Matty C. hitting his jerk at the Oly meet on Sunday. Have you signed up for Coach Frank’s next Oly lifting cycle? In Matty’s own words: “I cant say enough about this Oly Class. If you are struggling to understand the nuances of these lifts, take the class. If you feel you have a pretty good handle on the lifts, take the class. It took the full 8 weeks to break some of my bad habits and I am so thrilled I am starting to move more efficiently.” Learn more and sign up here! 

• There’s a trove of new items in Lost and Found! Claim your stuff, or we’re giving it away.

2014’s CFSBK Events In Review                 

As Coach David noted in his recent Inside the Affiliate article “Why Are CrossFit Gyms So Expensive?“, if you’ve met someone who loves their gym, that love is probably contingent on a great atmosphere, and a great community—which is why we love putting together so many fun events for you at CFSBK! Huge thanks to our Cruise Director Mare L. who planned and actively organized almost all of these events, about which you should know: 

• There were 25 total events including Memorial Day “Murph”, Fight Gone Bad, the first CFSBK Art Show, and a variety of potlucks
• 2/3 of these events were free to members, the remaining 1/3 had a cost ranging from $10 to $80 per person
• The majority of the events were hosted at CFSBK
• There were an average of two events per month with four in both February and May
• The most popular events (after Memorial Day “Murph”, Fight Gone Bad, the Art Show, and the potlucks) were the meditation workshops, snowshoeing, the Brooklyn Half Marathon party, and climbing at Brooklyn Boulders  

Here’s the full list of events:

Pre-2014 Look Feel Perform Better Challenge potluck
Ice skating
Photo portraits with Bekka P.
Mario Kart tourney
C.R.A.S.H.-B.’s road trip
Post-2014 Look Feel Perform Better Challenge potluck
Snowshoe trip
UFC Fight Night
Meditation workshops
Bike repair class
Fish cooking class
Clothing and book swap
Brooklyn Half Marathon post-race party
Movie night
CrossFit Regionals viewings
Memorial Day “Murph”
Foraging class in Prospect Park
Dog adoption event
Dog training class
Standup paddleboarding trip
Co-WOD with Crow Hill CrossFit
Climbing classes at Brooklyn Boulders
Roller skating adventure
Fight Gone Bad 2014
CFSBK’s first Art Show
The Brooklyn Community Foundation Get Down event 

_____________________ 
Hanging Hip Touches, Alternating Arms – Demo CrossFit 
Red Panda Does Muscle Ups
Monsanto’s Roundup Herbicide—Featuring the Darth Vader Chemical The Institute for Responsible Technology 

What was your favorite event at or through CFSBK in 2014? What events would you like to see this year? 

Fitness and Performance: 1-1-1-1-1
Work up to a 1RM Power Clean.

Post loads to comments.
e6/6
_____________________ 

In 10 Minutes:
30 Power Snatches 75/45
30 Chest to Bar Pull Ups
20 Power Snatches 135/75
20 Chest to Bar Pull Ups
10 Power Snatch 165/95
10 Chest to Bar Pull Ups 

Then,
AMRAP Power Snatches 210/115 

Post rounds and Rx to comments.

Last night’s 5:30pm class prepping to go overhead

News and Notes

• On February 22, Todd C., Ryan J., and Jake L. are competing in the 2015 NYC Experimental Open in Garden City. Learn more here and email David [at] CrossFitSouthBrooklyn.com if you’re interested in participating.
• Happy birthday to September’s Athlete of the Month, Michael C.!

Have You Signed Up For CFSBK’s Olympic Lifting Program Yet?

EACH CYCLE NEEDS A MINIMUM OF 8 PARTICIPANTS TO RUN! If you’ve been on the fence about signing up, now is the time to do it, or the cycles won’t get off the ground. 

What: An 8-week Olympic lifting cycle meeting twice a week with Coach Frank Murray and/or Heather Farmer in addition to 2 Open Gym or group class per week.
When: Tuesdays and Thursdays 10:30am to 12:00pm from 1/13/15-3/5/15 or Mondays and Wednesdays 8:30pm to 10:00pm from 1/12/15-3/4/15. (see full details below)
Price: $300 per 4 weeks, first bill due at sign-up and second bill charged automatically to the card on-file 4 weeks later. 

