Carlos does the Running Man

It's going to be even hotter today.  Stay hydrated during the day, and keep water with you throughout the workout! 

Open Gym: A Refresher

As most of you know, CFSBK programs a WOD 5 days a week: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. This leaves Tuesday and Friday as rest days. Of course, sometimes your schedule doesn't line up with ours, so we run classes in order to let you get your workout in when you can.

All classes on Tuesdays and most on Fridays are lead by a coach. You have wiggle room in that you are free to ask a coach if you can work on something in particular. But generally, you'll find the structure pretty much the same as regular days in that you'll go through a lead group warm up and workout together. If you are new to group classes, we encourage you to attend regular classes or On-Ramp, but you'll definitely be taken care of in these classes.

Friday nights operate a little differently. I mean, it's Friday, right? People need to be able to chill after the long work week. So we run Open Gym from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. This is a two hour block of time for you to do what you need to do: make up a workout, stretch, practice a skill/movement, get in some lifting. The SBK coach is there to bounce ideas off of, give an eye to your form and make sure you don't kill yourself. But otherwise, it's your space. Since Open Gym is not a lead class, we think it's best to have been a member for 2 or 3 months before using it. If you want to come in to stretch or hop on the erg, that's perfectly fine. But we'd like you to be familiar with movements and able to workout safely without too much assistance before we let you run wild.

We know this is not news to most of our members, but with the constant flow of new folks into our community, we thought it'd be nice to give a little refresher.

______________________

Stand Up While You Read This! NY Times
Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk LifeHacker
5 Songs for Sharks that Like AC/DC NPR (Via David Mak!)
This Woman Treats Every Week Like It's Shark Week The Mary Sue

AMRAP in 20 Minutes:
Run 400 meters
10 Handstand Push Ups*/**
*2 AbMat max for partials
**Push Press 135/95 otherwise

Post rounds and Rx to comments.

Coaches Chris & Jess Fox at this past weekend's CrossFit Endurance Cert

A Great from the Crate: Beat the Heat

This is a repost of an article from last year.  The next two days the temperature will be in the 90s so we thought it was worth reposting in full.  We want you to continue to train over the next few days and the coming summer months and we want you to train healthy and smart.  Here's how:

Beat the Heat!
You've no doubt noticed that it's getting hotter in the gym as we creep deeper into our first summer at Degraw Street.  This change of environmental conditions comes with some new responsibilities that we all need to be aware of.  The two biggest risks when working out in high or humid temperatures are dehydration and heat stroke.  Dehydration occurs when your body loses more water than it requires for normal functioning and heat stroke occurs when your body temperature rises faster than you can regulate.  Both of these conditions are very serious and can lead to sickness and even death in extreme cases.  That being said, you can do a few simple things to make sure you're safe while working out:

1. Hydrate! Drink cold water before, during and after you exercise.  We have water pitchers in the fridge for everyone to help themselves to.  We encourage everyone to bring their own reusable water container but also have cups available if you forget yours or don't own one.  Try to drink water at regular intervals, you want to be taking in more water than you're losing so don't wait until you're thirsty to start chugging.

2. Listen to your body  If you're feeling lightheaded, dizzy, nauseous, begin to cramp or display anything resembling fever symptoms, it's time to stop, cool-down and hydrate.   Sometimes during hard workouts we try to "push through the pain" but remember that putting yourself at risk in order to shave off an extra :15 seconds is both dangerous and contrary to why you're here in the first place. (to get fit!)

We also have ice in the freezer available in both cubes and cups that you can grab to eat, rub on your body (head,neck,chest, armpits..) put in your drinks or throw at Shane.  Additionally, I've ordered two industrial fans which should come in later this week.

If you've got any questions don't hesitate to ask one of the coaches or post to comments.

_______________________

Preparing for Masters: Jacinto Bonilla CrossFit
How to Wake Up and Feel Alert Mark's Daily Apple

There's more than one way….

Qualifiers are almost here! Help Wanted!

Regionals are set for June 16-19th at fancy the Reebok CrossFit facility in Canton, MA,  . This is the final Qualifier before the CrossFit Games in July.

