Where Does Alcohol Fit into Your Training?

Since about 7000 B.C., alcohol has been a staple for gatherings in many cultures. You may have heard that wine can be healthy for your heart, or that a hot toddy when you’re sick helps you get better quickly. With the holidays coming up, you may be wondering: Are these claims true?

Like most answers: yes and no. It depends on a myriad of things like your genetics, the way your body processes alcohol and additives, and the quality of the booze you’re consuming. So where does alcohol fit into your health? If you’ve ever wondered if you should avoid it altogether, or if you can have a glass or two of your favorite red or microbrew, this article is for you.

Let’s talk about the science of alcohol. What’s in it that gives us that fuzzy feeling? The answer: ethanol. This substance absorbs into our bloodstream and causes a “depressing effect” on the systems in our bodies. Our reaction times slow, stress and anxiety are reduced, and the body slows down.

Weightlifting and exercise, in general, generate metabolic waste for the body to process. The liver is instrumental in clearing these waste byproducts from the body. If you are working hard in your training you may be putting a hefty load of work on your liver. Make sure that if you are exercising and enjoy a few drinks, you are getting ample rest and recovery to keep your body in balance.

Calories are another top consideration when it comes to alcohol. If you are trying to lose fat then there is most likely no room in your diet for excess calories. You want your primary calories to come from lean protein, fibrous vegetables, and heart-healthy fats. Replacing some of those calories with alcohol put you at risk for nutrient deficiencies. Additionally, after a few drinks, you may become tempted to reach for foods that don’t support your body compositional goals.

The bottom line when it comes to indulging? Just like anything else you consume, alcohol should have can have a place if you keep it in balance with your health and wellness goals.

5 Superfoods To Boost Your Training

As an athlete, worker, or super mom you are always looking for a competitive edge. When it comes to your diet, you should employ the same strategy. Superfoods are foods that have more benefits than the energy they provide from carbs, fat, and protein.

Superfoods contain vitamins, minerals, and other key phytonutrients that support your training, making these foods even more worth your while to eat. By incorporating these foods into your diet, you are giving yourself an advantage in your training and recovery.

1.Reduce Soreness and Improve Healing with Tart Cherry

Tart Cherry extracts, powders, and juices have proven to be beneficial for athletes.

Studies have found numerous benefits, including reduced muscle soreness after training,

Tart cherries are also naturally rich in melatonin, the hormone that helps regulate the sleep/wake cycle in our body. Consuming tart cherry extract in the evening after a training session should promote sleep and recovery.

Studies have shown benefit with doses of 16oz (480mL). Use that as a starting point and see if you can enjoy the benefits of tart cherry!

2. Metabolize Estrogen with Broccoli

High estrogen levels are not ideal whether you are a male or female athlete. Estrogen can promote the gain of fat mass. Broccoli contains a substance called 3,3′-Diindolylmethane (DIM) that is capable of metabolizing free estrogen. Consume broccoli at any of your main meals. Just make sure to cook it properly to optimize digestion and absorption.

3. Recover Post-Workout with Kiwi and Pineapple

Kiwi and pineapple are two great choices for a post-workout carbohydrate. These fruits are high glycemic and will quickly replenish muscle glycogen and hydrate the body after training. They also contain high levels of antioxidants that help eliminate the waste generated from exercise.

Pineapples contain enzymes that can aid digestion and compounds that benefit eye health. Both of these benefits are very important to consider if you are training hard. Shoot for 1-2 cups of these superfood fruits immediately after exercise.

4. Control Cravings and Boost Your Health with Cinnamon

Cinnamon contains a powerful compound called cinnamaldehyde which follows into a class of antioxidants called polyphenols. Cinnamaldehyde has been shown to affect ghrelin secretion and gastric emptying of the stomach making it a great tool to support healthy weight maintenance. Cinnamon may improve insulin sensitivity, helping the body store more carbohydrates as glycogen, and preventing a sharp rise in blood sugar.

