The Couple that FGBs together: Noor A. and Samir C. during FGB 6

Self Defense Class

Attention CFSBK ladies!  While our blog normally serves as a forum to acknowledge accomplishments, to share motivational stories and to announce upcoming events, sometimes we have to get serious.  Unfortunately, now’s that time.  

Are you on the level?  DIY Levels Test #1

A few months ago we published our CrossFit Levels as a way for you to test your fitness and see where your skills are at.  Today we offer the first DIY Levels test to encourage you to benchmark one of the three skills listed below.  These are to be done DIY but we encourage you to get a buddy to count/time encourage/compete against you.  So head into the gym a little early this week and take crack at any or all three of the this first week’s tests and then post your results to comments. 

1. L-Sit or Ring Support for Max Hold
2. Max KB Swings (Russian or American)
3. Max Push-ups

You can check the levels with the RX/scale for each test HERE.  Good luck!
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There is No Money In Healthy The Examiner
South Slope Safe Walks Begin Next Week The Windsor Terrace Blog
Bulgarian Split Squats T-Nation

1x 1000m Row
2x 500m Row
4x 250m Row
Work with a partner (or 2) and allow for approximately a 2:1 rest ratio.

Post times to comments.
Compare to 5.17.11, 7.30.10 and 7.14.11

David O. demonstrates how to scale up today’s WOD.

Happy Belated Birthday McDowell M.!

Barbells for Boobs Fundraiser at CrossFit Queens!

Our friends at CrossFit Queens will be hosting the annual Barbell for Boobs Fundraising event to raise money for to combat breast cancer.  Here’s the info:

Barbells for Boobs “Amazing Grace” Fundraiser WOD this October to benefit
Mammograms In Action (MIA), a Southern California based non-profit that raises
funds in the fight against breast cancer, both locally and nationwide.

On Saturday, October 29th, CrossFit athletes from around the tri-state area
will be gathering at CrossFit Queens in Astoria to complete “Grace”, a workout
consisting of 30 Clean & Jerks for time.

If you’d like to participate you can find out more information and register HERE!

Upcoming Foundations Cycles

October Late Morning Foundations 
+ Brooklyn Boulders “Learn the Ropes” Course
10/4/11 – 10/27/11
Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:00am-10:15am
Learn more and register here!

November Evening Foundations
11/10/11 – 12/6/11
Thursdays and Tuesdays from 8:00-9:15pm
Registere Here!

November Morning Foundations
11/10/11 – 12/6/11
Thursdays and Tuesdays from 7:00-8:15am
Registere Here!

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FGB 6 Featured on NBC Nightly News MSNBC
Train the Mind for Increased Strength Starting Strength

7 Rounds for Time of:
10 Wall Ball Shots, 20/14
10 Pull-Ups
10 Burpees

Post load and Rx to comments.

Cheering on your fellow CrossFitters when they need it most is good gym etiquette!

CFSBK Article Repost!

More work? Or a sip of water?
by Christian Fox
 
            You’re mid-Helen. You’re finishing your 2nd round of KB swings and the pull-up bar is waiting for you. So what do you do? Place your bell down, grab a sip of water, wipe the sweat from your face, chalk up your hands, and then size up the pull-up bar? Or do you ditch the bell and get on the pull-up bar knowing that you’ve only got one round left and the big rest is coming. Last sprint, last swings, last pull-ups. Forget the chalky feeling on your tongue; you’re getting on the leader board this time.
 
            In many WODs, a sip of water here and there is totally appropriate. Think Murph, Angie, Barbara (during the rest), or some other 20+minute chipper style WOD. These are designed to be done at a medium to medium-high intensity and take significant time to complete; hence they need to be paced out and can allow for a sip or a break. WODs like Fran, Annie, and the like are meant to be executed at a high intensity throughout, and take a short time to complete. I feel pretty confident saying that you will not dehydrate during 5-10 minutes it takes to complete either of these couplets. Often though, we see athletes stopping mid-WOD to grab a sip or just to put their hands on their hips and rest. Sometimes, sure, this is appropriate. Are you sick, pregnant, injured, or the like? Then yes, you may need to pace even short WODs. But if not, then be honest with yourself about why you’re reaching for your water bottle again or chalking up for the 4th time in 12 pull-ups. It probably isn’t thirst. It’s being uncomfortable with being uncomfortable.
 
