San Francisco Forecast: Sunny With a High Chance of Man Feet

It's that time of year again in San Francisco - the stretch of a handful of weeks during which I try my best not to look down too much in public, for fear of seeing some gnarly man feet resembling hairy talons clinched to a pair of Rainbows.  Thank goodness the forecast looks to be showing some cooling trends starting on Tuesday, since Monday's reading on the SF Weather Advisory System was: HIGH.

San Franciscans can empathize.

I was at Whole Foods the other day being generally snobby and buying some nutritious fuel for a certain high powered athlete and her ruggedly handsome trophy husband.  The troubling amount of man feet I was forced to look at made me so nauseous I could barely locate the $7 coconut water my dear athlete loves so much.

Dear SF (grown, adult, gainfully employed, not in college anymore) men - really?!  Can we please retire the flip-flops as acceptable urban footwear, or at least reduce them to beach/pool/tropical vacation/public shower duty as they were intended?  I mean, really... it's not like it's 100 degrees out there.  I get it, it's nice out.  How about a nice canvas sneaker, or loafer, or boat shoe? Anything. Please.  And no, man sandals (AKA "mandals") are not okay and I don't care if they're Dolce & Gabbana - this isn't Europe, regardless of whether or not you insist on telling me "ciao" when we leave each other's presence, or sign-off all your emails with "cheers."  You don't see me trying to kiss your wife goodbye on both cheeks, so cut it out with the Italian designer leather excuse for wearing what is, in effect, a high end flip flop.  The linen man-pri pants should probably stay on the rack at Loehman's as well.  THAT'S WHY THEIR MEN'S STORE CLOSED, DUDE.  Or, let's make a deal, just clip your toenails like you've seen your feet in the last month - then maybe I won't feel like I'm losing my $11 kale chips the wrong way (Editor's note when re-reading this: I don't actually eat kale chips but it seemed fitting at the time for dramatic effect).

OK, end of grumpy old man rant (almost).  I'm officially a curmudgeon.  What can I say, I'm not a fan of the man feet.  If cargo shorts are the Nickelback of men's clothing then flip flops are the Dave Matthews Band - we're not late for Chem Lab and neither of us has a Scarface poster on our wall anymore.  So take a few minutes and put some shoes on, big dawg, so we can hang out and I won't have to pretend I don't know you.

Ladies, on the other hand, keep it up.  You look fabulous, especially when it's warm outside - just make sure to hit those heels with some moisturizer, ain't nobody got time for ashy.  Don't let the calloused hands fool you.    

WOD for 09-27-16:

Rowing Technique:

Skills & Drills

-then-

10 Rounds For Time, With a Partner:

250m Row

10 Burpees

You go, then I go, then we rest exactly one minute.  Then we repeat that nine more times.  Each round is all out.  

Fitness, Friends, Food & Wine

What a gorgeous and eventful weekend!  On Sunday afternoon Molly F. was kind enough to host about three or four dozen Arena Ready folks for a wine tasting and backyard grilling AMRAP.  Our resident wine guru, JP, poured some wonderful wines while we all noshed on delicious food under the "San Francisco Summer" sunshine.

Missed out on the gathering?  You (and by "you" I mean Arena Ready members) were all invited on the private Arena Ready Facebook group - so if you're not in the group (and are a member at Arena Ready) please click here and make sure you request to be added!  If you're not on Facebook well I can understand (and I applaud you for your abstinence), but it may very well be worth getting on it just for the sake of the AR group - you'll have access to all the communication, events, gym news, and nonsense that fill the group on a regular basis.  And you'll never have to feel FOMO again about missing a fun event or gathering with your swolemates and gym buddies.

I, of course, was a terrible gym owner and forgot to take a big group photo of the entire gang, but thankfully LGB at least got an artsy candid of a handful of those in attendance (thanks, Lindsay):

Looks like Monday will be another beautiful day, so what better way to start your week than a little vitamin D and some back squats?!  GET ON IT.

WOD for 09-26-16:

Back Squat:

12 minutes to establish a triple

This is NOT a 3RM.  Quickly work up to something "moderately heavy" prior to dropping the load to your working weight for Part 2 to follow.  Like percentages?  For most of you think 85% of 1RM or somewhere in that neighborhood.