It is also a powerful antioxidant that may help eradicate bacteria, viruses, and possibly even cancerous cells in the body. Cinnamon goes great on many foods and adding it is an easy way to incorporate its valuable benefits into your diet.

5. Gain Lean Muscle with Brazil Nuts

Brazil nuts are a superfood and can truly be a meal in themselves. They contain healthy fats, essential vitamins and minerals, fiber, and are a complete protein containing all 9 essential amino acids.

Brazil nuts are high in the antioxidant and mineral selenium. Selenium has been found to improve levels of luteinizing hormone, which is required for testosterone production. Consume 2-3 of these nuts daily to get the required dose of selenium and all the other benefits of this supernut.

There you have it, 5 amazing superfoods for athletes. If you want to learn more about eating to improve your health and performance we would be more than happy to help!

 

Why High-Intensity Training (HIT) Is Good For You

Today there are so many fitness programs and classes available it can be overwhelming to decide how to train. If you are researching training programs you have probably heard of High Intensity Training (HIT) or High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). HIT is incorporated into many classes and has grown in popularity due to its ability to produce fast and effective results. But what exactly is it…and more importantly how do you decide if it’s right for you?!

Lets answer your top 5 questions about High Intensity Training so you can feel confident in finding a gym, personal trainer, or other fitness option in your local area.

Your top 5 High Intensity Training Questions:

 

  • What exactly is HIT?
  • Is HIT a good fit for me?
  • What does a HIT workout look like?
  • What types of movements are in a HIT workout?
  • What are the benefits of HIT?

 

1.What exactly is HIT?

High intensity refers to a level of intensity that is measured by a high power output or a high rate of perceived exertion. This will be unique to every individual.

A high intensity strength workout will cause high motor unit recruitment. This means it activates a majority of the muscles in your body and generally requires loads >80% of your 1 rep maximum to achieve the desired stimulus.

Near maximal exertion for aerobic work or “cardio” this would be performing exercises at a pace that elevates heart rate and gets you sweating and breathing heavy. You would work at a pace that would be unsustainable for more than a few minutes at a time. These workouts are often set up in an interval fashion where you go hard for a short period of time and then rest. This allows you to repeat the effort several times until the desired training stimulus is achieved. As you train in this way you will improve your ability to train hard for longer periods of time and delay the “burning” feeling commonly associated with HIT.

2. Is HIT a good fit for me?

High Intensity Training is a great fit for anyone looking to get fast results. The key is determining what the definition of “Intensity” is for you. Jumping into a class workout performing movements you haven’t mastered and loads your body is not ready for is a big no-no.

Working with a coach who has experience scaling workouts to meet your needs and abilities is the key to having long term success with HIT training. They will help you choose the exercises, weights, frequency, and duration of your training session to ensure your body gets the stimulus you need with risk of injury or burnout.

Be weary of anyone who promises vomiting or intense pain from their workouts. It’s not an effective way to get the results you want!

3. What does a HIT workout look like?

For a high intensity strength training workout you will be using heavy loads. Ideally greater than 80% of your 1RM as this is the ideal load for gaining strength, building muscle, and improving body composition.

Often times performing multiple exercises back to back at moderate intensity (60-80%) can produce a similar training result. It is important that the movements are carefully selected to ensure that form is not compromised and that the rest time is adequate enough to allow for repeated effort.

If you aren’t familiar with exercises, weightlifting, or just aren’t sure of what your body is capable of then you will benefit from working with a certified and highly qualified trainer or coach. They will analyze your movement and help you develop the motor control and stability to prepare your body for more high intensity forms of exercise.

4. What types of movements are in a HIT workout?

Any type of movement can be incorporated into a HIT workout. Resistance training with barbells, dumbbells, or kettlebells are all great tools. You can incorporate resistance bands, chains, battle ropes or medicine balls. Gymnastics implements like pullup bars or rings. Even simple bodyweight movements and plyometrics can be used.

The most important factor when choosing movements is that you have technical proficiency with the movement and can perform multiple reps at a given load with exceptional form. If your form tends to break down when you are fatigued or you have mobility issues that alter your technique then that movement is not a good choice for the high intensity training session.

