CrossFit Cleveland Fitness News and Updates

Here's what up this week...

> My ramblings
> Gym closed Saturday May 8th
> Membership waiting list to start in May
> CPR Certification May 17th
> the next food co-op is next week

We like to ask new people what caused them to come in and get started with us. We hear all sorts of reasons but one thing always seems to come up - they say they've either been driving by the place or reading our emails/website for the past 6-12 months, some even longer. I think Jillian still has the record, reading these emails for 2 years before peeking her head in the door. That was some time late last summer. She works out 4 or 5 times a week now, and joins Killer in her Crossfit Games training workouts a couple mornings per week. Who knows what she would be doing these days if she had just kept reading the emails and stayed at home. Certainly not 100 pullups in a workout like she can do now, that's for sure.

When I ask people what took them so long to come in, I hear things like "I was scared" or "it's really intimidating to start" or "I didn't think I could do this". Those are all valid feelings. You should be a little scared, and yes it is intimidating, and maybe you don't have enough reasons or have what it takes to work this hard. Crossfit training is tough, but it's totally doable by damn near anyone. People figure that out right away once they start. They learn how we can modify and scale various exercises for anyone. They learn the proper way to exercise with intensity and purpose. They get results they never thought possible.

The greatest benefit I see in most people is not physical though, it's increased confidence. Our people look and feel stronger, healthier, fitter, etc. but more than anything, they are more confident in themselves and their abilities than they were when we first met them - every single one of them.

So think of that the next time you pass us by for the 100th time and wish you had the nerve to stop in. What are you missing? It's really not that hard to find out.

Watch and listen to what our people say in our "What is Crossfit" video on our - CrossFit - How to get started page

Closed Saturday May 8th

FYI - The gym will be closed Saturday May 8th as we travel to Logan, OH to support Kate Rawlings at the CrossFit Games Regional Qualifier. 30 men and 30 women will be competing to earn a place at the Crossfit Games competition in California this summer. Only 3 men and 3 women will advance from this regional event. Learn more about the Crossfit Games.

Membership Waiting List to start in May

We're growing steadily and quickly approaching membership capacity during the afternoon/evening workouts. When we reach capacity, we will begin a waiting list for new members who wish to attend the P.M. workouts. New members will be able to attend any of the morning workouts and will be placed on a waiting list for attending P.M. workouts until a spot opens for them. Existing members will be able to attend any workouts they choose as long as their membership remains current. It's important to know that if you take a month or two off, you will be subject to the waiting list upon your return.

If you've taken the past couple/few months off, this might be a good time to get back in before the waiting list starts. You can register on online payments page of our website here.

We do have expansion plans in the works that include additional workout times and more space. Please stay tuned for details. Thanks to everyone for helping us grow this fantastic community.

CPR Certification Class Monday May 17th at 7:00pm

Staci has scheduled an Elyria Fireman to hold a CPR Certification course at CrossFit Cleveland on Monday May 17th at 7:00pm at the gym. It will last approximately 2 hours. Please let Staci know if you want to attend, or put your name on the sign-up sheet at the gym The cost is $35 and the certification is valid for 2 years. There are a limited number of spots and payment is needed to reserve your place. You can email Staci at staci@crossfitcleveland.com or see her at the gym if you have any questions.

This class is open to anyone, not just gym members.

CF Cleveland's Organic Produce Co-Op

Staci and Tricia go down to the Cleveland Food Terminal every other week and purchase organic fruits and vegetables by the case. They get a boat load of food for not a whole lot of money, then they split it all up into 6 equal shares. They spend $300 total, making each 'share' cost $50. The minimum buy-in is $25 for 1/2 share of produce. If you are interested, please add your name to the sign-up sheet at the gym or email staci@crossfitcleveland.com.

The next trip will be the week of May 3rd. Staci will announce the exact day by this weekend. Pick-up will be either Tuesday 5/4 or Wednesday 5/5.

You can see a few pictures of the past couple batches of food here on our Organic Food Co-op post on our website.

Advocare products

Staci and I are starting to get picked on for being 'crack' pushers. The fact is the Advocare products we're carrying really work and people are loving their results. Never before have we considered offering supplements because we never knew which brands worked and which were just scams. Advocare works.

Skip Chase of Mount Baker CrossFit, Olympic weightlifting coach Mike Burgener and Jeremy Thiel of CrossFit Central are all very respected members of the CrossFit community. They are all big fans of Advocare products, mainly because they work. When we learned that these three guys were involved, we agreed to take a closer look. We feel it an obligation to bring our members anything that can improve their results. Advocare happens to fit in perfectly. Hardly a sell-out as some label it.

Our morning trainer Kate Rawlings feels the same way. Check out her recent blog post at her Killer Fitness Blog, and while you are there read all about her training for the CrossFit Games qualifiers.

Many other top Crossfit gyms endorse and use Advocare products. This stuff really helps, and everything comes with a 100% money-back guarantee. You can even bring back a completely empty container and tell us you didn't like it and you get your money back. That's a pretty impressive guarantee.

If you are interested in learning more about their weight loss and performance enhancing products, ask one of us. You can also learn more about their products online at Staci's Advocare website