WOD - Class Programming

Ben Williamson Ben Williamson

Thursday, April 10

“People say, what is the sense of our small effort? They cannot see that we must lay one brick at a time, take one step at a time. A pebble cast into a pond causes ripples that spread in all directions. Each one of our thoughts, words and deeds is like that. No one has a right to sit down and feel hopeless. There is too much work to do.”
Dorothy Day

Announcement:

  • We’ll be running 4:30pm classes EACH WEEKDAY starting next week. We want to add this option for our members for a few weeks and test out how the numbers look in our afternoon/evening sessions.

  • We will still offer 5:30pm Mon-Thurs during the week as well.

  • “Dead Lifter” shirt re-order came in. We re-supplied many of our sizes in Blue and added some Red shirts with black print. Tank tops with a new design are next! New CFP socks are in also!

  • 4 new Echo bikes and 2 new Rogue 15kg (“ladies bars”) are in!

Strength/Skill

4 RFQ (Superset)

Sled Push/Pull x 2 lengths 

L-Sit or Handstand Hold x :30

WOD

8 rounds for time of:

Post Run

10 DBall Over Shoulder

Cool Down

Banded Shoulder and Lower Body

Read More
Ben Williamson Ben Williamson

Wednesday, April 9

“You will know your vocation by the joy that it brings you. You will know. You will know when it's right.”
Dorothy Day

Nutrition Resource: Keto Diet (from Healthline.com)

What is the keto diet?

Most tissues in the human body prefer using the glucose from carbohydrates for energy.

Ketosis is the metabolic state in which your body uses calories from fat, instead of carbs, to create the energy needed to carry out its normal functions.

The keto, or ketogenic, diet aims to induce ketosis through the calculated adjustment of dietary macronutrients, namely carbs, protein and fat.

The keto diet macronutrient breakdown looks something like this:

  • Fat: 65-90%

  • Protein: 10-30%

  • Carbohydrates: less than 5%

In comparison to a “standard” diet, the macronutrient distribution of the keto diet is shifted significantly in favor of fat, with moderate protein and very few carbs.

The purpose of achieving ketosis with this diet plan is to induce the metabolic breakdown of fat in your body. Thus, it’s imperative that macronutrient intake is tightly controlled, as otherwise you risk throwing your metabolism out of ketosis.

One of the main reasons that the keto diet has gained recent popularity is because of its potential to help you lose weight and improve blood sugar control.

Warm-up

2 minutes of jogging, biking, or rowing

-then-

3 sets, not for time, of:

20 seconds of single-unders (or running step single-unders)

1 minute of foam roller of lats and low back or 20-30 seconds of passive bar hang (the goal is to feel a nice stretch in you lats)

8 shoulder pass throughs, pvc pipe (or with a light band)

7 hip & back extensions

6 steps of walking lunge with barbell overhead in press width grip (if possible)

5 front squats, empty barbell (3 seconds up, 3 seconds down)

Strength/Skill

Single Leg Forward Jumps 2x10

Then:

Front Squat 1xME at 70% 1RM

Front Squat 1xME at 70% 1RM

Front Squat 1xME at 70% 1RM

Front Squat 1xME at 50% 1RM

WOD

2 Rounds for Time:

25 Bar Facing Burpees

25/18 Air Bike Calories

Cool Down

Wall Stretch, Leg

Hold 1-2 minutes per side.

Glute Stretch

Hold 1-2 minutes per side.

Read More
Ben Williamson Ben Williamson

Tuesday, April 8

“I have long since come to believe that people never mean half of what they say, and that it is best to disregard their talk and judge only their actions.”
Dorothy Day

Nutrition Resource: Paleo Diet (from Healthline.com)

What is the paleo diet?

The paleo diet, sometimes referred to as “the caveman diet,” is based on the principle that eating foods that were available to early humans will promote optimal health.

One of the fundamental theories behind the paleo diet is that modern food systems, production and processing techniques are damaging to human health.

Thus, if you adjust your eating style to mimic that of Paleolithic hunter-gatherers, you will better support your body’s natural biological function, improving digestion and health.

Paleo eliminates grains, legumes, processed sugar and most sources of dairy.

The main foods permitted on the paleo diet include:

  • Meat and fish

  • Eggs

  • Nuts and seeds

  • Fruits

  • Vegetables — except corn, which is a grain

  • Selected fats and oils, such as coconut oil, olive oil, avocado oil, lard, tallow, ghee/butter

  • Minimally processed sweeteners, including raw honey, maple syrup, coconut sugar, raw stevia

For most, paleo is about more than just a diet.