5. What are the benefits of HIT?

There are numerous benefits that come from High Intensity Training.

The lactic acid produced from properly executed high intensity training will stimulate the release of growth hormone stimulating sugar and fat metabolism. It also increases protein synthesis which means you will build more lean muscle. HIT training also elevates your metabolism helping you burn more calories both during your training session and for many hours after you’re done.

You also tend to accomplish more work in less time with HIT training. This makes it a great way to train for busy folks who can only train 20-30 minutes 2 or 3 days per week. Just remember that training is only half of the equation. Adequate sleep and proper nutrition make sure that your body recovers from and adapts to the training stimulus, giving you the results you want.

There you have it. Answer to your Top 5 questions about HIT training. If you’re ready to talk to a coach to see if High Intensity Training is right for YOU then get in touch with one of our coaches today for a free consult!

 

How To Optimize Your Warmup And Cooldown Routines

Warmups and cooldowns are an essential part of training and should be given as much thought and effort as the workout itself. In fact, if you’re short on time you are better off going through a proper warmup, mobilization, and stretching session than to try to get a quick workout in while skipping these components.

In this blog, we will look at the following components of training and see why each one is so important and how you can optimize it.

  • Warmup
  • Mobilization
  • Cooldown
  • Stretching

Warmup
Your warmup prepares your body and mind for that day’s training. Not every day is the same and your warmup should be specific to that. When planning and executing the warmup you need to consider which energy system your body will be utilizing. A max rep back squat requires very different preparation than a conditioning session with double-unders and wall balls.

The warmup helps to elevate heart rate, stimulate the nervous system, and optimize the function of the tissues and motor patterns you will be training that day. This will reduce your injury risk and optimize your ability to perform.

If you are someone who enjoys chatting during the warmup or never quite breaks a sweat then we want to challenge you to dial it up a notch. Give your warmup 100% of your effort next class and you will notice a huge difference in your ability to recruit and activate muscles. This will allow you to move with better form.

The efficiency of moving with better form allows to lift more weight and improve your fitness — which is exactly what we aim for here at CrossFit Dunwoody.

Mobilization
Human movement patterns can be broken down into a few broad and overarching groups like squat, lunge, hinge, push, pull, rotate, and walk.

Sometimes you will accomplish mobilization through a dynamic warm-up by taking your joints through an increasing range of motion to prepare them for the rigors of the workout. Sometimes you will slow down and target specific tissues through foam rolling, flossing, or distraction techniques with a band.

Let’s say the day’s workout is to build up to a heavy single deadlift. The first step is to consider what movement patterns will be involved. In this case, the deadlift involves a hinge as the primary movement pattern. You want to make sure that your back, hips, glutes, and hamstrings are well oiled and firing before you start touching a barbell.

Cooldown
The cooldown can and should involve more than making sweat angels on the floor. The goal is to ensure continuous blood flow to remove the toxins and metabolites that have built up during your training session.

By continuing to move after a workout you are actually improving your recovery and setting the tone for your next training session.

Hopping on a bike or rower for 10:00 minutes and moving at an easy conversational pace can be a total game-changer in the way you feel the next day. This habit can be hard to do at first.

Instead of laying on the floor until you crush your protein shake and head out the door, you will develop mental toughness by challenging your body to keep moving. There are huge dividends to this and you will notice improvements in your recovery each day and reduced soreness.

Stretching
After your cooldown, incorporating stretching and additional mobilization techniques into your routine is essential to optimize recovery and performance in your next workout. When you perform an exercise, your body is in “fight or flight” mode. There is a huge shift that occurs during your stretching and rolling session where your body switches back into a parasympathetic or “rest and digest” state.

Stretching muscles has been shown to temporarily improved range of motion and will help you when you go to tie your shoes the next morning. By focusing on breathing and moving your tight and sore muscles you are helping to establish homeostasis and you will feel much better for the rest of the day.

This is a great practice to repeat again later in the day before bed, especially if you are someone who has trouble shutting off at night and unwinding.