            Let me be clear…I’m not saying not to stay hydrated and on the south-side line of Pukieville, but if this sounds like you then try this trick. BEFORE the clock starts, drink a cup of water. Then put your water bottle away from you and out of reach. Mid-WOD when you start to think how nice a little H20 would feel on your tongue, use that to motivate you to finish faster. The water is the reward. Finish and it’s yours.
 
Train smart, but train hard. Remember that intensity is what brings results. Increase your pain tolerance. Try getting more comfortable with being uncomfortable.

How would you describe your discomfort tolerance?  Are there types of workouts or specific exercises you find yourself taking lots of breaks from?
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2011 CrossFit Games: Women’s Rope Climb/Clean and Jerk Event

5 sets x 3 reps

Like the previous cycle, we’ll be squatting heavy triples on Saturdays.  Check your records to see where you left off last cycle then drop 10-15 lbs and start a new linear progression.

Post loads to comments.
compare to 8.20.11

3 Rounds NFT of:
:30 second Handstand Hold* against a wall
20 Heavy Kettlebell Swings, Unbroken
:60 Couch Stretch each side, holding good lumbo-pelvic position

If you can gracefully kick up to the wall and stay hollow, go for it.  Otherwise do a wall walk-up.
Focus on a tight hip and knee extension with Kettlebell Swings.  When you hit full extension you should feel the bell go weightless, if it’s not then you’re not efficiently transfering force into the bell. Watch the video at the bottom of this post to see Jeff Martone perform a mature swing.

Lana Z learns that what goes up must come back down

Good Luck, Spartan Warriors

Best of luck to Maurya, Melissa L, Paul R, Keith W, Marc M and Yitzy S on today’s Super Spartan Race. These guys will suffer 8 miles of obstacles, mud and endurance to claim the title of Super Spartan Warriors.
Maurya has even been blogging about her CrossFit adventures with Coach Shane leading up to this event.  To catch up on her progress, compete with video blogs at the gym, click here!

New Equipment!

To better serve your needs, we’ve added some new equipment recently. Some of it is already at the gym and some of it is en route:

– 4 New Pairs of “Indy Stands”: The old grey racks weren’t cutting it so we ditched them and beefed up our mobile racks with these much heavier stands.  Not only are they more resilient, but they’ve got more pins for finer height adjustments.
– New Plyo Boxes: We got 2 Rogue Games Boxes which are adjustable from 20″, to 24″ to 30″ simply by flipping them.  3 new steel 12″ boxes were also added recently.
– New Medicine Balls: Look out for one more 14lb ball, three 16lb balls, two smaller diameter 6lb balls and one “Big Monster” 30lb Wall Ball.
– “Jerry Cans”: You saw them at the CrossFit Games this year and you’ll see them at the gym soon! They’re 115lbs each filled with water and even heavier with sand or lead. Hello grip strength!
– Barbell Weights etc: We got 5 pairs of 15lb bumper plates, 5 pairs of 2.5 and 5lb steel plates and a new weight tree to hold all the loose change coming soon.

What is your favorite piece of equipment, not including a barbell? (calisthenics don’t count!)
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Jeff Martone Demos the Kettlebell Swing CrossFit

Ze Jermans
Dan B, Dan H3, Jenna J, Isaac W, Eric L

Fight Gone Baz
Jessica F, Peter M, Christine N, Ian L, Baz

Inka and the Azteks
Nick P, Rickke M, Inka H, Kristen S, Joe O

Fight Gone Plaid
Andrew M, Laurel M, Teresa B, Jessica B, Deepak T

Your Worst Enema
Vincent D, Josh M, Juliana A, Keith W, Dan E

Team Glamour Muscles
Max K, Christian F, Ellie June M, John M, Josi S

Jumping For Joy
Mike G, Collette K, Joy M, Scott L, Tom S

Pukey in Pink
Rob F, Jason Z, Melissa L, Joel W, Shane W

Fight Gone Badasses
Mike M, Stella Z, Chris A, Kate D, Rob I

Dream Team Seventeen
Ben G, Peggy Jean L, David O, Margie L, Allan G

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Check out the preview for Storm Chasers which our own Yoshi S has been pouring his blood, sweat and tears into for the last 6 months!
Carl Eagleman’s Garage CrossFit Gym CrossFit