Coaches David and Margie are on staff to organize and oversee the Judges and Athletes, as they have done for the past 2 years. We are looking for more Level 1's to join our volunteer Judging staff. We need folks who can uphold strict standards, work hard and give 100% focus. This is probably the most exciting job of the weekend since you get to be out on the competition floor in the middle of some fierce athletes.

Interested? Click here to learn more and register: http://cfnortheastjudges.eventbrite.com

Not a Level 1, but still want to be part of the weekend? Great! We need plenty of volunteers for important jobs such as scorekeeping, handling the athletes and set up/break down. Use the link above to sign up.

In the gym, No One Can Hear You Scream!

This Saturday, June 11th it's scary movie night at CFSBK! The Descent starts at 8pm and Ils starts at 10pm. 
Feel free to bring treats and drinks!

RSVP to Maggie G. at maggie.giorgio(AT)gmail.com

_______________________

What's your favorite thing to do in (or out of) the City in the summer? 
_______________________

What is America's Fittest City The Atlantic (via Hunter-Gatherer.com)
Mark Zuckerberg's New Challenge: Eating Only What He Kills CNN (via Hunter-gatherer.com)
How to Stay Motivated T-Nation

In teams of 2 complete the following for time:

100 Wall Ball 10' Target 20/14
100 Burpees
100 Box Jumps 24/20
100 Double Unders

Only one partner can be working at a time. Must be done chipper style.

Post time and Rx to comments.

Jack L. doing big things on the platform!

June's Athlete of the Month: Jack Levavi

It was only a matter of time before we got around to recognizing our most senior member, Mr. Jack
Levavi, aka, “Jackie-Boy”. Once I got him to believe that he actually was Athlete of the Month I found out he had a lot to share, so without further adieu…Jack!

Fox – So we’re sitting down for the interview now, do you finally believe me?

Jack – I guess. I thought you were pulling my chain. So now you ask me questions? Ok. Let’s go.

Fox – Alright, the beginning. How did you start CrossFit?

Jack – I had been doing the regular gym thing at an Equiniox for a while. I used to take spin classes which
I was really into for a while, and then I started taking this guy Eric Von Frohlich’s class called “Practice”.
I remember taking that class for the first time and being a mess. After the class Eric walked past me and
just told me to keep coming back, so I did. I did that for a while and really got into it and along the way
developed a relationship with him. That class taught me how to push myself. I still refer to him as “the
man who changed my life”. I eventually asked him what he did to stay in such good shape. He told
me, “the mother of all workouts, CrossFit”. I looked into it and found that there was a CrossFit gym here
in Brooklyn so eventually I gave it a shot. I forget what it was but that first workout over at the Lyceum
was a doosie. It was harder that I thought a workout could ever be (Shane confirms that it was Eva!!!). I remember Charmel, Allison, Jacinto, Jeremy and Shane being there cheering me on and probably
hoping I wouldn’t die on them! I didn’t come back for a while but when I did it was to stay. I was done
with “regular” gyms.

Fox – You in tights on a spin cycle, that’s all I can see right now… What was it like for you coming to
CrossFit after having been a gym regular for a while? Why did you stay?

Jack – CrossFit seemed like the right challenge and the vibe was great. I saw it to be much more effective and fun than my previous routines. It was cool to see all these super fit and nice people. I remember my first impression of Jeremy, that he was like some creature who was let out of his cage every once in a while to lift heavy weights. The lifting always impressed and intrigued me. I have to say that I think the skill set back then was simpler. We didn’t do muscle ups and handstand push ups and all of that stuff, and we did a LOT more burpees from what I can remember. When I first started I felt like a warrior all the time! One day I remember being on a pull up bar and feeling this rip in my shoulder. That was a scare. When I took a look at what was going on, with David Osorio’s help, I realized that I was being stubborn. I had joined this 100 day burpee challenge (1 burpee day 1, 2 on day 2, etc…) that folks were doing and David didn’t like it. I mean he didn’t like it for anybody. He explained to me that it was too much stress to put on the shoulders with too little recovery time and that it would lead to injury. This happened at about day 35 of the challenge. He pointed to Rob (Maldonado) who had recently had
shoulder surgery (after ignoring pain) and asked if I wanted to be that guy. I got the point and I listened
up. That’s also a big reason I stayed. I understood how much the coaches cared about us.