There is also a strong focus on lifestyle practices, the environmental impact of food choices and total body wellness within the framework of the paleo philosophy.

Warm-up

Not for time:

1 minute of jogging, biking or rowing

20 seconds of banded steps forward and backward

10 m high knees

10 m butt kicks

10 sit-ups

1 minute of jogging, biking or rowing

20 seconds of banded steps forward and backward

10 m high knees

10 m butt kicks

10 sit-ups

1 minute of jogging, biking or rowing

Strength/Skill

Double Unders: 4 x 1 min / 1 min

1 min of work followed by 1 min of rest for 4 intervals.

Score is the lowest reps performed in any of the intervals.

Or 5:00 Double Under /Jump Rope practice

WOD

Complete as many rounds as possible in 40 mins of:

Air Bike, 1200 m

Row, 500 m

Run, 400 m

30 Hollow Rocks

Cool Down

Cobra Stretch - abs

1-2 minutes


Calves & Foam Rolling

Read More
Ben Williamson Ben Williamson

Monday, April 7

“Don't worry about being effective. Just concentrate on being faithful to the truth.”
― Dorothy Day

Nutrition Resource: Intermittent Fasting (from the CF Nutrition Guide)

Intermittent fasting is a diet that cycles through periods of fasting and periods of eating. Fasting involves deliberately withholding food.

There are multiple formats for intermittent fasting that are used within the CrossFit community. Some of the common intermittent-fasting protocols are the 16:8 method (where one fasts for 16 hours and eats within an eight-hour window), the 5:2 method (where one eats normally for five days and two days are restricted to 500-600 calories per day), and the 1:1 method (where one eats normally for one day and fasts for the next).

Intermittent-fasting protocols provide several significant benefits:

• Fasting can impact the quantity of food consumed, at least indirectly, by decreasing the amount of time food is available.

• During periods of fasting, the body uses its stored fat reserves as the main fuel source.

• Fasting leads to extended periods of low insulin production, which allows for improved insulin sensitivity and the cleaning out of damaged cells through the process of autophagy, both of which are tremendously beneficial from a health perspective.

For weight loss, a shorter fast of 16 hours per day has proven beneficial for leaning out. If you’re interested in increasing performance through fasting, you will have to experiment with different intermittent-fasting protocols to find out which works best for you.

16:8 Method

• This is 16 hours of fasting and eight hours of eating. This is not necessarily a caloric restriction diet.

• Daily caloric needs can be eaten during the eight-hour eating window.

• When starting, specific macronutrient ratios are not required, but food choices should be high quality.

• Fasting can be used in conjunction with the keto diet, 40-30-30, or with any other approach.

• This can be used by an athlete looking to maintain a high level of insulin sensitivity and increase workout performance.

5:2 Method

• This protocol consists of eating normally for five days and fasting during the other two days.

• On eating days, caloric intake should be normal.

• On the fasting days, women should limit caloric intake to 500 calories and men should limit to 600 calories.

• This protocol is a good introduction to fasting. Food intake on eating days does not have to follow any particular ratios but should consist of quality foods. Calories on fasting days should be consumed 200-300 calories at a time, separated by at least 12 hours.

1:1 Method

• This is an alternate-day fasting method. Caloric consumption on non-fasting days might increase slightly past normal.

• Structurally, this protocol would have an athlete eating normally on eating days all the way up to dinner. After dinner, they would fast until dinner the following day.

• On fasting day, if calories are needed to curb cravings or for energy, limit caloric intake to 500 calories for women and 600 calories for men.

This 500- and 600-calorie limit offers a good stepping stone into the full fasted version of this protocol.

• For best results, once you are ready for the full version, keep the fasting days fasted. Do not eat any calories from dinner to dinner.

Warm-up

2 rounds, not for time of:

2 minutes of rowing, biking, or jogging

10 hip & back extensions

5 shoulder pass throughs, pvc pipe (feel free to use a light band if this 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

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

Strength/Skill

1x [ 1 Power Snatch + 1 Overhead Squat + 1 Hang Squat Snatch + 1 Snatch ]

1x [ 1 Power Snatch + 1 Overhead Squat + 1 Hang Squat Snatch + 1 Snatch ]

1x [ 1 Power Snatch + 1 Overhead Squat + 1 Hang Squat Snatch + 1 Snatch ]

1x [ 1 Power Snatch + 1 Overhead Squat + 1 Hang Squat Snatch + 1 Snatch ]

Use the heaviest weight you can for each set.