Today we looked at why it is so important to optimize the warmup, mobilization, cooldown, and stretching. We all love to go hard in the workout, but by focusing on improving in these areas is really how you will start to see results!

Re(building) Your Foundation: Strict Strength

By: Coach Amber Hopeman (@eat.train.mom)

Over the coming weeks, our blog posts are going to be focused on gymnastics.  We are going to talk shapes, kipping, efficient transitions, etc… But before we get into dynamic movement let’s take a step back.  First off, why focus on gymnastics first?  Because fundamentally, the stronger, more efficient we are in gymnastics, the stronger and more efficient we will be in weightlifting and our sports. 

Gymnastics (especially the movements that involve hanging from the rig) requires:

  • Body awareness akin to Spiderman
  • A strong core
  • Grip strength
  • Shoulder stability
  • Strong and engaged Lats

Given these requirements, as a coach, if an athlete comes to me and wants to learn how to kip, my first question is simple: How many STRICT Pull-ups can you do?  Why? Because the number of strict pull ups you can do and by observing you do them, this is going to tell me just how engaged your lats, stable your shoulders and how strong your grip and core are.  And more importantly, it will tell me if you are even ready.  As a coach, my job is to help you with technique, sure, but my goal is to get you there safely and to not skip steps that could lead to injury or a set back in your progress.  

So if you are determined to learn how to do a kipping pull-up, the following should be your mantra every time you step into the gym to work on them:  

KIPPING IS NOT A SCALE

It is a progression in gymnastics that you develop AFTER you have built the appropriate strength to perform kipping movements safely and with control. So if we need to we can develop a plan to either focus on building strict strength or really dial in your kip if you are ready.  But remember, (I will say this many times over the next few posts so you won’t be able to forget it), YOU WILL NOT GET BETTER AT DOING PULL UPS BY DOING MORE PULL UPS.

So whether you are looking to PR your Fran time or you are wanting to get your first kipping pull-up, consider what is going to get you there.  Building/improving strict strength is the first step and can be accomplished many ways.  Banded Pull-ups and Ring Rows are the go-tos, and are normally the typical modification for MetCons.  However, I want to focus on movements you can do at home, or maybe for 10-15 minutes after class where you can focus on your form, not for time but for quality.  

 

LEVEL 1- STATIC CHIN OVER BAR HOLDS 

Simple yet challenging all the same.  Start with your chin over the bar and just “hang out” (pun intended).  Looking to accumulate as much time as possible.  Start with three sets at 10 seconds then increase the duration when you are able to do all three sets.  Work up to three sets at 60 seconds. 

Focus on maintaining strong hollow position, legs straight, feet and knees together. (We will talk more about the hollow position over the next few weeks.)  If you can’t hold your body weight over the bar just yet, it is okay to use a band or even to put your toes (or toe) on a box for slight support.

This movement will provide:

  • Increased grip strength
  • Improved core strength and breath control under tension
  • Increased lat strength

 

LEVEL 2- THE NEGATIVE

Whether you perform this movement on the rig or with the rings, the idea is the same: begin at the top either by jumping or stepping up to get chin above the bar or pulling rings to chest.  At this point, the shoulders should still be drawn down and back, lats engaged and back of neck and head nice and long.  From the rig you should have a nice hollow position with abs turned on and legs straight and glued together.  From the rings, same position, hollow body (we will talk more of the shapes in the next few weeks), rings to chest, elbow back, shoulder blades squeezed together. 

The negative is simple, from this top position, you are going to lower down as slowly as possible until your elbows reach full extension but try to not let lats or shoulders disengage.  Your neck should be relaxed. You can test this by moving your head side to side as you descend.  If you cannot lower all the way down slowly, use a box to support your weight slightly so that you can descend to full range of motion.