-then-

Five 2-Minute Cycles For MAX REPS:

200m Run

10-9-8-7-6 Back Squats @ Bodyweight

MAX REPS Box Jumps @ 24/20 in

(Rest 2 Minutes)

This is 2 minutes of work followed by 2 minutes of rest, repeated for 5 cycles.  Back squat reps start at 10 in the 1st cycle, and then decrease by 1 rep for each cycle thereafter (the 5th and final cycle = 6 back squats).  Score is total number of box jumps across all 5 cycles.

(Compare to 12-29-15)

Sunday Yoga This Weekend

Since Labor Day a few weeks ago cut into our regular Monday evening yoga classes, Dani has graciously offered to do another Sunday "make-up" yoga class this weekend!  She'll be teaching the class on Sunday, September 25th at 9:00am - so if you're interested please sign-up as you would for any other class. 

For more info on what Dani's yoga classes entail click here for some details.  All levels are welcome and yoga is free for Arena Ready members - so what are you waiting for?  Do yourself a favor and help your recovery, mobility, stability, mental clarity, and maybe even learn a thing or two... get on it, and get in here on Sunday morning!

WOD for 09-24-16:

IN TEAMS OF THREE...

AMRAP 22 Minutes:

PARTNERS A & B Share & Complete:

12 Deadlifts @ 155/105 lbs

9 Hang Power Cleans

6 Push Jerks

PARTNER C Completes:

3 Rounds of "Cindy"

One partner must always be completing rounds of "Cindy" and must always switch after 3 rounds.  The 12-9-6 triplet is shared and can be split in any fashion.  The team's score is rounds + reps completed of the triplet.

One round of "Cindy" is:

5 Pull-ups

10 Push-ups

15 Air Squats

Fall's New Faces

You may notice a handful of new faces in the gym, as we have several new members who were CrossFitters from other areas/gyms, and will have a couple new folks on-boarding during our Fall intake of athletes (which starts this Sunday).  Since we only take on a handful of new members every several months as spaces become available, these will likely be the last new folks you'll meet before the new year.  So, say hello and get to know them a bit when you're in class together - just please also make sure to pay attention and listen to your coaches while doing so, haha.  Be your awesome selves and make our new athletes feel welcome as they join the Arena Ready family!

WOD for 09-23-16:

Alternating EMOM for 5 Rounds (10 Minutes):

MINUTE 1: 10 One-Arm KB/DB Overhead Squats (5R / 5L), PICK LOAD

MINUTE 2: Strict Muscle-ups, PICK NUMBER

-then-

AMRAP 8 Minutes:

4 Curtis P Complexes @ 95/65 lbs

8 Burpee Box Jumps @ 24/20 in

The Curtis P Complex is:

Power Clean + Lunge Right + Lunge Left + Push Press

Lift Light Weights Like They're Heavy...

... and heavy weights like they're light!

Over the last few months we've used weightlifting complexes to re-enforce the proper positions during the snatch and clean.  As a result we've seen many of our athletes make progress on "staying over" or "covering" the bar prior to initiating the second pull - and have continued to witness our folks improving their first pull from the floor, as well as the position at the knees (since we pretty much harp on both of those things all the time, haha).  

While drills and complexes help to ingrain proper positions and movement patterns during the lifts, another valuable tool is one's mental approach with the lifts - i.e. how someone addresses the bar, prepares their focus, and, accordingly, executes the controlled/violent/powerful/dynamic movement.  One relevant weightlifting concept that is very valuable for athletes to learn is to "lift light weights like they're heavy and heavy weights like they're light." 

