9.30.2008

Something FILTHY, but not the original

For time:
Run 200M
50 Box jumps
Walking Lunges 50 steps
50 KB Swings
50 Push press, 45 pounds
50 Back extensions
50 Jumping pull-ups
50 Burpees
50 Squats
Run 200M

Awesome turn out at 6AM team!!! We had a record 13 people! WOW! Fantastic!

Hannah-25:49
Jeff - 22:49
Paul- 21:00
Danielle- 30:08
Lisa 24:44
Laura 18:32
Jason 28:32
Tim 31:17
Tim P.-16:48
Lindsey- 20:31 (scaled 30)
Trisha - 20:01 (scaled 30)
Ed- 29:20
Doreen- 21:00

7 Rounds of Joy!!!

7 Rounds:
10 SDLHP (55/35)
10 WB (20/10)
10 Ring Push-ups
10 Box Jumps
10 Sit-ups

9.29.2008

Monday Fun Day...

Now that's some synchronized swinging! Nice work team!

AMRAP in 30 minutes:
Run 200M
50 Squats
40 KB Swings
30 Sit ups
20 Back Extensions
10 Burpees

Orla 3
Hannah 3.4
Jeff 3.4
Jason 3
Nicole 3.2
Tanya 3.6

9.28.2008

Am I out of shape?

Am I out of shape?
Is a question I often get from people just embarking on their first CrossFit experience or training session. Even for individuals in amazing shape, working outside of that aerobic training zone can make you discover physical limits you never knew were there. As most know, CrossFit consists of high intensity training with a different discipline and a focused mindset. A mindset far different than looking at yourself curl a dumbbell or max out the leg press machine!

What exactly are we doing and why do we benefit?
When you crossover from aerobic training to anaerobic training the body cannot effectively remove lactic acid from the working muscles quick enough. The benefit of training in this zone is that you can increase your body's ability to tolerate and deal with lactic acid for a longer period of time. During that time, the enzymes in your muscles responsible for anaerobic metabolism are increased. When the body works in that anaerobic zone when not used to the level of intensity, it drives question...Am I out of shape? NO, your body is not used to working anaerobically.

So, to all my Marathon runners who accomplish amazing physical feats every time they finish a long distance run; remember you are only working in one type of training when you run so by the extra CrossFit workouts you will all enhance your running performance and overall general physical performance. Doreen, Good Luck in Chicago in two weeks! And Dawn and Jill...you've got just under two more months until your big run! Good luck with 20 miles next weekend!

9.27.2008

Aimee's Saturday WOD



Karen
150 Wall Balls for time (5:35 14lb Med Ball)...and...

the below...(portioned)
100 KB swings (35lb)
100 Push ups
100 Squats
100 Sit ups

9.26.2008

10/10 Deadlift/Pushup

10 Rounds for time:
10 Deadlifts
10 Push-ups

Orla 12:43 (60)
Aimee 9:58 (95)

DB Muscular Endurance

4 Rounds
20 DB Push Press
20 DB Step-Ups
20 DB Thrusters
20 DB Snatches (L/R)

9.24.2008

Nancy (compare to 072208)

5 Rounds for time:
400M
15 OHS (95/65)

Jeff 18:52 (45)
Danielle 17:07 (40)
Doreen 17:00 (45/50)
Paul 17:05 (55/60)
Hannah 20:21 (45)
Ed 17:24 (65)
Tim 21:00 (65)
Lisa 17:24 (40)
Jason 20:15 (65)

Everyone way to rock this, especially Ed, Doreen, Paul and Jeff who increased their weight from last time and took between 45 seconds to a 1:30 off their times! That's what it's all about ladies and gentelmen..."increased work capacity over broad time and modal domains..." We never want to accept a decrease...these are real results! Congratulations!

9.23.2008

3 minute challenge


Row (3 minutes) for total calories = reps

Barbell Thrusters (40/65) total reps (3 minutes)

Burpees total reps (3 minutes)

Orla 98
Erika 105
Nicole 94
Jeff 108
Paul 117

Tues 6:30PM Class Average=104
*stay posted for new class averages!
NICE work today all!

9.22.2008

Monday at the F.A.C.

I'm pretty sure the filthy fifty posting scared most of you today...but I guess you can say I took it easy??? right???? maybe not...the filthy fifty will re-appear before the end of the year. I promise!

Todays WOD
4 rounds-1 minute each exercise (2 min rest between each round)
Walking Push ups
K-T-E
Deadlift
DB Push Press
Lateral Cone Hops

Way to push through! And all to all my Cross-Fitters who finished the 1/2 Marathon on Sunday! Congrats!