The cycle will wrap up with an Olympic Weightlifting Total on 3/8/15 at 2:30pm.

Each cycle needs a minimum of eight participants and is capped at 10 athletes.

AM Cycle
Tuesdays and Thursdays 10:30am to 12:00pm from 1/13/15-3/5/15
REGISTER HERE 

PM Cycle
Mondays and Wednesdays 8:30pm to 10:00pm from 1/12/15-3/4/15
REGISTER HERE 

LEARN MORE HERE.

_____________________ 
The Internet’s Favorite Exercise Slate
10 Brooklyn Restaurants to Look Forward to in 2015 (Check out #1!) Brooklyn Based
Why Fish Oil Will Be Your New Secret Weapon PurePharma 

Fitness: 3 x 3 Linear Progression
Add 5-10 pounds to last week. 

Performance: Work up to a Heavy Single (80-90% of 1RM), then Max Reps at 80% of 1RM (capped at 20) 

Post loads to comments.
e6/6
_____________________ 

Courtesy of Pat Sherwood
4 Rounds For Time:
4 Power Cleans 205/135
4 Front Squats
4 Shoulders to Overhead
Should be heavy but manageable. Scale to a load at which you can perform four unbroken reps of each movement, understanding that the shoulders to overhead will likely be the limiter. 

Post time and Rx to comments.

Olivia Morgan Englander was born on New Year’s Day, at 8lbs 6 oz., to her CFSBKer parents Rachel S. and Nathan E.! Congrats, you two! 

News and Notes

• Meat CSA Pickup TODAY! The January Herondale pickup is today, 6-8:30. There is no fish this month while we search for a new partner. Questions or issues? As always, email Michele at mignyc [at] gmail.com. 
• SHOE RACKS ARE BACK! You can leave your weightlifting shoes (ONLY weightlifting shoes!) at the gym again. Yahoo!
• Have you signed up yet for Coach Frank’s Olympic Lifting Program? It starts on Monday but there’s still space left! Learn more and sign up here!

Hiring Front Desk Staff 

CFSBK is looking for new talent to staff the Front Desk. Responsibilities include handling inquires from walk-ins, managing basic membership issues, light cleaning/organization, and other miscellaneous duties. Ideally, we’d like to hire from within so that candidates are already familiar with CrossFit and CFSBK, but we are open to talking to new folks if they’ve got good people skills and are committed to joining the gym. On top of an hourly wage, FD staff will also receive a comped membership. We are looking for people who keep a consistent schedule and commit to six months of work with us (barring extenuating circumstances).

We will be interviewing this month and training a new hire for a Feb 1st start. The shifts we are looking to fill are below, so before applying, please make sure these openings fit with your schedule. 

Thursdays, 5:45am – 9:30am
Sundays, 7:45am – 11:00am

Email Info [at] CrossFitSouthBrooklyn.com to inquire and include Front Desk in the subject line.

Mindfulness Meditation Workshops at CFSBK

“It seems we all agree that training the body through exercise, diet, and relaxation is a good idea, but why don’t we think about training our mind?”
-Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche 

We are once again hosting an introductory meditation workshop for CFSBK members, just in time for the Look Feel Perform Better Challenge! This time, Kevin Townley from The Shambhala Meditation Center in Chelsea will be visiting us to teach two 90-minute workshops: the first on Sunday, January 18 at 2:15 and then on the following Sunday, January 25 at 3:30. Both sessions will introduce basic principles and techniques for shamatha or mindfulness meditation. Learn how meditation works to deal with stress, anxiety, and habitual mental patterns and is a way to make the mind more stable and clear, less caught up in fear and avoidance. And how, on a deeper level, meditation is a system for deeply familiarizing yourself with how the mind works in general, and for developing a more authentic and compassionate outlook on life. You can attend either session or both if you’d like Kevin to address any questions you may have after your first week of practice. Cost is $5/session, which will be collected at the start of the workshop, but please RSVP in advance on the respective event pages (see right-hand column!).  