I posted this video to the private AR Facebook group a while back and wanted to share it again here - check out how this athlete's speed/violence/aggression/extension is the same regardless of the weight on the bar.  As the weight gets heavier the only thing that changes is that the barbell simply doesn't go quite as high, thus forcing him to pull under to receive lower and lower (for his snatches the bar starts at 70 kg/154 lbs and ends at 125 kg/275 lbs).  Obviously he's not doing exactly the same complex we'll be doing on Thursday, but you get the point…

If you move slowly and without purpose when the bar is light, only to try and "turn it on" once the bar gets heavier, it's too late.  Over months and years of practicing and training this way you're simply re-enforcing slow and/or sloppy movement with hundreds or thousands of reps.  When the weights get heavy, and the pressure is on, the body will fall back on what it's used to doing.  So, instead, prioritize all those lighter sets and move with a purpose to train your body that speed and aggression is not an option... it's the way.  The only way.

Lift light weights like they're heavy and heavy weights like they're light!

WOD for 09-22-16:

2 Power Snatches + 1 Squat Snatch:

4 Sets of (2+1)

Quickly climb to your working weight for Part 2 below (or slightly above it).

-then-

3 Rounds for Time:

400m Run

12 Chest-to-Bar Pull-ups

12 Power Snatches @ 155/110 lbs

24 Wall Balls @ 20/14 lbs to 10/9 ft

The Ultimate Hawaiian Trail Run

Thanks to CrossFit Poipu and Progenex for putting on a great event this past Saturday on the beautiful island of Kauai.  We are looking forward to seeing everyone back in the gym on Wednesday!

Photo is not from the actual race, sadly - it was far more rainy, muddy, and treacherous on that day.  This is how I prefer to remember our time spent exercising instead, haha.

WOD for 09-21-16:

Strict Press (Week 3):

***Using 95% of your 1RM from 08-30-16 as your "base"...

75% x 5

85% x 3

95% x 1+ (e.g. Max Effort: as many reps as you can safely make)

***FOR EXAMPLE: if you lifted 120 lbs as your 1RM on 08-30-16 you would use 95% of that (114 lbs) as your "base":

75% of 114 lbs = 86 lbs x 5 reps

85% of 114 lbs = 97 lbs x 3 reps

95% of 114 lbs = 108 lbs x 1+ reps (e.g. Max Effort: as many reps as you can safely make)

-then-

Front Squat:

1-3-1-5-1-7

This Front Squat session is similar to ones we have done in the past, with the goal being three heavy singles, each followed by a “down set” of multiple (and ascending) repetitions.  The athlete should build to their first single with 3-4 warm-up sets, and then once the first single is taken there should be no “in-between” or “test” sets during the SIX total work sets.  Since this type of session requires the athlete to “go by feel” some will inevitably ask for advice on loading - here is a rough idea of what a typical progression might look like for someone who squats approximately 250 lbs as a 1RM (keeping in mind that athletes will vary!):

Empty Bar + Three to Four Warm-up Sets, then…

1 @ 225 lbs

3 @ 205 lbs

1 @ 235 lbs

5 @ 200 lbs

1 @ 240 lbs

7 @ 195 lbs

Keep your rest strict at approx 1:30 - 2:00 between sets.  There is no “rule” about the singles going up or down in weight, and the same goes for the sets of 3, 5, and 7 (they can go slightly up, go slightly down, or stay the same) - it all depends on the individual athlete and how they feel today.  Take what’s there today, come back tomorrow.  

Ain't Fit Enough

You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.

Have a friend, family member, or loved one you'd like to get started at Arena Ready?  A few membership spots are available, and our free on-boarding series for new athletes starts this Sunday, September 25th (click here for more info).

WOD for 09-20-16:

Alternating EMOM for 6 Rounds (12 Minutes):

MINUTE 1: 3 Deadlifts, climbing

MINUTE 2: 12 Hollow Rocks

Add to your top deadlift set from 09-01-16 if possible.

-then-

For Time:

500m Row

100 Double Unders

50 Deadlifts @ 185/125 lbs

This is a sprint, which means the deadlifts should feel very light while still looking damn near perfect.  If your back is flat and your midline is solid then hold on to the bar for dear life and see how big of chunks you can do the deadlifts in (yes, I just ended a sentence in a preposition).      

(Compare to 10-28-15)

2016 NPGL TV Schedule

If you weren't able to to watch the 2016 NPGL season live and/or you'd like to re-watch all the action - including Coach Sarah and the San Francisco Fire - then you're in luck!  The entire GRID season will air on television on NBC/CSN Bay Area (Comcast channel 720, AT&T U-Verse channel 1770, DirecTV channel 696, Dish Network channel 419).

