes

Please note that all regularly scheduled classes (including AM Open Gym) are cancelled today for Murph Day.

• CFSBK and many other affiliates do “Murph” on Memorial Day in memory of Navy Lieutenant Michael Murphy, 29, of Patchogue, N.Y., who was killed in Afghanistan June 28th, 2005. If you’d like to learn more about Michael Murphy and where this workout comes from, this is a great place to start.

• This year we’ll also be raising money to benefit K9s for Warriors, an organization that provides service dogs for veterans suffering from Post-traumatic Stress Disability, traumatic brain injury and/or military sexual trauma as a result of military service post 9/11. You can donate here (write “CFSBK” in the “Salutation” box so we can check in on the amount we donated). The suggested donation is $25 (the cost of a drop-in) or the dollar equivalent of your “Murph” time (60 minutes=60 dollars). We apologize for any whackiness with the original donation announcement. For some reason, our fundraising page was never activated. Anyway, thanks to all who have donated to this great cause so far!

• CFSBK will provide one keg, burgers, and sasuages, but please feel free to BYOB and more delicious foods. We’re still looking for volunteers to help clean up after the event. Please contact Events Coordinator Danae at Danae [at] CrossFitSouthBrooklyn.com to let her know if you can help out.

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Brian Turner, “Ashbah” The Guardian
Ho Lye Toh The Unsung Heroines
A Full Revolution: How Simone Biles Is Transforming Gymnastics New Yorker

Snatch

Peformance
Every other minute on the minute for 16 minutes (8 reps):
1 Snatch

Start at about 70% and work up to a heavy single.

Fitness
Every other minute on the minute for 16 minutes (8 reps):
Snatch Deadlift + Hang Power Snatch + Overhead Squat

Start light and add weight across the 8 reps as appropriate.

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5 RNFT
3 Snatch Pulls (85, 95, 100, 105, 85%)
20-30 Second Handstand Hold

If you can’t hold a handstand for 30 seconds, then either work with a spotter or perform them against a wall from either a kick-up or a walk-up.

Everything You Need to Know About Murph Day

Murph Day 2016 is upon us! Here are some last minute reminders:

• Tomorrow, Monday, May 30th from 8am to 1pm, we’ll be doing our annual “Memorial Day Murph” workout. This is a great community event where we perform this classic CrossFit benchmark workout followed by some grilling, side dishes, and beers. The workout is tough, very tough, but of course it can be scaled to meet everyone’s capacity. All are welcomed! There is no charge for the workout, nor will it be deducted from your weekly class limit.

• CFSBK and many other affiliates do “Murph” on Memorial Day in memory of Navy Lieutenant Michael Murphy, 29, of Patchogue, N.Y., who was killed in Afghanistan June 28th, 2005. If you’d like to learn more about Michael Murphy and where this workout comes from, this is a great place to start.

• This year we’ll also be raising money to benefit K9s for Warriors, an organization that provides service dogs for veterans suffering from Post-traumatic Stress Disability, traumatic brain injury and/or military sexual trauma as a result of military service post 9/11. You can start donating here! The suggested donation is $25 (the cost of a drop-in) or the dollar equivalent of your “Murph” time (60 minutes=60 dollars). Please note that we will not be accepting cash donations, but we will have a computer set up so you can donate on the day of the event.

• There are still a few spots left in several heats, and you can sign up here! We’ve also opened up some spots for adults during the 11am CrossFit Preteens/Teens heat. The spots that aren’t grayed-out are fair game. If you decide you won’t be able to do the workout for any reason, please delete your name from the spreadsheet so someone else can take your spot.

• We’re still looking for volunteers to help clean up after the event. CFSBK will provide one keg, burgers, and sasuages, but please feel free to BYOB and more delicious foods. Please contact Events Coordinator Danae at Danae [at] CrossFitSouthBrooklyn.com to let her know if you can help out.

• All classes, including Open Gym and evening group classes, are cancelled tomorrow.
  

We can’t wait to see you there!

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Yesterday’s Whiteboard: Front Squat | Partner WOD
Memorial Day Murph: Who? What? Why? Beyond the Whiteboard

Lots of fitness happening in this great photo by Thomas H.

This Week at CFSBK in Review

So it’s Memorial Day weekend and you’re ready to catch up on this here blog. What happened this week? We’re glad you asked!

1. Murph Day is this Monday! Have you signed up yet? We’re also looking for volunteers to help clean up after the event. CFSBK will provide one keg, burgers, and sasuages, but please feel free to BYOB and more delicious foods. Please contact Events Coordinator Danae at Danae [at] CrossFitSouthBrooklyn [dot] com to let her know you’d like to help out.

2. This year we’ll also be raising money to benefit K9s for Warriors, an organization that provides service dogs for veterans suffering from Post-traumatic Stress Disability, traumatic brain injury and/or military sexual trauma as a result of military service post 9/11. You can start donating here! The suggested donation is $25 (the cost of a drop-in) or the dollar equivalent of your “Murph” time.

