you go girls!

best video ever.

"should I put a shirt on?"

"...no"

Geee.....I wonder how she got her picture on there?!?! What do you feed those things?!

"Crossfit Die Hard" - good title.

Nice video AllisonNYC and I'm a huge fan of the A-Team music at the beginning.

God Bless AllisonNYC.

Sometimes I feel like I accidentally typed allisonfit.com

support, you (we) don't need no stinkin support

Funny Vid...hotel scenes were a bit creepy though.

We've got our Valentine's Day mascot for our testosterone- rich website. Woot!.. or is it wOOt? =P

WOD 2/15/08

Watch video as many rounds as you can in 24hrs.

Good job Ali.

Fran: 3:19. Not my best, but it'll have to do for now. I just can't seem to get a grasp as to why my numbers are continuing to creep down.

I'll have the routine up on youtube tomorrow (too tired, and too much internet for tonight.....it's val-day and spending time with wifey). Look for Raku1328.

later,
pb

Die Hard or Groupie? Please dont post any more die hard video like this.

What's wrong with you people? Good fitness but politically bizarre. Among professional economists in either industry or academia Laffer is a running joke. As to the journal editorial page, remember that during the 19080's defended the gold standard.

Your PT is up to date to bad about your economics.

TANSTAAFL

Between the video AND the article..

I'm predicting a record setting number of comments tomorrow.

It's a rest day.. It's a Friday.. I can't wait to kick back and watch the opinions fly..

I've been traveling a lot and have been out of the loop for awhile, so forgive me if this has been covered already. As I wait for my flight out of Portland, I notice a famliar face on a pull-out poster in Men's Health (Don't ask)..
Keep up the good work Brandon. The rest of the world is finding out what we at CF already know. That CrossFit/Combat Conditioning will make a better War Fighter.

DJ

Can't wait to meet you all at the cert I in Rainier. Love the burn.
I love Crossfit.
Happy Valentine.

Alison, you need to invest in a good support bra or those puppies will need a lift soon!

And the purpose of the video was?... For the men? Come on, AllisonNYC has been played out!

What's up, DJ? I heard Tony has a workout for you....

-Mike Honcho
"AKA Mr. March"

gotta agree somewhat with #18. focus on her athleticism, not her massive mamms.

Shut up-we love Allison...

Shut up-we love Allison

Anyone ever look at the T-Nation Sex forums? If not, go look, then come back here and compare some of the posts to the comments here whenever a pic of the lovely Allison is posted. Honestly, if you find yourself making "American Pie"-esque comments every time you see a woman's picture on this site, it's time to cheat on your Zone diet, take a rest day, and actually CONVERSE with a real woman. You'll thank me...or get slapped in the face by a woman who neither appreciates your appreciation of her breasts nor cares about your semi-decent "Fran" time or your *almost* 2.5xBodyweight DL.

Thanks,
-Sean

#21, Considering your name, I can understand the response. Very stimulating.

5:45 Today, First Time doing the routine. I have much to improve on.

"If the resources come from workers and producers who thereby receive less for their work than they otherwise would have received, won't they in turn spend less?"

I try to stay out of the political discussions, but since economics is, at its core, math, I might as well. The problem with this article is Laffer's assumption that the rebate decreases demand for the "working" class. In fact, a rebate has almost zero effect on their demand. There was no change in how much money they received for their work.

He could have written an useful attack on the stimulus package, if he approached it from an appropriate angle: DEBT. The stimulus package is financed entirely by increasing debt. The govt is not decreasing programs or defense spending or any such thing. Which means that as a country, at some point we will have to pay for it. An increase in TAXES would affect their demand. But Laffer doesn't take this route, because it doesn't have the Welfare Pizzazz. Damn shock-journalists...

looked like an advertisement for the "kipping push up bra"

kinda tacky guys

you put the "dis" in "functional fitness"

Along the same line as Michele... A suggested web site for you Allison. Seriously, this has helped many women who run like you.

http://www.enell.com/

Who was the sycophant behind the camera?

#'s 11, 18, 20 - I agree.

Didn't think I'd be close to meeting pukie on a rest day until I saw this video.

Enough already.

I can't wait to hear from the peanut gallery of people that hate to see Allison "objectified" by the comments. The site has done it themselves. She seems quite cool and comfortable with it. Cool with me.

The hotel clips are pretty creepy. I feel dirty.

RE video: yes, the hotel room clips were strange. Celeb sex tape-ish. She's clearly a legit athlete. And clearly a favorite within this community. I'm new and find this whole thing sort of strange.

Oh come on! The dollar and hour motel scenes were embarrassing to watch. OHS/pull ups, kettle bell basics, walking stairs in a hand stand and then this video. Give us a break! Who is making the decisions to post video for each day?

I think this was made to piss off the people that made a big deal of Allison's interview a few months back.

Snatch!

I love it, this is my first post and I have to say that these rants have been the high light of my daily life.... Ok so I don't have much of a life(lol, but keep it up I need the entertainment!!

zzz
resting

Alison, great video.
I'm looking forward to going this weekend to the Running / Endurance cert in Newport Beach.

I got to meet Mike and Brian at the Affiliate Gathering two weeks ago and they are both really knowledgeable. I'm looking forward to learning a lot and becoming a better runner. This is a great addition to the CF community.

Tank

thought I was watching some creepy LMN movie for a moment

I can't remember the last time a video pissed me off?

Oh yeah, now I remember, that was back in 2001.

Funny how that video put everything in perspective.

Now, I appreciate almost everything, and especially great video work with a great woman.

Why would anybody let this video upset them or react to this video in a negative manner?

Are you sick?

HEY HATERS, life is fun, please don't stand in the way of those of us that enjoy ourselves. When you are ready to appreciate life, we will still be here with open arms.

Allison, you are diesel!

I've been traveling a lot and have been out of the loop for awhile, so forgive me if this has been covered already. As I wait for my flight out of Portland, I notice a famliar face on a pull-out poster in Men's Health (Don't ask)..
Keep up the good work Brandon. The rest of the world is finding out what we at CF already know. That CrossFit/Combat Conditioning will make a better War Fighter.

DJ

I now think I know what soft porn looks like...

for a second, I thought I was watching some celeb private video. In what way does this video contribute to our crossfit goals?

Obviously as a military guy way out in Afghanistan, the picture is wonderful. My bandwidth causes me issues with the video, working on it.
The economic article is interesting in the fact that Mr. Laffer is one of the points of reference for the economic stimulus package. The Laffer Curve is the idea that enforcing less taxes increases tax receipt by the government. I agree with him on some of the rebates, the Democrats have already bloated it with some giveaway money in there. The mortage lenders are at the center of the economic issues, bad loans just so they could pad their books.

Hooyah!! A Sailor in the Middle of Afghanistan.

Ok, stop the Allison Bashing! She's a sweet girl on a mission and the mission is CROSSFIT! Thanks for coming to Newport Allison and i hope your running has improved.

God love AllisonNYC...where did I miss episode I? Can somebody link me?

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

#39, #36 and #40 - ditto

What's worse? The ridiculous article, certain segments of that video, the resulting comments? If you ask me, it's a tossup.

How can we set the bar so high everyday in the gym, and at times so low on this website?

It's a rest day, but AllisonNYC makes my heart thump and leaves me as breathless as doing Fran! Not to mention that those things have me hypnotized with the way they swing back and forth!!!(o)(o)

(OK, now it's time to puke.... Not because of Crossfit, but because I just realized how cheesy I am!! Blaaghh!!)

Sorry guys it's still Valentines day on the west coast and I am single! Thanks for the great video! I am a AllisonNYC fan!

Allison is cool. Nicole is cooler. It's been a while since we had a Nicole WOD video...

When I first read about this running cert, I have to admit I thought-"What's the big deal, arms at 90 degrees, past the pocket, past the chin, blah, blah, blah." After seeing the videos posted here, and reading several posts (especially Jon Gilsons), I realize that yeah, I suck at running and there is probably a sound reason why- I would seriously consider hitting one of these in the future.

