SUNDAY 081130

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Michael Fleming, a trainer at Crossfit Hattiesburg, nails a handstand at Jackson Square in New Orleans.

Mag cover! Monica Ochs of Mt. Baker CrossFit makes the cover of Race Center magazine -- and ranks #3 for Ultramarathon women in the US. Congrats to Monica!

Evolution of a growing affiliate: Watch CrossFit Rockwall's new space transformation.

SATURDAY 081129

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Tucker and Jason from GSX Athletics spread CrossFit love in Sydney, Australia with the CrossFit Gymnastics Certification Seminar.

CrossFit Whistler is in a competition for "The Best of Whistler": You can vote here.

Let us ask you about these "Best of City XYZ" competitions: Do they matter? Is it fair to post a link on a blog like this? Should out-of-area votes count in these contests?

Ever listen to CrossFit Radio on Sunday mornings? What do you think?

FRIDAY 081128

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Jeremiah Stickel, owner of CrossFit Erie, on the shore of Lake Erie, PA.

Erie's a big lake. The CrossFit Message Boards are a big lake too. Lots of different fish there. Do you use the message boards? Are they a helpful affiliate tool? Or are they just full of people striving for attention? What's your favorite forum? Do your members utilize the boards?

CrossFit Fort Meade gets in a fish-like WOD. Well, that is if fish did squats and push-ups: Video.

THURSDAY 081127

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Happy Thanksgiving, courtesy of CrossFit Threshold.

While you're giving thanks today, consider Operation Phoenix. And then check out their cool new widget, which you can embed on your own blog.

WEDNESDAY 081126

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James and Dave (and a wee one) from new affiliate CrossFit NRG, with their newly constructed plyoboxes and a ton of knowledge gleaned off the CF Journal, the message boards, and the A-Blog. (Hey, they told us so!) Welcome to CF NRG.

CrossFit Milwaukee grabs some ink: Read "16 Minutes of Agony."

CrossFit Central CT decides to do many hero WODs on one Veterans Day: Video.

TUESDAY 081125

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Coach Mike Burgener instructs an Olympic lifting class for Orange County Fire Peer Fitness Trainers at CrossFit Orange County.

That's a pretty funny shirt on Burg, yes? Or no? Does CrossFit overexert itself on the sexual innuendo? Or the "F" bomb? Or are some people just too uptight? Do you encourage this edginess at your affiliate or do you stay out of it? Why?

CrossFit CLE is movin' on up! New facility and an inaugural WOD: Video.

MONDAY 081124

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The CrossFit Bellevue gang rows during their Grand Opening a few weeks ago. Welcome!

Let's talk rowing. Bruce Kocher, a master instructor with Concept II, says: "Don't row hard. Row fast." What's that mean? And how do you teach that to your members? Do we, within the affiliate community, focus enough on rowing technique? Or do we just grip it and rip it?

Have you heard of Birthday Burpees? Courtesy of CrossFit Generation.

Another day, another TV host trying CrossFit for the camera. Watch CrossFit Regina's turn on Living Saskatchewan. (Click on "Episode 39: CrossFit" in the right-hand column.)

SUNDAY 081123

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CrossFit Neptune sponsors a girl's orphanage in Nogales, Mexico, where they donate clothing, educational items, and food. They've also cleaned and repainted the playground for the girls, who obviously appreciate the efforts.

Also in Tucson is CrossFit Tucson, who recently put a local TV news anchor through a WOD: Video.

SATURDAY 081122

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Sean Maloney of Delta CrossFit handstands on a shipwreck in the California Delta.

MBS CrossFit throws down some Fight Gone Bad in their new home: A hangar on a flightline. Check out how the door opens: Video.

FRIDAY 081121

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Read the sweatshirt on Davie Easton (of CrossFit Central Scotland) as he bangs out some pull-ups next to Miles Key of CrossFit West Sussex. CrossFit Hobo. Not Globo. Was that feeling always part of CrossFit? Are we still that way?

Another "hobo" of sorts is Lu Crenshaw of CrossFit Allegiance, a good athlete who's looking to become a human CrossFit lab rat. Lu's got a 4:47 Fran time and a 298 Fight Gone Bad, but she'd like somebody to "coach the coach" towards qualifying for the 09 CrossFit Games. Any takers? Post to Comments if you've got advice for Lu or want to help.

Watch this video of Lu's 48" tire jump. Not bad, considering that's like 76% of her height.

THURSDAY 081120

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The Palm Tree Pull-Up Bar, courtesy of Chris Holt of CrossFit Threshold.

Comments on a blog: We love to read 'em but we don't always post. What's the secret to getting people to comment? How do you get your peeps to chat? Does it even matter? Are the blog comments an important measuring stick for your affiliate or not? And which blog gets the most comments out there daily in CrossFittenstein?

