Happy Birthday Coach Jess Fox!
(Thanks Nick A for the blinging her up)

We also wish a belated Happy Birthday to stand-up guy David McG!

Participate in the Barbells for Boobs Annual Fundraiser at CFQ!

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.

Check this link to register!

November Late Morning Foundations+Learn the Ropes Class

The second Late Morning Foundations starts in just a few weeks and is now open for registration.  This cycle is super cool in that participants get a free off-peak times Learn the Ropes Class (a $75 dollar value) with our next door neighbors Brooklyn Boulders.  For the full details on just what Learn the Ropes is click HERE. You can register for the cycle at the link below!

November Late Morning Foundations 
+ Brooklyn Boulders “Learn the Ropes” Course
11/3/11 – 11/28/11
Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:00am-10:15am
Register Here!

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What do you know now about Crossfit/training/CFSBK that you wish you’d known in Foundations?
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More than You Wanted to Know About Rice FITBOMB
Trigger Point 101 My Athletic Life

3 Rounds for Time of:
Row 400
21 Kettlebell Swings 2p/20k
15 Burpees

Post time and Rx to comments.

Mike M. rows a hole in the space/time continuum

8AM Group Classes Start this Week! 

Because 9-5 jobs are so 20th century we’ve added THREE 8am group classes!  8am group classes will meet Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays starting today October 10th.  We hope you’ll join us!

Tough Titsday Intermediate Cycle

Ladies, it is time to go heavy. Join Margie for a special four part series on pushing big weight. We will refine technique on Squat, Deadlift, Bench and Press and, most importantly, break down the mental aspect of moving maximal loads. Together, we will develop a solid sense of how to translate your linear gains at SBK into that triumphant 1 Rep Max. Classes will involve low volume and heavy bars, as well as an introduction to some assistance lifts and equipment. This is an opportunity to dude out in a women’s only environment.

For women who have been out of Foundations several months and attempted heavy singles.

Limited to 4 participants, please email margie@crossfitsouthbrooklyn.com if interested. 

Sundays from 9-10:30am
10/16; 10/23; 10/30; 11/6
Register Here!

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Is She Right and We are All Wrong? CrossFit One World
A Little Deception Helps Push Athletes to the Limit NY Times

For Time:
3 Barbell Ground To Overheads
3 Pull-Ups
6 Barbell Ground To Overheads
6 Pull-Ups
9 Barbell Ground To Overheads
9 Pull-Ups
12 Barbell Ground To Overheads
12 Pull-Ups
9 Barbell Ground To Overheads
9 Pull-Ups
6 Barbell Ground To Overheads
6 Pull-Ups
3 Barbell Ground To Overheads
3 Pull-Ups

There is a 12 minute cap on this workout.

Post time and load to comments.

Who Stacked The Boxes?!

Gym Equipment Etiquette Reminders

While not at all comprehensive, these pointers can help your rack up credibility points at the gym.

Plyo Box Storage: For years we’ve told you, “DON’T STACK THE BOXES!!!” because they get wedged on top of each other and end up stuck together… well we take it back! Josh M put some carpet material on the inside of each box (thanks Josh!) so now you CAN stack them without fear of a coach reprimanding you. We’ve also painted some numbers on the boxes.  When you put them back, please organize them as seen above with the red numbers facing forward.

White Boards: We often do workouts that require you to track rounds or reps on the fly.  To make your life a little easier we cut up some whiteboards into little tablets for personalized use (Thanks DMak!).  Two points of etiquette with these. 1. Please erase your board after you’re done with it. 2. If the workout requires you to track rounds (as opposed to reps) please write a bunch of dashes on the board and use your finger to track completed rounds.  Keeping the marker uncapped during the workouts dries them out.

Erg (Rower) Handles: When you’re done with an erg, please put the handle all the way back in the window.  We know it seems intuitive to house them in the little dock that concept 2 provided but if you leave them there too long it weakens the spring that provides recoil on the handle.  The small dock is only for rest periods or partner transitions.

Bumpers: When you’re breaking down your barbells make sure to put them back in an orderly stack. If you’re the first person back to a low set of bumpers and the PVC holder is down, put it back so all the remaining bumps can be stacked properly. Also- whenever classes are large and we’re running low on weight, try to use the largest bumpers available.  For example, if you’re squatting 165, your bar should have a pair of 45s and a pair of 15s on it. Not 25s, then a bunch of 10s and change.