9.21.2008

Filthy Fifty

For time:
50 Box jump, 24 inch box
50 Jumping pull-ups
50 Kettlebell swings
1 poodWalking Lunge
50 steps50 Knees to elbows
50 Push press, 45 pounds
50 Back extensions
50 Wall ball shots, 20 pound ball
50 Burpees
50 Double unders

Aimee 28:42 (30lb push press, 10lb wallball)
Jason 45:10 rx'd


click here to watch the "filthy fifty"!

9.18.2008

Met Con Thurs.

AMRAP in 30 Minutes:
200M
20 KB Swings
15 K-T-E
10 Burpees
5 Box Jumps

nice job everyone!!!!
see you next week!!!!

Paul and Jeff...enjoy your day off tomorrow! you totally deserve it!! Amazing effort this week! Crazy what adding that extra day does, right????

9.17.2008

Strength Day

Hang Power clean
3-3-3-3-3-3-3
Weighted Push ups
10-10-10-10-10-10-10

Ed 115
Jeff 75
Tim P. 105
Danielle 70
Lisa 70
Hannah 80
Jason 135
Paul 95
Tim 155
Doreen 80

9.15.2008

FRAN

Fran
21-15-9 reps for time of:
Barbell Thrusters (95)(65)
Pull-Ups

I have some fantastic things to blog about today! What an exciting class!!! #1 Let's start with Nicole, she has been training for her upcoming wedding with me since 7/15. She first met "Fran" on 7/30 at that point she barely made it through 21 reps at 45lbs, dropped to 40lbs and finished her "Fran" in 9:55. After many grueling personal training sessions and complaints about burpees, box jumps, hand stand PUs, burpees and more burpees...I think she saw some of her hard work pay off tonight. She crushed her 9:55 with a new PR of 5:36 done all at 45lbs...she attributed to the "protein pudding" she ate for lunch...but something tells me; its her dedication, hard work and CrossFit-ing that has made her stronger! Nicole, I expect to see some Thrusters in that wedding dress on 10/4! You make me so proud!

Story number #2...Orla, another success story...cut her "Fran" time from 8:00 minutes @ 40lb to 7:36 @ 45 lbs. Orla also has just come back from a little time off and I must say, that left arm is getting so much stronger! I hope you find yourself this weekend in the woods!! We are all cheering for you!

#3 Hannah, Doreen, and Tanya...congrats on the 65lbs rx'd Thrusters...your next goal is move off those assisted bands for PU's... very soon! Great strength and determination in finishing today you all rock!

#4 Sue, our first timer rocked it with 40lb Thrusters the whole way through!

#5 Paul, Jeff and James...fantastic on upping the weight and pushing it as far as you could! Very nice performance! And let's not forget Paul's virtual Fran in 2:38. click here to watch some virtual Fran's... and click here for the always inspiring 2:02 Fran from Josh Bridges.

and last but not least, story #6 We welcome our new friend John to CrossFit and we welcome him to Rx'd! He pushed through the workout with 95lb Thrusters and "assisted" pull ups. John questioned the use of kipping pull-ups. The advantage with Kipping in CrossFit lies in the Power output, you will get twice the power, intensity and benefit by using the "kip". Is the kip is NOT all we do in CrossFit we also add some variety with strict, weighted, L-Pull-ups and jumping Pull-ups...but Fran happens to be one of the WODs where you want that increased power output!

...and now a little bit about me...I only shaved 11 seconds off my Fran time today, I was disappointed. But I have been fighting a chest cold inhibiting my breathing, sprained ankle and open calluses (I know, no excuse...right? but I certainly have a few) Rx'd I came in at 7:44 vs my PR of 7:55 last time around. I think I'm going back to this one in a week or so to give it another go!

Times below- all w/ assisted bands for PU.
Orla 45-7:36
Nicole 45-5:36
Doreen rx'd-6:46
John rx'd-12:42
Tanya rx'd-7:30
Hannah rx'd-9:26
Paul 85/75-9:00
Jeff 75/65- 10:50
Sue 40-13:41
James 75-5:00

Jason rxd-no assisted PU 21:35


9.13.2008

WOD

10 Rounds for time:
10 wall balls
10 med ball hang cleans
10 KB swings 35lbs
10 push ups

9.11.2008

You are never too old for CrossFit

So, I really don't think you are ever too old to CrossFit. The pic above features Bob during his T-Push-ups!! GO BOB! Bob is 70 years old and I've seen him in more classes than most, he hails from Armenia and has the stamina and training age above most! No, the classes I'm talking about are NOT Silver Sneakers (or slippers) as I often refer to it as...he attends the actual CrossFit classes. Yes, he modified todays workout "slightly" but needless to say, he completed it and with fantastic enthusiasm and form.

Our Hero's workout was "Michael"- In honor of Navy Lieutenant Michael McGreevy, 30 of Portville NY, who was killed in Afghanistan on June 28, 2005.
3 Rounds for time:
Run 800M
50 Back Extensions
50 Sit ups

...and we finished the class with 3 rounds of Push-ups (6), Pledge Push-ups (3L/3R) and T-Push-ups (3L/3R)...FANTASTIC!!!!