About Shambhala
The Shambhala Meditation Center of New York is part of an international community of 165 meditation centers founded by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and led by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. The Shambhala Buddhist path, unique in the world of Western Buddhism, combines the teachings of the Kagyu and Nyingma traditions of Tibetan Buddhism with the Shambhala principles of living an uplifted life, fully engaged with the world.

_____________________ 
The Only Article on Resolutions You Need Words With Lisbeth
5 Things I Learned From Strength Training Tabata Times
Internal Time: The Science of Chronotypes, Social Jet Lag, and Why You’re So Tired Brain Pickings 

Behind the Desk: Camillionaire!

You all love the Underneath the Hoodie series and now we’re bringing 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.

We’ll be rolling out a few of these over the next few weeks, so stay tuned! And now (drum roll, please), introducing…

Name (and any nicknames): Camille aka Cam (which most people call me) aka Camillionaire

Where were you born and where did you grow up: I was born in Manila, Philippines and moved to the U.S. when I was 3 years old. I grew up in Springfield, Virginia, about 12 or so miles outside of Washington, D.C. 

How long have you been CrossFitting, and how did you arrive at CFSBK? I have been CrossFitting for a little more than a year now, I actually got into CFSBK through Todd C. and Crystal C. I used to run a lot with Michael C. (September’s Athlete of the Month!) then started lifting weights at the YMCA and was looking for a change!

What are you up to when you’re not at 597 Degraw Street: I am at home drawing, staring at my laptop screen while drawing, annoying our three cats, playing board games with buds, watching crappy TV, watching movies, or going to shows to see cool bands!

First album that you loved: I definitely fell in love with the Minor Threat – Complete Discography at the age of 15, it was one of the first CDs I bought at this local store called Waxie Maxie’s. This was recommended to me by some friends who were into the DC hardcore/punk scene at the time. This band and album got me into that kind of music, and I met some really cool people in that community.  I just remember hearing songs like ‘In My Eyes’ and having my teenage mind completely blown. Before that I was listening to 90s alternative bands, rap, and bad/awesome 90s dance music on the side (I still have a soft spot for 90s Jock Jams). 

“Ask me about that time I…”: Met Harvey Pekar (of American Splendor fame) and got him to smile in a picture with me… I can show you the picture!

Favorite restaurant or bar in Brooklyn: I am a big big fan of Dram Shop because they have the best burgers!!! Second fave is Hometown BBQ.

Favorite and least favorite lift: My favorite lifts are cleans! My least favorite lifts are snatches!

Any Front Desk PSAs you’d like to share? I always enjoy a good smile on a CFSBKer’s face as they come in or walk by! I enjoy people telling me about their day or whatever is on their mind. So come say hi (when we aren’t busy) to a Front Desk person!  

Also, a PSA for CFSBK and life in general, from the words of two dudes named Bill and Ted: “Be excellent to each other!!!”

Tuesday Reading Material

• ICYMI: Coach David wrote a new article on his blog Inside the Affiliate called “Why Are CrossFit Gyms So Expensive?“ Check it out, and pass it along!
• Resident professor/philosopher Samir C. penned a great post on his blog, called “Very ‘Eavy, Very ‘Umble: Weightlifting And Humility,” about his experience lifting heavy in the gym recently. 

_____________________
‘Battling’ Up a Sheer Yosemite Face, Seizing a Dream, Not a Rope New York Times
The Most Important Skill In Science or Self-Improvement Is Noticing the Unexpected Slate
What’s New on Netflix: January 2015 Vulture
CrossFit-Obsessed Travelers Are Taking Adventure to the Extreme Yahoo Travel

Bench Press

Fitness: 3 x 5 Linear Progression
Add 2.5 – 5 pounds to last week. 
Performance: Work up to a Heavy Single (80-90% of 1RM), then Max Reps at 80% of 1RM (capped at 20)
_____________________

Deadlift 

Fitness and Performance: 1 x 5
Add 5 – 15 lbs to last week ONLY IF ALL YOUR REPS WENT WELL. No loss of spinal position. No touch and go.

