Friday, December 4, 2009
Tomorrow
Thursday, December 3, 2009
"Strong" vs. "Fit"
STRONG:
1 : having or marked by great physical power
5 a : striking or superior of its kind
7 : not mild or weak : extreme, intense
9 : moving with rapidity or force
11 a : not easily injured or disturbed : solid b : not easily subdued or taken
FIT:
1 a (1) : adapted to an end or design : suitable by nature or by art (2) : adapted to the environment so as to be capable of surviving
2 a : put into a suitable state : made ready
3 : sound physically and mentally : healthy
I like 'em. Especially STRONG 1, 7 and 11 and all the definitions of FIT, especially the end of 2b.
We provide a broad, inclusive strength & conditioning fitness program that increases your ability to be both STRONG and FIT. We can only achieve this by defining the end goal. That's why I have you keep a journal. That's why I ask you to write your goals in the front of it.
WOD
"LYNNE"
5 rds for max reps:
bench press, BW
pullups
FINISHER
for time:
500m row
We'll talk about callus care tonight. Something to add to your wishlist this holiday season!
QOD
If General Physical Preparedness (GPP) is what we generally train for, is the bench press a valid training tool? Are barbell presses (strict, push, jerks), handstand pushups, pushups (and it's variations) enough for our pushing skill?
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Call to Action
from CrossFitLumberjack.org:
Many in the CrossFit community were affected by the tragic shootings at Fort Hood, but none as directly as one of our affiliates, Lumberjack Crossfit . Four members of that affiliate were killed.
CrossFit is launching a hero WOD fundraiser for our four fallen Soldiers. On December 5th, we are asking affiliates and individuals to do two things: participate in the workout (as a display of solidarity with Lumberjack CrossFit) and to reach out to family, friends, and strangers to donate whatever you can.
With the help of the CrossFit community, we can assist the men and women at Ft. Hood and Lumberjack CrossFit to raise money for the families of the fallen, and the future needs of the approximately 30 wounded.
The long-term needs of these families and the wounded are significant; many of the wounded are still in intensive care. Most will not fully recover from being shot multiple times at near point blank range with a .357.
Our community clearly has the ability and commitment to make a difference for these folks. Let’s turn out on the 5th and show our support by registering as a fundraiser now.Donate here. Even if it's only $10, it'll help.
We will run the "Lumberjack 20" WOD this Saturday in honor of what has happened. Let's honor those at Fort Hood. Let's honor SPD Officer Tim Brenton. Let's honor the four slain Lakewood Police: Sgt. Mark Renninger, Ofc. Ronald Owens, Ofc. Tina Griswold, and Ofc. Greg Richards.
Let's show our strength as a community.
WOD
AMRAP in 20 min:
12 hang power snatches, 30kg/20kg
10 pushups
Burgener warm-up beforehand. Use an empty bar if you can. PVC/wooden dowel for those not comfortable enough yet.
QOD
I implore you. When's the last time you helped out someone in need?
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Tasty Tuesdays: Week 2 of SRTWC
I never did, but I'm glad that people are working towards a healthier lifestyle. I've heard some nasty stuff about it though. Here's an insightful article from the New York Times.
When more than 40 former contestants from “The Biggest Loser” gather Wednesday for a reunion television special, the winner of the program’s first season, Ryan C. Benson, who lost 122 of his 330-pound starting weight, will be absent. Mr. Benson is now back above 300 pounds but he thinks he has been shunned by the show because he publicly admitted that he dropped some of the weight by fasting and dehydrating himself to the point that he was urinating blood.Whoa there. I guarantee CrossFit won't make you pee blood. We want you to learn proper mechanics of movement, become consistent in them, then ramp up to a relative intensity. We teach you nutritional habits in quality and quantity. You'll never be forced into losing weight with us or any other CF affiliate.
Read the rest of the article for some dangerous situations contestants have been in, medical professionals disagreeing with the show's tactics, and other "dark side" things the show doesn't put on air. Eh.
ROD
From The Paleolithic Eating Support List's Recipe Collection.