Eva T complemented me for not losing it when I was doing the video review. I mentioned her bouncing head but had some difficulty staying focused there.

She actually did look much better by the second day. (HEY, I'm talking about her running of course)

BTW, I was practically crying I was laughing so hard from some of the comments above.

It's all good. We welcome all ages, abilities, and bra sizes (if you want to wear one) to the running certs!

P.S. Listen carefully to Tosh's comment about the beach on the video. Tosh you were hilarious in the video analysis room - and a bitchin' runner too.

I'm fairly new to Crossfit. I can do all of the execrises needed for the WOD's.

QUESTION: How much additional cardio do you guys do???

Thanks.

I'm not an economist, so I can't make any valid claims about the assumptions behinds the arguments in Laffer's article. What does make me suspicious is how simplistic it is. The economy is a very complicated system and to say that an input can have only one or two outcomes, and to be so sure which it will be seems suspicous and preachy. Chaos theory can show many systems, both symplistic and complex, that have only a few possible outcomes but telling which will happen is completely unpredictable. The double pendulum and the weather are examples of both. No one can truly predict how they will act (at least accuratly enough for physicists) and I feel the economy is similar. So I have to question Laffer's conclusions purely on how he argues his way to them. He may be correct but he hasn't done a good job of showing why I should believe him.

Ref AllisonNYC. There are many good looking crossfit and non-crossfit women out there. Some like to show off, some prefer to maintain some mystery. Any can be compelling to the right guy. We should not judge those who like to show what they have, rather we should appreciate it or look away as we see fit. I'm sure if Allison (or anyone else with their picture on the site) objected the pictures would come down, so lets all chill.

Our debt is financed with money from overseas. Most of the money in the stimulus package will be used to purchase products produced by those countries doing nothing but help those that loaned us the money in the first place. Seems like they got the stimulus twice. We just get the debt.

I'm not an economist, so I can't make any valid claims about the assumptions behinds the arguments in Laffer's article. What does make me suspicious is how simplistic it is. The economy is a very complicated system and to say that an input can have only one or two outcomes, and to be so sure which it will be seems suspicous and preachy. Chaos theory can show many systems, both symplistic and complex, that have only a few possible outcomes but telling which will happen is completely unpredictable. The double pendulum and the weather are examples of both. No one can truly predict how they will act (at least accuratly enough for physicists) and I feel the economy is similar. So I have to question Laffer's conclusions purely on how he argues his way to them. He may be correct but he hasn't done a good job of showing why I should believe him.

Ref AllisonNYC. There are many good looking crossfit and non-crossfit women out there. Some like to show off, some prefer to maintain some mystery. Any can be compelling to the right guy. We should not judge those who like to show what they have, rather we should appreciate it or look away as we see fit. I'm sure if Allison (or anyone else with their picture on the site) objected the pictures would come down, so lets all chill.

#52 - Mr Collins, can wait to get to one of your Running and Swimming Certs! I am training for Wildflower LC Triathlon and finding every one of your videos extremely valuable!!!

As for the video, when are we going to have a WOD named after AllisonNYC????

#53 Mike K:
Many people do CF as their only sport, meaning that occasionally someone will add something on that they need to improve. Often running, sometimes other skill work. Otherwise, the only extra "cardio" we do is any other sports we take part in.

As for the haters. If it bothers you, then don't watch. Nobody is making you open the video, or visit the site. Last I checked we were all free to make out choices. Allison is a cool girl who seems to have a lot of fun and I think she's refreshing. Better than the 40 year olds on the adductor machine reading a magazine at your local globo-gym, that's for sure.

You yanks are so prude. :)

Getting there on the frans, man I still suck. 6:30ish with subs.

I think everyone needs to stop taking this and themselves so seriously.
Dont wanna watch? dont watch
Dont wanna read? dont read
If Alison had issues with people staring at her chest I am sure she would wear some more clothes, if it bothers you then dont look an those that do look try and have at least a little bit of class in your comments and remarks, I think the average age is a bit higher here than 15?

Mr. Collins is a MAN among men!! I shaved 2 mins off my mile! Anyone that can help facilitate that type of improvement for big guys deserves an honorary doctorate from the college of his/her choice (UC Irvine perhaps?!?)

As far as naming a WOD after AllisonNYC - is would be 21-15-9 reps for time of: standing in front of the mirror, combing hair, coy look (coy looks must be unilateral!).

I don't know why you are all so mad. Sure today's video is different then ones in the past but remember it is a Rest Day: Controversy is supposed to ensue today.

Personally I didn't mind the video, as long as ones like these don't come along too often.

The video is a no-win situation for Allison and CrossFit, basically filler material. (I know: CrossFit is free, and I should be--and am--extremely grateful for everything its operators give me. Moving on . . .)

I admire Allison for being attractive, athletic and enthusiastic.

However, I am more inspired by technique-related videos featuring professionals who happen to be attractive (Nicole, Annie, Eva, Greg, Brendan, et al) demonstrating and teaching their skill sets. Recent videos about midline stabilization (Annie and Nicole, I think) and medicine-ball cleans (Glassman and Nicole) are good examples.

I am less inspired by glorified web diaries featuring an attractive person who happens to like CrossFit. Specifically, if this person sometimes--and this is going to get me in trouble--seems more concerned with smiling and waving to the camera than with completing the WOD. Fun is cool. Focus is better.

Allison's rise in status is also a bit confusing because, based on the videos, her stronger points seem to be sex appeal and a vast amount of disposable income with which she travels the country. She may be fiercely studious in the classroom and a beast in the workouts, but the videos don't convey that. It's disappointing.

Brandon- What's up bro? I busted out on the plane when I read your post. I'm going to make sure Tony hooks you up the next time we meet Mr. March. lol.. Oh, and I'm going to put your poster up on the wall. Take care brother & drop me a line.

Great info,
I'm assuming great people,
Sad video.

AllisonNYC, you have more to offer than that.

Anyone remember the good old days when the comments were about the training?

Bingo, I have no idea what this "TANSTAAFL"
means. I am to many guiness deep to figure it out.

All others, lighten up, its a rest day!

All in good fun

Mike, #61: Well stated. I find the skills videos helpful and motivational, and I feel today's video missed what is most exceptional about Allison.

i'm a 51 yo petite asian female, who has worked out (not competitively) since the age of 21 or so. about a month ago, i began crossfit. it's doing positive things for the stomach, but my glutes and thighs are shrinking. i realize that as we age, muscle loss is normal. but what exercises are best for building as much as i can?

The sad fact is Laffer is probably right in a general sense. Government bureaucracy costs money and doesn't make money but rather just shifts money around. In this case, more or less back to the people who paid it in the first place. Therefore, it must cost more to do this "rebate" than would simply cutting taxes by the same amount.

And it's money taken out of a deficit budget, which means the government needs to get the money from somewhere else, usually in the form of loans, which accrue interest, and so must mean higher taxes in the long run. The $300/person rebate probably cost the government $390 with the usual 30% government markup (about 30% of all government money is spent on administration costs in one form or another), and will probably double to about $800 before the loans to cover the $100 billion or so it cost to implement are paid off.

So "enormous damage?" I doubt it. But it wasn't exactly a bright idea. Not that I've come to expect much in the way of good ideas from government.

#67 lorna

Don't be so sure it's muscle you're losing, especially if you've been getting stronger in the process.

#65 TANSTAAFL= there's no such thing as a free lunch

Hey guys/gals,
What is that thing up around her neck? No guys, not those, a lil higher and to the right! :)

Thanks for help, --g.

29/f/110

Fran:

3:48 (PR)

65# thrusters

eric:
34/m/147

6:56

80# thrusters

pre: pacing around the gym for over 1 hour. i couldn't even do a proper warm-up. fran had my stomach in knots. i have never walked around the gym with so much fear before. ken c thanks for your encouragement and tips on slow and steady. eric really helped me through this reminding me to breath and to take my time on the thrusters.

btw, anyone hear of restless leg syndrome after crossfit? eric has been dealing with this post workout almost everytime.

#70 noble

"There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch,"

True enough, thanks, I'll think on it over another

guiness!