CrossFit Dodge Ball: If you haven't played it yet, you're missing out! Check out this game as CrossFit Leiftime Fitness mixes it up with some local Fire Department recruits: Video.

WEDNESDAY 081119

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Army recruiters (after a team WOD with recruits) at CrossFit Daytona. You can read more about the CFD/USA collaboration in this article.

Pukie the Clown: Treasured icon of CrossFit or insensitive character? Some would contend that making fun of puking people is not nice. Do we care? Or not? What images of Pukie do you have at your affiliate?

"Cage-Fight" (a.k.a. get your stinkin' med balls out of my area) by CrossFit Huntsville: Video.

TUESDAY 081118

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Handstands in Switzerland done by an American running a military affiliate in Bahrain? Of course, it's Alex Europa of CrossFit Barbarian Fitness.

Reminder: We love to look at video, but please don't send .mov or .wmv files to our e-mail addresses. Instead, please host it on your own site, or use a public server like Vimeo. (If it's really good, don't show it anywhere and e-mail us for instruction on how to upload to the CFHQ semi-public server, and thereby get a shot at the main page.) Thanks!

Speaking of video, here's one from CrossFit Atlanta with some really nice form: Video.

MONDAY 081117

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CrossFit Kettlebell Certification Seminar, CrossFit Northern Virginia, Nov 15-16.

Kettlebells have some big fans among the affiliate community, yet there are also affiliates who don't have any kettlebells -- and who sub dumbbells for "Helen" or "Nate" or other WODs that suggest their use. What does your affiliate do? And are kettlebells overrated or underrated?

There are zero kettlebells in this CrossFit Legacy WOD: Video.

SUNDAY 081116

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Welcome to CrossFit Tucson!

CrossFit Fredericton flips a 1000lb tire "for fun": Video.

SATURDAY 081115

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Showin' some faces of pain and accomplishment during a farmer's walk at CrossFit JAX. (Check out more cool photos on their blog.)

Saturday mornings are a popular time for free "taste of CrossFit" workouts at some affiliates. Check out Potomac CrossFit and their Sat free WOD: Video.

FRIDAY 081114

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Brendan Griffin of CrossFit Virtuosity has a tattoo: What's it mean?

Would you get a CrossFit tattoo? Why or why not? Does a tattoo show devotion?

Devoted CrossFit affiliates are meeting at FilFest 09 at CrossFit Central in Austin, TX on Feb 7th-8th (aka The Affiliate Gathering). And there's even a Level Two Cert that is being held Feb 5th-6th at CrossFit Central. That's some nice scheduling, if you can grab one of the slots.

You know what's nice too? Shirtless cowboys doing CrossFit. Check out CrossFit 951 in "Save a Horse": Video.

THURSDAY 081113

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Jason Selman and Mike Ray of CrossFit Flagstaff inverting some burpees in the WOD during this past week.

CrossFit Flagstaff is in the running for Best Gym of Flagstaff and voting ends tonight. You can vote for them here.

Many of us tried inverted burpees for the first time this week. Did you do them at your affiliate? Or did you sub them out? Or do you not follow the main site at all? Tell us more in Comments!

You have to see Big Ed at CrossFit North Fulton do inverted burpees: Video.

WEDNESDAY 081112

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CrossFit East Sacramento has its grand opening on Nov. 15th -- and we're already getting reports about how they're an awesome affiliate. That's pretty cool.

CrossFit Birmingham just had their Grand Opening last week, but they've already landed an article in the local paper: Read.

Front Range CrossFit tackles "Murph" at least 2x per year. Here's one of those times: Video.

TUESDAY 081111

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Michelle Benedict of CrossFit Fort Bragg front squatting with a barbell and a loaded ruck sack as she trained local soldiers before their deployment.

It's Veterans Day. Remember to thank those who have served. And if you're a vet (or if you're military at all, US Armed Forces or another nation) and you're reading this, how about posting your branch of service and the years served in Comments? Sound off!

One cool post from CrossFit Wilmington, an affiliate owned by veterans: Read Mindset.

One great quote under the header of CrossFit Stone Bay, a military affiliate: Read Warrior.

One good video from CrossFit Fort Meade, also a military affiliate: Watch Cindy.

MONDAY 081110

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Adam Eidson, owner of RARE Crossfit, completed the Mountain Masochist 50 ++ Mile Trail Marathon in 10 hours. Immediately afterward, he competed in the Iron Horse and bench pressed his bodyweight 20 times. Then, he lifted parked cars off of children and levitated kettlebells. (*One of these statements is not true. Pick which one.)

