Fitness:
Push Press 5 x 3 Linear Progression
Start light enough to leave room to go up, about 80% of what you did for a single last week. 

Performance:
Rack Jerk 5 x 1
Hit 5 singles between 80% and 90% of your recent 1RM. If you’re feeling good then work at the 90% end, if you’re feeling off then work at the 80% end. Your work reps must be no lighter than 80% and no heavier than 90%. 

Post loads to comments.
e1/6
____________________ 

3 Rounds for Time:
50 Double Unders
20 Russian Kettlebell Swings 72/53
10 Burpees 

Post time and Rx to comments.

CFSBK’s team at Beast of the East placed 15th out of 39 teams. Congrats to Alex B. and coaches Jess Fox, MeLo, and McD!!

Where You At, FGB Fundraisers?

DON’T FORGET: Yes, Fight Gone Bad is a great excuse to do a kick-ass workout and have a fun time, but it’s also a meaningful fundraiser for Brooklyn Community Foundation, a local organization dedicated to improving the lives of people in Brooklyn by strengthening communities through local giving, grantmaking, and community service. This year, we’re partnering with BCF again and hope to surpass last year’s donation numbers–of $40,000! Jump on it, guys! We posted some great fundraising tips last week, too.

Congrats to those teams and individually currently topping our leaderboards… But who’s ready to knock them off?

Top Five Teams:

1. Menace to Swolbriety
2. In WOD We Trust
3. Wodtoberfest
4. Fifty Shades of Cray
5. FGB – Golden Girls

Top Five Individuals: 

1. Asta F.
2. Erik B.
3. Pierre D.
4. Stella Z.
5. Janelle B.

New Programming Cycle Starts Today!

You can always check these details by clicking on the Current Programming Cycle tab in the left-hand column under Member Resources, but here’s what’s on tap for the next eight weeks…

Training Cycle Dates: M 9/29 – Su 11/9
Crush Week: M 11/10 – Su 11/16
Back Off/Transition Week: M 11/17 – Su 11/23 

Cycle Biases: Pretty similar to the previous cycle with a few focuses.
– Strict HSPU (over kipping).
– Rx’d Box Jumps will be 2-foot take off.
– Gymnastics assistance work in the form of static holds, global and hip flexion. 
– We’ll also see some Rope Climbs programmed.

Standardized Warm-ups
Will be the same with a few provided to hacks to scale up or work on individual weaknesses.

Monday: 
Performance: Rack Jerk (80-90% range)
Fitness: Push Press (5×3) Linear Progression
+ Conditioning/Assistance Work

Wednesday: 
Performance: Back Squat 5/3/1 (Trying to get advanced Novices to transition into 531)
Fitness: Back Squat 3×5 Linear Progression
+ Conditioning/Assistance Work

Thursday: 
Performance: Clean (80-90% range)
Fitness: Clean (complexes)
+ Conditioning/Assistance Work

Saturday:
Performance: Front Squat (5-5-3-3-2-1)
Fitness: Front Squat 3×3 Linear Progression
+ Conditioning/Assistance Work

Sunday: 
Performance: Snatch (80-90% range)
Fitness: Snatch (complexes)
+ Conditioning/Assistance Work

____________________
A Defining Question in an iPhone Age: Live for the Moment or Record It? New York Times
The Woman With the Bionic Eye The Atlantic
Loose Knees = Loose Jerks Catalyst Athletics
Juicervose Radiolab 

Performance: Heavy single Snatch
Must be a crisp catch in order to count, no press outs. 

Fitness: Pull to knee + Hang Power Snatch
Focus on finishing your entire second pull.

Post loads to comments.
e0/6
____________________

Performance: Kipping Pull-up Practice  

Fitness: Pull-up or Chin-up Practice

If you barely have one or two pull-ups or dont have pull-ups at all, do the Fitness work.  

Post what you worked on to comments.

Tim J. (Timbo Slice) with an excellent front rack position

News and Notes 

• Alex B. and coaches Jess Fox, MeLo, and McD are competing in Beast of the East this weekend, and after Day 1, they’re 12th out of 39 teams! Keep it up! We’re cheering for you guys!!
• Bike parking will be limited today, as the sidewalk is being… revamped? Please plan accordingly. 
• Happy birthday, Brandon B.!

____________________
Unleashing Their Inner Sis, Boom, Bah New York Times
Cycling’s Greatest Hour The New Yorker
NASA Administrator Resigns After Leak Of Offensive Anti-Moon Email The Onion
Atoms As Big As Mountains — Neutron Stars Explained Kurzgesagt

Work up to a single set of a heavy 8 on your front squat.

