WOD - Class Programming

Ben Williamson Ben Williamson

Saturday, February 1

In too much of the West, everyone wants the guarantee of safety, and never having to make any decisions.

Anthony Bourdain

WOD

Individual:

4 rounds, each round for time, of:

15 Strict Pull-ups (DB/KB Bent Over Rows)

20 Weighted Walking Lunges, pick load

30/20 Row Cal (30 Bike Calories or 300m Run)

Rest 1:1 between each round.

Goals

Super Fitness Robot time / rounds: 

3:45 or less per interval


More Likely time / rounds: (consider scaling if this seems unrealistic)

6:00 per interval

Partner Version:

8 rounds

Any split

No rest between rounds

Cool Down

Kneeling Lay Back

Hold 1-2 minutes.

Wall Shoulder Stretch

Hold 1-2 minutes.

Read More
Ben Williamson Ben Williamson

Friday, January 31

I'm not afraid to look like an idiot.

Anthony Bourdain

Warm-up

2 mins of rowing, biking, or jogging

2x of:

10 hip & back extensions

20 seconds of banded marching

1x Snatch Warm-Up

Strength/Skill

Power Snatch 5-5-5-3-3-3-1-1-1


Use the heaviest weight you can for each set.

Rest as needed between sets.

Athlete Instructions

Goals: 

Starting at 65-70% 1RM and increasing the load.

Movement Demos

WOD

For Quality:

8 mins of:

Turkish Get-up, pick load

Athlete Instructions

Switch arms as needed.

Movement Demos

Cool Down

Trap stretch with lacrosse ball

1-2 minutes per side

Glute Stretch

Hold 1-2 minutes per side.

Read More
Ben Williamson Ben Williamson

Thursday, January 30

We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us.

Joseph Campbell

Warm-up

:45/:15 of:

Med ball rotation slam

Med ball front squat

Med ball push press

Med ball snow angels

Strength/Skill

3 RFQ

L-Sit - Accumulate :45

Dball Bear Hug x 1:30

Kneeling KB Keg LIft x 10R/10L


Movement Demos

WOD

For time:

5 Deadlifts, pick a heavy load

10 Handstand Push-up (DB Push Press)

4 Deadlifts

10 Handstand Push-Up

3 Deadlifts

10 Handstand Push-Up

2 Deadlifts

10 Handstand Push-Up

1 Deadlift

10 Handstand Push-Up

Cool Down

Banded Shoulder Work

Foam Roll low back

Read More
Ben Williamson Ben Williamson

Wednesday, January 29

Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp, Or what's a heaven for?

Robert Browning

Warm-up

3 rounds, not for time, of:

20-30 jumping jacks

8 walking lunge steps

8 kettlebell russian swings, light weight recommended

10 cals on the air bike (or 10 cals on the rower or 100 m run); try to increase the effort each set.

45 seconds of rest

Strength/Skill

5 rounds for quality of:

12 Upright Rows, pick load

12 Snatch Grip Behind-the-Neck Shoulder Press, pick load

Movement Demos

And:

Anytime during the strength, accumulate 3:00 of Pull-Up Bar Hang

WOD

Death By Air Bike Calorie

With a continuously running clock perform:

1 Air Bike Calorie in the first 1 min

2 Air Bike Calories in the second 1 min

3 Air Bike Calories in the third 1 min

...

Continuing this for as long as you are able.

Cool Down

Frog Stretch

Hold 1-2 minutes.

Wall Stretch, Leg

Hold 1-2 minutes per side.

Read More
Ben Williamson Ben Williamson

Tuesday, January 28

You don't look out there for God, something in the sky, you look in you.

Alan Watts

Warm-up

3 minutes of easy rowing, biking or jogging

-then-

3 rounds, not for time, of:

5-7 hip & back extensions

5 glute bridges

5 stiff legged deadlifts, empty barbell

5 strict presses (preferably, with a pair of dumbbells - lighter than the workout load)

5 push presses (preferably, with a pair of dumbbells - lighter than the workout load)

Strength/Skill

Barbell Good Morning

15-15-15

(After WOD)

Tabata Box Jump

3x 2:00/2:00

Score is total reps

WOD

3 rounds for time of:

100 Jump Ropes

15 Push Press, pick load

10 Dead-Stop Deadlifts, pick load

Cool Down

Trap stretch with lacrosse ball

1-2 minutes per side


Hamstring Stretch

Hold 1-2 minutes per side.

Calves & Foam Rolling

Read More
Ben Williamson Ben Williamson

Monday, January 27

"People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don't know each other; they don't know each other because they have not communicated with each other."

— Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,

Updates:

  • Starting next Monday, we’ll officially return to CrossFit affiliation status. As many of you know, we started back in 2012 as CrossFit Pisgah. We unaffiliated a few years back (as did many other affiliates) due to disturbing statements made by CF’s former CEO, but kept the CrossFit programming ideology and functional fitness focus. CF made a leadership change in 2022, and I’ve been impressed with the company’s adjusted direction, new programs, and focus on education and health while still staying focused on community, quality coaching, and supporting affiliates. So, we’ll be CrossFit Pisgah again, starting next week.

  • What will this mean to you? Nothing, really. Our classes and schedule and rates and day-to-day operations will be identical. We’ll change our web address, instagram handle, logo, and put our old sign back up on the front of the building. We’ll be back in the global CrossFit network, so it may mean some new members and drop-ins in the classes that come to us because of our official affiliate status.

  • Also next Monday, we’ll be shifting some coaching assignments with our noon classes.

    • Coach Scott will be moving from coach to Pisgah Open Gym membership to allow more time to focus on his commercial real estate work. Scott has been with Pisgah for many years, is a former affiliate owner, and an incredible resource in our community. Thank you, Scott, for being such an amazing coach and friend. We’re excited you’ll still be at Pisgah as a member.

    • Coach Meg has a new job that will see her schedule shift some. While she will be stepping away from Friday noons, we’re hoping to get her back coaching in a slot that works with her new schedule after she’s comfortable and situated in her new job. Thanks, Meg!

    • We’re so excited to welcome Coach Kelly Ashton to our team. We’ve had a chance to get to know Kelly through hosting Summit CrossFit these last months, as Kelly also coaches there. Kelly’s an experienced coach who holds a CF Level 2 certificate, and pairs her excellent content knowledge with a positive and supportive demeanor that is a great fit for our community. Many of you already got to take a Kelly class last Saturday when she led our Community WOD. Welcome, Kelly, we’re honored to have you with us. Kelly will be leading the 12pm classes on Mon/Wed/Fri starting Feb. 3.

    • Coach Dana will continue to be in classes, supporting coaches and members. Dana’s CrossFit cert has lapsed so we’re not allowed to have him officially lead classes (for insurance and licensing agreement reasons), but he will still be a presence, supporting Kelly and throwing down on class WODs with our crew! Dana exemplifies everything good about Pisgah and our family, so we’re excited to have him with us as we move forward.

  • Lastly, I’m going to start transitioning us into a new member management software system. We’ll be moving from Zen Planner to Push Press. This will save us some money and offer a system that’s hopefully less clunky, more intuitive, and user-friendly. This will be a minor inconvenience for you in that you’ll need to download and learn a new app, maybe re-enter payment info, sign a new waiver, but we’re not there yet. Just a heads-up that this will be coming down the pike, probably in the next couple weeks. More to come.

  • Have a great week!

Warm-up

2 rounds, not for time, of:

2 minutes of rowing, biking, or jogging

20 seconds of banded steps forward and backward

6-8 hollow rocks or Abmat sit-ups

6-8 steps of lunges

6-8 air squats

6-8 shoulder pass throughs, pvc pipe (use a light band if it treats your shoulders better)

6-8 band pull-aparts

6-8 scap pull-ups

6-8 kip swings

6-8 pull-ups or ring rows

6-8 inchworm push-ups

Strength/Skill

(After WOD)

Dumbbell Chest Fly 12-12-12-12

Rest as needed between sets.

Athlete Instructions

3-4 sets of 8-12 reps.

Movement Demos

WOD

“Angie”

For time:

100 Pull-ups

100 Push-ups

100 Sit-ups

100 Air Squats

Athlete Instructions

For time, or not.

Do this as a chipper (complete all pull-ups before moving to push-ups, and so on)

If you need to make this more manageable, break these reps up as needed (for example, 10 rounds of 10 each)

Intermediate: 75 of each

Scaled: 50 of each

Goals

Super Fitness Robot time / rounds: 

18:00 or less

More Likely time / rounds: (consider scaling if this seems unrealistic)

28:00

Cool Down

Cobra Stretch - abs

1-2 minutes


Chest & Pec, hands behind

Hold 1-2 minutes.

Kneeling Lay Back

Hold 1-2 minutes.

Read More
Ben Williamson Ben Williamson

Saturday, January 25

"Only through an inner spiritual transformation do we gain the strength to fight vigorously the evils of the world in a humble and loving spirit."

— Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,

WOD

For time:

Individual:

70 V-ups (Alt. Single Leg V-Ups/Med Ball Sit-Ups)

Run, 1 mi

70 Burpees

Run, 1 mi


Partner: 

100 V-ups (Alt. Single Leg V-Ups/Med Ball Sit-Ups) - any split

Run, 1 mi - together

100 Burpees - any split

Run, 1 mi - together

Read More
Ben Williamson Ben Williamson

Friday, January 24

"I know that love is ultimately the only answer to mankind's problems."

— Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,

Warm-up

2 rounds, not for time, of:

2 minutes of rowing, biking, or jogging

30 seconds of foam rolling your lats and low back

10 hip & back extensions

3-5 deadlifts, starting from mid-shin, empty barbell

3-5 muscle cleans, starting from mid-shin, empty barbell

3-5 front squats, empty barbell

3-5 hang squat cleans, starting from just above the knees, empty barbell

3-5 squat cleans, starting from mid-shin, empty barbell

Strength/Skill

Part I:


For quality:

10 L/10 R Single Leg Box Jumps, pick height

Movement Demos

Part II:

1 Squat Clean, pick load

Every 30 secs for 20 mins.

Athlete Instructions

Goals

Super Fitness Robot:

Squat Clean- 70% 1RM or more


More Likely: 

Squat Clean- 50% 1RM or more

Movement Demos

WOD

:45 on/:15 rest for each of the following:

  • Candlestick/V-Up/Sit-Up

  • Side Plank R

  • Hollow Rock/Hold

  • Side Plank L

  • Russian Twist

  • Forearm Plank

  • Flutter Kick

Cool Down

Hamstring Stretch

Hold 1-2 minutes per side.

Wall Stretch, Leg

Hold 1-2 minutes per side.

Read More
Ben Williamson Ben Williamson

Thursday, January 23

"It is not enough to say, 'We must not wage war.' It is necessary to love peace and sacrifice for it. We must concentrate not merely on the negative expulsion of war, but the positive affirmation of peace."

— Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,

Warm-up

2-3 sets, not for time, of:

1 minute of easy jogging, biking or rowing

20 seconds of lateral lunge

20 seconds of forward lunge

2-3 inchworm

Shoulder rotations

10 sit-ups, hollow rocks or v-ups

Lateral Line Hops

Perform for 2-3 Rounds with both feet at the same time, or for 2 Rounds with the R foot & 2 Rounds with the L foot. 

Each Round is 30 Seconds.

During the 30 seconds perform the drill both forwards and backwards.

Rest 30-60 seconds between rounds.

Strength/Skill

Dumbbell Pull Over 12-12-12-12

Movement Demos

WOD

21-15-9 reps, for time of:

Dumbbell Clean & Jerk, 50/35 lbs

Box Jump, 30/24 in

Athlete Instructions

Rest 5 mins before the next part.


21-15-9 reps, for time of:

Bike Cals

Toes-to-bar (Hanging Knee Raise)

Cool Down

Cobra Stretch - abs

1-2 minutes

Frog Stretch

Hold 1-2 minutes.

Read More
Ben Williamson Ben Williamson

Wednesday, January 22

"Hate is too great a burden to bear. I have decided to love."

— Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,

Warm-up

2 rounds, not for time of:

2 mins of running, biking, or rowing

6-8 hip & back extensions

1x Snatch warm-up with pvc +  empty bar, 45/35 lbs  

Strength/Skill

(After WOD)


Deficit Deadlift 12-12-12

Athlete Instructions

3 sets of 8-12 reps, you choose the height of the deficit.

Movement Demos

WOD

3 rounds for time of:

10 Ground-to-Overheads, 95/65 lbs

Shuttle Run, 200 yard (4x 50 yd)

Athlete Instructions

Goals

Super Fitness Robot time: 

Men- 4:21 or less

Women- 4:59 or less

More Likely time: 

Men- 6:30

Women- 7:15

(consider scaling if this seems unrealistic)

Other Equipment Options

Replace each 200 m of running with 600 m on the Rogue Echo Bike, Assault Bike, 250 m on the Concept 2 Rower

Cool Down

Calves & Foam Rolling

Trap stretch with lacrosse ball

1-2 minutes per side

Read More
Ben Williamson Ben Williamson

Tuesday, January 21

"Love is the greatest force in the universe. It is the heartbeat of the moral cosmos. He who loves is a participant in the being of God."

— Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,

Warm-up

2 minutes of easy jogging, biking or rowing

-then-

2 sets, not for time, of:

20 seconds of forward lunge

10 air squats

5 shoulder pass throughs, pvc pipe (feel free to use a light band if it treats your shoulders better)

5 band pull-aparts

5 scap pull-ups

5 kip swings

5 pull-ups, ring rows, or low-ring muscle-ups

10 wall ball shots or 10 barbell thrusters (for both options, choose a lightweight)

Strength/Skill

Skill: Rope Clamp/Legless Work

(After WOD)

Dumbbell Skull Crusher 12-12-12

Movement Demos

WOD

40 Wall Balls, pick load, pick height

20 Pull-ups or 4 rope climbs

30 Wall Balls, pick load, pick height

15 Pull-ups or 3 rope climbs

20 Wall Balls, pick load, pick height

10 Pull-ups or 2 rope climbs

10 Wall Balls, pick load, pick height

5 Pull-ups or 1 rope climb

Cool Down

Wall Shoulder Stretch

Hold 1-2 minutes.

Kneeling Lay Back

Hold 1-2 minutes.

Read More
Ben Williamson Ben Williamson

Monday, January 20

"I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant." — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,

MLK Holiday Schedule

  • Normal schedule. Classes will run if athletes sign-up. Check Zen Planner within 1 hour of class time to verify class is happening.

Other news:

  • The Craven Street bridge has re-opened!

Warm-up

Not for time:

1 minute of rowing, jogging or biking, roughly 50% effort

5 Shoulder Pass Throughs, pvc pipe (feel free to use a light band if it treats your shoulders better)

5 Band Pull-aparts

8 Bench presses, empty barbell (or floor presses)

Strength/Skill

(Before WOD)

15 min to find your best Bench Press 1 rep max lift.

(After WOD)

Dumbbell Overhead Tricep Extension 12-12-12-12

WOD

4 rounds for time of:

Row, 500 m

12 Bench Press, 60% 1RM

Athlete Instructions

Other Equipment Conversions: Replace each 500 m of rowing with 400m of running, 1200m on the Echo Bike, Assault Echo bike 

Movement Demos

Cool Down

Glute Stretch

Hold 1-2 minutes per side.

Pec stretch, laying on side.

1-2 minutes per side.

Read More
Ben Williamson Ben Williamson

Saturday, January 18

“Some people never go crazy. What truly horrible lives they must lead.” - Charles Bukowski

Half Murph

For time:

Run, 800 m

50 Pull-ups

100 Push-ups

150 Air Squats

Run, 800 m


Individual: As Written

Partner: Any Split - AMRAP 30

Read More
Ben Williamson Ben Williamson

Friday, January 17

“I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.” - Thomas Edison

Warm-up

3 rounds, not for time, of:

1 min of easy biking, rowing, or jogging

30 seconds of foam rolling your lats and low back

20 seconds of lateral banded steps

7 hip & back extensions

10 stiff legged deadlift, empty bar 45/35 lbs

10 glute bridges, empty bar 45/35 lbs

6 box step-ups and steps-downs, you choose the height

Strength/Skill

(AFTER WOD)


For quality:

Side Plank, L 3 mins/R 3 mins

Athlete Instructions

Accumulate 1-3 minutes per side.

Movement Demos

Landmine Twist

12-12-12

WOD

15-12-9 reps, for time of:

Deadlift, 275/185 lbs

Box Jump, 24/20 in

Cool Down

Hamstring Stretch

Hold 1-2 minutes per side.

Calves & Foam Rolling

Read More
Ben Williamson Ben Williamson

Thursday, January 16

“It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.” - Andre Gide

Warm-up

x2

Cardio

Shoulders

Hip Extension

Ankles

Snatch Warmup

Strength/Skill

20 min to find a heavy snatch rep

WOD

Complete as many rounds as possible in 15 mins of:

Dumbbell Farmers Carry, 50/35 lbs, 50 m

35 Single Unders

15 Sit-ups

Cool Down

Banded Shoulders

Read More
Ben Williamson Ben Williamson

Wednesday, January 15

“Try not to become a man of success. Rather become a man of value.” - Albert Einstein

Warm-up

2 rounds, not for time, of:

45 seconds of jumping jacks or single-unders

5 shoulder pass throughs, pvc pipe (feel free to use a light band if it treats your shoulders better)

5 band pull-aparts

5 scap pull-ups

5 kip swings

5 ring rows, pull-ups, or low-ring muscle-ups

5 inchworm push-ups or walking push-ups

10 kettlebell Russian swings, light/moderate load

Strength/Skill

(Before WOD)

Single Arm DB Row

24-24-24-24 (12L/12R)

(AFTER WOD, if time)

3 RFQ


Front Rack Carries - 100ft

DB Front/Lateral/Bent Over Raises x10

WOD

21-15-9 reps, for time of:

Pull-up

Burpee

Cool Down

Chest & Pec, hands behind

Hold 1-2 minutes.

Frog Stretch

Hold 1-2 minutes.

