Articles

A CrossFit Reminder (From a 5 Year Old)
Meet my son Emmett... He was born right around the same time our gym got started, so it's been so fun to watch him grow along with our Box. The other day when I was teaching him to ride his bike, Emmett reminded me of something we all need to remember in CrossFit. Emmett is SUPER adventurous, and he was having an absolute blast on his bike.  Unfortunately he has a competitive streak a mile wide and he let jealousy completely ruin his experience. Every time his sister rode by, he would... Read more...
CrossFit & The Power of Shrugging
If you're reading this post expecting some tips for your power clean, please accept our sincere apologies. We're talking about the shrugging that shows up when you're "OK" with something.  The type of body language that says..."This doesn't define me as a person." Or..."Today was just not my day." Shrugging may be a powerful tool in terms of achieving a heavier Snatch, or a more efficient SDHP, but I believe it's just as powerful in terms of keeping you committed to your CrossFit-style workout plans and helping you stay on... Read more...
CrossFit: Nobody Gets Out Alive!
I recently saw Greg Glassman (founder of CrossFit) speak at a business conference.  In part of his talk he explained that 70% of Americans die from preventable causes.  Things like complications from obesity, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease...etc. One might look at this information, and say..."Yay!  Let's do CrossFit daily WODs! It will keep us from dying!" Unfortunately, this is not the case...If the 70% doesn't get us, the 30% will.  That is to say, whether you do CrossFit daily WODs or not, you're still going to die someday. You... Read more...
What Mat Fraser Has in Common With This Guy...
What does Mat Fraser have in common with this guy?  Well, we'll get to that, but first let's find out who this guy is :) Meet Frank Shorter. Frank won the gold medal in the Marathon at the 1972 Summer Olympics. While Frank might not be the picture of fitness by CrossFit standards, Frank was an amazing runner who pioneered an aggressive running style that regularly left his competition in the dust. When asked about running strategy, Frank talks about running hard PAST the top of a hill. In case... Read more...
What CrossFitters Can Learn From the Olympics...
My Friend (and Olympic Super-Fan) Amanda Kolman wrote this (hilarious) guest post...Enjoy! - - - I LOVE the Olympics.  I mean, like, really love them. I love the pomp and circumstance of the opening ceremonies.  I love the crying families in the stands. I love them even when I don't know any of the rules for that particular sport, like Equestrian Dressage... or Trampolining... ...And I especially love all the back stories. I get very personally involved in everyone's story. They feel like friends to me.  I cheer with them... Read more...
CrossFit: A Practice of Hope
CrossFit is strange to me.  It hurts so bad.  It reminds me of my weaknesses daily.  It occasionally makes me walk, sit, stand, moan, and groan like someone in their 90s.  I'm afraid of it.  I frequently curse it...but I go. I go, and I love it.  Therein lies the confusion.  There are plenty of other things that are uncomfortable, and also good for me that I don't get nearly as much enjoyment out of.  Having my wisdom teeth pulled for example. However, every once in a while, I figure... Read more...
What CrossFit Did to My Body
I was at my doctor's office the other day, and as they checked my blood pressure and heart rate before taking me back to a room, the nurse stopped and asked: "Are you some sort of runner or something?" I explained that yes, I run sometimes, but mostly I just do CrossFit. She replied that she'd just never seen someone with such a low heart rate. A google search will tell you that a "normal" resting heart rate is between 60-100 beats per minute, and that a "well trained athlete"... Read more...
Confession: I Don't Like to Work Out
  Today we're honored to have another guest post from my friend and author Amanda Kolman.  Some of you may not relate to this, but I know SOOOO many people who will...Enjoy! - - - It's time I confessed what I have known in my heart forever and ever. I don't like to work out.  I really don't.  Not even a little. Oh, how I wish I was one of those people who loved to run! How I wish I was one of you lovely things who couldn't wait to... Read more...
Staying (Cross)Fit This Summer...
"Do you even gym bro?" ..."Hey guys, look who's back!" ...and "Welcome!  How did you hear about CrossFit?" ...These are all phrases you might hear at your box this Fall if you don't hang on tight to your commitment to fitness. It can be easy to fall off the wagon while you're on vacation, and then slip off the radar for a Nutella-lavished, couch-surfing, binge for a month or two. Don't let this happen to you! Here are 3 simple ways to keep keep from losing your gains during the... Read more...
Worst CrossFit Soundtrack Ever?
Soooo today I had a near miss.  Not a brush with death or anything.  Even worse.  I almost had to suffer through a WOD with the worst possible soundtrack. I had just coached our 9am class, and wanted to get the metcon done before I left the box for the day, so as everyone filtered out, I got ready for a massive dose of rowing, and wall-balls. I cued up my favorite "tear your face off / uber-intense / drown out the pain" music, and got ready to do work.... Read more...
A Shout-Out to CrossFit Moms...
The following guest post was written by my friend, (and customer) Amanda Kolman.  It's such a great snapshot of what it takes to stay fit as a busy Mom. I hope you're encouraged by it :) - - - This is a shout out to the CrossFit moms who work out at home, because the idea of hauling your small children to the gym to do the “Mission Impossible WOD” just seemed like its own mission impossible. A shout out to the moms who run up and down their block... Read more...
Have You Been Lying to Yourself About CrossFit?
I've been thinking a lot about how CrossFit will always tell you the truth about your fitness level, but more on that later. (I promise to eventually get there) First some context... I noticed the other day that there was a black, crudely drawn smiley face marring the exterior of our white, master bathroom door. When I asked the most likely suspect (my 5 year old son) if he knew anything about it, he shrugged, shook his head, and said "no...I don't know anything about that..." At this point, I... Read more...