30 Minute Dill-Baked Salmon
---------------------------
4 salmon fillets (each 6 ounces)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
4 lemon slices
3 chopped shallots
1 chopped garlic clove
2 tablespoons olive oil
fresh spinach
2 cups lightly packed basil
1/4 cup broth or stock
Place salmon fillets on baking pan.
Mix salt and pepper; sprinkle half over fish with lemon juice and chopped fresh dill.
Top with lemon slices.
Bake at 350F for 15 minutes.
Sauté shallots and chopped garlic clove in olive oil for 6 minutes.
Add [two 10-ounce packages] fresh spinach and basil; cook 8 minutes.
Add remaining salt mixture and broth or stock.
Boil for 4 minutes.
Serve salmon on greens.
Are you taking your fish oil supplements at every meal? If you've been in class then you've heard me ramble all about how it's the miracle drug that everyone wants and no one is taking. GET ON IT. And eat more fish. Please. If you take fish oil you'll never appear on The Biggest Loser.
WOD
4 rds for time:
400m run
50 squats
Sub-10 minutes is your goal! Even with our 400m+ run.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Body Comp
In contemporary fitness when you join a big box gym, they'll give you a complementary body composition test, either by a skinfold caliper test or an electronic impedance test. They'll tell you an absurd % and ask you if you've ever worked with a trainer before. To those who were in big box gyms before CF, does any of this sound familiar?
Like CrossFit, the American College of Sports Medicine has it's own "components of fitness":
- Cardiorespiratory Fitness
- Muscular Strength and Muscular Endurance
- Flexibility
- Body Composition
Again, do those numbers really matter?
Or does your ability to move up some stairs matter more? Does picking up objects (heavy, not that heavy) and moving them with relative ease matter more? When your energy levels improve and you have more mental clarity, does that matter more? When your favorite pair of jeans become ill-fitting and you look better naked, doesn't that matter more?
A picture speaks a thousand words. Let yours do the same. BEFORE photos all week.
WOD
Hang Power Clean 1-1-1
Front Squat 3-3-3
for time:
100 double unders
75 kettlebell swings, 24kg/16kg
50 box jumps, 24"/17.5"
25 burpees
Does BF% matter for someone who wants to improve fitness?
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Black Friday
- We all know what the holiday season does to our bodies (see: get slow. and fat)
- Why not keep each other accountable by working as a team to achieve a higher echolon of health & fitness?
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving
WOD
Your choice!
for reps:
Bottom-to-bottom Tabata Squats
(need a tabata timer? CLICK HERE!)
OR
for time:
100 burpees
FINISHER
Go outside and play!
Ladies and Gentlemen
WOD
"NANCY"
5 rds for time:
400m run
15 overhead squats, 44kg/30kg
QOD
Do you like running? Why or why not?
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Stay Right Through Winter Nutritional Guides
First, download these (in this order):
Monday, November 23, 2009
Let's Begin.
I hope you are as fired up and excited for the possibilities as we are! Today is the beginning of The Stay Right Through Winter Challenge (SRTWC). Six weeks of health, fitness and progress designed to keep everyone "proper" through the holidays and the winter months. A lot of people let this time of the year hold them back, but not us! No sir-ee Bob!
We can (re)build you. We have the technology.
... and knowledge!
WOD:
Deadlift 1-1-1
as many rds as possible in 10 min:
5 pullups
10 pushups
15 squats
Discover your one-rep maximum. By the end of the SRTWC, this should go up substantially.
Link of the Day (LOD):
This is what we're going to move our tracking, class, and payment system to. Peruse this site please.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Saturday
We will not be in the gym today, so get going on your own! Make up a WOD or do this one, rain or shine.
WOD:
Run 5k
Simple. The hard part is doing it. Throw on some proper gear and get outside.
AOD:
courtesy Again Faster
Evolution
The contention, like most that endure, made perfect sense. Get too strong, and your endurance will suffer. Too much endurance, and your strength will drop. You can’t have everything.
Fortunately, perfect sense and reality do not always occupy the same space, their neat relationship thrown askew by the inexorable march of athletic evolution.