Read More
Ben Williamson Ben Williamson

Tuesday, January 14

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” - Albert Einstein

Warm-up

EMOM 12’

Min. 1, 5, 9: 40” of jogging, biking or rowing (try to increase effort each set)

Min. 2, 6, 10: 30 m of high knees + 30 m of butt kicks

Min. 3, 7, 11: 6 bent over rows + 3-4 burpees

Min. 4, 8, 12: rest

Strength/Skill

Skill Work: Handstand Hold/HSPU

5 rounds for quality of:

5 Weighted Strict Pull-ups, pick load (Pull-Ups)

7 Strict Handstand Push-ups (Shoulder Press)

Handstand Walk, 7 m (Overhead Carry)

Athlete Instructions

Movement Demos

WOD

For distance:


Row: 10 Min max distance

Cool Down

Foam Roller, Back, lats, etc

Hamstring Stretch

Hold 1-2 minutes per side.

Read More
Ben Williamson Ben Williamson

Monday, January 13

“The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.” - Albert Einstein

Warm-up

2 rounds, not for time of:

2 minutes of rowing, biking or jogging

30 seconds of banded marching

10 hip & back extensions

10 hollow rocks or v-ups

5-7 PVC pipe shoulder pass-throughs (feel free to use a light band if it treats your shoulders better)

10 air squats

Strength/Skill

(AFTER WOD, if time)

Goblet Lunges 

24-24-24-24

Athlete Instructions

3-4 sets of 8-12 reps per leg

WOD

Every 1 min for 30 mins, alternating between:

1 Overhead Squat, pick load

10 GHD Sit-up/Candleticks/Weighted V-Ups/V-Ups

Rest 1 min

Cool Down

Cobra Stretch - abs

1-2 minutes

Wall Shoulder Stretch

Hold 1-2 minutes.

Read More
Ben Williamson Ben Williamson

Saturday, January 11

The most inspiring thing you can do is to live so fully in alignment with your goals that others stop to wonder why they’ve been settling for less.

Ryan Fisch

Warm-up

2 rounds, not for time, of:

2:00 cardio

10 Samson lunge

20 seconds of jumping jacks or single-unders

10 air squats

10 side lunges (5 each leg)

5 shoulder pass throughs, pvc pipe (feel free to use a light band if it treats your shoulders better)

5 band pull-aparts

5 scap pull-ups

5 kip swings

5 pull-ups, ring rows, or low-ring muscle-ups

Strength/Skill

-

WOD

AMRAP 30:

Run, 400 m

15 Pull-ups (or 1 rope climb/ legless rope climb)

10 L Kickstand Squats (or pistols), pick load

100 Jump Ropes (doubles or singles)

10 R Kickstand Squats (or pistols), pick load

10 Pull-ups (or 1 rope climb/ legless rope climb)

Partner Version:

AMRAP 30

Run, 400 m (together)

20 Pull-ups (any split - or 1 rope climb each)

20 L Kickstand Squats, pick load (or pistols - any split)

200 Jump Ropes (doubles or singles - any split)

20 R Kickstand Squats, pick load (or pistols - any split)

20 Pull-ups (any split - or 1 rope climb each)

Cool Down

Wall Stretch, Leg

Hold 1-2 minutes per side.


Pec stretch, laying on side.

1-2 minutes per side.

Read More
Ben Williamson Ben Williamson

Friday, January 10

Growth isn’t found in comfort zones.

Ryan Fisch

Warm-up

3 minutes of easy jogging, biking or rowing

–then–

2-3 sets, not for time, of:

5-7 hip & back extensions

3-5 deadlifts, empty/light barbell

3-5 hang muscle cleans, empty/light barbell

3-5 hang power cleans, 2 secs in the receiving position, empty/light barbell

3-5 shoulder presses, empty/light barbell

3-5 push presses, empty/light barbell

3-5 push jerks, 2 secs in the receiving position, empty/light barbell

Strength/Skill

(AFTER WOD)

For time:

75 Russian Kettlebell Swings, pick load


Rest, then:

Close Grip Bench Press 12-12-12-12

Use the heaviest weight you can for each set.

Rest as needed between sets.

Use a barbell or a pair of dumbbells.

4 sets of 8-12 reps

WOD

5 rounds for time of:

12 Deadlifts, 115/75 lbs

9 Hang Power Cleans, 115/75 lbs

6 Push Jerks, 115/75 lbs

Cool Down

Glute Stretch

Hold 1-2 minutes per side.


Trap stretch with lacrosse ball

1-2 minutes per side

Wall Shoulder Stretch

Hold 1-2 minutes.

Read More