WOW 2nights reading has been interesting... can't wait to read what the other crossfiters have to say 2marrow.

I have heard on Fox Business channel that the stimulus that everyone is getting back is actually just an advanced rebate from next years taxes. So I guess if you do your deductions correctly you will actually have to pay back the money next year during tax season.

rest day
as rx'd
booyakasha

Ok, I nominate Eva T for the next crossfit scandalous vid. Yeah? no?

I hate it when NBC does vignettes on Olympic athletes

I hate Sportscenter's vignettes on undeserving athletes

I hate Crossfit's vignette they decided to do here.

I know there is info to gleen from the video, but unfortunately that video will be used for alterior purposes (talking Costco quantities of lotion). I liken using that video for furthering functional fitness, as I do using the works of Jenna Jameson to teach my students about anatomy.

About the bathroom scenes: as much as I want to see AllisonNYC in a bra, I really don't want to see her in a bra. Lessons learned through experience.

All that being said: thanks for all you do, Crossfit. Have to have some hiccups sometimes.

To #77

Hey Grumpy, don't be upset just 'cause she is hotter than Snow White.

What does your brother Happy think about Allison?

What's with the dead body on the bed at the begining of the video? That video made me a little uncomfortable... I just took my third rape shower.

What Would Coach Do?

It's funny but I half expected this before I clicked on comments. You are all comical, who cares if she is in a SPORTS bra, what are you all in 3rd grade? How about instead of making this into something its not listen to the context of the comments. As the growth of Crossfit takes us into the mainstream we are going to unfortunately see more of this non-sense.

One last thing. This is COACHES website, as much as we would like to think its ours, it is not. He gives us this for free, none of you are paying for the site period! What gives any of us the right to state what we think his choice of videos should be. If you don't like it then don't download the video. One thing I know without even meeting her, allison is she is a TRUE CROSSFITTER, crossfit is running in her viens, and if all you got out of the video is a sexual tone set by a girl in a SPORTS bra, then I really doubt Crossfit is in your viens!

#61 Mike, I agree completely. Allison's a good looking girl, but nearly every video we've seen of her has been a demonstration of her boobs, her laugh and her smile, rather than anything really constructive about her workout or the certs she goes to (with a regularity that could probably put me through graduate school, I might add).

If you check out the message boards, there are tons and tons of posts about POSE running. This would have been a terrific opportunity to document a really important certification seminar. Instead we get something like:

"Ok everyone... today we're going to cover Allison's breasts. Allison, you push off too much when you run. But that's beside the point. Your boobs are big. I think today we will focus on those instead."

I know it's a rest day, but I'd expect to at least get some kind of knowledge out of a video from a certification seminar. I already know she's hot. I already know she has big boobs and lots of money.

I could have gotten over the gratuitous hotel scenes, if only there had been some sort of actual substance in the remainder. It basically goes from her talking about her boobs, to everyone else talking about her boobs at the cert.

Beautiful girl, but honestly I'd rather see Nicole or Annie or Brandon or Greg or Coach Glassman or Coach Rip or Coach Burgener or anyone else that can provide substance to what could have (and should have) been a useful and informative video.

Not a burn on Allison, but I think she's been whored out enough (figuratively) on the site without giving her any real substance to her videos, whether she likes it or not. I know plenty of girls who would kill for this type of attention as well, but I guess there's a time and place for it, and I just don't think this was the time or the place. Her interviews were one thing... but this is just... blah. I was really hoping to learn something from that video.

Oh well.

creepy video..... very "paris Hilton" feel to it....

OK....so my home gym is in Huntsville, AL and I'm out in Denver for business. My times have about doubled! This thin air crap sucks. No wonder the olympic training center is up here.

You Denver gals/guys are hard core to knock out CF in this place. I can't wait to get back to my oxygen and humidity.

Can anyone tell me how protein bars fit into the zone diet? Or if they do at all. Thanks

Buy the Zone bars....they fit in the Zone diet

25/m/5'8"/160

I liked the video. All the haters are sad. I would like to see a wod vid with allison in it though. Doesn't seem like a good athlete from the vids posted.

Did 12-9-6 reps of
30lb db burpee thrusters
30lb db weighted pullups
time 7:49

Nadia

ha , thats funny i know how u feel. I felt so embaressed at the gym today. Not because of the work out , but because i must have paced around the gym for about an hour before i could get started. The irony of it all is that all the people that i usually think are wasting their time in the gym resting and talking must have been wondering what the hell i was doing in the gym pacing for an hour. i kpt going up o the bar then leaving out of fear of what was about to happen.

The funny thing with Fran is the fitter you get the tougher she gets.

the video? Interesting to say the least. We'll leave it at that. i am interested in what Bingo thinks for some reason. Any musings Bingo?

Ya'll do realize that Allison is reading your comments right? I wish she would comment, because honestly, some of you blow my mind. It is a video of a cert, featuring allison, take what you want from it, and move on. This video is not the descent of crossfit into debauchery. Take a deep breath, relax, and go knock out a WOD, you'll feel better.

Besides, being both red blooded, and American, I really enjoyed the video. Especially considering that Allison is a picture of health and fitness as opposed to a victoria's secret sex symbol style waif.

Thanks
Dave

About Allison:
Good commens on the running. Got some good idea's about head-hight, and arms
Ali, you are a nice girl, keep having fun.

About the economics:
Where does the money comes from in the first place, the goverment? Who put it there? What happens with the national debt?
I think it is better spend on education and health-care. (teach people how to fish etc)

Bingo: love Heinlein.

Have fun, Johan

#87 "I think it is better spend on..."

See, there's a trap there. It is a false choice created by big government Democrats and big government Republicans. I think it's better not to take as much money from the taxpayers in the first place. Who knows better than them how they want it spent? If you think more money should go to education and health care, give to a scholarship fund and a community health center.

I'd like to ask all the Keynesians out there how we could possibly have a recession when we're already deficit spending out the wazoo, and have been since a certain billion-dollar-a-day war got started. Any takers?

...Rotterdam, eh? I guess the conspiracy runs further than United States politics.

Comment #25 - Posted by: 7four7

Exactly to the point!
Nevertheless, I am happy to finally see here an article which is somewhat critical to G.W. Bush, even without mentioning his name and that the package was proposed by him. And as it is campaign time, everyone is keen to (possibly)heat the economy in the short run, without caring for what happens afterwards.

I often wonder if Bingo was frustrated when he took the time, every day for a month, to patiently explain CF basics to the newbies only to have them ask the same question the next day, the same day, or three posts after his.

And yet, facing that same futility I can't help but say the following.

Having been doing crossfit for almost a year and lurking on the site for the same, I've realized the following:
-Allison is a celebrity of CF and will be featured throughout all things CF
-There are a lot of young (and otherwise testosterone filled) men on this site
-They will always make comments about Allison, some complementary, some crude
-None of these jokes are clever nor funny, or if they were it was the first time they were made (which was about 100 jokes ago)
-Allison does not seem bothered by the attention nor the comments and is not looking for someone to stand up for her
-the Glassmans seem to have a penchant for controversy or at least polorizing topics
-last and most importantly: NONE OF THIS IS LIKELY TO CHANGE, NO MATTER WHAT YOU POST (including my little rant, or course)

I'm not concerned about people clogging up the comments, just getting bored of the same discussions.

Should I put a shirt on....

ah No.

Ha!ROTFLMAO!!!!

....and to the inevitable poster who says " (Insert High Pitch Whiny Voice)...You shouldn't be talking about her like that I'm so offended!!

Lighten Up Francis!

I guess if people didnt want to see the video it wouldn't be posted. Look at her workout log on the messageboard, its one of the leading threads.

For me, Crossfit is getting at it in the gym. The rest is just typical internet stuff.

It just seems to me that such "questionable" videos would be buried a little deeper then the front page.

Hey friends, drop your routines and come Crossfit...we have....a blonde with big boobies, and stuff.