PULL-UP PROGRESSION VIDEO W/ NEGATIVES

This movement will provide:

  • Increased lat strength and stamina
  • Increased body awareness as you try to remain engaged and get used to knowing what that feels like under tension, relaxing that neck while still engaging the core and shoulders
  • Improved grip strength as you are able to lower down even slower

 

LEVEL 3: SINGLE ARM RING ROW

The normal (bilateral) ring row is a great way to build pull-up strength. However, the single arm row is a great unilateral exercise to identify and improve strength imbalances.  If your progression or strength bilaterally has plateaued its possible this is the culprit.  If you can accomplish significantly more rows on one arm than the other you may not be seeing progress because right now you are literally using just one arm to pull.  This could be a strength or activation issue on the weaker side. 

My recommendation would be to conduct the following test: After warming up, find a body angle at which you believe you believe can perform 10 unbroken single arm ring rows with your dominant arm.  Then attempt to accomplish 10 on both.  Make sure you use the same stance and place the feet in the exact same position for both sides.  SEE VIDEO HERE

For practice purposes a good rep scheme would be 3 x 6-8 reps with a Slower Down, Faster Up Tempo.  If you determined one side was weaker than the other, conduct a 4th set on that side.

This movement will provide:

  • Increased grip strength
  • Improved body awareness
  • Improved and more balanced lat activation
  • Improved unilateral Strength and stability of shoulders
  • Increased core activation

 

Next time you have a few minutes before class or after, try some of these out!  If you are looking for more in depth advice or training progressions, be sure to ask one of our amazing coaches or set up a personal training session.  If you are not a member, but are curious about CrossFit or learning any of these movements, be sure to check out our KICKSTART PROGRAMS.

 

AUTHOR’S NOTE: I LOVE WHITEBOARD DAILY (@whiteboard_daily) for quick and easy visual explanations.  If you aren’t already following them on IG or FB you should be.  Some other great gymnastics accounts related to CrossFit to follow are: @thegymnasticscourse @pamelagnon @performanceplusprogram @thebarbellphysio @functional.gymnastics 

Photo credit:
Diagram: wodprep.com

4 Ways to Save Your Joints

When you are dedicated to your training and putting in the hours to achieve your goals then there is nothing more frustrating than joint pain and inflammation. It almost feels like your body is punishing you for working hard. No fair, right!

Rather than make excuses about your pain or backing off on your training you may want to consider some new techniques to mitigate the damage from these patterns of overuse.

1. Focus on form
2. Make intensity your new volume
3. Recover Harder
4. Hit the Supplements Aisle

1.Focus on form
If you are training often and hard then even the slights inefficiencies in your movement can turn into nagging injuries over time. Before you put in all that hard work you owe it to yourself to work with an experienced coach to refine your movement. You will make progress faster and stay healthy in the process. Slow down, not every day is a competition.

2. Make intensity your new volume
Sometimes the body simply needs a break from volume. All athletes in any sport go through periods of alternating intensity and volume throughout the year. They have different rhythms and protocols for preseason, in-season, post-season, and off-season training. Try backing off on the volume of your training and focusing on higher intensity pieces instead. For lifters, this could mean performing fewer sets or reps and using a higher load, shorter rest times, or a faster tempo. Runners might try lower mileage with weeks and adding a sprint workout 1-2 times per week instead.

3. Recover Harder
Training hard without the proper recovery techniques is bound to beat you up and becomes unsustainable long term. Make time for massage, foam rolling, stretching, yoga or mobility sessions, sleep, and any other recovery methods that can improve your performance. Sometimes the most beneficial thing you can do is stimulate your parasympathetic nervous with these recovery techniques to let your body’s natural healing mechanisms kick in.

4. Give your body what it needs to repair itself
There are tons of great supplements that can help with joint health. Fish oil and omega 3’s provide a healthy inflammatory response in the body amongst many other health benefits. Glucosamine and Chondroitin provide the building blocks for joint repair. Tart Cherry Juice extract has been shown to reduce muscle soreness after a workout. Give those a try to start!

Don’t let joint pain stop you from moving and doing the things you love! Click here to meet with a coach and learn how you can begin your fitness journey.