Use this as a jumping off point for the next cycle 

Post loads to comments.
e0/6
____________________

4 Rounds Not for Time of:
3 Rep Deadlift
20 Wall Ball Shots 

Find a heavy weight on the deadlift and stay there. Focus on perfect form.

Post loads to comments.

What movement is Noah demonstrating the set-up for?

Attention Bike People!

Bike parking will be limited today and tomorrow, as the sidewalk is being… revamped? Please plan accordingly. 

Bend, Stretch, and Mobilize Today

• Yoga for Athletes with Coach Whitney at 10am.
• Active Recovery is back on at 11am and noon today with Coach David.
• If you are in Ken H.’s rings class, remember that you’re meeting today from 2-3:30pm! 

____________________
The Woman Who Walked 10,000 Miles (No Exaggeration) in Three Years New York Times
How to Keep Elephants and Wolves Out of Your Yard MinuteEarth

Mobility Tip from Coach David: The ability for your shoulder to internally rotate is an important component of many movements you see at the gym, and this rotation is critical for maintaining a fully mobile shoulder girdle. In the above photo, Coach Fox demonstrates a common mobilization we perform using a partner to help keep the head of the humerus anchored down in the joint to prevent loss of position while stretching out. Check out these three Mobility WOD videos to learn more about internal rotation.

• Happy birthday, David L.!
• Happy belated birthday, Kayleigh!

Ever Wanted to Compete in a Strength Competition? 

Now’s your chance—and you don’t even need a singlet (but you can wear one if you want)! On Saturday, October 25th, eight gyms across the US and Canada will hold a strength lifting meet organized by Starting Strength coaches. Three attempts to establish a one-repetition maximum in the Squat, Press, and Deadlift. The competition will be both local and international. Coach Fox and others will be attending the event in Queens from 8am to 4pm, and there are still a few places left if you want to compete. Learn more here.

Each meet will have its own winners, but the results from all the meets will also be combined and the best lifters announced. Each best lifter wins a spot at a Starting Strength Seminar.

Want to be in a Comedic Short about CrossFit?

An athletic tape company that specializes in CrossFit needs fit, funny men to audition for the lead role in a series of comedic shorts. Comedic experience is a plus. The production company will be shooting on October 4 and 5, and will pay $400. If you’re interested in learning more about the project or would like to audition, reach out to Chris at chris [at] chrischuang.com, and send your info (resume, headshots, reel). 

_______________________
APPLE Iphone 6 Parody Commercial by IKEA “BookBook”
Want to get more sleep into your routine? Try “Face Time Party Snoozer” Adult Swim
Stretching Doesn’t Work (the Way You Think It Does) Breaking Muscle
What Do You Wish You Had Learned in College? The Atlantic

Performance: Heavy Single Power Clean
Must be a crisp catch and above parallel in order to count. 

Fitness: Pull to Knee + Hang Power Clean
Focus on finishing your entire second pull.

Post loads to comments.
e0/6
_______________________

5 Rounds of:
1:00 Single Under, Double Under, or Triple Under Practice
1:00 Hollow Rocks, Planks, or Sit-Ups
1:00 Rest

Post what you worked on to comments.

Coach Jeremy and Margie got hitched on Saturday up at Herondale Farm (our CSA partner). CFSBKers Samir C. and Jack L. officiated. Note the barbell and bumper posts.

News and Notes

• Did you miss the deadline to register for Fight Gone Bad and are now bummed you’re going to miss the fun? Bum no more! If we get 5 more people to sign up, we’ll have a team. Email Info [at] CrossFitSouthBrooklyn.com ASAP to get on the wait list!
• Gina G. is looking for an awesome human to adopt her beloved cat Lyla Garrity. (Yes, she’s named after a Friday Night Lights character.) Lyla is a lover and a sassy lady. She’s 6 years old. She’s a real cats’ cat. She purrs all the time and loves curling up next to you on the couch. Check out Miss Lyla’s cat flyer and some additional pics here! You can also learn more on CFSBK Classifieds!
• Happy birthday, Andrew C.!

Fight Gone Bad Fundraising Tips 

Have you started fundraising for Fight Gone Bad? You and your team should be registered with CrowdRise. We’ve included some fundraising tips below to get you started, adapted from Convio. We’ve also included info below about Brooklyn Community Foundation (the organization for which we’re raising money!). 

Tip #1: Start early. The sooner you start asking for donations, the more money you will raise. 

Tip #2: Set a challenging but attainable goal. Your fundraising goal should be a stretch, but doable. If you are getting close to your goal, then raise it so people continue to donate.