Laffer is dead wrong on his first assumption that the stimulus package is in theory correct. We would be far better off giving rebate checks to the upper half or third, or even quarter of income earners who are much more likely to invest the money rather than dump it into a throw away item.....which is what will happen. More than anything this package is all for show. If you look at the base line fundamentals, the economy is not in horrible shape. Go ahead I dare you to actually research it. Start with Marginal Revolution, good solid economic data.

As for the videos, it is your choice not to consume...this is after all a free country.

Wow, LOVE economics and public policy! Coincidently, I just finished, Greenspan's Age of Turbulence last week. This should be a great debate.

First things first, my biases and assumptions: (1) I cannot stand narcissistic neocons and loony liberals equally; I am very much a moderate. Laffer tends to work for the neocons.

(2) Economics is a SOCIAL science, meaning it is less-exact than a math equation.

(3) There is little a president and the Congress can do to stimulate the economy in the short- term. They can best manage the long-term economic environment through deregulation, reasonable taxes on individuals and corporate profits, low trade barriers and easy access to quality education.

(4) No Bill turned into law will ever be perfect; we are a democratic society. Federal bills are the product of 536 (435 House, 100 Senate and 1 Pres) individuals' opinions, biases, and needs. At some point, someone has to make a compromise at the benefit of one group and the detriment of the other.

Here is what I think: We must preserve consumer spending and confidence. One way to do that is through a rebate. Since there is a little our Federal Government can do to manage to economy in the short-term a rebate is one of the few options it has that can have a stimulative affect. The reason why is the money-multiplier effect that Laffer acknowledged (though, not by name) in his first paragraph. It works like this: one person's consumption is another person's income. So, if I take my $600 and buy/consume a CrossFit certification with it Coach Glassman's income rises by $600. So he takes his rebate, plus my $600 and he goes to consume some marketing material for his business with it; now the owner of that marketing firm has $1200, plus her $600 rebate. So on and so on it goes. That is the theory, how well it works is debatable.

Since 1999, the economy has hit a lot of rough patches that would have put any other economy in the tank: Internet stock bubble, accounting scandal/corporate fraud, 9/11, two wars, etc.

Two things that kept the economy aloft from late 1999 to 2006 were the real estate boom (now defunct) and consistently, strong consumer spending. As said, the housing thing is no more. We can not let consumer spending falter either!! A rebate is one way to ensure consumer spending. A rebate will also have a positive affect on consumer confidence.

While this stimulus is not perfect and it has debatable points, I think we can all agree that we do not want consumer spending to falter.

I look forward to people agreeing and disagreeing with me.

Whatev, people. She looks good, deal with it. btw Al, you're obsessed and need a non-CF vacation.

And regarding Art Laffer being "a running joke" among academics, I consider that to be quite an endorsement for the man. Economics is not mathematics at its core - it is about social relationships. Laffer's point is that sending "rebate" checks is literally counter-productive. They should be written out relative to a person's production, not according to his perceived "need" (which is the antithesis of Marx's central tenet). People will come to count on the federal government for bail-outs and socialist handouts like entitlements and make-work programs when we'd all have been better off not having our income taxed in the first place! Get the government out of people's biz!

allison you look good. maybe for hardcore crossfitters you're kinda annnoying but for beginner i would say u can be great commodity for crossfit.

#9 Praschfire C12- Funny post!!!

Just getting in my daily post fix. Don't think I'll be getting in the middle of either one of these.

WAY TO GO COACH!! KEEP STIRING THAT POT!

I don't mean to be rude but this Allison-NYC thing is getting pretty annoying. She seems like a sweet girl and yes, she is hot but honey you don't need to try so hard to get attention.

Out of all the diehard Crossfitters who are in phenomenal shape, why is so much attention focused on this one person? I don't get what has earned her this "elite" status (other than she has big boobs and a pretty face).

Gotta say I totally agree with #61.

#72 Nadia,

I experience the RLS during a workout and post when I am really geting after it. Soemtimes when I climb up on the step stool for the next round of pull ups, I'm trembling, the leg is always the worst.

I just figured it's because I'm some sort of weird genetic freak, and my body is revolting against the ensuing punishment.

It takes me a few minutes to calm down afterward.

I guess I always figured it was like the first time I did ring dips...muscles firing all over the place, I figure it will get better, but it hasn't.

I've never worried about it.

What we need to do is to bite the bullet and accept a recession. Living beyond our means for far too long has weakened our economy beyond repair.

A recession and consumption levels returning to levels in line with other Western Economies is probably the best long term solution.

Increasing consumption just seems like encouraging what caused this mess.

Meanwhile China keeps lending money so that we can can import more Chinese goods.

I've only been doing this for about three months but, since that time, I've practically lived on this site. Watched every video, read every article. Hell, for fun sometime I'll visit old WOD archives and browse the WOD's from years past.

Neither am I a prude nor a "hater". I swear on my grandmother' motorcycle that I don't have any problem with Allison and her b00bs -- Lordy, trust me on that one.

But doesn't the girl have a Facebook site? The video doesn't fit in with *anything* on the site to date -- and yes, I've watched every video multiple times. CrossFit makes a huge deal on the message boards about marking content/links as "Work/Family safe." I'm not saying that Allison's rack isn't "family" safe but this is the first time that this *site itself* has posted content that I would seriously get in trouble for viewing at work. Regardless of how you feel about the merits of the video -- and aside from about 10 seconds of content any merits were not fitness related -- I think that's an important thing to note and I hope it doesn't presage some sort of change in the tone or style of the content.

I use the daily videos as a missionary tool at my office -- "hey, come watch this and see how these badasses rock." Now, alas, I guess I'm going to have to start checking to see if I'll get in trouble for doing so.

Just my $.02.

While the rebate will likely not stimulate the economy, the overly simplistic nature of this article is a joke.

That said, the rebate plan will accomplish its main purpose: to make it look like our leaders are doing SOMETHING about the problem. Too bad the solution to this one was missed years ago, when a little (very little) common sense guidance of the credit markets could have prevented the entire fiasco.

#25 7four7,

You make a good point about our addiction to debt financing to prop up our economy. I recently read an article by Warren Buffet concerning this. Even though he wrote it in 2003, it is very pertinent today. In my opinion, it addresses the problem of deficit spending in a much more effective way by creating the right incentives to promote the right activities. You can find it at:

http://www.pbs.org/wsw/news/fortunearticle_20031026_03.html

Coming from another angle, when you think about some of the problems that are contributing to the current economic slump, what do you think of? Probably soaring housing prices, the sub-prime mortgage situation, and rising foreclosure rates. When you think about the stimulus package in this context, it starts to look like using a band-aid to address the problem of a severed leg (or even a head). A $600 rebate is going to do no lasting good to a person who can't make their mortgage payments. It may ease the problem for a few months, but no more than that. And if they do what the lawmakers wanted, use the money for increasing consumption, then it won't help at all.

$600 will also not come close to making people more likely to buy a home--one of the causes of the recent economic boom. So I don't see that this stimulus package does anything significant enough to matter. But what do you expect from a group of people who, thinking the band-aid will have their amputee walking again real soon, have now moved on to weighty issues like whether Roger Clemens used steroids.

Question about Fran (or just WODs in general):

Been doing Crossfit for about 16 months now, but yesterday was an interesting first. Got done with Fran (5:15, PR), but then sat down at my desk and completely crashed. I mean I fell completely asleep for 20 minutes sitting in a chair, and as I fell asleep my heartrate was still up. Woke up from that, tried to take a nap, but this time couldn't make myself fall asleep because my heartrate was high and my breathing was strained.

I've gotten smoked many, many a time by a WOD, but i've never felt my system go through such a severe arousal->crash curve like that.

Has anyone else experienced this? Just curious.

Well, Allison, I hope you are proud of yourself. You just did a topless interview in a hotel room and discussed your breasts. Clearly the men of Crossfit respect your for your fitness achievements....

Can we please remember that this is a FITNESS website??????

The article: Interesting, but I would like to have seen actual examples to substantiate the claims. I agree with many of the comments and the author as there is no such thing as a free lunch. I support the idea that if rebates are needed, they should be doled out according to production output. Maybe we should save the rebate money, for the time that the government asks in the form of higher taxes, for repayment.