You can find ALL of the match air dates & times for every team by clicking here on the NPGL website, and we have listed the dates/times below for Sarah and the SF Fire specifically.

SF Fire vs LA Reign

Premiere Air Date: Sunday, September 25th @ 8pm

Re-Air Date: Wednesday, September 28th @ 2pm

 

SF Fire vs PHX Rise

Premiere Air Date: Sunday, October 30th @ 8pm

Re-Air Date: Wednesday, November 2nd @ 3pm

 

MIA Surge vs SF Fire

Premiere Air Date: Monday, December 5th @ 8pm

Re-Air Date: Wednesday, December 7th @ 3pm

 

Western Conference Final - SF Fire vs PHX Rise

Premiere Air Date: Thursday, December 15th @ 8pm

Re-Air Date: Friday, December 16th @ 3pm

WOD for 09-19-16:

1 Power Clean + 2 Push Presses + 1 Push Jerk:

5 sets of (1+2+1)

Climbing as technique allows.

-then-

A) AMRep 5 Minutes:

400m Run

20 Lateral Bar Burpees

MAX REPS Shoulder-to-Overhead @ 135/95 lbs

REST 2 MINUTES

B) AMRep 5 Minutes:

200m Run

20 Shoulder-to-Overhead @ 135/95 lbs

MAX REPS Lateral Bar Burpees

Score by total reps for both A and B.

(Compare to 12-14-15)

Sweaty Saturday Aloha

Stacey says she wants proof, so here you go...  

We hope everyone has a great weekend - why not start it off with some Sweaty Saturday fitness, Arena Ready style!

WOD for 09-17-16:

10 Rounds For Time:

200m Run

7 Chest-to-Bar Pull-ups

7 Front Squats @ 139/95 lbs (no rack)

(Compare to 12-12-15 and 05-31-14)

Margaret Crushes The Alcatraz Swim

Recently Margaret took her fitness to the open water and showed a lot of people what's up by finishing 7th (among females) - and 16th overall (males & females) - in a reported field of 1,200 in the 14th Annual Alcatraz Swim with the Centurions.  As it turns out my swim coach is actually THAT fast - imagine if she trained specifically for this thing... if she did I might put my money on her to win it outright!  

Impressive stuff, Margaret!      

WOD for 09-16-16:

Hang Power Clean:

3-3-3-3-3

Climbing

-then-

4 Rounds for Time:

21 Air Squats

15 Handstand Push-ups

9 Hang Power Cleans @ 135/95 lbs

(Compare to 02-29-16)

Arena Ready Weightlifting at the Marin Open

This past Sunday four members of the Arena Ready Weightlifting Team competed at the PWA’s 2016 Marin Open in San Rafael, and our athletes put on a great show on the competition platform. 

Kate “The Flying Squirrel” set a competition total PR and came just a hair short of the American Open qualifying total, with her final clean & jerk attempt of 79kg/174lbs over her head but just not there to lock out.  So close!  We know she will conquer this lift soon, and seeing her confidence going into the final attempt was fun to watch.   

Gary also set a competition total PR of 178kg/392lbs, which was super impressive considering how much travel and work has impacted his training schedule in recent months.  He went 4 for 6 in his attempts, ending with a 77kg/170lbs snatch and 101kg/223lbs clean & jerk.  

Coach Hillary looked sharp as always, going 4 for 6 in her attempts - her final clean & jerk attempt of 101kg/223lbs was a PR clean and would have been a PWA Masters Record, but she couldn't quite settle the jerk (although the barbell was overhead and locked out!).

Mike S. finished the day in the final session and snatched 104kg/229lbs and clean & jerked 126kg/278lbs (with a very close attempt at 130kg/287lbs) for a BIG competition total PR.  This is likely just the tip of the iceberg for Mike, as we're starting to see some big technical improvements in his lifts (as well as some notable strength gains), which is opening the door for some impressive numbers to come in future meets.  

Great work, lifters!  So happy to see your training leading to bigger lifts on the game-day platform! 