Tip #3: Contact everyone you know. Start with your email address book, then your regular  address book and member lists from clubs you belong to. You’ll be surprised who gives! 

Tip #4: Customize your emails. Make the email template yours! Include a personal story — why you’re raising money, why it’s important to you, and where the money goes. (Tell people why you love Brooklyn, and why you love CFSBK and that we partner with BCF!) 

Tip #5: Create an email schedule and stick to it. Set dates to send a first email announcing your participation, a second email asking for donations, an update email, and a ‘last chance’ email.

Tip #6: Ask, ask, and ask again. People can only make a donation if you give them the opportunity. Don’t be shy about asking more than once. People need to be reminded! 

Tip #7: Add social media to the mix. Use status updates in Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn to update friends on your fundraising and provide a direct link to your fundraising webpage.

Tip #8: Get creative. Add the URL for your fundraising webpage to your email signature. Give out “piggy banks” and ask people to save their change for a month. Hold an auction. Throw a party!

Tip #9: Stay focused. Remind yourself of why you are participating in the event, and how the money you will raise will help others. Turn to other fundraisers for inspiration and ideas.

Tip #10: Send a personalized thank you. After you’ve completed your fundraising, send your results to donors and thank them again for their help. You might need their support again next year! (And dude, always say thank you. It’s the right thing to do.)

Learn More about Brooklyn Community Foundation

Brooklyn Community Foundation is proud to partner with CrossFit South Brooklyn on the Fight Gone Bad for the third year running. CFSBK members have raised over $70,000 over the past two years for Brooklyn communities. Funds from last year’s competition went towards the Foundation’s Healthy Communities initiative to increase access to healthy food and open space in the neighborhoods of Brownsville, Red Hook, and Fort Greene through the support of the following organizations: 

• Added Value in Red Hook for continuing to operate the new farm on NYCHA Red Hook West property and to provide ongoing education programming.
• Brownsville Partnership in Brownsville to facilitate walking groups, bike tours, and a youth operated farmers market. Young people from Brownsville were hired as Youth Health Ambassadors to help run the farmers market and to work with 8 local bodegas to provide affordable healthy food options to the community.
• Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Program to expand the Myrtle Eats Fresh Program by hiring Community Chefs (local residents who complete a basic culinary and nutrition workshop) to perform demos at local senior centers, farmers markets, and community centers; to continue healthy shopping tours for NYCHA residents and expand tour sites to include additional market near Farragut houses; to organize 2-3 skill workshops per season for gardeners at the Whitman and Ingersoll houses.
• Brooklyn Food Coalition in all three neighborhoods to organize Food Change training workshops in schools and Youth Food Town Halls in order to improve school food options. 

________________
Life in Yellow BBC Earth
The Flight of a Moth, In Extreme Slow Motion The Atlantic
2014 Is on Pace to Be the Warmest Year Ever Mother Jones
How Bad Are Your Drinking Habits? An 18th-Century Temperance Thermometer Has the Verdict Slate

Fitness and Performance: Work up to a heavy triple on the Paused Squat.
Have a partner count out “1 one-thousand, 2 one-thousand” before rising. No missed reps, use spotters if you’re not 100% sure you’ll make all three reps. Rerack if you think you might miss mid set. 

Fitness Transition: If you’ve been doing Fitness programming and have cleared a full Linear Progression, find a heavy single to use for the upcoming programming cycle.

Post loads to comments.
________________

20 Minutes, Not for Rounds of:
Run 400m
16 Unbroken Kettlebell Swings (go heavy)
3, 6 or 9 Strict Pull-Ups (add weight if desired) 

Post notes to comments.

September Athlete of the Month: Michael Crumsho

By Chris Fox

September’s Athlete of the Month has been sitting in the wings for almost as long as he’s been a member. I must confess that the first time his name came up as a potential AOM, my response was an emphatic, “Let’s let him be a member for while!” Mike has since proven to be a diligent, coachable athlete who has trained consistently since Foundations. He has in fact been around for a while now, and here’s our chance to get to know him a bit better.

Fox: Mike, how did your journey to CrossFit South Brooklyn begin?