Bailing: Bailing is a necessary part of lifting heavy and metcons but don’t go crazy with it.  People can get a little bail-friendly and drop weight they could have just as easily put down under control.  Excessive dropping puts wear on the bumpers AND the bars. You’ve no doubt noticed the bumpers with big cracks and no metal inserts in them.  Why is that? Too much bailing! Also- it should go without saying but NEVER bail an empty bar, these will quickly destroy the finest barbells.

What are some of your personal Pet Peeves when it comes to home organization?

5×3
Add 5-10 lbs to last week as appropriate

Post loads to comments.
(e4) compare to 10.1.11

3 Rounds of:
1:00 Couch Stretch, Each Leg
10 Get Up Sit-Ups, Each Side

Justin Z (JZ1) on Push Presses

8am Group Classes

Starting this week CFSBK will be hosting 8am Group Classes every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday (our non rest days) for all you early (but not too early) birds. As always, keep tabs on the Class Schedule Page to see upcoming activity on the CFSBK Calendar

Getting Ready To Squat

By Coach Margie

When you approach a loaded bar, make the decision to be there. Develop your Set Up. This is not the time to saunter up, ease yourself into position and expect to manage maximal loads successfully. As strong as you may be, if you are not mentally prepared to own the barbell, well… the barbell will win every time.

As simple as squatting is, it takes all your guts to do it right.

There are two parts to your Set Up: getting underneath the bar, and preparing to squat it.

Getting underneath the bar:

1)     Mentally psych yourself up to lift the weight. Get mad, excited, juiced, pumped, jump around, curse at the bar, or go deep within yourself and find that quiet place of absolute certainty. Whatever. Experiment to find your intensity and focus.

2)     Now, get underneath the bar and get a good strong rack position. Make sure the bar is wedged in tight between your hands and your shoulders. Build stability by finding tension in your upper body: remember this is where the weight will sit, so you want to create a firm shelf, not some namby pamby, twiggy little thing that will snap in two. If you have a low bar rack, raise your elbows up behind you, and push the heels of your hands against the bar. If you have a high bar rack, grip the bar tightly and push up against it.

3)     Take a big breath into your belly, hold it and bear down. Your stomach should get fatter. Now squeeze your butt and stand up confidently with the weight on your back.

4)     Walk back two or three steps and set your feet.

Preparing to squat:

1)     Let the bar settle on your shoulders.

2)     Make sure your rack position is still tight.

3)     Take another big breath into your belly and bear down. Get fat!

4)     Now SQUAT!

This is your ritual; use it every time you play with a barbell.

Happy lifting!

Want to see how some of the best in the world get ready to squat? Watch This Video!

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Steve Jobs’ 2005 Stanford Commencement Address
Breaking Bad… Habits CrossFit Invictus

Jenna M, Allison B and Coach Margie at the CrossFit Gymnastics Certification (2009)

Harvest Party at Herondale Farm this Sunday!

There’s still time to decide to head up to the farm this Sunday for Herondale and Sol Flower’s Harvest Fest. There will be good food, farm tours, bluegrass and gorgeous weather! Jeremy and Margie will leave the gym around 11:30am and plan to head back to the city around 8pm. If you are interested in joining, they have a couple of seats in the van. Contact Margie if you would like a spot, or if you have a car and can transport folks. Click here for more information!

Tough Titsday Returns!
Intermediate Cycle

Ladies, it is time to go heavy. Join Margie for a special four part series on pushing big weight. We will refine technique on Squat, Deadlift, Bench and Press and, most importantly, break down the mental aspect of moving maximal loads. Together, we will develop a solid sense of how to translate your linear gains at SBK into that triumphant 1 Rep Max. Classes will involve low volume and heavy bars, as well as an introduction to some assistance lifts and equipment. This is an opportunity to dude out in a women’s only environment.

For women who have been out of Foundations several months and attempted heavy singles.

Limited to 4 participants, please email margie@crossfitsouthbrooklyn.com if interested.

Sundays from 9-10:30am
10/16; 10/23; 10/30; 11/6
Register Here!
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Chris Spealer and Miranda Oldroyd do Tabata Double Unders CrossFit
Positive Thinking, And Other Crap Like That Catalyst Athletics
Weight Loss Plan Lacks ‘Evidence’ BBC
Steve Jobs NY Times

As Many Rounds As Possible In 20 Minutes of:
45 Double-Unders
3 Hang Power Cleans 155/95
1 Push Jerk 155/95

The barbell couplet must be completed without putting the bar down. Any bailing before finishing the jerk nullifies that entire round. “Finishing the Jerk” means that the bar must be locked out overhead and stable for a 2 count before dropping it.
For example, if you perform 45 doubles, 3 Cleans and then miss your jerk you’ll have to start over at the first double under again.