Paul 17:06
Doreen 16:53
Hannah 24:29
Lisa 18:38
Tanya 19:08
Jason 22.17
Jeff 20:11
Bob 23:20
Nicole 22:30

9.10.2008

Met Con Wed



It's an exciting day at the F.A.C...our new pull up bar has been installed and we tested it out to make sure it could hold three 6 AM CrossFitters at once! Whoo-hooo! Mission accomplished; Tim M., Tim P. and Ed in the pic working on their assisted Pull ups! Nice Job!

5 Rounds

12 KB Swings

12 Decline Push Ups

Rest 3 min

5 Rounds

12 DB Thrusters

12 Pull ups

9.09.2008

CrossFit Group Sessions

At the Fairmount Athletic Club I am NOW offering NEW CrossFit Group Sessions!

For the budget conscience and workout savvy, these sessions will:
Reshape your body!
Increase your work capacity!
Develop power and speed!
Increase strength, stamina and endurance!Define flexibility, balance, coordination and agility!


Gather your friends and partners and do it together! This program is built from functional exercises executed at high intensity with a constantly varied structure! All ages and workout levels are welcome! Every exercise can and will be scaled to your level; safety, form and function are number 1!

Session Length = 45 Minutes

Consists of = Dynamic warm-up and any needed instruction/practice of exercises involved with the workout, CrossFit Workout and Stretch.

Sign-Up Procedure = You must sign up for all 10 sessions, either Tuesdays at 6:30pm or Saturdays at 10:30am. Or you can sign up for both sessions. A one-time payment of $200.00 is due upon sign up at the front desk.

ONLY 12 Slots are available! Sign up NOW! Sign up by 9/14!

Dates & Times below:
Tuesday 6:30 PM 9/16, 9/23, 9/30, 10/7, 10/14, 10/21, 10/28, 11/4, 11/1, 11/18
Saturday 10:30AM 9/27, 10/4, 10/11, 10/18, 10/25,11/1, 11/8, 11/15,12/6 and 12/13

9.08.2008

Fall Burpee Challenge


Tonight was the start of our Fall Burpee Challenge! 100 Burpees for time!
We will be practicing our Burpees in each class until the week before Thanksgiving when we time our 100 Burpees again! So basically all fall!

We welcomed Paul a fellow CrossFitter from Pittsburgh tonight! Paul maintained perfect form throughout all 100 Burpees! Congrats! Fantastic work!
And Nicole...please don't ever say you are quitting with 17 to go...or we are having words! And by the way, your snatch was the best I've seen in awhile!

Form is something I talk about alot...remember time isn't always everything gang! Proper form is what counts and what makes you stronger and enables you to go the extra mile and gets the work done in the long run!! So in addition to our Burpee Challenge for fall, we are making form our other focus!
Everyone did an awesome job! This was a tough one!

Doreen 8:31
Paul 8:50
Betsy 9:49
Margaret 9:29
Jeff 11:10
Lisa17:45
Eric 13:37
Lisa S. 11:30
Nicole 16:22
Paul S. (pit.) 10:23
Hannah 10:50
Liz 11:17
Jason 12:00
Aimee 7:14

9.07.2008

Creative Weekend WOD

CrossFit really can be done anywhere..always use what you have and be creative. Ed, one of our AM CrossFitters told me while on vacation at the shore he ran 10 miles and then dug a huge sand pit at the beach for his kids! FANTASTIC!

While in NC this weekend I managed to squeeze in a little CrossFit...50 Double Unders (yes, I bought my jump rope), 50 Squats, 50 Burpees, 400M run, 10 dead hang pull ups. My warm up was on the monkey bars!!

9.05.2008

100 Burpee Challenge

...starts next week!

Tropcial Storms...See you next week!


Jason and I heard there was a tropical storm "Hannah" coming up the East coast so we quickly booked some tickets and decided to visit some good friends in North Carolina! Haha! Kidding aside, we've had the tickets, but unfortunately for us, the weather will probably not cooperate... and unfortunately you, my F.A.C. crew; on Sunday I will not be there! There will be a sub though!


Next week starts the Thursday CrossFit class at 5:30! Get some rest!
...And get ready to really get competitive! Stay posted for details on a special 10 week CrossFit Group Session; Max 6 people per group. There will be a group on Tuesday at 6:30PM and a group on Saturday at 10:30AM. Sign up starts next week!

See you Monday at 5:30!

Stay dry! And have a safe weekend!