The video: The people that liked the video seem ready to start name-calling everyone who opposes the video. Yet, the reverse does not happen. Maybe the maturity and wisdom of those who have commented follow the same pattern?

I totally agree with #92 expat and with those with whom his comments align. At the end of the day though, as expat says, "NONE OF THIS IS LIKELY TO CHANGE, NO MATTER WHAT YOU POST[.]"

allison you rock

nadia

big congrats on your fran pr! awesome time! and i can't believe you brought up eric's "restless leg syndrome." you already know my theory on that.

ray

very good point you make. the fitter you get the harder these workouts get if you are pushing yourself for a pr. fran sucks just as much today as it did the first time. it just gets over a bit quicker. someone was asking me about getting in shape so this stuff would be easier and i had to tell her it never does. it's always as hard as you make it.

Alison: Good job girl. They're all jealous. ;)

#107 - The same thing was happenning to me last night a bit, I didn't fall asleep, but I was having a little trouble breathing and I was REALLY disoriented, couldn't form a sentance.

I don't know if it was supper repeating on me (grilled salmon, potato and asparagus) but I took 2.5 hours after supper to relax before heading to the gym to do Fran.

Can't wait until my new house is built, I wired the garage/gym for audio so I can rock the f**k out. :)

Cheers all.

www.angrydalty.com/crossfit.htm

#107 Wilson

I had a very similar experience yesterday. I have been doing Crossfit for about 3 months and this was my second Fran. Did it Rx'd in 4:55 (1st go around was as Rx'd in 10:00). As soon as I finished I completely shut down, my head was pounding, I just had to lay still for 20 minutes, then oddly enough, i was coughing heavily for the remainder of the day. I'm not sure if I overexerted myself or if I am finally making some progress.

Either way, I am in love with Crossfit. I will never revert back to what I use to consider a workout (what a joke in retrospect). Definately a Crossfiter for life.

Allison, please don't take all of this too seriously. Like everyone else, you just need to keep being true to yourself.

Yes, those Katrina $2000 ATM cards really helped turn New Orleans' residents around. Just give people "free" money; you expect these kind of feel-good handouts from Democrats, not Bush.

I think Stossel puts the economic argument better than Laffer:

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/02/stimulating_nonsense.html

As for the video, can we not acknowledge that there is a problem for, um, "larger" women in running? This tackles that issue head-on. I move that we merge the two topics, and create a slush fund from which we distribute $100 checks to running-challenged large busted women. Send your donations to me, and I'll send them their funds. Paypal accepted. I'll keep you abreast.

Lighten up people.

#93 don't call me francis...

Allison is hot, plain and simple...I'm willing to guarantee that there are some extra guys hanging around Crossfit NYC in the next few days/weeks...its all marketing...

Laffer has his foibles but he is generally right in this instance. Giving something a catchy name like ‘Stimulus Package’ or ‘Patriot Act’ doesn’t mean a thing. It’s what is contained within that matters most and what is contained in the ‘stimulus package’ is very little that is stimulative. The government (local, state, federal and foreign), the Federal Reserve, banks and ‘other’ financial entities have worked over the last 20 years to spend our savings and when they got done with that to borrow from our future. They rode the economic magic of ever falling interest rates (rates peaked in the early 80’s) to monetary prosperity based on increasing nominal financial asset values (stocks and houses) and stagnant or decreasing real assets (manufacturing capacity). Rates reached a low in 2003 that is only to be broken in a deflationary environment that would rival or exceed the 1930s. Rising rates are the best we can hope for given the economic hell that would have to accompany further falling rates (the dollar is already at historic lows).

The bottom line is we have spent money that we didn’t earn borrowing it from entities that were able to take advantage of Greenspan protected spreads and easy money. The economic golden period since the early 1980s was unsustainable and has been in the long slow process of ending since 2003. All the deficit spending and easy money policy in the world (and we pretty much have it all) won’t matter in the long run.

Excellent video more informative than some that are up on the site. Alison you are truly an dedicated crossfitter.

It takes a great deal of courage to stand in front of people and show all your faults. Keeps up the great work.

Just wondering for any of the Crossfit affiliates in southern Ontario if you are going to be doing any certifications at all. This is directed at Niagara, Mississauga, Toronto and Hamilton.

I have not seen any posts for any in a while, just curious. Thanks.

Mike

It's a fitness web site and a community. Many members of the community like to poke fun at political correctness. Sometimes it's in your face. Deal with it or don't. I think it's amusing. There was information to be mined.

Post #50 - Yes Allison is cool and Nicole is cooler....but Eva T is DA BOMB!

Keep up the good work AllisonNYC.

People shouldn't be critical of her when it's up to the folks at CrossFit to post these videos, pics, etc. I think it's great that she's able to travel across the country to participate with these events. What she wears or how she wears is irrelevant-besides I've seen way too many bare chested men on this site for my tastes!

Yeah, so we're jealous. I wish I could go to cert after cert after cert all over the country...are the videos how she foots the bill?.....hey, can I do a video? Itty & Bitty are only 1/2 the size o' hers, but I got shoulders/legs/abs that ain't so bad

Blah.

It's not that I don't have the choice to watch the video, it's the fact that it is taking the place of ANY other video with REAL content.

If everyone's so in love with this AllisonNYC, at least put her up against someone doing a WOD so we can see if she can walk the walk...

Lighten up!

Get laid. Drink a beer.

Your sole source of happiness for the day shouldn't be based on what video is posted on the CrossFit site.

I for one live in a tent in the middle of the desert and appreciate a little levity every once in a while.

Jakob #59: Prudes is right!

Allison: Pay no mind to all the naysayers.

Kelly Moore vs. AllisonNYC

This Allison debate is tired and boring. I'm just happy we get videos of anything at all.

I am so tired of Allison.

Can we see more Eva, Nicole, and Annie? Those girls are impressive to watch.

This is my first comment ever. I think Allisons' passion for CF is great, I think her dedication is great, I just don't see why every interview and photo has to focus on her body.

Can't more production time be spent on other CF'rs with equally inspirational stories?

I just don't want to see CF go the way of most fitness mag's and sites, sex sells

It is a man's world ! YA RIGHT! Which gender is drooling now! But common now, is idea of rest day today really .... raising certain hormonal gland production? No offense, AllisonNYC is a knockout and cute. But the video should have focused more on her actual running skills and correction. YOU BOYS BEHAVE BETTER! Where's the video of my idol...Annie?

Stimulus article....seems less stimulating than the video. Personally, the rebate should be prorated to AGI (adjusted gross income)..positive reinforcement for people who work their A$$ off!

I love CrossFit.

I MEANT...

YOU BOYS BETTER BEHAVE !

I MEANT...

YOU BOYS BETTER BEHAVE !

Leave the girl alone. Even though she was part of making the video, she didn't edit or post it. Get past the camp and make some comments on how you can help her. I'm sure there are some women out there that know how to restrain her junk. Maybe you didn't notice that she said she was HUMILIATED by her garbage bouncing around in the running video. Kettle bell swings looked pretty good.

Attention craver or not, the girl likes CrossFit, give it a break already!

Won't all the stimulus package money end up stimulating the Chinese economy since we'll all use it to buy Chinese made goods?

Great video of Paris Hilton after she got her boob job. What? Who? Oh sorry. Never mind.

The video and the article are bait for lefties. They hate women and love socialism. Unwilling and unable to engage on fact they offer platitudes and homilies. When pressed they revert to a sputtering infantile rage. (Eric #12...)

It all makes me happy. Including beautiful women and free markets.

AllisonNYC, your enthusiasm toward crossfit is great, keep it up!! If everybody in this country had half the enthusiasm Allison does toward fitness maybe we wouldn't have such a high rate of obesity.

As far as the economics go... People have to be accountable for themselves. Giving money to people helps nobody. The $600 given to Mr. American will just be spent on fast food and beer and in no way helps Mr. American get out of debt; witch in turn does not help the economy. If you accumulate debt YOU have to get yourself out of the hole. You cannot rely on the government to help you.