Post Rx and Rounds to comments.

Ever wonder what happens at the gym when we’re not running classes?

Kipping Pull-Up Progression Videos

Yesterday we detailed a method for you to work Kipping Pull-Up practice into the standardized warm-ups. Today you can see a video of what the mature version of each level looks like
Level 1 Mature
Level 2 Mature
Level 3 Mature*

The pull-up version seen in level 3 is probably not what you’ll do in a workout.  These are kipping pull-ups with a stalled finish.  As mentioned yesterday, the stall develops some strength at the top and gives you a moment to push away and start a new cycle.  The stall is not necessary if you can comfortably get your chin over the bar and link them together consistently.

Remember that 8am classes will start next week, they’ll be held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays only. Check the Class Schedule page for any and all upcoming schedule changes
__________________
Healthy Baby Code Talk To Me Johnnie
The Power Snatch: Uses and Cautions Catalyst Athletics
Parallette Shoot-through CrossFit
Air squats too hard? Try Guided Assistance Technology!

2 Reps On The Minute for 10 Minutes
Add 5-10lbs from last week

Post loads to comments.
(e4/6) compare to 9.28.11

3 Rounds for time of:
20 Overhead Walking Lunges, 55/35
Run 400m

Post Rx and load to comments.

Joy M Goes Overhead

Warm-Up Strategies For Developing Kipping Pull-Ups

We’ve seen people make great progress with our standardized warm-ups over last 2 months.  Here we’ve outlined a plan to start incorporating regular kipping pull-up skill work into your warm-ups.  Like any other skill, you’ll need regular practice to develop mastery of the movement. That being said, don’t go overboard with this, I wouldn’t be swinging on the bar more than 4 times per week. The progression below is broken into 3 steps based on your skill level.  Don’t advance to the next step until you’ve mastered the previous one. This may take several weeks so be patient!

Level 1, The Kip Swing: Add 5-8 Kip Swings before each set of pull-ups during Warm-Up 1. Otherwise you can do 1-2 sets of kip swings when you finish Warm-Up 2. Progress to Level 2 after you can consistently string these together with a nice “pop” on the back end.

Points of Performance
– Make sure you’ve got the right grip. If your palms feel like they’re being pinched you need to readjust.
– Always start from a static deadhang with a tight body and active shoulders.
– The kip should feel fluid and “springy”. Try to ride the momentum you create
– Before moving to Level 2, ask a coach to access your kip swing.

LEVEL 1 VIDEO DEMO

Level 2, The Dynamic Pull and Mature Finish: Now that you’ve mastered the kip swing and have found the weightless “pop” on the back end, try to reopen your hip and get over the bar. Make it your goal to use momentum, not pulling strength to finish the pull-up. When you get over the bar, hold the top for a 2 count. This will help you establish a mature finish position. Lower yourself down and reset.  Perform 5 reps in Warm-Up 1 instead of your normal pull-ups and do 1-2 sets of 3 reps at the end of Warm-Up 2

Points of Performance
– Don’t slow down your kip swing before you attempt to get over. This is a common mistake.  A bigger kip will make the pull-up easier
– You’ll have to reset after each rep. Kip swing > Dynamic Pull-Up > Hold over the bar for a 2 count > lower down and start over.
– You haven’t completed this step until you can consistently get over the bar in one fluid motion.  Any stalling, slowing down or extra little kicks to get over constitute a work in progress on level 2.
– Have a coach look at your progress before moving to Level 3.

LEVEL 2 DEMO VIDEO

Level 3, Stringing Them Together: Now that you can kip over the bar you need to work on linking them together. If you’ve been diligent about holding the top of the pull-up, you’ll have plenty of time to work on Pushing away back into your kip swing. Once you can link 2 together, incrementally add reps until you can link 10 together. Watch the video at the bottom of this article to see this in real time.

Points of Performance
– You don’t need to lose the momentary pause at the top of the pull-up. In fact, the ability to do this indicates that you’re all the way over the bar.  Sometimes folks develop a kipping pull-up and need to reach with their chin to get just over the bar, this is not a complete kipping pull-up. Try to get the bar to neck level.
– This step is all about timing and rhythm. If you lose your balance or develop a pendulum swing, stop and reset.
– Be patient! Developing your pull-ups is going to take some time.  The good news is that its’ MUCH harder to get from 0-2 kipping pull-ups than it is to get from 2-10 so once you find your rhythm it’s just a matter of consistent practice to pile on the reps.