The fact that we missed: previous feats of athleticism will always be surpassed. Sprinters will sprint faster, lifters will lift more. Quarterbacks will throw more accurately, batters will hit more home runs. CrossFitters will get stronger and faster.
For the first time, we’re seeing the strong, the fast, the enduring, occupying the same space. The guy with the 5-minute mile is deadlifting 500 pounds. He’s putting out half a horsepower for ten straight minutes. He’s jumping four feet in the air. He’s running eighty miles. He is world class; his accomplishments are not a compromise.
Simultaneously, we are seeing adaption to imposed demand that does not follow traditional pathways. Now, the strongest are not the largest, the fastest not the most waiflike. Strength is achieved through increased neurological efficiency rather than mass. Speed is achieved by getting stronger, not running more. Athletes are borne from variety rather than specificity, exhibiting unheard of strength-to-bodyweight ratios.
We are throwing training on its ear, and this is just the beginning. This discipline is in its infancy, still far from widespread, still the province of few. There may come a day when our definition of fitness is not a compromise, when we no longer sacrifice mastery in one domain for competency in many, instead choosing mastery in all.
That day has started to dawn.
Josh Wagner fights 485 in Aromas. Picture courtesy of CrossFit.com.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Prepared?
Throughout the challenge I will be posting the WOD Monday through Saturday. You've been taught the majority of these movements (if not, I suggest going to our Foundations On-Ramp program).
If you cannot perform the movement as prescribed, please do not be afraid to modify. I'd rather have you moving than spending 10 minute on one rep.
Spending 8 min is okay (;
WOD:
"ANGIE"
for time:
100 pullups
100 pushups
100 situps
100 squats
One of the benchmark girls! Time to fill up the Leaderboard. Finish all pullups before moving onto the pushups, and so on. Full range of motion on each exercise. Hold the standard. Scale as needed (50 or 75 reps)
QOD:
While speaking of nutrition, the more wholesome and truly natural (unchanged from the Earth) the food is, the better. If you've ever heard of Gerson Therapy, they say that eating natural foods and some other natural "methods" can cure disease, like cancer, diabetes, heart disease and arthritis. I googled (is that really a verb now?) Gerson because of the movie The Beautiful Truth. I don't believe that you can cure such serious diseases with diet (and enemas?*), but something should be said in living a healthier lifestyle and fueling your body with nutritious natural-occuring foods- not something a scientist created in a lab which is 70%-90% corn product.
This is what the CrossFit/Paleo/Primal/Zone diet, etc. stand behind: treat the PROBLEM, not the SYMPTOM. People get so caught in fixing the stink of the smelly person by changing their clothes and never making the victim shower. The entire drug and food industry is controlled by people who want to make money. Telling people to be responsible for their own health by eating readily available produce would make them nothing.
You are the hero of your own story.
You're obviously committing to making fitness a lifestyle priority, but how is your nutrition?
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
The Secret Garden
The Secret Garden
By Crystal Hanes, TV reporter and CrossFit Milford member
Have you ever read The Secret Garden?
It's the story of a little British boy who spends his whole life being told he was too sick to walk, to play, or to go outside.
The truth was he hadn't ever been given the chance to try. Everyone was too afraid he'd die on the spot.
Staring through the sallow yellow plastic of the isolation tent in the hospital room of the children's ward I had been admitted to more times then I celebrated birthdays; my seven year mind mind thought I was like that little boy. I thought I was being told I was sick, couldn't play or go outside when I was really okay. I could unhook the I.V., remove my oxygen mask, leave my plastic prison and play outside in the secret garden.
The truth was I was very sick and in months spent in isolation, my yellow plastic prison was almost my yellow plastic coffin.
But my child's mind wrapped moments like that in imagination and adventures of characters in books. But it did shape my life.
I spent the next eight years on asthma medications and steroids; kept inside and being told I was fragile. And while I became very adept at reading, I was also being a very skilled eater and soon knew what it was to be the fat kid.
By high school, I was off the steroids and thinned out a bit, but dozens of asthma attacks and a lung capacity of a little under 90% put sports far down on the list of possibilities. I was the smart kid, little geeky, that could talk you to death.
It's a state of mind knowing, believing you could never be athletic.