Weird outcomes with Fran. I missed my PR yesterday, slogging through it. Afterwards, didn't feel sick at all but had this nagging cough (which is normal for me for a couple hours following a gutbuster). However, it hasn't gone away. Been coughing for over 24 hours and my throat is raw. I think I dislodged a piece of my trachea! Anyway, just kind of weird. Concerning the video. As long as we're gonna be hard core, in your face, no holes barred, just get it over with and show em. Attention is so satisfying right?

Friday rest day = happy JMO

yea, and my everything is sore

To be honest at first I had my doubts about a running certification, but after learning more about the presenters Brian Mackenzie and Mike Collins...reading the article in the Journal, watching videotapes on the site and hearing them present in person...I have no doubt in my mind that a running cert is well worth the money and a very valuable tool become a better athlete and crossfitter. Brian and Mike are both tremendous assets to the community and I can't wait to attend their cert in Ocean City, MD in Sept.

I highly encourage others to do the same.

Universal laws in action:
1. Men like looking at pretty girls with great figures.
2. Women get sniffy about it, but rather than admitting to a tinge of jealousy about either said girls confidence or cup size, decide to act outraged about men's childish behaviour.

Give us a break - if she didn't like being looked at she'd have turned the camera off. It's a victimless 'crime'

Wow great picture, who is the other lady in the picture??? Could it be EVA?

Better video!

I feel PRs coming!!

To echo #132 Shiba Inu: Where's video of my idol Annie doing serious WODs and putting the boys to shame? How about Eva? Or Nicole? Or SpiderChick? Or Nadia?

Hi Kids,

1. Congratulations to AllisonNYC for be the embodiment of a crossfitter, tough, critical of performance and willing to look like strange....and all of us who don't have the means or opportunity to work out at an affiliate do, every WOD.

2. I apologize to AllisonNYC for all the lack of 'community' support that's being flagged up by fellow crossfiter's. I though for sure we were a community of like minded savages in the pursuit of functional fitness for life. Not as proud to be a crossfiter today than I was yesterday.

Much love,
George

Allison certainly does a lot to increase traffic to this site.

#69 lorna

I'm somewhat of a newbie with CF, but my impression is that CF is a little more focused on upper body strength than lower body and perhaps this is why your glutes and thighs are shrinking. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love CF, but I just notice that my upper body hurts much more often than my legs (exception being the 400m lunge where I couldn't walk for days).

Maybe you should add some squats and other lower body muscle building exercises to your routine. I'd be interested in comments on this from those more experienced.

It is not about disliking or hating Allison....it is just a bit cheeeezzzzyyy in a Britney kind of way.

If I had the means and the time to go to all of the certs. that CaliAlli NYC goes to, I would do it in a heart beat! However I don't. So rather than sucking on one of the deadly 7, ENVY, I give her props and think that it is wonderful!
I remember Allison posted from almost a year ago. Chatted off boardsite, and she has grown in remarkable way. So have alot of us. And if there was another video on Spider Chick, showing how far she has come, I'd give her frickin' props to, or anyone else for that matter, as I try to do as often as I can.
She IS gorgeous. She DOES have a great figure! Good for her! Show it babe, you've worked hard for it! Hell alot of us do! Ya think that Greg Amundson takes off his short during a tabtat pushup video because 'it's just a little to warm in here guys'...or more like (in a very humble way) "Yeah baby, I am PROUD of the machine I built..check it out!" My pictures that I have on my myspace page, shirtless...think it's cause 'I'm a broke and can't swing a top'...ahhhh no. I am saying "check this out! I am proud of it! And it took pain, blood, sweat tears, focus, drive and most of all heart to build this tank! LOOK AT IT!"
I love the Allison debates. I wonder what she thinks of it all. God bless her for becoming a better CFer and CF trainer..she will be able to change alot of lives!

LOOK! lol
myspace.com/justintriquet

I have to admit I am jealous of AllisonNYC....because she gets to go to all of these certs! She's amazing and really sweet, I've chatted with her online only, but she seems like a sweetheart! I am trying to figure out how I can save enough money for me AND my hubby to go to the running cert in Ocean City in Sept. Any tips on where I can get one of your money trees Allison?!? LOL!
you rock it girl~

WP,

Your conjecture does not comport with fact. You've conducted a focus group within your head. Low reliability.

Mornin'.

Re: fitness video. I hate running. Deeply. Passionately. Always have. Always will. I DON'T suck as a runner. I was once rather fast and very quick (average college CB), and I still look OK for a 48 yo old guy.

OK, unless you know how to run, that is. "Lean forward...fall into your next step." "Don't reach, arms high and tight." The concept of a steady head height as a proxy measurement for correct (or simply better or more efficient) running style is simple and elegant.

Look again at the slide of Allison and Eva crossing paths toward the end of the video. Although Allison is in the foreground and blurry you can easily see her leaning back, weight BEHIND structural support, consistent with the pronounced heel strike in other views of her running. Contrast that with Eva in the background, foot flush in a mid-foot strike, weight just slightly forward of support. I may hate running, but I dare say that I would be a better runner with less pain in my ancient joints if I strove to emulate that image of Eva with each stride, eh?

We also have demonstrated the clear difference between an elite, world class athlete and a relative beginner in that very same slide. Eva has had a little more exposure to POSE, but not much, and she has made significant strides as a runner (cute phrase, huh?). What impresses me about the beginner, Allison, is her awareness of her athletic technical faults (sometimes this doesn't come that easily to a beginner), and the determination on her face as she says that she has a lot to learn, a lot of work to do.

We could learn from both, oui?

P.S. Coach: thanks.

Post in the filter, around 147.

hey #142. I'm a woman and don't appreciate your theory on female breast size jealousy. Imagine your balls being that big and trying to run.

#137 Coach,

So, what exactly does that have to do with "elite fitness", or elite anything for that matter?

OK so at first i was a little creeped out by the video, but then i watched it a few times and listened a little closer to Mike's instruction to Allison. If you get nothing from the video other than his comment to Allison about her arm position then you have learned enough:

"Hide your boobs... run with your hands up, keep them up high and compact and that will make your legs more compact."

This would seem to be an extremely valuable piece of information for any large breasted female that finds running difficult or cumbersome. Improper form coupled with large breasts will obviously magnify their problem. Proper form and running technique (hands and arms high and tight, less bounce) will not only make running more comfortable but also more efficient and therefore, more enjoyable.

So what's the problem with having a little fun while making that point. Allison obviously doesnt take herself too seriously as you can see in the video when she finds Mike's comments about her form just as amusing if not more amusing then the rest of the people in the room.

I'll bet most of the negativity in todays postings come from people that have negative attitudes in general and take themselves way too seriously.

Lighten up people... look for something positive before you bring out the negative.

McLovin

#116 Hale
Agree with your assessment of Loffler and the situation in Katrina as a good example of how this kind of thing doesn't help.

Interesting to me as well that by handing out money that the government doesn't have in the form of US Dollars, then we are just decreasing the value of those USD by increasing the federal deficit. That and the consistent rate cuts by the fed continue to strangle the dollar.

--BK BK--

As to your bra-fund, I have several similar initiatives that I'd be happy to gain support for from the CrossFit community. Working with DCSmashed.org, a local DC non-profit that raises money and awareness for various causes and charities:

"Washington DC .5K Run for Boobs": Why do we focus so much on the negative aspects of breasts? Constantly we are bludgeoned over the head with "Walks for the Cure", "Breast Cancer Awareness Flyers", etc. All noble outreach programs trying to help women, but lets be honest, breasts aren't just things that will kill you. This .5K run is a celebration of womanhood, that's why we ask that women shed those constricting and oppressive "bras" and run "au natural" (Your favorite CrossFit t-shirt is encouraged however). Note: There is a 25 m slip-n-slide at the finish line.

Other programs such as the "Leather Pants Outreach Program" and "Stripper to Med School Student" are currently under development by our team of expert personnel. I think I might get USAID in on this, does anybody have a number for them?