As Many Rounds as Possible in 15 Minutes of:
35 Double-Unders
3 Power Cleans
15/10 Push-Ups

Go heavy on Power Cleans today. The loading should be heavy enough that you have to slow down and organize each one. No wonky pulls! Scale the Push-Ups so you don’t get “stuck” there each round.  Today’s competition Rx is 15 for the fellas and 10 for the femme fatales.

Post Rounds and Rx to comments.

Coach Laurel sets a ladies record on the Snatch with 123lbs overhead

Good Luck Fight Gone Belated!

Today at 7am Team Belated will be squaring off against Fight Gone Bad. Good luck to, Lana Z, David McG, Ashley F, Katie M and Alex T.  These guys get extra credit for doing this before breakfast!

Competition Class Sundays

Coach Jeremy will be resuming Sunday’s Competition Class at 12pm this weekend.  This class is for the advanced CrossFitter who has an interest in competing in CrossFit on the regional and national level. Programming is challenging and focused. Attention is paid to the more esoteric aspects of the Olympic lifts, advanced gymnastics skills, team workouts, and WODs that hit harder in general. Scaling options for these WODs are little to none and competition level ROM standards are enforced. Individuals are asked to attend class based on previous participation in competitive CrossFit events, an expressed desire to compete and the ability to do most if not all WODs Rx’d (with top ranking results).  We’re excited cultivate our affiliate team in this competative and supportive environment! The class currently meets on Tuesday at 7pm  and Sunday at noon and is by invitation only. Email Christian(AT)CrossFitSouthBrooklyn.com for more info.

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Paleo is EXPENSIVE! Robb Wolf

2 Reps On The Minute For 10 Minutes
Add 5-10lbs from last week.  Focus on a tight bottom position and explosiveness off the box.

Post loads to comments.
(e/8) compare to 2.2.2
 
12 Minutes NFS (not for score) of:
12 Reverse Barbell Lunges
12 Hollow Rocks
6 V-Ups with a :03 hold at the top

The barbells come off the deck in this triplet.  Choose a load that challenges your strength and balance for the lunges, every rep should like identical. Focus on total body tightness for the gymnastics movements.

Josi S finishes a Sumo Deadlift High Pull at FGB6

Picture Sets

Want to check out all the action from Fight Gone Bad 6 or the final CF Subway Series event? Check out their respective photosets up on on Flikr.  Big thanks to Asta F, Malcolm S and Dan R for taking these great shots!

Upcoming Foundations Cycles!

October Late Morning Foundations
+ Brooklyn Boulders “Learn the Ropes” Course
10/4/11 – 10/27/11
Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:00am-10:15am
Learn more and register here!

November Evening Foundations
11/10/11 – 12/6/11
Thursdays and Tuesdays from 8:00-9:15pm
Registere Here!

November Morning Foundations
11/10/11 – 12/6/11
Thursdays and Tuesdays from 7:00-8:15am
Registere Here!

New York Academy of Sciences

CFSBK would like to shout out another one of our sponsors from FGB6 this year.  Our own Erica N provided one lucky competitor (David Mak) with 2 tickets to a scientific lecture presented by the NYAS.  To learn more about

The New York Academy of Sciences works to advance scientific knowledge, mobilize science to address major global challenges, and increase the number of scientifically informed individuals in society. We accomplish this through a broad and dynamic range of programs and services.

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“Lynne” Demo with Austin Malleolo, Dave Lipson and James Hobart
The Female Chinese Weightlifting Team Training

The Bjorn Supremacy
Bjorn B, Ariel K, Ryan P, Earl L and Asta F

The Gowanus Pugilism Society
Nino D, Nate O, Barbara K, Noor A, Daniel O

Blood Sweat and Beers
Marc “Goose” M, Marcos M, Nikki S, David F, Ben W

Dead Girl Unicorn Collection
Billy K, Dan L, Matt U, Jenn B, Sameer P
Dogs: Stella, _____?, ____?