MC: It actually began somewhat begrudgingly, and long before I’d heard of CrossFit. To start way back, I turned 30 years old and decided to get in shape. At a recent doctor visit, I weighed in at 297 pounds with a fasted glucose level of 155. Needless to say I was in need of change. It was around then that I started lifting weights, with my long time college buddy Todd C. paving my path. He introduced me to Starting Strength and I followed that and then eventually 5/3/1 by Jim Wendler with lots of assistance work. During that time Todd had started at CFSBK and I was hating on it. I had all the standard arguments against it, from it being for shirtless and mindless bros, to a lack of thought or purpose in programming. I was making pretty good progress with the lifting and Todd was a completely non-assertive influence, though after seeing some of that years Fight Gone Bad photos, I decided to give CF a shot. Camille and I joined a Foundations class in October of 2013, a little less than a year ago.

Fox: Glad you decided to join us! 297 is a big weight for you, I can’t imagine it. Where are you at now? And what really was the deciding factor in joining CF after lifting on your own? 

MC: I can’t say I truly enjoyed lifting on my own, and I’d developed my fair share of gym “enemies.” Ask me about the Jeff Van Gundy look alike who would occupy the squat rack for an hour to do dips and curls… the final straw was when I hurt my back in June of 2013. I suffered an L4/L5 herniation, likely while deadlifting, that sidelined me. Looking back I believe I had unrealistic goals regarding my training and I recognized that I really needed to just listen to someone else and have eyes on me. I needed to take a few steps back and focus on the things that mattered, like moving well, and also to work on some more complex movement patterns that would increase my movement pool overall. You (Fox) and Ro showed me right away that I would in fact have eyes on me and also that I had a lot to learn.

Fox: What is it about CFSBK that keeps you coming back?

MC: CFSBK appeals to me for a variety of reasons. There’s a level of intelligence in programming with consistent exposure to movements. There’s the vibe in general with the (usually) good music, the inclusive atmosphere vs the solitariness of the Y where I used to train, and the balance that’s struck between a DIY approach and personal training. There are a bunch of things that I still need to get better at, including HSPUs, double unders, and muscle ups. Overall though the tangible progress I am making is a large enough reason to keep coming. My first squat exposure was 55x5x3. I ended this last cycle at 275x5x3, and hit a 1RM of 305. It’s still a bit off from my historical 1RM, but mentally it feels like I am back in the game, with better form to boot. After my previous injury I was scared of deadlifts, now I’m comfortable with the them and hit 390 for a 1RM the last time we worked on this lift. I see myself developing in a very positive and quantifiable way.

Fox: Tell us about you outside of the gym. Were you athletic as a kid? What do you do outside of nerding out on your training? 

MC: I’m from outside of Philadelphia. I played football and swam as a kid, and focused on basketball in high school. I never really gave much of a thought to rowing until I got to CFSBK, which is a little strange given that my high school was pretty well-known for its crew team. I guess the “henley and Penn cap” lifestyle conflicted with the whole “eat mushrooms, listen to My War” thing I was trying to cultivate at the time. Anyway, I gave up sports in college to basically become captain of the bong team and hang out at the radio station. During my time at at NYU, between 1998 and 2006, I was a Music Director and DJ on a couple programs—The New Afternoon Show—and I also started a program called Outside that played weirder, more experimental stuff.

My longstanding passion has been music. I’ve always been a pretty avid collector, and have a few thousand CDs and LPs in our apartment—if you don’t see me show up in class for a few days it will be safe to assume that I have finally been crushed under the weight of them. I have played synthesizers and “sang” in a few bands. I’ve also written as a music journalist for outlets such as The Voice, the AP, and The Baltimore City Paper. I consider myself to have a strong punk ethic but my ear ranges from Minor Threat all the way to electronic, jazz, psych rock, and folk music. Arthur Russell, Alice Coltrane, and Fela Kuti are a few of my faves at the moment. I recently discovered that Windhand are one of the LOUDEST live bands out there…

I really just simply love good music. In fact I met my partner, (Front Desk superstar) Camille, through the music scene. We were on the same punk and hardcore forums and connected through there. Aside from music I’m pretty tame. Career-wise, I am a brand/product manager and content strategist that develops digital products like apps and websites. For the past seven years, I’ve focused on the medical education and point-of-care side of things, helping to steer a publishing company out of books and into the interwebs. I like to chill out and watch movies and TV shows, I’m a huge Trekkie but I won’t force that on the readers. Really, cooking a good meal at home and maybe watching a movie is a great night for Cam and I. 

Fox: Great stuff, Mike. Last stock question: What should we look for in a future AOM? 

MC: Someone whose demeanor is the same whether they’re first or last to finish. You know, to be humble in victory and gracious in defeat. When I bit off more than I could chew and tried “Angie” Rx’d a couple months ago, I remember and appreciate the people like Jason and Pierre who stuck around and cheered even though they were finished. Finally, someone who listens. You’ll get something out of simply coming to a CrossFit gym and being exposed to cool movements at high intensity, but you’ll miss the point if you don’t take the advice and cueing of your coaches. Being a humble, coachable athlete is important. 