WOD for 09-15-16:

"Be Mine"

With a Partner, For Time:

BUY-IN: 800m Run (TOGETHER)

then, BOTH partners complete...

10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1

Deadlifts @ 225/155 lbs

Burpee Box Jumps @ 24/20 in

then

BUY-OUT: 800m Run (SPLIT)

Both partners must run together for the 800m buy-in, and the round of 10 deadlifts cannot start until both partners are in the door.  Both partners must complete the 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 sequence, with one partner working at a time to complete a full round before the other partner starts their full round (e.g. Partner A performs 10 deadlifts and 10 burpee box jumps, then Partner B performs 10 deadlifts and 10 burpee box jumps).  The 800m buy-out can be split in any fashion the team desires, and time is called when a total of 800m has been completed.  

(Compare to 02-13-16)

#MiniMighty

As many of you know, Kim CRUSHED IT this past weekend at the 2016 Kill Cliff Granite Games in Minnesota.  At the conclusion of 3 days (and 11 grueling events) of competition she placed 7th overall in a talented field of athletes, which included several perennial CrossFit Games Masters competitors.  Her weekend highlights included a 6th place event finish in the “surprise” 5K row, a 2nd place event finish in the shuttle run, and a PR-tying snatch following 40 toes-to-bar (woof)!  

Kim also showed a ton of grit and the heart of a champion by battling through a few events that challenged the limits of her strength and fitness, and certainly put her way outside of her comfort zone.  Many of us in the Arena Ready community were glued to our devices (laptops, phones, tablets) the entire weekend, watching the events unfold and cheering hard for our resident MIGHTY MINI.  At one point on Sunday, during one of the weightlifting sessions at the Marin Open in San Rafael, the AR Weightlifting Team gathered around Sarah’s phone to watch the final event on live feed while standing on the sidewalk outside of the meet’s venue.  Suffice to say that “The Fittest Optometrist in San Francisco” inspired us, made us proud, and reminded us once again what it means to work hard, to try to be better every day, and to smile while having fun kicking some ass.

We are so incredibly proud of you, Kim, and the community at Arena Ready couldn’t be happier for you as we watch your dedication pay off in droves.  I think I speak for everyone when I confidently say that this is just the beginning of so many amazing moments yet to come for you in your pursuit of excellence.

Kim Tom is MIGHTY indeed.  And if you didn’t know, now you know.   

WOD FOR 09-14-16:

Strict Press (Week 2):

***Using 95% of your 1RM from 08-30-16 as your "base"...

70% x 3

80% x 3

90% x 3+ (e.g. Max Effort: as many reps as you can safely make)

***FOR EXAMPLE: if you lifted 120 lbs as your 1RM on 08-30-16 you would use 95% of that (114 lbs) as your "base":

70% of 114 lbs = 80 lbs x 3 reps

80% of 114 lbs = 91 lbs x 3 reps

90% of 114 lbs = 103 lbs x 3+ reps (e.g. Max Effort: as many reps as you can safely make)

-then-

Back Squat:

1-3-1-5-1-7

This Back Squat session is similar to ones we have done in the past, with the goal being three heavy singles, each followed by a “down set” of multiple (and ascending) repetitions.  The athlete should build to their first single with 3-4 warm-up sets, and then once the first single is taken there should be no “in-between” or “test” sets during the SIX total work sets.  Since this type of session requires the athlete to “go by feel” some will inevitably ask for advice on loading - here is a rough idea of what a typical progression might look like for someone who squats approximately 250 lbs as a 1RM (keeping in mind that athletes will vary!):

Empty Bar + Three to Four Warm-up Sets, then…

1 @ 225 lbs

3 @ 205 lbs

1 @ 235 lbs

5 @ 200 lbs

1 @ 240 lbs

7 @ 195 lbs

Keep your rest strict at approx 1:30 - 2:00 between sets.  There is no “rule” about the singles going up or down in weight, and the same goes for the sets of 3, 5, and 7 (they can go slightly up, go slightly down, or stay the same) - it all depends on the individual athlete and how they feel today.  Take what’s there today, come back tomorrow.