Rest 2 mins between sets.

WOD

“Amanda”

9-7-5 reps, for time of:

Ring Muscle-up (Bar Muscle-Up/Chest-to-Bar Pull-Up/Pull-Up)

Squat Snatch, 135/95 lbs

Athlete Instructions

For time, or not.

Goals

Super Fitness Robot time / rounds: 

Men- 6:00 or less

Women- 7:00 or less

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

Men- 9:30 or less

Women- 12:00 or less

Movement Demos

Cool Down

Hamstring Stretch

Hold 1-2 minutes per side.


Kneeling Lay Back

Hold 1-2 minutes.

Wall Shoulder Stretch

Hold 1-2 minutes.

Read More
Ben Williamson Ben Williamson

Sunday, April 6

“I really only love God as much as I love the person I love the least.”
Dorothy Day

Warm-up

x2

PVC Shoulder Work 1:00

Med Ball Slams 1:00

Med Ball Front Squat x 10-15

Med Ball Push Press x 10-15

Med Ball Snow Angels 1:00

Strength/Skill

(Superset)

Standing Dumbbell Arnold Press 12-12-12-12

Use the heaviest weight you can for each set.

Rest as needed between sets.

Athlete Instructions

3-4 sets of 8-12 reps.

Movement Demos


Supinated Strict Pull-ups 4x12

Rest as needed between sets.


3-4 sets of 8-12 reps (break up sets as needed).

Movement Demos

WOD

For time:

Dumbbell Farmer Carry, 50/35 lbs, 100 m

Air Bike, 1000 m

Dumbbell Farmer Carry, 50/35 lbs, 100 m

Rest 5 min, then:

3 rounds for time of:

12 Hang Power Cleans, 95/65 lbs

9 Wallballs 20/14

6 Burpees

Cool Down


Foam Roll - Athlete’s Choice

Read More
Ben Williamson Ben Williamson

Saturday, April 5

If we love each other enough, we will bear with each other's faults and burdens.
If we love enough, we are going to light a fire in the hearts of others.
And it is love that will burn out the sins and hatreds that sadden us. It is love that will make us want to do great things for each other. No sacrifice and no suffering will then seem too much.” - Dorothy Day

WOD

3 rounds for time of:

Run, 800 m

Single Arm Dumbbell Overhead Lunge, pick load, 30 m

3 Rope Climbs, 15 ft (or 20 Pull-Ups)

Athlete Instructions

For time, or not.

Single Arm Dumbbell Overhead Lunge- 15 m/side

Other Equipment Conversions: Replace each 800m of running with 2400m on the Echo Bike, 1000m on the Concept 2 rower.

Goals

Super Fitness Robot time / rounds: 

22:00 or less

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

30:00

Partner Version:

AMRAP 30

  • Run Together

  • DB Lunge is any split

  • 4 Rope Climbs or 25 Pull-Ups (any split)

Cool Down

Wall Shoulder Stretch

Hold 1-2 minutes.


Wall Stretch, Leg

Hold 1-2 minutes per side.


Calves & Foam Rolling

Read More
Ben Williamson Ben Williamson

Friday, April 4

Love and ever more love is the only solution to every problem that comes up.” - Dorothy Day

Nutrition Series - Day 5 - Friday, April 4

CrossFit generally recommends that 40% of your meals come from carbohydrates, 30% from protein, and 30% from fats as a starting point for fine-tuning your nutrition. For weight loss and “leaning up,” I have seen many have sustained success in a lower carb ratio (using Paleo or Keto-type diets, more to come on those later). 

Common Sources of:

Carbohydrates: Grains, fruits, veggies, beans, dairy

Protein: Meat, fish, eggs, quinoa, nuts, tofu, seitan

Fats: Nuts, oils, avocado, fish, dairy, seeds

Stay on track:

  • Eat within a 12-hour window. 

  • Spread your meals out across the day by eating three meals and one or two snacks in regular intervals throughout the day. 

  • Eat protein, carbohydrate, and fat at every meal. The closer to the 40C/30P/30F ratio you can get at each meal, the better. 