Nutrition Information

Nutrition really is the foundation for everything, most importantly Training! I've re-posted the nutrition entry from July, the last link at the bottom is very informative and worth opening!
Plateau is a nasty word for anyone who has ever experienced it. You diet, you exercise, you are motivated, you successfully lose weight, your friends notice, you are feeling good and then all of a sudden WHAM nothing but frustration...First I will generalize some reasons why you might plateau and then more specifically I will go into what CrossFit Recommends as the foundation, the CrossFit Dietary Prescription.
1. You need to eat. Your body needs a minimum amount of calories each day to function and maintain the muscle mass you have. Unfortunately, many people go to extremes and eat too few calories thinking this will speed up the process. It may work at first, but eventually you will stop losing – and may even gain weight again. Why? Because your body thinks it’s being starved and has entered “survival mode”.
2. You need to get out an MOVE!
3. You need muscle. Many people mistakenly believe that they should focus on cardio exercise in order to lose weight. While cardio is important, resistance training is critically important in helping your metabolism and increasing your muscle tone and definition. The only way to have a long-term impact on increasing your metabolism is to build muscle.
4. You need to keep your routine constantly varied. Your body has an ability to adjust to the demands placed on it. When you first start a new form of exercise, it may be challenging. However, as you get stronger and your body adapts, it is no longer a challenge. Over time, your body becomes so efficient that this same exercise no longer has an effect on your weight. If you’ve hit a plateau, it’s time to add some variety into your routine.

The CrossFit dietary prescription is as follows:

Protein should be lean and varied and account for about 30% of your total caloric load. Carbohydrates should be predominantly low-glycemic and account for about 40% of your total caloric load. Fat should be predominantly monounsaturated and account for about 30% of your total caloric load. Calories should be set at between .7 and 1.0 grams of protein per pound of lean body mass depending on your activity level. The .7 figure is for moderate daily workout loads and the 1.0 figure is for the hardcore athlete.

What Should I Eat? In plain language, base your diet on garden vegetables, especially greens, lean meats, nuts and seeds, little starch, and no sugar. That's about as simple as we can get. Many have observed that keeping your grocery cart to the perimeter of the grocery store while avoiding the aisles is a great way to protect your health. Food is perishable. The stuff with long shelf life is all suspect. If you follow these simple guidelines you will benefit from nearly all that can be achieved through nutrition.

The Caveman or Paleolithic Model for Nutrition. Modern diets are ill suited for our genetic composition. Evolution has not kept pace with advances in agriculture and food processing resulting in a plague of health problems for modern man. Coronary heart disease, diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis, obesity and psychological dysfunction have all been scientifically linked to a diet too high in refined or processed carbohydrate. The Caveman model is perfectly consistent with the CrossFit prescription.

What Foods should I avoid?
Excessive consumption of high-glycemic carbohydrates is the primary culprit in nutritionally caused health problems. High glycemic carbohydrates are those that raise blood sugar too rapidly. They include rice, bread, candy, potato, sweets, sodas, and most processed carbohydrates. Processing can include bleaching, baking, grinding, and refining. Processing of carbohydrates greatly increases their glycemic index, a measure of their propensity to elevate blood sugar.

What is the Problem with High-Glycemic Carbohydrates?
The problem with high-glycemic carbohydrates is that they give an inordinate insulin response. Insulin is an essential hormone for life, yet acute, chronic elevation of insulin leads to hyperinsulinism, which has been positively linked to obesity, elevated cholesterol levels, blood pressure, mood dysfunction and a Pandora's box of disease and disability. Research "hyperinsulinism" on the Internet. There's a gold mine of information pertinent to your health available there. The CrossFit prescription is a low-glycemic diet and consequently severely blunts the insulin response.

Caloric Restriction and Longevity
Current research strongly supports the link between caloric restriction and an increased life expectancy. The incidence of cancers and heart disease sharply decline with a diet that is carefully limited in controlling caloric intake. “Caloric Restriction” is another fruitful area for Internet search. The CrossFit prescription is consistent with this research.
The CrossFit prescription allows a reduced caloric intake and yet still provides ample nutrition for rigorous activity.

A few links are below for additional research:
The Zone Diet Website
A Quick Start Guide for Zone Eating

9.03.2008

4 Rounds for time...

The 6AM team is ever growing! We welcomed 4 new people this morning, Trisha, Danielle, Debbie and Avery! And we introduced everyone to two new skills; the Hand Stand Push Up and Hang power clean! Way to Rock it team!

WOD 4 Rounds for time:
50 Squats
25 Box Jumps
7 Hand Stand Push Ups
10 Hang Power Cleans (135/95)

Doreen 18:22 /55lb
Paul 18:33 /75lb
Tim 20:30 /85lb
Jeff 20:55 /75lb
Hannah 23:57
Katie 21:32 /55lb
Lisa 21:29 /55lb
Avery 29:53
Ed 22:45 /85lb
Daielle 25:46
Debbie 26:26
Trisha 26:51