Fox – (hmmm…we must need more burpees in the programming…)Well that’s a good segue. You
eventually landed in Coach Jeremy’s Strength Intensive and haven’t really looked back. Talk to me about that.

Jack – Jeremy is such a good coach, I never question him. I just do what he tells me to. He’s passionate
about lifting, he shows up, and he’s never condescending. My time with him has showed me that the
barbell can be a valuable character builder. Like I said I always enjoyed the lifting. Maybe “enjoy” is the
wrong word but it IS satisfying. Being under that bar is tough but the numbers are absolute. Either you
move the weight and get stronger or you don’t, and then you can learn from the failure. It’s like the
barbell is a cursor, you know, like in the old DOS program? Remember that cursor that would just sit
there and blink, waiting for you to do something? That’s the barbell. It just sits there waiting. It’s really
satisfying when you conquer it.

Fox – I really like that analogy, I’m stealing it! What goals do you have from the Strength Intensives? Any more meets?

Jack – I don’t know if I’ll do another meet. It’s weird, being the only guy in my weight/age group means
I’ll medal every time. I’m not really competitive with others, more so with myself. My first meet I PR’d
all my lifts. In my second meet I missed all my lifts and STILL got a medal. That was a shitty day. Who
knows, maybe I’ll come back to group and do some more conditioning sometime soon to lose this belly.
First though I want to hit a 1000 lb CrossFit Total. That’s my current goal. I need another 40 lbs on my
squat and my deadlift. I’ll get there.

Fox – No doubt you will, Jackie. That’s an awesome goal! What about outside the gym. Any interesting pastimes, past or present?

Jack – I have another passion- I love fly fishing. There’s this whole sub-culture of people who fish in the
wee hours of the night and I used to do that. I’d get home from work and nap until about 10pm, head
to Jamaica Bay and fish until 7 or 8am, run home to shower and head to work. You meet some real
interesting characters out there in the middle of the night. Eventually I had to give up the nighttime
thing. Trust me, it doesn’t go well with working out. I still fly fish, but only by day, like a normal person.
Also, you won’t believe this…I used to teach yoga! When I was a rough-and-tumble young man I wound
up working in a program that used yoga as part of its treatment protocol for drug abuse. I learned hatha
yoga and I taught yoga for about a year to inmates at the Queens House of Detention. My real true
passion though is my family. I’m very family oriented and am fortunate to have been a large part of my
children’s lives. I have a lovely wife, Belinda, who has stood by me through thick and thin. Really I’m just a lucky guy to have such a wonderful family. And, in August we’re expecting our first grandchild. I truly enjoy my life.

Fox – Wait, first spin and now yoga???…That’s great stuff. It’s nice to hear someone truly happy. Alright, Jack, any sage advice from SBK’s elder statesman?

Jack – Listen to your coach. And listen to your body. Learn the difference between soreness and injury.

Fox – Great advice. Last thing. What do you think we should look for in a future Athlete of the Month?

Jack – Someone who’s willing to leave it all on the floor, and keeps coming back when it works and even
when it doesn’t. There are some really amazing people here in this gym, it’s a really special place. I’m
continually impressed with the people here and the things they do, amazing stuff.

————

Thanks again to Jack for sitting with me and also for all the entertainment and goodness he provided the gym throughout the years. If you didn’t know Jack Levavi before I hope you feel as if you do now. So, next time you hear that howl coming from the crazy old Jewish guy squatting with Jeremy at his side feel free to yell out “UP JACK, UP!!!”. And then give him a high five.

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CrossFit Games Regional Update 2.1 CrossFit
Muscle-up and Wall Ball Prep Mobility WOD

3 Rounds for time of:
Run 400m
21 KB Swings
12 Pull Ups

Post time and Rx to comments. 
Compare to 11.14.10

Noor A. Chips away during Murph

Be Scurred!

Scary Movie Night is next Saturday, June 11th.  We'll be showing tow great fright flicks "The Descent" at 8pm and "Ils" aka "Them" 10pm.

Feel free to bring your favorite movie snacks and drinks (Paleo or otherwise).  This event is the brainchild of Maggie G. who is bringing in her projector for night.  Come down to the gym and scream like a school girl.  