• Happy birthday, Coach McDowell! 
• We begin our new cycle next week. If you want to see what’s on tap, check out the updated Current Programming Cycle link in the left sidebar. 

________________ 
Are You Authentic? Wisecrack
Battle of the Ants BBC Earth
Cat Performance Review McSweeney’s
Walk Off Depression and Beat Stress Outdoors Science Daily

Training Cycle Template

Training Cycle Dates: M 9/29 – Su 11/9
Crush Week: M 11/10 – Su 11/16
Back Off/Transition Week: M 11/17 – Su 11/23 

Cycle Biases: Pretty similar to the previous cycle with a few focuses.
– Strict HSPU (over kipping).
– Rx’d Box Jumps will be 2-foot take off.
– Gymnastics assistance work in the form of static holds, global and hip flexion. 
– We’ll also see some Rope Climbs programmed.

Standardized Warm-ups
Will be the same with a few provided to hacks to scale up or work on individual weaknesses.

Monday: 
Performance: Rack Jerk (80-90% range)
Fitness: Push Press (5×3) Linear Progression
+ Conditioning/Assistance Work

Wednesday: 
Performance: Back Squat 5/3/1 (Trying to get advanced Novices to transition into 531)
Fitness: Back Squat 3×5 Linear Progression
+ Conditioning/Assistance Work

Thursday: 
Performance: Clean (80-90% range)
Fitness: Clean (complexes)
+ Conditioning/Assistance Work

Saturday:
Performance: Front Squat (5-5-3-3-2-1)
Fitness: Front Squat 3×3 Linear Progression
+ Conditioning/Assistance Work

Sunday: 
Performance: Snatch (80-90% range)
Fitness: Snatch (complexes)
+ Conditioning/Assistance Work

Competitions/Events:

Fight Gone Bad 2014: October 18 

Ellie M. a couple months ago

CrossFitting While Pregnant: An Interview with Four Women and a Coach, Part 2

By Kate Reece 

In case you missed it last week, we began our three-part series about training CrossFit while pregnant. In Part 1, we introduced you to four CFSBK women who became pregnant in the midst of their training, and also spoke with Coach Fox. The women answered our questions about their reaction to finding out they were pregnant, and the best kinds of advice they received. This week, we hear from them about whether they continued to CrossFit after becoming pregnant and how that decision affected their experience. We also asked them to share any advice they might have for other women. Coach Fox weighs in with his advice for women who become pregnant and want to continue training.

(Also, our article on ITA yesterday was all about Coach Fox’s guide “Guidelines for Training While Pregnant at CFSBK.” Check it out.) 

CFSBK: Did you continue CrossFitting after you got pregnant? Tell us about that experience. What did you notice was different about your performance, and how did you have to adjust your expectations? 

Bethany E.: I did continue to CrossFit after I got pregnant. I really appreciated (and recommend!) being in Strength Cycle for the first trimester of both of my pregnancies because pregnancy hormones and morning sickness—which for me, was really all day long, every day—can be a real energy drain. Having that set date with a barbell two or three times a week is a real lifesaver. There’s no “Oh, I’ll go to group class tomorrow”—you just show up and do your lifts and feel better for it. I also found the pace of Strength Cycle to be very compatible with the first trimester. It’s hard work, but also chill and involves a lot of rest and not too much over-heating and sweat. 

During my first trimester/early-second trimester Strength Cycles, I experienced no negative impacts to my training. I continued to be able to put weight on the bar, and all of my current strength PRs were made during pregnancies—squat and press with Alex, and deadlift and bench with Oscar. As for group class performance, I found that being pregnant forced me to slow down immensely. I remember doing a track WOD with CFSBK and being dead last in every run. I’m not normally a strong runner but my lack of speed became even more pronounced when pregnant. On the other hand, even though I was slower, I found that with the increased blood volume and lung capacity in my second and third trimester, I took a lot of pleasure in the metcons and rowing that I normally dreaded. 

After the Strength Cycle was complete, with my first pregnancy I switched to Strength Cycle “Continuing Ed” and group classes. I participated in the Tough Titsday meet at around 32-weeks pregnant and was still pulling some pretty significant weights. I’d planned to cut back on the weights but didn’t really, because it “felt good” still and I mistakenly thought it would help me bounce back somehow after the baby was born—wrong! Then unfortunately at around 35 weeks, my back started spasming and I had to stop training (and walking!) for the remaining four weeks of my pregnancy. 