Flash forward to about three years ago; back in the hospital I was born in, dying of a post- surgery infection. On a diet of Chef Boyardee, frozen meals and soda. It was my second in four months and at 118 pounds, 5 foot 9 inches and a fever of 104, I was at my weakest.
Lying in another hospital room, I made a choice. I'd never be that weak or fragile again. I'd be stronger than ever before.
I started at the gym, hitting the elliptical and the occasional class, even going to a trainer for a bit. But nothing gave me the results I had wanted and gave me the guidance in changing my eating habits to get those results.
It wasn't until one very early, fateful morning in May where I discovered the thing that would change my life, forever. CrossFit.
As my news van pulled into the industrial complex, I didn't know what to expect.
After a few words about the format of the show and being dared to do a pull-ups on television by my colleague, I tried one.
After doing a few jumping pull-ups with a 24 inch box I thought, "Maybe I could do this."
What sealed the deal was Jason and Jocelyn's enthusiasm and know-how on the human body. It was very impressive to a professional information gatherer, and was what struck me the most.
They weren't selling a potion or a fad phrase. They were selling common sense. They were selling an unwavering belief in my ability to excel at their gym; in my ability to be an athlete. They were selling, unconsciously, hope.
And I have never been let down. I have never looked back.
After a week, I was sore from running, exhausted from burpees, calloused from lifting weights and completely hooked. It wasn't just the workouts that forced me to challenge my core beliefs in what I could physically do, but the education in eating and the continuous support from the members of the gym.
Running my first 400 meters, I was actually startled to see others cheering me on; some even coming back to run with me after they had finished their workout. They didn't know me at all. All they knew is that for an hour we were all one team, with the same goal: to finish and finish strong. In that hour and the hours afterward, I knew what it was to be on that team. (Could there perhaps, be something to the magic of the letterman jacket other than to make the geek-a-zooids like myself green with envy? Yes. Yes there was. And now there is the CrossFit tee!)
On my six month anniversary, as I cross the finish line of my first race, I'm reminded of my seven year old self; in my yellow plastic prison, wondering if it was possible to play outside.
This day, I know it is . . . and much more.
It's possible to deadlift 240 pounds.
It's possible to medication free.
It's possible to have a lung capacity above 90%.
It's possible to do a pull-up.
It's possible to eat healthy without feeling like you're missing out on anything, because food is for fuel, and a long healthy life with your loved ones is the treat.
It's possible to go from no running, to running a 5K.
It's possible to run.
It's possible to be an athlete.
It's possible to sit and play and laugh and be healthy in the garden.
And there are no words for the feeling . . . and it's all because of CrossFit.
Thoughts? Post to comments.
WOD:
"FIGHT GONE BAD"
In this workout you move from each of five stations after a minute. This is a five-minute round from which a one-minute break is allowed before repeating. We will repeat this for three rounds. The stations are:
- Wall-ball: 20lbs/14lbs, 10' target
- Sumo deadlift high-pull: 75lbs/53lbs
- Box Jump: 20"
- Push-press: 75lbs/53lbs
- Row: calories
The clock does not reset or stop between exercises. On call of "rotate," the athlete/s must move to next station immediately for good score. One point is given for each repetition, except on the rower where each calorie is one point.
Since we do not yet have any rowers, we will substitute jump roping (double-unders).
Double Unders from Patrick Cummings on Vimeo.
Speaking of which, prepare for this:
Seriously.
AOD:
"Everything You Know About Muscle Is Wrong" - Men's Health
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
T minus 6 Days
It doesn't matter which category you will fall into for the challenge: weight loss, weight gain, and performance all require proper fueling. You don't fill your car's tank up on vegetable oil or coke, right?
We've all been told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Here's a scenario that might sound familiar: you stayed up pretty late working on assignment for work or school (or both!), slept a couple hours only to wake up late, prepare and rush to get ready, then leave the house... without breakfast. You might have time to grab a granola bar but that won't cut it. How about we try something new? Something prepared a night or two before: Omelet Muffins!