RSVP to Maggie.Giorgio(AT)gmail.com
_________________
What's your favorite benchmark/hero WOD and why? 
_________________
Your Gym Crossfit One World

Take 20 Minutes to find a 1RM Clean and Jerk

then,

"Grace"

For time:
30 Clean and Jerks 135/95

There is a 3 minute cap on this workout so choose a weight that allows you to complete all 30 reps in under 3 minutes. If you don't finish all reps:  score is reps completed, and row a 500 meter (NFT) penalty for each rep not completed. For example, if you only complete 26 reps you row a 2K.  Consider using ~60-70% of todays heaviest C&J.

Post time and Rx to comments.
Compare to 8.9.10 and 6.6.10

Greg N. Goes Chin Over Bar During Murph

Reminder there is NO 11am Teaser today

SBK T-Shirts are Back!

You asked for them!  Then you asked again…then you asked again.  And now the wait is over.  We've got a full stock of SBK t-shirts in both mens and ladies cuts as well as ladies tank tops.  Just in time for summer! 

Calling all CrossFitters with Level 1 certs: the Northeast Regional Qualifiers are coming up, and we need your help!

The big weekend will take place at Reebok's new, fancy CrossFit facility in Canton, MA, June 16-19, 2011. This is the final Qualifier before the CrossFit Games in July.

Coaches David and Margie are on staff to organize and oversee the Judges and Athletes, as they have done for the past 2 years. We are looking for more Level 1's to join our volunteer Judging staff. We need folks who can uphold strict standards, work hard and give 100% focus. This is probably the most exciting job of the weekend since you get to be out on the competition floor in the middle of some fierce athletes.

Interested? Click here to learn more and register: http://cfnortheastjudges.eventbrite.com

Not a Level 1, but still want to be part of the weekend? Great! We need plenty of volunteers for important jobs such as scorekeeping, handling the athletes and set up/break down. Use the link above to sign up.

_________________
The Latest 'Meat Causes Cancer Study' Balogna Fathead
Cal Strength's John North does Grace in 1:41 Youtube

Coach Jess Fox during Sectionals WOD #1

Underneath the Hoodie-Jess Fox
By Margie Lempert

DOB: 10/11/78
Height: 5' 4.25"
Weight: 140
Place of Birth: Coldwater, OH
Place of Higher Learning: Ohio U and Hunter College
Degree: Psychology
Years in NY:12
Years at SBK: 2

I had this totally idyllic movie playing in my head as Jess described her youthful self: a Scout-like little girl, settling for softball cause the boys wouldn't let her play baseball, coming home to Grandma and Uncle with leech covered toes, bailing hay on her neighbor's farm, watching them feed castrated pig bits to the dogs….

(Record skips. Room of people blink silently.) 

….You know, the scrappy, tomboy life.

Jess was always playing sports: basketball, soccer and, most of all, softball. In fact, she earned herself a softball scholarship at a local college, but she wanted to make her way out of Ohio, so after a stint at Ohio U, she came to NYC and Hunter College. And, oh yes, there was a boy…. (not Chris!).

Unfortunately, the boy didn't last (though they are still good friends), and Jess surprised her family by staying in NY. She worked her way through college with various jobs, but ended up sticking around at the Candle Cafe for quite a few years. This is where she met ole Fox. Now, when she started at Candle Cafe, Chris had left the place, so they didn't meet right away. But then he came back and was running the kitchen. Well, Jess decided she dug the Irish boy and pursued him until he finally agreed to go for drinks one night at Bull McCabes. And that, my friends, was it. They had to keep things on the DL for a little while at work, but eventually it all came out, they got married and, well… you know. Of course neither of them are at Candle Cafe anymore; Jess has worked for Administration for Children's Services since 2004.

In 2009, Chris found CrossFit and, consequently, so did Jess. Considering her history as an athlete, the challenge was right up her alley and she dug it right away: the community, the strength building and the competition. Jess relishes competition – she likes to see how she stacks up against other strong women and how she stacks up against herself over time. She loves to take on challenges; a recent BIG one was completing the NYC marathon. It was an amazing experience, though one she may not repeat anytime soon. After rocking the Ragnar Relay, she's got her eyes set on more down and dirty events, like Tough Mudder or (hopefully)  next year's CF Affiliate team.