Top 3 Tips to Maximize Your Deadlifts

People tend to have polarized feelings about deadlifts. Either they love them or they hate them. No matter how you feel about them, deadlifts are a great movement to strengthen your entire back and surrounding muscles.

Let’s explore the top 3 tips to maximize your deadlifts!

  1. Ditch the Mixed Grip
  2. Dial-in Your Setup Position
  3. Train Deadlift Variations

1.Ditch the Mixed Grip

One of the best ways to start improving your deadlift is to ditch the mixed grip. Many people worry that grip will be a limiting factor at their maximal percentage lifts but you can easily overcome this by implementing a hook grip. This takes some getting used to since you’ve probably never lifted a bar of this weight with a hook grip and the pressure can seem unreal. Try taping your thumbs the first few sessions to take some of the edge off.

The benefits of a double overhand grip is a better position on the bar, less torque on the hips and spine, and decreased strain on the bicep. Build up this strength in your training sessions and if you really need to resort to a mixed grip for a competition or 1RM attempt then you will be better for waiting.

2. Dial-in Your Setup Position

One of the biggest issues you may be facing with deadlifts is the setup. That first pull off the ground never feels quite right. To overcome this you can practice rolling the bar into position. This may feel more comfortable and your body will naturally find the right position without you fidgeting around.

If you are new to lifting or know that your mobility is lacking then you may find it beneficial to practice pulling off of blocks. The higher start position will make it easier for you to engage your posterior chain. Another good option here is to work from the top down with lighter loads. Take the loaded bar from a rack or higher blocks and start standing tall, hips fully extended. Keeping your back and core tight and start pushing your hips toward the wall behind you as the bar descends down your thighs. Keep the bar in contact with your legs and the weight in the middle of your foot and heels.

Practice lowering down in a slow control fashion taking 4-5 seconds to lower for each rep. If you have a hard time finding the right position then you should take someone on one time to work with a coach who can provide the right cues to get you properly set up.

3. Train Deadlift Variations

Another way to build confidence in your deadlift is to explore different deadlift variations. Sumo deadlifts, single-arm, single-leg, trap bar, dumbbells, kettlebells, atlas stones, dballs, and tire flips will all help you. Getting stronger is going to help even if it is nonspecific. There’s no shortage of heavy stuff to pick up off the ground! These variations will train your grip, stabilizers, and strengthen many smaller muscles of the glutes and hamstrings that may not get fully recruited in your normal deadlift style.

There you go, the top 3 tips to maximize your deadlifts. Now go find a coach and pull some big numbers!

5 Pre-Workout Nutrition Tips

“Most people have the will to win, few have the will to prepare to win.” – Bob Knight

Many people have diligent post workout recovery routines including consuming protein shakes, supplements, and other key nutrients.

However, very few individuals give much thought to their pre-workout nutrition.

What you consume for fuel before you exercise should include more than just a stimulant based energy drink. It should contain the right types of fuel for your body and mind to meet the demands of the days activity. A great pre-workout nutrition routine will not only help your days performance but can help improve your daily energy levels, build lean muscle mass, and shed unwanted fat. It is essential for taking your performance to the next level.

Pre-Workout nutrition is unique for each individual. The types of foods, quantities, and ratios of macronutrients may need to be adjusted based on how you are feeling and performing. It is important to discuss all these factors with your coach so they can help you dial in on a plan that works best for you. Check out these 5 pre-workout nutrition tips to start creating a routine that works for you.

1. Leave time to digest

You want to consume the right amount of food to fuel your workout but not so much that it slows you down. Depending on body size and food choice the body will generally absorb about 300-400 calories per hour. That means a meal of approximately 30g of protein and 40g of carbohydrates an hour before your meal will be fully digested by the time you begin exercise. If you have ever tried exercising on a full stomach you the feeling of bloat as all of the blood is out of your working muscles and in your abdomen for digestion. If you continue to push through the exercise your body may try rejecting the remaining contents of the stomach. This is best avoided and makes proper pre-workout nutrition an easy choice.