3. Sign-ups for our seasonal fish CSA with Big City Fish Share are open until June 11th.

4. Last weekend, several CFSBK TFBAs were in Philly to compete in the USAPL Philadelphia Freedom Championship, and we’re lucky to have this awesome report from Cam C. 

5. Also, Ryan L. dropped into to CrossFit Max Effort in Las Vegas and gave us the full rundown on what sounds like a great travel gym.

6. We introduced you to Katie Rose Hejtmanek, a new member and professor of anthropology at Brooklyn College who will be doing some really fascinating research at CFSBK over the next year. Welcome, Katie!

7. CFSBK Movie Night returns on June 24th at 8:00pm (after Open Gym). We want your suggestions as to which movie we should show, so please let us know in the comments section of the event page.

8 All CrossFit Kids programming is cancelled this weekend (May 27th-30th) for Memorial Day. Enjoy the long weekend!

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Yesterday’s Whiteboard: Rack Jerk | “Diane”
“Murph” Strategy WODprep
Which Rock Star Will Historians of the Future Remember? NY Times

Rack Jerk

1-1-1-1-1

Work up to a max Jerk for the day. If you’re newer to the lift, then work up a max Power Jerk or Push Press.

Post loads to comments.

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Performance

“Diane”

For Time:
21-15-9 Deadlifts 225/155
Handstand Push-Ups

Scale the Handstand Push-Ups to 1 or 2 AbMats as appropriate or scale volume to 15-9-6, or even 12-6-3.

Fitness

For Time:
21-15-9
Deadlifts
Push-Ups

The deadlift should be medium heavy for you. Aim to complete each round in 1 to 3 sets.

Post time and Rx to comments.

Throwback Thursday: Benson brought his A game to Murph Day 2016

• Schedule Change: All CrossFit Kids programming is cancelled this weekend (May 27th-30th) for Memorial Day. Enjoy the long weekend!
• CFSBK Movie Night returns on June 24th at 8:00pm (after Open Gym). We want your suggestions as to which movie we should show, so please let us know in the comments section of the event page.

Introducing Katie Rose Hejtmanek

Editor’s Note: Katie Rose Hejtmanek, a professor of anthropology at Brooklyn College, just joined CFSBK this past week and is currently in Coach Chris Fox’s Foundations class. She’ll be doing research at CFSBK for a book, so we asked her to write a few words about herself and her project. Welcome, Katie!

Hi fellow CrossFit South Brooklyn members! My name is Katie Rose Hejtmanek, a new member, and cultural anthropologist. I am a professor of anthropology at Brooklyn College with a background in track and field, gymnastics, and volleyball. You will probably see me around; I am the woman taking notes on everything! I have obtained permission from David to do some research at CSBK. 

So what am I doing? I am currently conducting research on strength sports in the United States (maybe beyond!). I am interested in the current popularity of strength sports in general and the culture of boxes and gyms in particular. I’m curious to know what attracts people to strength sports, what do people get out of the activity, and why do folks commit. Who joins and what are their stories?!

In order to answer my questions, I will do what anthropologists call “ethnography” or participant observation. I’ll hang out, observe classes of all kinds. I’ll participate in classes of all kinds. I recently joined and am currently in a Foundations Cycle. I want to experience first-hand what it is like to do the workouts, join the box, and build a community. This is classic cultural anthropology fieldwork. I will be writing in a notebook (old school) and these notes focus on public information. In other words, I will take notes on how many people are in the class, what the workouts are, what questions people have, and so on. But I do not write down names or personal information of individual people. This to protect anonymity. I had to obtain human subjects clearance from my university to do this research and I take these research ethics very seriously.

I would also like to interview people, listen to their individual stories. However, again to protect those who participate, I will change names in order to maintain confidentiality and anonymity.

I’ve also just joined Instagram (a hold out!) to learn about the social media aspect of the sport. My handle is @maxesandprs (the tentative title of the project is Maxes and PRs: Strength Sports and the Transformation of Bodies and Selves in Contemporary America). 

I will conduct research at 3 different places in NY. So far I’ve interviewed athletes from all over the country – Oregon to DC. The goal in the coming year is to expand the project to other boxes and gyms in different states. The ultimate goal of this kind of research is to publish a book.

So when you see me around and if have any questions about what I’m doing, please don’t hesitate to ask. If you are interested in sharing your story with me, I’d be delighted. If there are things you think I should know, please share them with me. If you want more information before you do, you can check me out here and the variety of pages on the right hand side give more information as well. If you want more information on anthropology, you can check out this page.

If you have any questions or are interested in sharing your story you can contact me at: maxesandprs@gmail.com. 

Thanks for reading and I hope to see you around CFSBK!!

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Yesterday’s Whiteboard: Squat / Deadlft | Burpees, Toes-to-Bars
Find a WOD
Diet, Exercise, and Sleep Are Great, but 1 Thing Matters Even More for Your Health Inc.