Coaching is new for Jess, though an obvious outgrowth of her athletic background and connection to SBK's community. She gets a lot of satisfaction from motivating women, both as an example and as a coach. She claims she's shy and has a hard time using her Big Girl voice in class, but I don't know that many would agree. Nevertheless, she's eager to improve her skills in front of a crowd, so be sure to heckle her often so she can practice.

Parting Shots:
Jess still plays softball once a week with the Women's Softball League in Prospect Park.
She digs cleans, wall balls and running, but would rather not snatch or row.
She loves magnets.

Favorite way to eat eggs:
Over easy with rye toast
_________________

Barefoot Running Style Dr. Mark Cucuzella
Homemade Bacon Primal Pantry

4 Rounds for Time of:
25 American KB Swing 32/20kg
20 OHS 75/55
15 Pull Ups

Post time and Rx to comments.

Sameer and Guest Carmelo during Murph

Happy Birthday to Kiki P. and Whitney H.!!!

No Teaser Class this Weekend

There is NO teaser class this Saturday, June 4.  Teasers will resume next Saturday, June 11th at 11am.   

The Heat is On

We're in the midst of a heatwave and it looks like we're in for a long hot summer.  Please re-read our "Beat the Heat" article on how to stay healthy and hydrated during high temperature training days. 

Congratulations to SBK's Starting Strength Coaches!

A big shout out to coaches Chris Fox and Margie L., Michele K., Rob I., Debbie P., and Alec H. for being certified as Starting Strength Coaches by Mark Rippetoe.  The 3-day certification course and the accompanying exam are rigorous and passing requires a real command of the material.  Congratulations to each of you on your achievement!

Do You like Scary Movies?? 

On Saturday, June 11 SBK is hosting a horror film double feature!  That's right, not one but TWO terrifying tales meant to shock, scare and keep you up at night. 

BSQ
5-5-5
Find a new 5RM!  Athletes will use their rest periods to do any pec/shoulder prep for their handstand work

Post loads to comments.
(e8/8) compare to 4.20.11 and 3.30.11

Handstand Push-up
1x Max reps or 1x Max Handstand Hold
Athletes doing a static hold should leave enough time to dismount safely

Post reps/time to comments.
(e4/4) compare to 5.9.11

Accessory Work

Foam Roll/Lax Ball your problem areas

The Shirt that Launched a Thousand Gun Shows…Ladies Tanks are BACK! 

Happy Birthday Traci T.!

Today are the last exposures of of BSQ and HSPU for the cycle.  We hope the last month of hard work pays off in PRs and refined technique!  Before today's squats please read/re-read Coach Margie's article "Getting Ready to Squat" to get your mind right! 

Our Casa is Your Casa

I've got good news and I've got bad news.  The bad news is we don't have a maid.  The good news is that we're all adults and can clean up after ourselves!  Everyone is generally pretty good about cleaning up their weight plates and gym tools and we ask that you do the same with your glasses, water bottles and dishwear you use while at the gym. 

So please if you use one of the glasses or make a post-WOD snack clean up your mess.  Also, don't forget to floss and please don't swim within 30 minutes of eating. Thanks!

_________________

As this cycle comes to a close, what workout stands out as your favorite and/or where have you made the most progress? (can be either a conditioning piece or a strength movement)?
_________________

Coping with Injury: Learning from a Couple of CrossFit Hipsters StrongerFasterHealthier
A Higher Order of Thinking CrossFit One World
The Claim: Is a Diet High in Protein Bad for Your Kidneys?  NY Times
A Good Night's Sleep Isn't a Luxury; It's a Necessity NY Times

Josh L. & Portia chillin' like villains post-Murph

Bon Voyage to fearless leader David O and Mike R. who are heading to Ecuador for the next two weeks!

Hey Mon, Time to go to Work!

We are back on our regular class schedule today! 6a & 7a, 5p, 6p and On-Ramp and Foundations are all on! 

I Missed Murph and All I Got was this Awesome T-Shirt

If you weren't able to make it in for Murph this weekend don't fret you can still get one of our limited edition Murph T-shirts!  It's the perfect t-shirt for making up Murph on your own.  We've got ladies cuts and all sizes are still in stock!

_______________________

What was the highlight of your weekend?
_______________________

Regional Update 1.1 Crossfit
Regional Update 1.2 Crossfit
8 Reasons to Why People Drink Soda and 16 Reasons to Stop Drinking it EMed Expert