  • Eat more vegetables than fruit and more fruit than starch. 

Any planning ahead for your meal prep is helpful! Preparing excess food for meals on Sunday helps me, as I can quickly and easily grab leftovers during the week.

  • Create a shopping schedule and prepare your food in advance. 

  • Always have high-quality food on hand. You don’t want to be hungry and tired with no quality food to eat, as that will inevitably lead to poor decisions. Planning ahead will save you. 

  • Every day you adhere to your plan is a victory. At the beginning, every half-day, or meal, or snack where you adhere to your plan is a victory! Journal your WINS on a calendar on the fridge or somewhere visible, and build on those over time.

  • Be proud of yourself and use it as motivation for the next day.


    Links: CrossFit Nutrition Course Training Guide

Warm-up

ROWLING


Rounds suggested: 3 to 4

Rest between rounds: 90 to 120 seconds

Equipment required for today’s warm-up: Rower and kettlebell (53/35 lbs or lighter)

Penalty exercise: Russian swings

Note: if the penalty exceeds the 16 repetitions, just do 16 reps of the exercise

Instructions:

Set the rower on meters;

The goal is to land exactly on 100mts;

Row as hard as you can safely do;

If you go lower or exceed the 100mts, the meters that are missing or the meters that exceed the 100 are your penalty. Example: if the final number on the display is 93, I have a penalty of 7; if the final number on the display is 105, I have a penalty of 5;

The penalty is the number of reps that you have to complete before resting.

Keep in mind: once you stop rowing, the meters will keep rolling.

Strength/Skill

Deadlift 1x3 at 80% 1RM

Deadlift 1x5 at 75% 1RM

Deadlift 1x7 at 70% 1RM

Deadlift 1x9 at 65% 1RM

Deadlift 1x11 at 60% 1RM

Rest as needed between sets.

Movement Demos

WOD

4 rounds for quality of:

Run, 400 m

50 Single Leg Glute Bridges

Plank Hold, 1 min

Athlete Instructions

Single Leg Glute Bridges- 25 reps/side

(After WOD: Finisher, if time)

For quality:

100 Abmat Sit-Ups (or 60 GHD Sit-Ups)

Cool Down

Hamstring Stretch

Hold 1-2 minutes per side.

Foam Roller, Back, lats, etc

Read More
Ben Williamson Ben Williamson

Thursday, April 3

“That which is measured improves” - Karl Pearson

Nutrition Series - Day 4 - Thursday, April 3

  • So much of eating is unconscious, and we often don’t think about what we’re putting into our bodies.

  • If we want to make sustainable changes to our nutrition, it’s important to keep track of what we’re eating.

  • A simple 1-week journal is a good start. This can be done on pen-and-paper, a Notes app on our phone, or a food tracking or fitness app. If you can stretch this out to 1-month, even better!

  • After we collect enough data to see where we are, we can make much more informed choices about areas to improve, identify triggers, and note patterns.


What to include in a food journal?

  • What you eat and drink: Be specific, including details like the type of food, ingredients, and preparation methods. 

  • Portion sizes: Measure or estimate how much you're consuming. 

  • Time and location: Note when and where you're eating. 

  • How you feel: Record your hunger levels, emotions, and any physical symptoms related to eating. 

  • Why you are eating: Consider what triggers your food choices, such as stress, boredom, or emotions. 

Is there an app for this?

Strength/Skill

For quality:

15 L/15 R Turkish Get-ups, pick load

Athlete Instructions

Accumulate a total of 20-30 reps (10/15 per arm), switch arm every 5 reps.

Movement Demos

WOD

9 rounds for time of:

12 Dumbbell Power Snatches, 50/35 lbs

Run, 100 m

8 Box Jumps, 24/20 in

6 Toes-to-bars

Cool Down

Banded Shoulders

Banded Lower Body

Read More
Ben Williamson Ben Williamson

Wednesday, April 2

Everything we want to do in life requires discipline. And like strength, flexibility, and endurance, it can be built up over time.

Laird Hamilton

Nutrition Series - Day 3 - Wed., April 2

  • We’ve included CrossFit’s starter shopping list below. For folks that have (or make) the time to prepare food each night, this is a great option. If you find that you’re often in a hurry or struggle to consistently prepare your meals, some hacks:

    • Grocery stores often have healthy options in hot bars or pre-packaged to-go meals. You can often find grilled meats/proteins, lots of whole food veggie options, for folks that are on-the-go. 