Post loads to comments.
e6/6
_____________________ 

For Time:
100 Burpees

Work at a sub-max pace and aim to stay consistent. These don’t have to be all strict but don’t fall to slop. 

Post time to comments.

Zach H. getting ready to tear it up at Coach Frank’s mock Oly meet yesterday. Congrats to everyone who competed and conquered!

• Coach David wrote a new article on his blog Inside the Affiliate called “Why Are CrossFit Gyms So Expensive?“ Maybe you already know the answer; maybe you don’t. Either way, we’re betting there’s someone in your life who has asked you that question and could use a thoughtful answer. Check it out, and pass it along!

Do You Love Kettlebell Kitchen and the LFPB Challenge?

If you are participating in the 2015 Look Feel Perform Better Challenge (January 8th is the last day to complete all the steps!), then you get a discount with Kettlebell Kitchen. The code will be emailed to you. 

Also, KBK will be giving a prize to the winner with the most Kettlebell Kitchen picture tags on Instagram. Snap some pics of your delicious Paleo food and include the hashtags #cfsbkLFPB2015 and #KBK!

CFSBK Olympic Lifting Program Starts In One Week!

What: An 8-week Olympic lifting cycle meeting twice a week with Coach Frank Murray and/or Heather Farmer in addition to 2 Open Gym or group class per week.
When: Tuesdays and Thursdays 10:30am to 12:00pm from 1/13/15-3/5/15 or Mondays and Wednesdays 8:30pm to 10:00pm from 1/12/15-3/4/15. (see full details below)
Price: $300 per 4 weeks, first bill due at sign-up and second bill charged automatically to the card on-file 4 weeks later. 

The cycle will wrap up with an Olympic Weightlifting Total on 3/8/15 at 2:30pm.

Each cycle needs a minimum of eight participants and is capped at 10 athletes.

AM Cycle
Tuesdays and Thursdays 10:30am to 12:00pm from 1/13/15-3/5/15
REGISTER HERE 

PM Cycle
Mondays and Wednesdays 8:30pm to 10:00pm from 1/12/15-3/4/15
REGISTER HERE 

LEARN MORE HERE.

_____________________ 
And That’s When the Whores Come In: Weightlifting Behavior Catalyst Athletics
The Vice and Vagrants of Old-School Gowanus Narratively 
The Daily Routines Of 26 Of History’s Most Creative Minds Fast Company
Stuart Scott Brought Sports Broadcasting Back to Earth The Atlantic

Fitness: 5 x 3 Linear Progression
Bail each rep and reset within a few seconds. Try and go a bit heavier than last week. 

Performance: Work up to a top set of 3 on a Touch and Go Power Snatch
You can pause at the hang but not at the floor. Must be touch and go. Try and go a bit heavier than last week. 

Post loads to comments.
e5/6
_____________________ 

AMRAP 9 Minutes:
3 Deadlift 185/125
3 Push Ups
3 Toes to Bar
6 Deadlift 185/125
6 Push Ups
6 Toes to Bar
9 Deadlift 185/125
9 Push Ups
9 Toes to Bar
…
Add 3 reps per round until time is called.

Post total reps and Rx to comments.

Coach Arturo and his daughter Chloe practice handstands. The family that walks on their hands together…

• Come to Coach Frank’s Olympic Lifting Program mock meet today at 2:30pm! Each lifter will have three attempts at the snatch and clean and jerk. 

CFSBK Olympic Lifting Program Starts In One Week!

What: An 8-week Olympic lifting cycle meeting twice a week with Coach Frank Murray and/or Heather Farmer in addition to 2 Open Gym or group class per week.
When: Tuesdays and Thursdays 10:30am to 12:00pm from 1/13/15-3/5/15 or Mondays and Wednesdays 8:30pm to 10:00pm from 1/12/15-3/4/15. (see full details below)
Price: $300 per 4 weeks, first bill due at sign-up and second bill charged automatically to the card on-file 4 weeks later. 