#137 Coach "bait for lefties"

I love it

Hey - its a free -FREE site so the powers that be can put whatever the hell they want up. If thats Allison_NYC interview parts 1-1000 then tough. If you want to complain then complain IF she starts showing up in something you are paying for like the crossfit journal. I'm guessing thats not going to happen. Until then enjoy the content you like and quietly dont enjoy the content you don't.

M/22/6'1"/185

I'm a little backed up. Did Fran today. Awful, absolutely, awful. 4:45. Either I'm getting sick or I shouldn't have had a handful of Swedish Fish that one of my swimmers left on my desk for Valentines Day. Hopefully it's getting sick cause I don't think I could give up Swedish Fish any time soon.

Post: Dry heave

In the last year of the Clinton administration we entered a recession. We are approaching a recession now in the last year of the Bush administration. Both administrations presided over a huge economic growth. Clinton had the tech boom, and Bush through tax cuts saw growth even with 9/11 and Enron et. al. scandals. It is natural for the market to correct itself after periods of huge economic growth. The idea that Washington can place a band-aide on the situation with $600 per person is silly. Look at unemployment it is still below %5 nationally. That is not bad recession or not.

In chapter 5 "The Merits of the Fair Tax" in Fair Tax the Truth that was just released, the authors explain very well how tax expenditures work. This stimulus package mirrors a tax expenditure. It obfuscates where the money is being transfered from.

My Senator voted against this (Bob Corker-TN)and his article in the local paper provided a good analysis for his decision. The money will go to countries that we have a trade deficit with (China). It will not stimulate economic growth within our own country. The cost of this plan will be paid by our children.

I can't see this plan as anything more than a vote buying program that is bi-partisan in nature. Sadly most in our country will see this action as the government being able to solve their economic problems. The masses will continue to look toward the government rather that inward at personal responsibility.

PS...Viva la FairTax!

Allison - no video comments, but check out http://www.titlenine.com - their bras really saved one of my very athletic friends until she saved up enough money for a reduction.

#109 Wilson

I've crashed like that a few times. Once after Diane and a couple of times after Fran. I feel like I'm drugged. My eyelids feel like they have kettleballs attached to them and my body just shuts down for about 15-20 minutes. I don't think it's that uncommon.

Expat #83.

Allow me to let you in on some forthought for these clips:

The video producer of this clip actually visited our affiliate recently and specifically said he enjoyed filming AllisonNYC because she is an avid CrossFitter and good "eye-candy" for the site. He further asked if we could invite our best looking fit women to the filming session for a workout. He said, "this is what people love to see." Frankly, I suspected that the producer had a bit of a crush on ANYC.

As for me, I feel bad for ANYC that she has been cast into the middle of this pool. Since my attraction to CF and the CF website extends way beyond the "eye-candy," I've suspected that others might actually be offended that "eye-candy" is being used to create interest in CF.

In the grand realm of the CF Universe, the conscious exploitation of AYNC is really no big deal. However, many defenders' arguments fall on deaf ears here. I spoke with the producer. I know why she was selected - and most others here do too. If you're ok with that, fine. However, at our affiliate, CrossFit has changed many lives, and most of them do not have ANYC's beauty and voluptuous curves.

On the main page it reads: "Post thoughts to comments." It does not say, 'Post only thoughts that support the video.'

If someone has thoughts that do not support the video, don't bash them for commenting. Some bashers have stated, "the site is free, if you don't like it, don't view it." In similar fashion, if you don't like the comments, don't read them.

I think it is very telling of our priorities that most of the comments are concerning Allison and not the Laffer article. This is not a good trend but one that has existed for generations even as it expands. From our incessant infatuation with Brittany to Congress investigating steroids in baseball we elevate the superficial and trite rather than dealing with the harsh realities in front of us.

#166 epicurius,

Well stated.

Wow, how gratuitous was that? Very. And don't act like that was posted in some spirit of "let's start some thought provoking debate. It is what it is. Weak choice ....weak choice.

Totally agree with 61 and 83 comments. Well said, and absolutely nothing against Allison. This site is having an identity crisis.

With so much interesting talk about AllisonNYC and economics its any wonder I can get anything done on a rest day.

Not that anyone cares,
But what the heck.

Fran Time yesterday 5:04

That's not the cool part.

Fran time in December 8:37

Doing every crossfit wod (minus 2 or 3 in the last 3 months)mostly and some limited triathlon training and some very limited KB's I have shaved over three minutes off my fran time.

Now that is something to talk about.

Admittedly not as exciting as AllisonNYC or even the Stimulis Package (who the heck chose those two topics to go together, too funny) but, my own little personal best deserves a shout out here on the Crossfit post page and its all due to you.

BTW: All you guys and gals rock!

Dr. D

I'm no economist but, I'd have to say the Laffer contradicts himself in the article. Mr. Laffer, credit with the "Laffer Curve", states that the maximum tax revenue is achieved somewhere at a tax rate of between 0 and 100%. By proposing a rebate the administration is lowering the tax rate on couples making less than 174,000 or individuals making less than $87,000.

Laffer is a big proponent of supply side economics, lowering the tax rate in order to increase investment. So why isn't he in favor of this? My guess would be that it's because he isn't going to see a penny from it. His rebate, as well as mine and many others, will be 0. Basically resulting in a de-facto tax increase for the population making above $87,000 a year.

The difference lies in what a family making less than $174,000 a year will do with the money and what one making more than $174,000 a year would do with it.

Most recipients will use the money to pay off debt that they have incurred while spending indiscrimantly during the last 6 years of housing appreciation. I, on the other hand, would buy bumper plates.

The question is which would help the economy more?

As Laffer said it is a zero sum game. The resultant increase in debt will somehow have to be offset by an increase in tax revenues. How this will be achieved will be determined by the next administration. My guess is my tax rate will go up.

As for the video I have one question. The statement about trying to cover one's boobs with your arms. Is this also true for distance running? I was always taught that holding the arms in that position was a waste of energy?

Hey!

I think some people need to chill out. If it was a fella in a hotel room wearing nothing but a towel, there’d be no issue. Similarly, if it was a girl with small boobs there’d be far fewer posts.

Allison has done so much to keep me coming back to this site due to her sheer enthusiasm and energy! I’ve seen her offer advice to noobs who requested it.

I can’t speak for everyone else, but personally, this site benefits enormously by Allison being such an active member of it.

Stop criticising the girl. Some of you would do well to try to be more like her.

Tim Hamilton,

Close your eyes, don't look at Allison, and listen to the running instruction, and you'll see that your question is stupid. Try it I promise it works. Don't let your misogyny keep you from the content.

Hey it just dawned on me...

the video of allison was our own crossfit 'Stimulus Package'

and just as effective

thanks coach

Epicurius #166

Frankly, CrossFit and issues surrounding its image and promotion are a nice diversion from the harsh realities of life. And, as an affiliate owner, the promotion and image of CrossFit is far more relevant and impactful to me and others here than the editorial opinion of a WSJ writer on an inevitable event.

Wait... check that

much more effective

stimulate the brain

I'm with Dan Thacker. Unleash the fury, Allison!!

65# thrusters
65# Assisted pullups

about 17 minutes

The CF videos should include some indication as to whether they're Work and/or Family Safe.

I don't want my children to see a very young woman in a hotel room in her underwear being video recorded, especially when it's obvious that the recorder isn't her husband (well, it's presumed anyway, so the point is valid either way).

Same goes for the CF Journal and Videos that include cursing.

NOT Family Safe.

Terrorists are sending women with down syndrome into crowded markets strapped with explosives, and blowing up hundreds......

And were offended by this video....

C'mon people, throw me a frikkin' bone here!

heh heh. It's funny to see the space where lecherous chauvinists agree with liberal feminists: let the gal do her thing -- she's obviously not being forced into anything. I've certainly seen creepier and naughtier videos on the internet.

I disagree with the notion that there is no such thing as a free lunch (as with plenty other Friedmanisms, though the guy was a genius). There were plenty of times when I've needed a favor from someone I was never going to be able to pay back. And yet, by some amazing gesture of good-will and common humanity, they've helped me out anyway. Maybe I have "paid" for this by helping other people when they couldn't pay ME back, but I think when you start keeping a social checkbook like this, you get really screwed up really quickly.