Hopefully you've checked out some of the links posted last Tuesday. This recipe is from Mark's Daily Apple, who got the idea from a woman who entered the Primal Cookbook Challenge. It's perfect!
Ingredients:
- 6 eggs
- 1/4 – 1/2 cup cooked meat, cut or crumbled into small pieces
- 1/2 cup diced vegetables
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp ground pepper
- 1/8 cup mayonnaise
- 1/8 cup water
- Optional Ingredient Idea: Make a Mexican Omelet Muffin by adding 1/4 cup shredded cheese, onions, and lightly drained salsa to the egg.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Generously grease 6 muffin tins with butter or coconut oil or for easier removal line with paper baking cups. The baking cups also help the muffins hold their shape.
- In a bowl, beat the eggs. Add meat, vegetables, salt, ground pepper, and any other ingredients and stir to combine.
- Spoon or scoop into the muffin cups.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes until a knife inserted into the center of an muffin/omelet comes out almost clean. The omelets will continue to cook for a minute or two after removed from the oven. Remove the omelets from the muffin cups and serve, or cool completely and store for another day.
Our FOUNDATIONS class rocked it last night. Great job guys! And great effort by everyone who attacked the WOD! Especially Jake. Welcome to the club dude.
WOD:
5 rds for max reps:
front squat, 3/4 BW
knees-to-elbows
Rest no longer than 5 min per round.
FIGHT THOSE ELBOWS UP! You are very well and capable of squatting correctly. The front squat keeps your body a bit more upright, but the real problem lies within the rack position. Earn your rep. Fight those knees out. Keep your tricep parallel to the ground. For God's sake, buy some lifting shoes already.
AOD:
The Front Squat Compromise by San Francisco CrossFit
Monday, November 16, 2009
A Challenge.
Why are we doing this?
We are all going through this because
- It's fun!
- It keeps us accountable for our own progress.
- It will allow us to stay healthy through the holiday season.
- Whoever does "best" in each category will win our new upcoming merchandise!
Have you ever been on a "diet" before? Which one(s)? Did they work? What was the easy part, if any? The hard part? Would you recommend it to someone?
This morning I had the privilege of meeting Greg Glassman after a Crossfit Q&A session at Brooklyn Barbell Club. The thing I admire most about Glassman and the Crossfit organization is a set of strong first principles combined backed by empirical arguments. Today, Glassman laid a few core Crossfit tenets:
Crossfit is constantly varied high intensity functional movement.Functional movements are categorically unique in their ability to express power.Power across broad time and modal domains is fitness.Fitness measured across lifespan is health.Affiliates are a distribution system for the above.
All of these are simple but broad declarations, but instead of relying on dogma, age, experience, or any sort of certificate as a reason Crossfitters should accept these tenets, Glassman always points to results and data derived from experimentation as the grounds for these core principles. “Study data, pay close attention to method, and ignore narrative” when reporting back new findings, he instructs affiliates.Read the rest of the article by clicking the link above.
Friday, November 13, 2009
CF T-shirts
...
My quest for real fitness eventually led me to the CrossFit main site, and as my journey progressed, I was given my first affiliate shirt. That's right, the mythical GSX shirt with Melissa Byers on the back doing a pull-up in a mini-skirt, with "Got Pull-Up?" on the front. Straight to the deep end.
I loved that shirt and felt like I earned it with blood, sweat and tears. You couldn’t buy it. No way, dude. You had to fight for it or know someone. How cool is that?
I quickly found that wearing the shirt would encourage people to ask me about it. Here was my chance to spread some love for CrossFit and tell how it can lead you from sickness to wellness to fitness. I was a disciple spreading the word of functional fitness on my back.
You can all relate. Ever see a stranger at a coffee shop or an airport wearing an affiliate shirt? That person probably wasn’t a stranger for long. The ice was broken instantly: “Know my story without hearing a word. See it in my eyes and on my back—we’re of the same tribe.”...
Click the link above to read the rest. [Sidebar: YOU BETTER HAVE A CFJ SUBSCRIPTION BY NOW!]
I feel almost the same way about t-shirts. They make me feel like I'm embedded deeper in the community.