    • I’m often running across Asheville and suddenly get VERY hungry. I’ll hit up the Earth Fare or Whole Foods hot bars if I’m in the neighborhood and need a quick healthier option.

https://assets.crossfit.com/pdfs/seminars/nutrition1_shoppinglist.pdf

Warm-up

EMOM 12 minutes of:

Min. 1: 40 seconds of biking, rowing or jogging (try to increase pace set after set)

Min. 2: 10-15 m of high knees + 10-15 m of butt kicks

Min. 3: 6 russian kettlebell swings (light load recommended) + 4 down-ups

Min. 4: rest

Strength/Skill

3 RFQ:

Overhead Squat x 8

Russian Twists x 30

WOD

Tabata Air Bike Calorie

The Tabata interval is 2 mins of work followed

by 4 mins of rest for 6 intervals.

Tabata score is the total reps performed in all of the intervals.

Athlete Instructions

Goals

Super Fitness Robot time / rounds: 

Men- 45 calories per round

Women- 35 calories per round

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

Men- 24 calories per round

Women- 18 calories per round

Cool Down

Kneeling Lay Back

Hold 1-2 minutes.

Frog Stretch

Hold 1-2 minutes.

Read More
Ben Williamson Ben Williamson

Tuesday, April 1

“Willpower is not a feasible strategy.” - CrossFit Nutrition Training Guide

Nutrition Series - Day 2 - Tuesday, April 1

  • Eat real food. By “real,” we mean whole, single-ingredient foods. A big goal is to steer clear of processed foods, and refined carbohydrates, added sugars.

  • Real food is often found on the perimeter of our grocery stores. Resist the aisles!

  • When we say “meat” in CrossFit’s nutrition recommendation, we mean any source of protein (seafood, eggs, vegan sources of protein, etc.).

  • Practice REPLACING over eliminating. Instead of eliminating a late-night sugary snack, for example, consider replacing it with healthier alternatives (maybe ice cream is replaced by Greek yogurt with berries)

Setting Yourself Up for Success


Adopting a new diet filled with whole, unprocessed foods isn’t easy initially. It requires preparation, planning, and the development of new habits, but there are steps you can take to ensure your success. 

An essential first step is setting up your home environment for success. This involves removing all processed and packaged foods from your pantry, fridge, and freezer. 


Remove everything with added sugar, industrial seed oils, and foods that do not generally fit the “meat and vegetables, nuts and seeds, some fruit, little starch, and no sugar” recommendation. 

Willpower is not a feasible strategy. 

Any tempting processed treat, snack, meal, or beverage that remains in the house will likely be eaten. 

Just knowing they are there and that you have to resist them takes up unnecessary mental energy. 

Keeping all highly refined, packaged foods out of the house is a critical (and simple!) first step for successfully implementing a healthy diet.

Tomorrow, we’ll talk about a starter shopping list to REPLACE what we just eliminated.

Links: CrossFit Nutrition Course Training Guide

Warm-up

2-3 rounds, not for time, of:

2 mins of running, biking, or rowing

8 squats (squat therapy style- see video below)

8-10 hip & back extensions

30 seconds of lateral banded steps

10 bent over rows, empty/light barbell

20 seconds of shoulder taps in plank position

8 hollow rocks, v-ups, or sit-ups

5 inchworm push-ups

Strength/Skill

Tabata Toes-to-bar (Knee Raises/V-Up)

The Tabata interval is 20 secs of work followed

by 40 secs of rest for 4 intervals.

Tabata score is the total reps performed in all of the intervals.

Movement Demos

WOD

For time:

10 Back Squats, 185/135 lbs

10 Burpees

10 Ring Rows

L-Sit, 12 secs

9 Back Squats, 185/135 lbs

9 Burpees

9 Ring Rows

L-Sit, 12 secs

…down to 1.

Cool Down

Wall Shoulder Stretch

Hold 1-2 minutes.

Wall Stretch, Leg

Hold 1-2 minutes per side.

Read More
Ben Williamson Ben Williamson

Monday, March 31

“Nobody regrets eating clean, training hard, and choosing discipline. Ever.” - Ryan Fischer (@ryanfisch - IG)

Nutrition Series - Day 1

  • Nutrition is the FOUNDATION of our health and fitness. It is as important, if not more important, than anything we do in the gym.