The cycle will wrap up with an Olympic Weightlifting Total on 3/8/15 at 2:30pm.

Each cycle needs a minimum of eight participants and is capped at 10 athletes.

Coached by Frank Murray, “participants can expect to build a strong foundation focused around proper technique, mobility, and attention to individual weak points. Building this foundation will not only help lead to higher lifts, but also set the base for continued and consistent progress. Moreover, by developing proper technique, mobility, and focusing on weak points, participants will become more confident, less prone to injury, and more consistent lifters. All of this giving you the tools for a longer, healthier, stronger career with the Olympic lifts.” —Next Level Weightlifting

AM Cycle
Tuesdays and Thursdays 10:30am to 12:00pm from 1/13/15-3/5/15
REGISTER HERE 

PM Cycle
Mondays and Wednesdays 8:30pm to 10:00pm from 1/12/15-3/4/15
REGISTER HERE 

LEARN MORE HERE.

2015 Look Feel Perform Better Challenge Check List

Are you participating in the 2015 Look Feel Perform Better Challenge? Everything got started yesterday, but the deadline to complete all the sign-up steps is tomorrow, January 5th:

• Sign your name on the list in the community area of the gym.
• Buy-in of $30. This must be cash and can be given to Front Desk staff. 
• Answer a few brief questions and submit your “before” photo according to the guidelines on our new Look, Feel, Perform Better website. These are private will not be published or seen by anyone but the judges without your consent.
• Track points earned daily on the Tracker spreadsheet.
• Perform the Test WOD and record results.

_____________________ 
An Icy Volcano and the Cosmic Cycle of Life Slate
The Benefits of Being Cold, or: Does Global Warming Make Me Look Fat The Atlantic  

Fitness: 3 x 5 Linear Progression
Add 5-10 pounds.
Performance: Work up to a Heavy Single (80-90% of 1RM), then Max Reps at 75% of 1RM (capped at 20). 

Post loads to comments.
e5/6
_____________________ 

3 Rounds for Time:
30 Russian Kettlebell Swings 72/53#
15 Handstand Push-Ups

For today’s workout, you can opt to kip the HSPUs if you’d like, however you must display control through your range-of-motion. If you can get through the workout in under 10 minutes going strict, opt for that. The substitution for HSPUs are Dumbbell Push Presses at around 45% body weight.

Post time and Rx to comments.

Dan on deadlifts

News and Notes

• Good luck to the CRASH-B team who will be taking on a 6K erg test today.
• Today is the first day of the 2015 Look Feel Perform Better Challenge. Every year, in only six weeks, we see some incredible transformations and positive behavior changes. We’re excited to hear about your successes and lessons learned this year once again! Remember to save the date: Saturday, February 21st at 7pm for the 2015 CFSBK Community Potluck. We’ll announce the winners of the Challenge and you can break bacon with your fellow CFSBKers.

Olympic Weightlifting Cycle Mock Meet Tomorrow

Tomorrow at 2:30pm you’re invited to see some of Frank’s Olympic Lifting Program athletes test themselves in a mock Oly meet. If you’ve been to Coach Jeremy’s CrossFit Totals at the end of each cycle, this event is essentially its weightlifting equivalent. Each lifter will have three attempts at the snatch and clean and jerk.

The new Oly cycle will start on Monday the 12th and will follow the same schedule as previous versions. Registration links will be up tomorrow.
_____________________ 
Best Space Pictures of 2014: A Year’s Delights Courtesy of Starry Nights National Geographic
How To Use a Paper Towel TED
Is Cereal Soup?
Zits Tim and Eric

Arturo leads a class through DROMs 

• Happy birthday, Michael A.!

The 2015 Look Feel Perform Better Challenge Begins TOMORROW!