2. Choose the right foods

The types of foods consumed are just as important as the quantities consumed. A balanced meal of low glycemic carbohydrates and high quality protein is the best choice. For carbohydrates the best foods to consume are fresh fruit like apples, berries, and oranges. For protein try grabbing a 4-6 oz. chicken breast or a shake containing 30 g of quality whey protein. Fats carry a high caloric load and are not an immediately available source of energy for high intensity activities like strength training so they are best left out of pre-workout meals in high quantities.

3. Avoid Certain Foods

Dairy products, spicy foods, and fibrous vegetables may not be the best choice for your pre-workout meal. They can cause cause discomfort on your gastrointestinal (GI) tract that is less than ideal when you are about to train. Feeling queasy, or running to the bathroom is not the best way to spend your time at the gym. As a rule of thumb, if you have to ask “will this food bother me?”, it is probably not the right choice.

4. Keep it consistent

The more you change up your pre-workout nutrition the greater chance you have of something going wrong. It’s best to be a bit boring when it comes to nutrition, especially when you are eating to live rather than living to eat. Eating the same foods every day around your training schedule is the best way to dial in exactly the foods and quantities that give you the best results.

“Routine, in an intelligent man, is a sign of ambition.”

5. Keep it simple

The best routine is the one that you have the highest probability of following. When you plan your pre-workout meal consider the foods that you generally have access to and can properly prepare and take with you.

So there you have it. The top 5 pre-workout nutrition tips. If you have any other questions about diet or training reach out to one of our coaches and get started.

What’s it like visiting CrossFit Dunwoody? Hear Peggy and Audra’s experience!

CrossFit Dunwoody is proud to offer a great workout for all levels of fitness, whether you’re a beginner or expert. But you may be wondering what it’s like to visit CFD for the first time and what to expect here.

Well, wonder no more! We were excited to have Peggy and Audra from the The Aha! Connection visit our gorgeous facility and write about their experience. Here are a few highlights from their visit:

CrossFit Dunwoody vacated their space in the Dunwoody Village shopping center…and moved about 100 yards away into the out-parcel that used to be Jiffy Lube.  I know some of you may miss Jiffy Lube but I believe all of you would agree the new CrossFit Dunwoody space is so much more attractive!

The timing of their move was right in the middle of the pandemic.  Fortunately, the beautiful new outdoor workout space with turf was very timely and Covid-friendly.

Peggy and I recently participated in a CrossFit workout with Amber and Glenn and a class full of fun, positive, driven men, and women.  We met Dixie and Dale, the CrossFit pups (so cute).  We took a tour of the facility which includes a kid’s room (which Amber’s daughter was taking advantage of), indoor and outdoor workout spaces, a welcome desk with swag for sale, multiple showers, changing rooms and plenty of storage for your keys, purse, phones, and other stuff.

I personally love orange as an accent color and love their new decor and design.  The walls of the indoor space are covered in Amber’s amazing hand-drawn images illustrating various exercises and correct form.  The indoor/outdoor space is above the former Jiffy Lube “pit” and the giant rolling doors can be opened or closed depending on the weather.  Adjoining the indoor/outdoor area is a completely outdoor gym which comes in handy for larger classes to spread out.

Peggy and I have been working to increase our fitness level but definitely weren’t on par with the rest of the class.  Glenn prides his gym on catering to “diversities of fitness”.  He wasn’t kidding.  Amber was quickly able to help Peggy and me (and a few others in the class) find exercises to fit our capabilities while still allowing us to have a great workout and keep pace with the class.

When I first visited CrossFit Dunwoody in April of 2019, I wrote that CrossFit Dunwoody feels like the “Cheers” of gyms.  It’s the gym where everybody knows everybody’s name.  I didn’t tell my friend Marcy I was coming this time; therefore it was fun to surprise her when she showed up to our class.  She loves CrossFit Dunwoody so much she moved from her home in Wyntercreek to the Dunwoody Village Town Homes across the street!  (She seriously loves it but that’s not the only reason she loves her new awesome townhouse).

Our awesome class!