Back Squat / Deadlift

Performance
3 x 6

Add weight to last week. Use full a full range of motion and control.

Fitness
3 x 5 Linear Progression

Add 5-10 lbs to last week.

Deadlift

1×4

Warm up and perform one heavy (and perfect) set of 4 reps, heavier than last week. Touch-and-go is permitted.

Post loads to comments.
Exposure 7 of 8
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AMRAP 9 Minutes:
3 Burpees
3 Toes-to-Bars
6 Burpees
6 Toes-to-Bars
9 Burpees
9 Toes to Bars
12 Burpees
12 Toes-to-Bars
…Add 3 reps per round until the call of time.

Post time and Rx to comments.

Mark G. Power Cleans at Saturday Open Gym

Murph Day 2016: Sign Up Today!

“Murph”

For time:
1 Mile Run
100 Pull-Ups
200 Push-Ups
300 Squats
1 Mile Run

In memory of Navy Lieutenant Michael Murphy, 29, of Patchogue, N.Y., who was killed in Afghanistan June 28th, 2005.

This workout was one of Mike’s favorites and he’d named it “Body Armor.” From here on it will be referred to as “Murph” in honor of the focused warrior and great American who wanted nothing more in life than to serve this great country and the beautiful people who make it what it is.

Partition the Pull-Ups, Push-Ups, and Squats as needed. Start and finish with a mile run. If you’ve got a twenty pound vest or body armor, wear it.

There is no charge for the workout, nor will it be deducted from your weekly class limit.

SIGN UP HERE!

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Most of Us Misunderstand Metabolism. Here Are 9 Facts to Clear It Up Vox
Inventions of Mine That Have Been Used for Evil Purposes New Yorker

Ryan L. with Zach Forrest at CrossFit Max Effort

• We’re just 6 days away from our Memorial Day “Murph” event! Right now we’re looking for volunteers to help clean up after the event. CFSBK will provide one keg, burgers, and sasuages, but please feel free to BYOB and more delicious foods. Please contact Events Coordinator Danae at Danae [at] CrossFitSouthBrooklyn [dot] com to let her know you can help out.
• Beloved former CFSBK blog Managing Editor Kate R. has been doing a lot of writing since she left us. Her most recent work for Wellesley Magazine, “A Fragile Gift,” is a beaut and you should read it!

CFSBK On the Road: Ryan L. Visits CrossFit Max Effort

Editor’s Note: Ryan L. recently visited CrossFit Max Effort in Las Vegas, and we’re very happy to bring you his report on the experience! If you’ve had a good experience visiting an out-of-town affiliate, we’d love to hear about it!   

After a couple of late evenings in Las Vegas, I took a quick cab from the Aria to CrossFit Max Effort for an afternoon workout. The 4:00pm class is listed as their “Performance” class, and they weren’t lying. In addition to working out with 3 women and two guys who had just participated at Regionals, former Games participant, CF Seminar staffer, and gym owner Zach Forrest joined as well. Gut check time!

First, the experience as a drop-in: it was $20 for a single drop-in. They average 100 drop-ins each week and have a great system in place. You are greeted at the front desk and then shown around their huge facility. The front desk person briefs you on how they warm up and where you can stretch. Super friendly and super inviting. I was one of three drop-ins at the 4:00pm class.

There was no lifting component on the front end, but the warm up was extensive and really well run. I got tons of individual attention with a huge focus on form and fundamentals. Great explanations on “why” we were doing certain progressions and how they would be relevant in the WOD.

The Performance workout consisted of:

For time:
2 Bar Muscle-Ups
4 Squat Cleans 205/135
8 Strict Handstand Push-Ups
16 KB Swings 32/24kg
32 Pull-Ups
16 KB Swings 32/24kg
8 Strict Handstand Push-Ups
4 Squat Cleans 205/135
2 Bar Muscle-Ups

I scaled the Squat Cleans to 175. This workout destroyed my grip. The fastest times were in the low 4:00s and the highest were above 10 minuntes if the Handstand Push-Ups or Bar Muscle-Ups got sticky, which they did.

I’d definitely go back. And next time I might aim for a few more hours of sleep the night before. 

Tweet The Deets

We’re totally crushing on all you guys and we love to hear what you’re up to. Got something of note going on in your life? Let us know! We want to hear about your promotions, events, art, personal victories, discoveries, media campaigns, and small government coup d’états, or you can just share interesting links. We also always love hearing about any CrossFit/athletic-related goals and accomplishments. Send awesomeness to Josh [at] CrossFitSouthBrooklyn [dot] com.

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Yesterday’s Whiteboard: Ring Dips or DB Bench | Power Cleans, Push Presses, Muscle-Ups
High School Junior Completes 7,000 Pull-Ups in One Day Washington Post
Barbell Safety Tips WODprep