I’ll never know if the heavy squats caused the back spasms or if I’d just plain ran out of room in my abdomen, but I decided for my second pregnancy to take a much different approach to my training. After Strength Cycle ended when I was pregnant with Oscar, I returned to group class. In my late second trimester, I started dropping weights (subtracting five pounds each exposure) instead of adding them for my lifts. This approach worked well for me because I did my last WOD at CFSBK 24 hours before I gave birth to Oscar!

Noor A.: I was lucky to have a surprisingly easy pregnancy. My biggest problem that first trimester was a major craving for sweets, which luckily helped me to carb up for my Strength Cycle Total. I still remember Coach Margie bringing a gorgeous chocolate cake for us, which was meant to be enjoyed after the Total, but my mommy cravings were so strong, and the Total was taking so long, that I ended up stealing a piece between pressing and deadlifting. I got a bit of a scolding, but that piece of chocolate cake really did the trick for my deadlift! 

And one factor that I had not taken into account was the effect of the growth hormones that were pumping throughout my pregnant body on my workouts. Throughout my pregnancy, while I may have ended up slowing down a bit because of the added bulk on my belly, I felt as though I stayed pretty consistently strong. 

Courtney S.: I did CrossFit up until the day the baby was born and I truly credit it for keeping me sane throughout my pregnancy. In a time when so much in my life (and body) was changing, it was great to be able to step into the gym and put it all aside for an hour. 

Since I hadn’t really known anyone else before me who did CrossFit while pregnant, I was actually pleasantly surprised to learn how much I could continue to do. One of the most challenging parts for me was recognizing that training intensity would be different and that my goals would change, at least temporarily. The first trimester was probably the hardest for me because even though I didn’t necessarily look or feel much different than my pre-pregnancy self, I was just so tired all of the time. I actually took a fair bit of time off in the early days and I just kept reminding myself: “You’re making a baby—it’s okay to rest.” After the first few months, I started feeling much better and was able to continue training mostly as normal. When I really started showing, I simply modified the movements to accommodate for my growing stomach and general comfort level. It’s funny, but in a weird way I felt like I actually got stronger those last few months because I was doing most everything strict and weighted. 

Ellie M.: The first thing I noticed was being out-of-breath. I was 12 weeks along and participating in the Open, and just couldn’t breathe as well during the high-intensity metcons. As my belly grew, I had trouble engaging my midline, so I stopped lifting as much as I had previously. No more pushing to the point of breathlessness, and no more competing against myself or others. It was a hard adjustment to make at first, but it felt right. 

Toward the end, I just did my best to show up. My workouts sometimes barely resembled CrossFit, but I kept it up because the fitness I’ve built here was so important to my pregnancy and my own feeling of wellness. 

CFSBK: Coach Fox, how has CFSBK usually approached pregnant mothers?

Coach Fox: We’ve always had a “That’s awesome, we would love for you continue training,” approach. In the beginning, we’ll ask how far along they are (after lots of congratulating and hugs, of course). The first trimester is always about doing what they were doing before. Independent of morning sickness, there’s really no drop-off in training intensity or volume. The first trimester is when women are dealing with morning sickness and lack of energy. There’s no danger in training or risk of anything going on with the baby. So, training depends on how you feel. It’s just like any other day—if you woke up with the flu, you wouldn’t train with as much intensity. Most everything you’ve been told that you can’t do, is bullshit. But this isn’t the time to PR your lifts. Bethany did, and that was her path, but I wouldn’t recommend that. 

As you get into the second trimester, the belly starts to grow and especially in the latter second trimester, we advise women to be cautious and not do anything where the risk of falling is involved—something like a box jump or a pull-up off a high bar. This varies from person to person. Courtney was a competitive gymnast, so she could probably do a handstand, given that she has great body awareness. Even as her body grew and changed, she could adjust easily. Ellie said a handstand still felt great for her, too, up until very recently. 

A common recommendation in the second trimester onwards is don’t lie on your back. In the gym, that translates to don’t bench press. When you’re lying on your back for long periods of time, the pressure of the baby on the abdominal aorta cuts off blood supply to you and your baby. But we’ve had many women go through full-term pregnancy and continue to bench press. Because you’re around so many people and are only lying there for 30 seconds, we’ve never had an issue. 

Also, the hormone relaxin increases during pregnancy and relaxes the joints, the pelvis, and the rest of the body. So we usually suggest not doing full cleans and snatches—maybe switch to power versions. Even things like wall balls, which involve a really dynamic squat-type motion, or thrusters, become a much more controlled movement. So we start to move away from really dynamic movements in the second and third trimester. This is also an issue postpartum. Your shoulders and knees will all be less stable, which puts your joints at risk. 