  • Good nutrition habits are a skill. Like other skills (playing an instrument, being a good listener, squat snatches!), they take time to develop. Be patient with yourself while you develop this skill.

  • People are different. What works for one person may not work for others.

  • Fitness and health are marathons, not sprints. Focus on SUSTAINABLE habits, small changes over time that you can integrate into your daily routine for YEARS to come.

CrossFit nutrition recommendation:

“Eat meat and vegetables, nuts and seeds, some fruit, little starch, and no sugar. Keep intake to levels that will support exercise but not body fat.”

Links: CrossFit Nutrition Course Training Guide

Warm-up

2-3 rounds, not for time, of:

1 minute of easy jogging, biking or rowing

50 double-unders, single-unders or jumping jacks

10 glute-bridges (empty barbell)

1 x Clean warm-up with empty bar (45/35) 

Strength/Skill

(Before WOD)

5 rounds for quality of:

12 Dumbbell Seal Rows, pick load

Handstand Hold, 40 secs (OH Hold)

(After WOD, if time)

For time:

75 Russian Kettlebell Swings, pick load

Athlete Instructions

50-75 reps.

Choose a heavy load you can safely move. The goal is to accomplish this in 3 or fewer sets.

Movement Demos

WOD

For time:

100 Single Unders

20 Power Clean & Jerks, 115/75 lbs

75 Single Unders

15 Power Clean & Jerks, 115/75 lbs

Cool Down

Straddle Stretch

Hold 1-2 minutes.


Trap stretch with lacrosse ball

1-2 minutes per side

Read More
Ben Williamson Ben Williamson

Sunday, March 30

“Transformation doesn’t come from discipline, it comes from identity. Focus on becoming the person who does the thing, not just forcing yourself to do it.”

Announcements:

  • April will be a nutrition-focused month for us. Stay tuned for daily info and resources!

Warm-up

1 set:

10 alternating Spiderman twists

10 push-ups to downward dog

20 alternating downward dog calf pedals

1:00 single-under practice


1 set:

10 up-downs

10 pike push-ups from the floor

:30 single-single-double practice

1 set:

10 up-downs

10 empty barbell shoulder presses

1:00 double-under practice

Strength/Skill

Single Arm Dumbbell Kickback 24-24-24

Use the heaviest weight you can for each set.

Rest as needed between sets.

Athlete Instructions

3 sets of 8-12 reps per arm.

Movement Demos

L-Sit, Accumulate 2:00

WOD

3 rounds for reps of:

1:00 double-unders

1:00 push presses (55/75 lb)

1:00 air squats

– No rest between movements.

Cool Down

1 set:

1:00 banded shoulder stretch/arm

1:00 table-top stretch

Read More
Ben Williamson Ben Williamson

Saturday, March 29

“What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.”

Zig Ziglar

Announcements:

  • April will be a nutrition-focused month for us. Stay tuned for daily info and resources!

Warm-up

2-4 mins of jogging, biking, or rowing

-then-

2-3 sets, not for time of:

8 squats (squat therapy style) (see video below)

8-10 stiff-legged deadlifts, empty/light bar

8-10 glute bridges, empty/light bar

20-30 secs of banded marching

6 hip & back extensions

5 inchworm push-ups

WOD

“McGhee”

Complete as many rounds as possible in 30 mins of:

5 Deadlifts, 275/185 lbs

13 Push-ups

9 Box Jumps, 24/20 in

Corporal Ryan C. McGhee, 21, was killed in action on May 13, 2009 by small arms fire during combat in central Iraq. He served with 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment of Fort Benning, Ga. This was his fourth deployment, his first to Iraq. Ryan was engaged to Ashleigh Mitchell of Fredericksburg, VA. He is survived by his father Steven McGhee of Myrtle Beach S.C., his mother Sherrie Battle McGhee, and his brother Zachary.

Athlete Instructions

Goals

Super Fitness Robot time / rounds: 

Men- 18.5 rounds or more

Women- 17 rounds or more

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

Men- 14 rounds

Women- 13 rounds

Cool Down

Chest & Pec, hands behind

Hold 1-2 minutes.

Glute Stretch

Hold 1-2 minutes per side.

Read More
Ben Williamson Ben Williamson

Friday, March 28

“To be nobody but yourself in a world that is doing its best to make you somebody else is to fight the hardest battle you are ever going to fight. Never stop fighting.”

e.e. cummings

Announcements:

  • April will be a nutrition-focused month for us. Stay tuned for daily info and resources!