That is where economics deviates -- significantly -- from a pure science. A person might be a rational being, but people don't usually, or even often, behave rationally. That is why so many cultures have generosity worked into their social norms.

btw: I love crossfit mostly for the workout stuff, but also cuz the political spectrum runs from bat-ass crazy neocon to straight-up primitivist anarchist. Where else do people from such a broad range of ideologies actually converse?

namaste

Amen #66 CrossFit Pittsburgh! Seriously. Can we get back to what CrossFit is all about. Badass people completing badass workouts to better themselves physically and mentally.

I wish I could get hold of the entire video. I have major difficulties with running and it is only now occurring to me that this is likely as related to some of the bad form habits I have developed over time as it is being out of shape (my typical excuse).

Just the few things I heard discussed in this video, including some of the self-critiquing posed by Allison, is going to stick with me and potentially help get me over this decade-old running hurdle.

To Hell with those of you who can't get past such a beautiful, shapely woman being featured in the video today. I'm inspired and am just as much a fan of Allison as any of the other CF ladies who blow my mind on a regular basis.

Chrisinvt

Great video. I have to admit, I have been wanting to learn more of the POSE technique (I'm a reformed middle (up to 20km) distance runner, PLUS I weigh 200 lbs, so learning this might make me want to run more (I have stopped running anything over 5km, and dread those days more than any other).

Most of the videos seem too technical (and end up low on my list of viewing priorities), so adding ANYC to the technical-stuff is like peanut butter + chocolate= two great tastes together. Funny how nobody comments about the guys who take their shirts off, but when ANYC is wearing 2 bras (look closely: I did :) ) in the video, it becomes a porn clip. She has come a long way (looking very lean now) and I wish I could attend as many certs as her. I think in a couple of years she will be incredible, considering the effort she is putting in.

Good for ANYC, good for Coach, good for Michael Collins, and good for those people that support all in the community, not only those that are just like them. The rest of you should stick to economics and judging people (but look in the mirror first).

AL

what would y'all rather look at - the Laffer curve or Allison's curves?

that's what I thought...

The video was actually a test to see if you were actually a true Crossfitter or not.

The Crossfitters were able to pick up the actual message of the video about proper running technique.

The poseurs just focussed on the physical attributes of the model.

Kind of what one would see in a Globo-gym.

There are very few in the globo-gym that have the bollocks to push hard and learn in spite of the background noise. The others are just poseurs that use the machines to tone.

There was nothing denigrating about Miss Allison being the model for the video. There is a section of the population that is built like her. For the first time on this website there is a video that embraces that section of the population.

Thanks Coach for showing through the video that a female need not have a rock hard body to be a true Crossfitter.

Thanks for the material!

Gabe #180,

"There ain't no such thing as a free lunch (TANSTAAFL)" not "There ain't no such thing as a lunch that's free TO YOU."

Fridman's (brilliant, utterly brilliant) point is that nothing is free, everything comes at a cost to someone. Those hand-outs you got cost the person who gave them to you...they were not free.

I do not see crossfit going the direction of FLEX magazine or MuscleMag and the like that tout 9 pages of scantily clad women as one of their best selling points on the cover. I do believe that focusing too much on blonde haired, "blessed" beauties and shirtless guys with ripped abs as counterproductive to attracting newcomers to the real Crossfit cause.
I don't think I have to go into all the problems that arrive physically by isolating muscles in order to "build a great body". This is basically the antithesis to Crossfit as I understand.
The attraction of Crossfit, as I and many others have individually substantiated, is that it is the best program for building strength, and usually comes with the side affect of giving you a better body. The whole reason I decided to start following Crossfit is that it cuts through the BS and gives you the best way to get in better shape. In fact, it seems to redefine what "better shape" actually means.
At the end of the day, are most Crossfitters more proud that they beat their time on Fran or Murph, or that they look good in the mirror. Probably a little bit of both, but I would venture a guess that the former brings the most pride. My point is that this program seems to be the best at weeding out the people who are obsessed with looking better from the people who want to be healthier, faster, stronger, and better. Flaunting beautiful Crossfitters, rather than showcasing near superhuman feats of physical achievement would be a mistake.
I am not saying in any way that this is happening. The last time I checked, videos featuring exercise demonstrations and the aforementioned feats of physical achievement come before interview videos on the exercise/demo page. And I could be completely off here. Attracting people by showcasing our prettiest performers could be very effective. People might join with the intent of building a beautiful body and become completely addicted to achieving fitness goals.
Sorry if the post is too long and boring, and thanks coach for two shots of controversy today!

Respectfully,

Okay,

It's on youtube. "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVsmAo8jJsw"

3:19 Fran.

enjoy,
pb

I thought the video was meant to be a little tongue in cheek...the A-Team theme song, the black and white "Truth or Dare" cinema style in the hotel room interview. It's all good.

However, I would REALLY like to see film of the WOD AllisonNYC did at CF One World with Jolie and Lara that Freddy C posted about on 2-1-08. That looks tough.

Why is Allison being glorified as a Crossfit Die Hard when women such as Lynne Pitts and Kelly Moore have been with Crossfit for much longer?

#61, 63, 103, 126, 130.

Thank you, you've said it all.

But to be fair, I would like to see what ANYC can do in a WOD. Maybe that will change my mind about her. Why not post a video of her actually completeing a WOD?

:)

It's true I'm not Eva, or Nicole or Annie (either on of them). YET. I want to be strong and be able to do all the insane things like they do. I work my tail off everyday to get there. I've already made more progress thanks to CrossFit than I ever imagined possible.

I'm considering these my "Before" videos because one day I AM going to be like Annie, Nicole and Eva. It will be great to look back and see where I started. People need to see normal people who love CrossFit getting better over time. That's what I'm doing and I'm having more fun than I can describe doing it. Not everyone starts out as an excellent runner or with a 260 deadlift but we can all get there.

This video is for all the women who are comfortable where they are now (back fat hanging out and all) but are working hard as hell to become better. This video is for the people like me who were TERRIFIED of running but want desperately to become better and make our weaknesses our strengths. Even if that means making a fool out of myself on the video analysis.. It was worth it.
AND for the boys overseas ;)

I hope you all enjoy my trip as much as I did! I learned so much and if you listen closely maybe you can learn a little too! :) At the very least I hope you have a laugh or two. I sure did. CrossFit is a lifestyle which includes being HAPPY and HEALTHY. relax and smile.

When I first played the video the first thing I thought was "Oh My Gosh I'm on CrossFit.com in my bra". Then I realized it's not much less than I wear to the gym and it's WAY more than I wear to the beach. If I had small boobs this wouldn't be an issue. Don't discriminate against me or give me a hard time for having huge knockers. Not all CrossFitters have little ones (which are great too). CrossFit is for people with all kinds of body types. If you didn't know that before you know it now.

Say what you want about my boobs but DON'T insult my training.

I'm going out for a run to practice my POSE. I'll be sure not to Push Off, to keep my arms high and tight and to keep a good posture by stabilizing my midline.

TRAIN HARD and HAVE FUN!

loved the video.
haters stop hating...

#142

So .... What? Have I missed something? Many people put comments I don't agree with, but that's called freedom of speech. Handle it.

As for my balls being big, well, you were the one imagining that .... Don't let me interfere in any way.

I'm sorry, but this article is incredible shallow. It ignores the fact that the stimulous is a transfer of funds from those who are saving (high income) to those who will spend with marginal income increases (lower and middle) which will result in increased consumption and keep this ball we call the economy rolling. TANSTAAFL is still in effect : key word transfer. He's ignoring demographic spending patterns and consumer confidence... its economics for the ignorant

#137 Coach- I woke my roommate up from laughing when I read your post.

Kudos on posting a video that manages to be funny, sexy, and informative. Sure it's campy and cheesy, that's what makes it fun to watch. Perfect choice for a rest day. Posts like this remind me that Crossfit is a community made up of real, likable people- not just a collection of stone-faced super athlete tirelessy pumping out numbers.

It's refreshing to see that Crossfit strives to