When traveling, if a CrossFitter brings a t-shirt from their affiliate to a place their visiting, they can usually use that shirt as the drop-in fee. And a number of affiliates prefer t-shirts to $20. I know we do.
If you don't already own one, we still have black American Apparel t-shirts available (S-XL) for $20. We will also be ordering long sleeves and/or sweatshirts soon too! This weather demands it.
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Do you have your Olympic lifts down? Which lift is your favorite? Which modality (barbell, dumbbell, kettlebell, med ball) do you like using the most? Our special Group Intensive classes will be held monthly, and we will cover all those modalities and more!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Another Challenge
All you need to think about right now is which category you'll fall into:
- Weight Loss
- Weight Gain
- Performace
Our first Foundations classes (aka CrossFit On-Ramp classes) start next Monday. We have room left! Please contact me if you'd like to join in.
We're doing HERO workouts all day today in honor of Veteran's Day. You can endure at least an hour of pushing your physical ability to the limit, like they did their entire careers.
Yesterday's preparation for today was a workout I created in honor of a fallen, although not the military. Cory was a coworker of mine when I was working as a trainer and fitness manager at a big box. He was passionate about helping people achieve better health & fitness, but his past life caught up to him. Rest In Peace.
"In Honor of Cory"
for time:
21 squat cleans, 60kg
42 clapping pushups
15 squat cleans, 60kg
30 clapping pushups
9 squat cleans, 60kg
18 clapping pushups
How hard will you be willing to push it in dedication to the brave men and women who have served (and are serving) our country?
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Happy 234th!
Which reminds me- WE WILL HAVE A NORMAL SCHEDULE TOMORROW. I know that many of your work places consider Veteran's Day a holiday, so come by for a HERO WOD!
It's another Tasty Tuesday. I just want to take this time to share the resources I believe that ALL CrossFitters must read.
Sites:
- Mark's Daily Apple. Primal/Paleo Lifestyle blog
- Fitness Spotlight (formally 'Modern Forager'). Another great primal fitness/health blog.
- Urban Gets Diesel. CrossFitter and nutrition guide. Great info on her blog.
- Here's a decent Paleo shopping list.
- Performance Menu free recipes. Gluten, wheat, grain and dairy free (mostly) meals to try.
- Mastering the Zone (or Enter the Zone, if you want more science) by Dr. Barry Sears
- Protein Power by Dr. Michael Eades
- Good Calories, Bad Calories by Gary Taubes
- The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan

Monday, November 9, 2009
TOTALED.
This weekend is the FIRST GROUP INTENSIVE CLASS. It'll be on Olympic Lifting and how to become more proficient in the clean & jerk and the snatch. Speak to Andrew for more details.
Anyone up for a Winter Solstice Party at the gym? We'll do a gift exchange or White Elephant or something. Obligatory WOD? No WOD and everyone wears an ugly sweater? What should we do? Gather ideas and share!
What has CrossFit done for you so far? Have you become stronger? Better conditioned? Do you control your body better? What about objects? Are you learning and trying new things?
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Tasty Tuesdays
Your Next Week's Grocery List
- meat (beef, chicken, fish, pork, etc)
- vegetables (get ALL different types of colors)
- seeds and/or nuts
- some fruit
- only a little starch (bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, cereal, etc.)
- and NO sugar
How to Make Pork Pepperonata from ABueno on Vimeo.
For a delicious, nutritious, Paleo, primal meal:
- pork loins (cutlets are best!)
- bell peppers (red, yellow, and orange = yum)
- olive oil (fat = UBER yum)
1. cut pork, bell peppers into long strips
2. brown pork loin strips in olive oil, set aside
3. melt down peppers in olive oil
4. add pork back in, mix, simmer on low heat for 20 min or until peppers are at desired density
5. EAT!
What you'll need:
- pork loins
- bell peppers
- olive oil
- about 40 min (10 min prep, 10 min "cooking", 20 min simmer)
- an appetite
Check out how to make your own almond milk, almost flour and almond meal: How to Milk an Almond! - Instructables.
Speaking of which, Paleo + CrossFit Might Save Your Life - Robb Wolf.