The staff and the clientele are truly so very nice and supportive.   I love Glenn’s philosophy that everyone is unique.  They offer an online 1 minute assessment to find the right plan for you!  You can also schedule a free “no sweat” introduction.  You can explore their facility online, or watch their 1 minute welcome video from the official City of Dunwoody ribbon cutting ceremony.”

If you’d like to read the entire article, visit The Aha! Connection site and read “Peggy and Audra Visit CrossFit Dunwoody.”

And if you would like to join our amazing community, or just learn more about what we offer, schedule your free intro today!

Top 3 Reasons To Train Kettlebell Swings

If you could only buy one piece of equipment to accomplish all of your training what would you buy? Treadmills and cycles are great for cardio but definitely won’t get you stronger. A barbell is great but where do you have room to keep it and let alone use it? Total gym style machines always feel so awkward, the cables never work and they seem to be built for someone else’s body. So what exactly can use to transform your body, build strength, burn fat, and improve your cardio?

Enter the kettlebell.

Kettlebells are a great and diverse tool that you should implement into your training. Kettlebell swings train the total body and can be a low impact way to build muscle. They can be used to improve performance as well as make you look and feel strong and capable. Of course, a tool is only useful as long as you know how to use it. Consider learning the basics with a certified coach who can show you the ropes.

Today let’s dive into the top 3 reasons to train with kettlebells so you can see if they are a good fit for your fitness regimen.

  1. Carry Over To Sport and Life
  2. Add Variety To Your Training
  3. Quick And Effective Way To Train

1. Carry Over To Sport and Life

Kettlebell swings have tremendous carry over to your sport and lifestyle activities. They teach you how to hinge at the hip, one of the most important movement patterns for health and optimal function. A strong and healthy lower back as well as a tight core will be developed rapidly when you train kettlebell swings with good form. You will also develop an iron grip. Grip is one of the best indicators of a healthy human and Harvard has found a strong correlation between grip strength and cardiovascular health.

Swings will also improve your performance with the Olympic lifts and power lifts and any other hip dominant movement like jumping. Kettlebell swings teach the dynamic hip extension that is the foundation of a powerful lifter and athlete. When you become strong and proficient with swings you can continue adding load becoming stronger and more explosive in the process.

2. Add Variety To Your Training

You can train Kettlebell swings more often than many other strength movements. Performing swings 2-3 times per week can really improve your strength and endurance and shake up your typical workout routine. By adjusting the weights, the number of sets, repetitions, and how long you rest you can get totally different responses from your kettlebell workout.

A typical Monday workout could focus on strength and power. You would use fewer reps and a heavyweight taking 2-3 minutes between sets to fully recover.

Wednesday’s workout could be focused on building cardio. Use a light kettlebell and swing it for a long time. Pick a number like 20, 50, or even 100 reps, and see how quickly you can get there. Or set a timer for 5:00 and see how many swings you can get in that amount of time.

On Friday you could train kettlebell swings in a high-intensity interval workout. Use light to moderate weights and focus on explosive efforts followed by bouts of recovery.

3. Quick And Effective Way To Train

Learning swings comes easier for some and harder for others. They are also easier to learn than the Olympic lifts and far less technical. Swings are a great alternative for individuals who are focused on fitness for their health and young athletes. They also require less time to prepare the body in terms of warming up the joints, muscles, and nervous system. They can be a fast and fun way to fit in a workout if you don’t have much time.

The kettlebell swings are such an effective tool because it trains both the eccentric (lengthening of the muscle) and concentric (shortening of the muscle) in a dynamic fashion. The snatch and clean both require a focus on a strong concentric contraction as the weight is lifted, Swings offer a different stimulus that may better suit athletes in sports like basketball or soccer or folks whose goal is not to lift the maximal weight overhead.

Kettlebell swings are a fun and effective way to train. Just like most exercises, it’s best to learn from a certified coach so you know you are performing them properly. If you are interested in getting in shape and training in a fun new environment come in for a free consult and we can show where you how training can be fun and get you results!