TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF. WHAT DO YOU DO OUTSIDE OF THE GYM?
Outside of the gym I drink coffee, pet dogs, eat lots of cheese, draw things, and repeat.
WHAT INITIALLY GOT YOU INTO CROSSFIT AND WHAT KEEPS YOU COMING BACK?
I initially joined to meet socialize with more people, and now classes are my favorite part of the day for that reason. It’s great to chat and catch up with people pre/post class, and there’s a real sense of camaraderie as we cheer each other on in the workouts. The people and coaches are definitely what keep me coming back to Hardware. I don’t think I could ever switch back to “traditional” chain gyms where everyone puts in headphones and ignores each other.
WHAT ARE YOUR CROSSFIT GOALS? HOW CLOSE ARE YOU TO REACHING THEM?
My current goals are to build strength and improve my gymnastic skills. I’m probably closer to my goals than I think, and one day I’ll surprise myself with a new 1 rep max or pull up. But really, going to class itself feels like I’ve accomplished something in my day. I may not get anything else done on my to-do list, but, if I go to class and work up a good sweat, I feel like I did something important that day.
WHAT’S AN ACCOMPLISHMENT OR GOAL YOU’VE REACHED DUE TO CROSSFIT THAT’S MADE YOU THE MOST PROUD?
I’m proud of a lot when it comes to Crossfit, but a particular one that comes to mind is learning to climb a rope. I somehow made it through my entire childhood without ever having to do that in gym class–I must have been conveniently “sick” on those days. So I was very happy the first time I did a full-length rope climb, and to realize that its not nearly as hard as I expected. Like a of moves, it wasn’t about strength, it was about technique.
FAVORITE WOD/MOVEMENT?
I loooove lifting weights, and I could do it forever and ever. But I really like cleans and snatches, because its a cool feeling when I can make the bar float in the air for a second before I catch it in a front rack or overhead.
LEAST FAVORITE WOD/MOVEMENT?
Anything with running. I hate running. I wouldn’t even want to run if someone started chasing me on street.
ANY ADVICE FOR SOMEONE INTERESTED IN TRYING OUT CROSSFIT?
I would say don’t worry about not having a background in sports or fitness, and try not to compare yourself to others (which was very hard for me when I first started). It doesn’t matter if you’re not going as fast or heavy as someone else, because the fact that you’re running/lifting/biking at all is already a win in my book.