Warm-up

3 rounds, not for time, of:

2 minutes of easy jogging, biking or rowing

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

5 thrusters with empty bar (45/35), one second pause in the bottom position of the squat and one second pause in the top position with the barbell overhead.

Strength/Skill

3 rounds for quality of:

12 L/12 R Kickstand Squats, pick load

Athlete Instructions

3 sets, 8-12 reps per leg.

Movement Demos

Weighted Strict Pull-up 3-2-1

Use the heaviest weight you can for each set.

Rest as needed between sets.

Athlete Instructions

If unable to do weighted pull-ups, do regular strict pull-ups: 3 sets with a range of repetitions that will challenge you (feel free to use a band)

Movement Demos

WOD

4 rounds for time of:

  • Run, 400 m

  • 12 Dumbbell Thrusters, 50/35 lbs

12 Pull-ups

Athlete Instructions

Other Equipment Conversions: Replace each 400m of running with 1200m on the Echo Bike, 500m on the Concept 2 rower

Goals

  • Super Fitness Robot time / rounds: 

  • 13:30 or less

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

20:00

Movement Demos

Cool Down

Kneeling Lay Back

Hold 1-2 minutes.

Calves & Foam Rolling

Read More
Ben Williamson Ben Williamson

Thursday, March 27

“Discipline isn’t deprivation. It’s freedom.”

Ryan Fisch

Announcements:

  • April will be a nutrition-focused month for us. Stay tuned for daily info and resources!

Strength/Skill

Bench Press

5-5-5-5-5

Dumbbell Skull Crusher 12-12-12

Use the heaviest weight you can for each set.

Rest as needed between sets.

Athlete Instructions

3 sets of 8-12 reps.

Movement Demos

WOD

30-20-10

Row Cal 

  • After each row sprint, complete an odd object carry post run

  • 90/60

  • Use anything we have: dballs, sandbags, 2 kbs, 2 dbs, bumper plates, barbell

Cool Down

Banded lower body

Read More
Ben Williamson Ben Williamson

Wednesday, March 26

“Discipline isn’t for impressing others. It’s about proving to yourself that you are exactly who you said you’d be.”

Ryan Fisch

Announcements:

  • We’ll be keeping our new Monday 4:30pm (w/ Ben) and Wednesday 4:30pm (w/Jason) classes. RSVP on Push Press!

Warm-up

AMRAP 8 minutes, easy pace, of:

100 m of jogging (or 100 m of rowing or 300 m of bike)

10 m of bear crawl

30 jumping jacks or single-unders

10 sit-ups

20 seconds of rest

Strength/Skill

Landmine Twist 12-12-12

Use the heaviest weight you can for each set.

Rest as needed between sets.

Athlete Instructions

3 Sets of 8-12 reps.

Single Leg Dumbbell Deadlift 24-24-24-24

Use the heaviest weight you can for each set.

Rest as needed between sets.

Athlete Instructions

4 sets of 8-12 reps per leg.

Movement Demos

WOD

3 rounds for time of:

Farmer Carry, pick load, 75 m

Run, 200 m

30 GHD Sit-ups (Weighted Sit-Ups or V-Ups)

Run, 200 m

75 Double Unders

Athlete Instructions

Other Equipment Conversions

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

Goals

Super Fitness Robot time / rounds: 

18:00 or less

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

27:00

Movement Demos

Cool Down

Cobra Stretch - abs

1-2 minutes

Calves & Foam Rolling

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Ben Williamson Ben Williamson

Tuesday, March 25

“The most toxic people in your life aren’t the ones who drag you down. They’re the ones that keep you comfortable. The ones who never challenge you. The ones who applaud your excuses.”

Ryan Fisch

Announcements:

  • We’ll be keeping our new Monday 4:30pm (w/ Ben) and Wednesday 4:30pm (w/Jason) classes. RSVP on Push Press!