New year, new you? Not really. We think it’s best to act in accordance with your goals and values all (or at least most) of the time, but we also recognize that many of us use markers like the beginning of the year to kick start positive changes. The 2015 Look Feel Perform Better Challenge begins tomorrow, and is a great marker to get you on track to become the best version of you in 2015. Some of you have done this in years past, some of you are new to it so here’s the overview:

Who? The entire CrossFit South Brooklyn community
What? A six-week challenge meant as a collective kick start into healthier nutrition and recovery habits.
Where? Right where you are. You’re encouraged to organize “rest day dinners” either in your homes or out at restaurants with fellow participants and there’ll be LFPB Challenge forums that you can look to for daily support. The key is consistent practice every day.
When? The Challenge runs from Saturday, January 3, 2015 through Friday, February 13, 2015. We’ll wrap up with a potluck and awards ceremony on Saturday, February 21nd.
Why? To look, feel, and perform better! And, for some sweet prizes!

Wait, did you say prizes? Yes. The grand prize for both the men’s and a women’s category is two months of FREE unlimited training at CFSBK, a $450+ value! There are also 2nd and 3rd place prizes for the men’s and women’s categories. Last year there was more than $1000 total value in cash prizes and gifts including a free month of dinners from Kettlebell Kitchen, gift cards to Lululemon, Beircraft, grass-fed steaks from Herondale, and other cool stuff too. This year looks to have more of the same awesomeness. Additionally, Kettlebell Kitchen is extending a 15% discount throughout the challenge to all CFSBK members who are participating! 

Alright, I’m in! Great!

Challenge Guidelines and How To Participate: 
Once you complete the following steps we’ll check them off as such. Please complete all steps by January 5th in order to be eligible for prizes: 

• Sign your name on the list in the community area of the gym.
• Buy-in of $30. This must be cash and can be given to Front Desk staff. 
• Answer a few brief questions and submit your “before” photo according to the guidelines on our new Look, Feel, Perform Better website. These are private will not be published or seen by anyone but the judges without your consent.
• Track points earned daily on the spreadsheet (link coming soon!).
• Perform the Test WOD and record results.

This year’s challenge will follow last year’s model and may be a bit different for each of you depending on where you’re currently at with food and recovery. The idea behind this is that while extreme actions can bring extreme and rapid results, we’ve also seen them often result in a “crash” where an individual rebels against the limiting behaviors of a challenge. We’d rather you change a few manageable things for the long-term than many things for six weeks and then get lost in a haze of bagels, beer, and chocolate cake.

Head over HERE (a page you can access by clicking on the 2015 LFPB widget in the right-hand column) to choose which statement best describes you and then follow those guidelines for the entire challenge.

_____________________ 
Weight Training Appears Key To Controlling Belly Fat Harvard School of Public Health
Saving the Bees The Atlantic
The Cloud: An Interactive Thunderstorm in Your House Colossal 

Fitness: 5 x 3 Linear Progression
Bail each rep and reset within a few seconds. Try to go heavier than two weeks ago.

Performance: Work up to a top set of 3 on a Touch and Go Power Clean
Work on resetting hook grip on the descent. Hips back, chest and knees OUT on the descent to the floor. You can pause at the hang but not at the floor. Must be touch and go. Try and go a bit heavier than two weeks ago. 

Post loads to comments.
e5/6
_____________________ 

Look, Feel, Perform Better Capacity Test
“Cindy, Row Your Boat”

AMRAP 3 minutes:
Max Calories Rowed

Post rounds and calories to comments.

Rob U.: Warming up or Prancercizing?

Holiday Schedule Reminders

_____________________ 
Happy New Year from CFSBK! Do you have any resolutions for 2015? 

Fitness: 3 x 3 Linear Progression
Add 5-10 pounds to last week. 

Performance: Work up to a Heavy Single (80-90% of 1RM), then Max Reps at 75% of 1RM (capped at 20) 

Post loads to comments.
e5/6
_____________________ 

Fitness
For Time:
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Hang Power Snatches
Burpees 

Performance
For Time:
8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Hang Power Snatches 115/75
Perform 3 Muscle Ups after each round of snatches

Post time and Rx to comments.

Strong Serene taking her swings overhead

Thursday night Yoga for Athletes is now ACTIVE RECOVERY!