Birthday WODs! What do you do at your affiliate? Post to Comments. (And Happy Birthday to the Marine Corps today!)

CrossFit East Decatur celebrates Marshall's 25th birthday: Video.

SUNDAY 081109

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Smell the new paint . . . CrossFit Orange County's grand opening WOD is Nov. 15. They're even raising money to buy a van-lift for a young man with Cerebral Palsy. Nice.

Yesterday, we asked for names of your favorite CrossFit blogs. Today, we want to know your favorite blogs that are not from a CrossFit affiliate. Post 'em to Comments! (And keep it clean, please.)

Mike G. and Brent of CrossFit Atlanta take on "Diane": Video.

SATURDAY 081108

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Now, those are some bumper plates! Chris (owner of CrossFit Catalyst) stands out in his field.

Who's got a great looking blog among our affiliates? Be proud! Tell us in Comments.

Thanks to our volunteers this week! So many people stepped up that we've got all the writers and Italian-speakers we can use right now. Grazie!

CrossFit Tacoma gets a cool article in their local press: Read.

FRIDAY 081107

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CrossFit afloat. USMC Sergeant Nich McCulloch, of CrossFit New River, aboard the U.S.S. Nassau. Deadlifts in a flightsuit, straight out of the Osprey. Ooh-rah.

Quote of the Day: "If nutrition isn't the first thing you're dealing with, you're not a serious athlete." -- Brian Mackenzie, CrossFit Endurance

Now, how can you pass up a blogpost entitled: "NorCal Nutrition: Are We Crazy?"

Read "You Need Me" by Jon Gilson of Again Faster.

THURSDAY 081106

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CrossFit Butcher's Lab (above) is taking the WOD + party combo to a new level: Live music during the WOD. On Nov 15th, they're hitting Fight Gone Bad during a live performance by "the hardest rocking band in Denmark." Then, it's time for dinner and clubbing. Hey, can we come?

Are you an affiliate who speaks Italian and CrossFit? Shoot us an e-mail if you're fluent in both. We might have a small project that could use your help.

CrossFit Tribe made a "What is CrossFit?" video that can be enjoyed by seasoned vets as well as neophytes -- and that's saying a lot. Watch the video.

WEDNESDAY 081105

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That's some serious air for a 51-year-old Chapel Hill cop! Ken works out with Paragon CrossFit and, after two months of WODs, his clothes are "falling off" of him. Nice.

Some things need to be seen to be understood: The Kaho Witi French Fry (Odd object lifting by San Francisco CrossFit).

Some things just really need to be seen: Terry and BJ, Part II, courtesy of CrossFit Alexandria.

TUESDAY 081104

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Some things are just beautiful to behold: CrossFit York in PA.

Sometimes we all could use a CrossFit Reality Check. Thanks to the folks over at CrossFit LA for putting it so simply yet so eloquently.

Element CrossFit offers "Bryan Deadlifts 2x His Bodyweight": Video.

MONDAY 081103

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15 year-old Chad from CrossFit Divine Mercy Fitness (proud pop photog is proprietor Steve) executes a handstand in some esteemed company at Mount Rushmore.

Who belongs on the CrossFit Mount Rushmore? What affiliate trainer faces should be carved up there? Who went beyond good or great and is absolutely fantastic? Who is our Lincoln? Our Jefferson? Name our best and brightest affiliate stars in Comments.

Want to be heard? The A-Blog is looking for affiliate owners and trainers who would like to write short pieces to be posted right here. E-mail us at the Affiliate Blog to volunteer!

Looking to make a video for your affiliate? Don't limit yourself to a single WOD or to color or hard music. Take a look at what CrossFit Addiction does differently here: Video. (And you might want to click on their blog and see the Speal Halloween costume too.)

SUNDAY 081102

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How good is your CrossFit eye? Two members of this wedding party are not CrossFitters. Can you spot them?

The groom is Brian Opdenkelder of CrossFit Orillia, and he's got CFO owner James Gordon and trainer John Hicks to back him up. That's some good company. Congrats to Brian and his new bride Kim!

What's in a Sunday blog besides wedding notices? How about this nice article on CrossFit West Virginia?

Lastly, two CrossFit affiliates posted videos of costumed members completing pull-ups to the "Oompah Loompah" song. If that's not planned, then it might make us worry even more . . . Check out CrossFit Stamford and CrossFit Rx.

SATURDAY 081101

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Bob Cox and Melissa Mackenzie of CrossFit Newport Beach recently ran the San Francisco 24 Hour Run. Melissa completed 50 miles while Bob ran 101 miles. CrossFit San Francisco and CrossFit One World also had runners represent.

What better way to pay for eating Halloween candy than by doing this month's Painstorm?