Termin8ors
Charles G, Joe W, “PR”, Felipe C, “Worm”

The Brooklyn Honey Badgers
Jayson S, Chris P, Craig C, McDowell M, Peter H (floor)

Team Thunder, Bitch
David M, Rob N, Yoshi S, Sara L, Josh L

Breaking Bad
Sean B, Noah A, Justin Z (in tire!), Shawna S, Jason H

Victorious Secret
Carlos G, Matt K, Stephanie P, Katie M, Scott J

Searching for Jeremy Fisher
Dan R, Shawn S, Samir C, Mindy S, Mel L

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Competing at 72: Jacinto Bonilla CrossFit Games

Advanced: 3-3-3-3-3
Beg/Nov: Work up to a sub maximal Heavy Triple

Post loads to comments.

“Tabata” Double-Unders
Alternate :20 of work followed by :10 of rest for 8 rounds.

Today’s rest periods will take place at the bottom of a mature squat.  If you don’t have double unders, spend 10 minutes practicing.

Post highest round, lowest round and total reps to comments.

September Athlete of the Month

September brings out the best AOM yet, our entire community! We coaches would like to honor you all, and this is the forum to do it in. You come to  Degraw street from near and far, even spending up to an hour on a bike or a subway car to train with us. You come to us early in the morning before work or school, you make time in your lunch hours to WOD with us, and you even make it in in the evening after a long day spent at a desk or caring for kids. You do ‘shifts’ at the gym, caring for your children while your spouse gets their WOD on. You’re willing to hold someone else’s kid so that their mom or dad can finish up at the end of a class. You make time for not just the fitness aspect of CFSBK but you also put in hours and energy to volunteer at events both in-house and on the road. You do your best to learn the names of the people who are squatting and skipping rope next to you. You cheer, hoot, and holler encouragement at your people. SBKers are YOUR people…You lift hard, you row hard, and you push yourself and everyone around you to be better. You are coachable. You are humble, and eager to help a new member feel right at home. You travel and visit CrossFit gyms around the country and world at large and represent South Brooklyn well. You are proud, if not even a little conceited, that you work out at CrossFit South Brooklyn. You bring your dogs into the gym so the dog-less among you can get a little canine love in the form of a belly rub or a lower leg tongue bath. You socialize outside of the gym with other SBKers and know how to show love the Brooklyn way, whether or not you were born here. Most of all, you ‘get it’. You are not selfish and you love to see people do well, which is a big part of why we do well.

Thanks to all you special people who make CFSBK what it is and are part of our team. It doesn’t exist without you.
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CrossFit Affiliates Commercial
Elyse Umeda Does Mainsite’s OHS/FSQ/BSQ Heavy Singles WOD

3 Rounds NFT:

400m Farmer’s Walk
Go as heavy as possible.  Wear a weight vest if you’re feeling frisky.  Do 7 Burpees on the spot everytime you put the bell down.

Post loads and time to comments.
Compare to 9.12.10

Fight Gone Bad 6!!

Fight Gone Bad Top Fundraisers and Performers

Top 3 Female Athletes:

1. Jessica F.-303
2. Melissa L. & Jenn B.-275
3. Steph P.-257

Top 3 Male Athletes

Scott L.-400
Mike M.-392
Ryan P.-386

Top Performing Teams

1. Breaking Bad-1438
2. Fight Gone Badasses-1404
3. Ze Jermans-1363

Top 3 Fundraising Teams
1. Dead Girl Unicorn Collection-$33,000
2. Team Thunder, Bitch-$3,385
3. Ze Jermans-$2,355

Top 3 Individual Fundraisers
1. Matt U.-$33,310
2. Yoshi S.-$1,395
3. David O.-$1,325

Thank you to everyone for your hard work today and over the last several months!  FGB 6 turned out to the biggest and best yet!

Post-FGB Active Recovery at 11 AM Today

Join Coach Fox for a special edition of Active Recovery!  Class meets at 11AM and you can use it as one of your classes for the week or pay $15 drop-in. 

Thank You Dr. Fidler