Third trimester, in our experience, usually becomes self-regulatory. We’ve had only one pregnancy over the years CFSBK has been in business where we had to put the reins on a woman, and say, “Hey, you can’t do box jumps today,” or “You need to slow down a bit.” Usually you become tired. You don’t want to run; you’d rather row. Weights feel really heavy and women will knock their weights down naturally (as Ellie mentioned). Then it’s just the physical impediment of the belly. You can’t do a sit-up or toes-to-bar. You can’t conventional deadlift, you can’t clean, you can’t snatch. So there are exercise substitutions that work around the belly. We’ve included the list of substitutions below: 

Sit Ups: plank, pallof press, slam ball, side plank, hanging knee raise
Bench Press: press, push up (elevated as necessary)
Handstand Push Ups: Dumbbell or press/push press
Box Jumps: lower box at first, and then step up
Kipping Pull Ups: should be on low bar and then strict or ring row.
Kettlebell Swings: possibly fine throughout, may need to modify to single arm swing for comfort
Deadlift: possibly okay throughout, sumo or kettlebell deadlifts may be more comfortable
Snatch/Clean: hang power versions, then dumbbells as necessary once the belly is in the way. You can perform the power version of the movement and then squat under control. Squat versions of the lifts should be avoided. Light/moderate deadlifts are also a great sub.
Jump Rope/Running: as far as your level of comfort allows, keep doing them. Rowing is a common sub, as are kettlebell swings and/or slam ball for a similar metabolic effect.
Thrusters/Wall Balls: controlled squat and presses, either with a barbell or dumbbell
Push Ups/Burpees: on a raised surface, i.e. parallettes or a bar in a squat rack.

Usually by the time women are in their third trimester, it just feels good to be in the gym—that’s the success. 

CFSBK: Do you think being an active CrossFitter before getting pregnant influenced your experience of being pregnant? 

Ellie M.: CrossFit helped me approach pregnancy and childbirth with strength and confidence. I just gave birth on September 6, and it was a very positive and empowering experience. Staying committed to CrossFit and having a wonderful community of support (including other badass CrossFitting mothers) really contributed to that experience. 

CFSBK: What advice would you offer to other mothers about their time in the gym while pregnant? 

Bethany E.: Know yourself. If you have a hard time NOT putting weight on the bar, then plan for that—tell your coach or training partner that you aren’t going to lift more than X and make them hold you to it. If you know you have a hard time not pushing yourself to the point of being winded, then ask someone to have a conversation with you while you work out. 

Learn where your transverse abdominus muscle is and how to engage it. This will help you push during labor and will help you heal your mushy core after the baby is born. If you see any ridging or doming on your belly during a movement during pregnancy, stop. In general just because you physically can do a movement doesn’t mean you should. Enjoy the more relaxed pace of your pregnant workouts and enjoy all the awesome support you’ll get from your fellow CFSBKers. Also: turn on the floor fan and stand right by it. 

Noor A.: I continued doing CrossFit throughout my pregnancy, up until the last two weeks or so, because it felt good, and more importantly, it did not feel good when I didn’t come. But I know for other mothers the experience of being pregnant was very different than mine. I don’t think it’s because I’m extraordinary in any way—I just had an easy pregnancy. How you feel while pregnant will depend on how you carry, where the baby’s sitting, and can vary from one pregnancy to another. My daughter was considerate enough while I was pregnant to not sit on my bladder, so I was able to run longer than most pregnant women. I also didn’t suffer from the fatigue that many other women feel. Perhaps this means that I’ll be paid back when she is a teenager. Anyway, the takeaway is that there is no one standard for how you should be while pregnant, you have to know yourself, and stay tuned with your own body. 

Courtney S.: Listen to and respect your body—it will tell you what it needs. Be okay with taking things slow and even taking an extra rest day if you need it. Most importantly—enjoy this time! Especially if it is your first, really take the time to savor those moments that you have that are just for you. 

Ellie M.: Take it one day at a time and don’t be too hard on yourself. There will be good days, and bad, and just know this is only temporary and for the best possible reason. There are few times in life when you truly have permission to slow down, so if anything, embrace it while you can. 

Coach Fox: Listen to your body. Use this as a time to just enjoy moving, and come in with the mindset that you’re doing something healthy for your body. Get out of any competitive zone, whether against others or yourself. It’s almost anti-CrossFit, since CrossFit is all about quantifying and always getting better. As Bethany said, at a certain point, she started subtracting instead of adding five pounds every week. That concept makes a lot of sense—at a certain point, you’re going to do less and it’s going to be scaled to a larger degree. In general, keep moving. You’ll have a healthier pregnancy because of it. 

