The Saturday 9:00 Guts Poker game had our web designer Brian V, Jen L, Dave S, Amy F, and Marianne U pony up. After 20 minutes of everything (when was the last time you had to do “Zercher” squats with a sandbag?), Jen L walked away with a cool $5 in hard cash and a mouth watering Paleo kit (yummy!).

Gene “The Machine” brought in his son Matt from MA and his buddy Roger (who now trains at CrossFit King of Prussia in PA) for a custom WOD: 10 calorie row, then 10 thrusters, 10 jumping pull ups, and 10 push ups, then repeated for 20, 30, 20, and finally 10. As if that was not enough, they took a 5 minute rest, then knocked off a Tabata sequence of alternating sit ups and push ups (8 rounds of each for a total of 16 rounds). Outstanding capacity for exercise!

Coach Chris keeps his athletes busy, with a variety of exercises and drills. Pictured in action: Sarah, Jared, Andrew, and Evan.

The Tuesday CrossFit Chaos class (Feb 2) saw that random mix of activity: Rowing, Medicine Ball Slams, Box Jumps, Push Ups, Flutter Kicks, Air Squats, MB Cleans, Sit Ups, Jumping Lunges, and more Rowing. Sue, Andrea, Chris, and Ryan were glad to put that one behind them. Nice work!

On Saturday, January 30, 2003 World Masters Olympic Weightlifting Champion and Team Connecticut Head Coach Gary Valentine was at CrossFit Cheshire for an Olympic Weightlifting Seminar. After a brief introduction, lecture, handouts, and video review of various lifts, everyone hit the floor for drills and lifts. The first half of the day was spent on the Snatch, and the second half on Clean & Jerk, along with various drills and secondary movements to assist in the learning process.

There is nothing pretty about “Karen”. The 5:30 am crew took on “Karen”, and “Karen” took her toll on the 5:30am crew (Rob J, Jonathon, Rob V, Steve, and Tracey). There wasn’t a dry armpit in the house. FYI, Jonathon (post WOD) fills that jug with water every day, not with sweet tea.

Research has shown that it isn’t easy to stick to an exercise regime. “Many people drop out after about four days,” Dr. Michael Asken says. “They say hanging in takes willpower. But willpower is really a set of psychological factors or behavioral skills that allows someone to succeed.”