Warm-up

3 sets, not for time, of:

1 minute of jogging, biking, or rowing

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

5 band pull-aparts

5-7 hip & back extensions

3-5 shoulder presses, empty/light barbell

3-5 push presses, empty/light barbell

3-5 push jerks, empty/light barbell

Strength/Skill

Shoulder Press 1-1-1-1-1, using heaviest weight per set

Push Press 3-3-3-3-3, using heaviest weight per set

Push Jerk 5-5-5-5-5, using heaviest weight per set

Athlete Instructions

Goals

Super Fitness Robot time / rounds: 

85% 1RM Shoulder Press or more across all movements

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

60% 1RM Shoulder Press or more across all movements

Athlete Instructions

Movement Demos

WOD

For time:

Run, 400 m

30 Dumbbell Squats, 50/35 lbs

Run, 400 m

25 Dumbbell Squats, 50/35 lbs

Run, 400 m

20 Dumbbell Squats, 50/35 lbs

Cool Down

Wall Shoulder Stretch

Hold 1-2 minutes.

Trap stretch with lacrosse ball

1-2 minutes per side

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Ben Williamson Ben Williamson

Monday, March 24

“You’re not too tired to workout. You’re tired because you don’t.”

Ryan Fisch

Announcements:

  • We’ll be keeping our new Monday 4:30pm (w/ Ben) and Wednesday 4:30pm (w/Jason) classes. RSVP on Push Press!

  • We’ve got some new CrossFit Pisgah socks on the way, and a re-order of the old “Dead Lifter” t-shirts coming. We’ll be working on new shirt designs next for spring and summer.

Warm-up

3 minutes of easy rowing, biking or jogging

-then-

2 sets, not for time, of:

10 steps of walking lunges (or box step-ups, you choose the height)

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

30 seconds of rowing, biking or jogging (try to increase the intensity every 10 seconds)

45 seconds of rest

Strength/Skill

For quality:

Bottom Air Squat Hold, Accumulate 2-5 mins

Athlete Instructions

weight on the heels

knees tracking the toes 

depth: couple inches below parallel

lumbar curve maintained 

Single Arm Dumbbell Row 24-24-24-24

Use the heaviest weight you can for each set.

Rest as needed between sets.

Athlete Instructions

3-4 sets of 8-12 reps per arm.

WOD

5 rounds for max reps of:

10 Strict Chin-ups

20 Weighted Box Step-ups, pick load, pick height

max rep Row Calories, 30 secs

Rest 3 mins

Athlete Instructions

Goals

Super Fitness Robot time / rounds: 

Men- 15 Calories or more per 30 seconds of effort

Women- 10 Calories or more per 30 seconds of effort

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

Men- 9 Calories or more per 30 seconds of effort

Women- 6 Calories or more per 30 seconds of effort

Cool Down

Foam Roller, Back, lats, etc

Hamstring Stretch

Hold 1-2 minutes per side.

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Ben Williamson Ben Williamson

Sunday, March 23

Everything has been figured out, except how to live.

Jean-Paul Sartre

Announcements:

  • We’ll be keeping our new Monday 4:30pm (w/ Ben) and Wednesday 4:30pm (w/Jason) classes. RSVP on Push Press!

  • We’ve got some new CrossFit Pisgah socks on the way, and a re-order of the old “Dead Lifter” t-shirts coming. We’ll be working on new shirt designs next for spring and summer.

Warm-up

2x

1:00 Jump Rope

1:00 Good mornings

1:00  Box Step Ups

1:00 Superman/Scarecrow

1:00 Speed Skaters

Strength/Skill

(After WOD)

3 RFQ

1:00 Side Plank R

20-40 Hollow Rocks

20-40 Russian Twists

1:00 Side Plank L

WOD

7 rounds for time of:

15 Kettlebell Swings, 53/35

15 Deadlift, 135/115 lbs

15 Box Jumps, 24/20 in

Cool Down

Med ball snow angels

Pigeon

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Ben Williamson Ben Williamson

Saturday, March 22

Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.

Marie Curie

Announcements:

  • Last Sunday’s class was a hit! We’ll keep that going for now. Coach Meg will be leading this Sunday’s class. 9:30am!

Warm-up

3 rounds, not for time:

1 min of running, biking, or rowing

10 jumping air squats

7 hip & back extensions

5 shoulder pass throughs, pvc pipe

5 band pull-aparts

5 scap pull-ups

5 kip swings

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

Strength/Skill

-

WOD

AMRAP 25 (with a partner)

40 Walking lunges

30 Pull-Ups

20 DB goblet squats (35/50 lb)

10 Single-DB devils press (35/50 lb)

– Split work as desired.

Cool Down

Kneeling Lay Back

Hold 1-2 minutes.

Chest & Pec, hands behind

Hold 1-2 minutes.

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