We’ll be back next week, with Part Three!

• Happy birthday, Eric M.! 

________________ 
Klokov – 165 kg/364lb Slow Pull Snatch at 2014 Olympia
Why I Hope to Die at 75 The Atlantic
Artificial Sweeteners May Disrupt Body’s Blood Sugar Controls New York Times
Paper Towel vs Hand Dryers asapSCIENCE

Performance: 1RM Rack Jerk
Take 15 minutes to find a 1RM on the Rack Jerk. Any press-outs will not count. We’ll be using this number to do some % work with through the next cycle.

Fitness: Heavy Single Push Press
Take 15 minutes to find a heavy single push press. Prioritize maintaining a neutral midline as the weight goes up.

Post loads to comments.
e0/6
________________

Take 10 Minutes to find a heavy set of 8 reps on the Dumbbell Press

Including warm-ups, perform 4-6 total sets of the DB press finding a load that challenges you but remains symmetrical. Try to perform about 3 sets of your top weight across. Rest as needed between attempts.

Post loads to comments.
________________

AMRAP 10 Minutes:
Row 20 Calories
10 or 20 Push-Ups

Gauge intensity on how you feel. If you’re feeling great drop the hammer on this workout, if you’re smoked from last week take it easier and work at a moderate pace.

Post rounds completed and Rx to comments.

You can run, but you can’t hide from the CFSBK coaches!

Programming Feedback

Tomorrow we’ll be revealing the upcoming programming cycle, but we want to hear what you all thought about the previous seven weeks of training. Please let us know what you thought in the comments!

News and Notes

• Congratulations to Jake L. on his 300kg Olympic Lifting Total yesterday! Jake hit a 130kg/297lb Snatch and 165kg/363 Clean and Jerk to qualify for the American Open in the 105lg weight class. Amazing!
• Congratulations to the CFSBK Fighting Tacos on their 1-0 victory yesterday. The team is currently undefeated.
• There is a new post on Inside the Affiliate called “A CrossFit Coaches Guide to Training Pregnant Women.” Check it out!

CrossFit Field Trip to …Brooklyn Boulders!

CrossFitters, get your climb on! Brooklyn Boulders is hosting a special one hour course where you’ll learn climbing techniques, compete on the auto-belays, and get a chance to put all of your training to the test – on the walls. You’ll use your gymnastics-heavy, explosive-lifting skills on dynamic cave-esque walls like The Beast, and get to connect with the climbing community at BKB! The course has been specially designed for CrossFit South Brooklyners AND discounted (their 30-minute Learn-to-Boulder class is normally $45).

When: Saturday, October 11, 4pm
How Much: $30, includes day pass and gear rental for the day of the class (a $36 value)
Sign up here!

Class is capped at 10 people, but if you find the 4pm class is sold out, please email Mare at mare [at] crossfitsouthbrooklyn.com as we can set up another class that afternoon if there is enough interest!
__________________
City Mulls Plan to Dig Up Gowanus Park and Pool to Install Sewage Tanks DNA Info
The Iron Triathalton CrossFit
Injury and Opportunity by Bill Starr CrossFit
The Paleo Lifestyle, the Way Way Way Back NYT

Performance
Partner WOD
AMRAP 20 Minutes
Partners alternate rounds for 20 minutes of:
1 Rep of the Bear Complex at 225/155
(1 Power Clean + 1 Front Squat + 1 Jerk + 1 Back Squat + 1 BTN Jerk)
5 Toes to Bar 

Fitness
Partner WOD
AMRAP 20 Minutes
Partners alternate rounds for 20 minutes of:
5 Power Cleans 155/95
5 Push Jerks 155/95
5 Front Squats 155/95
5 Dragon Flags 

Post rounds and Rx to comments. Peace out, Crush Week!

Alan L. at Flex on the Beach last weekend

News and Notes

• Jake L. is attempting to re-qualify for the American Open in the 105kg weight class today at the Rudy Sablo meet in Garden City, NJ. His goal is to hit 297# on his snatch and 363# on his clean and jerk. Crush it, Jake!
• People’s Climate March is today! The March takes place two days before the UN meets to decide on key issues regarding climate change. Head over to Central Park at 11am and check it out!

_____________________  
CrossFit Versus Yoga: Choose a Side The Atlantic
The Expanding American Waistline New York Times