LEVEL 3 DEMO VIDEO

Watch these videos (Kipping Pull-Ups Part 1 and Part 2) to see some of these progressions broken down. As always, ask a coach if you need any help with these steps!

CFSBK Newsletter

This month’s newsletter is going out soon and will include an article by Coach Chris Fox on strategies for opening your hip and ankle to prevent knee pain (Or squat deeper).  To sign up for the newsletter, simply enter your email address below the CrossFit Journal link in the right column of this page.  Get stoked!

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Check out these Free CFJ vidoes of Greg Glassman talking to Fast Company:
The Origins of CrossFit
Community Support
What is CrossFit?

Jenna J’s “Finish” Position

8am Group Classes Announced!

You asked for them.. now you’ve got them.  Starting next week we’ll be adding three 8am classes to our schedule.  Now you’d better all show up!

New Classes:
Monday 8am
Wednesday 8am
Thursday 8am

As always, check out Class Schedule page to see updates to the calendar and holiday/event closings.

Come See Krishnan’s Film!

Our own Krishnan V made a documentary about New York’s recycling problem.  It’s screening at the Park Slope Food Coop (free, no Coop membership required) this Friday, October 7th at 7pm.  To watch the trailer, click here!

What was a recent training related highlight for you? What was a recent non-training related highlight for you?
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Legs Too Large? WTF? Talk To Me Johnnie
Roundtable: Training Through and Around Injuries Starting Strength
The Gymnastics Kipping Pull-Up CrossFit Journal Preview
Damaged by Drink: The Toll Alchohol Takes On Our Bodies BBC
Is Junk Food Really Cheaper? NY Times

Take 20 Minutes to work up to a heavy single on the Clean.

Post loads to comments.
compare to 7.23.11

Take 15 Minutes to work on Front Levers

Post experience to comments.

Steph P’s Box Jumps

Good luck to our 9am Foundations Class Starting Today!

CrossFit South Brooklyn Levels

Earlier this year we posted some CrossFit Levels to help assist you with goal setting and assessing your strengths and weaknesses.  Today’s workout has two movements that show up on the levels test.  See you how stack up today!

Cleans:

Level 2:
Men 75% BW x1
Women 60% BW x1

Level 3:
Men 100% BWx1
Women 75% BWx1

Level 4:
Men 125% BW
Women 100% BW

Level 5:
Men 150% BW
Women 125% BW

Levers/Ring Work

Level 2:
Able to get fully inverted on Rings without spot or heel hooking straps

Level 3:
Able to hold a mature Ring Support for :20

Level 4:
Single Leg Tuck Front or Back lever held at Horizontal for :05

Level 5:
Mature Front or Back Lever Held at Horizontal for :05

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Confused what the “3 Pulls” in olympic style weightlifting are?  Don’t know a hang clean from a power clean? Watch this video from Catalyst Athletics to find out
Eat Like A Man With Steve Pan Cathletics

Bench Press
5-5-5

then,

Partner WOD
AMRAP 15 minutes
5 Ring Push Ups*
10 KB Swings
15 Box Jumps
One partner working at a time, one round at a time.
*Ring Push Ups – Standard or knee or elevated (as available space-wise) Push Ups
For the KB Swings and the Box Jumps, choose a scale that keeps both you and your partner moving

Post loads and rounds to comments.

Coach Fox going for a HEAVY Zercher

Help Shanna H. isn’t just running a Marathon she’s helping NYC Schools!

Shanna H. has been training her face off for the upcoming NYC Marathon and she’s hoping that her efforts will benefit NYC schools as well.  She is working to raise funds to benefit local schools:

Now, more than ever the New York City Public Schools need money to help make up for the budget shortfalls. I pledge to run, sweat, ache, pant, run some more, and do whatever it takes to beat my previous marathon time of 4:43 in this year’s marathon. In return I ask that you donate whatever you can to help out the schools. Even $1 would help. Thanks so much for your support!

If you’d like to support the cause please check out the link here.  Shanna also has a Facebook page dedicated to the cause here. 

One Slot Left in October AM Foundations

Foundations have been selling like hotcakes and there is one slot left in the October Morning cycle.  If you’re interested in joining this cycle you can contact us at info(AT)crossfitsouthbrooklyn.com.  The cycle starts 10/11/11 and meets Tue/Thu at 7am until 11/3/11. 

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Simple and Slick WOD Tracking & Sharing WODStack