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

#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 be elite only in relation to fitness.

Vince

we get it

Sorry - meant to reply to #154

Guess I'm still mesmerised by the video. Alison NYC - you look great. Keep training hard and setting an example, both for training AND for confidence!

Bravo Allison. Great post (#192). Your attitude says far more about you than knockers or haters ever could.

#73. Allison is wearing a Tempo Trainer which is a beeper to keep cadence consistant. Efficient running requires staying at 90+ cadence to get the benefits of ground reaction and muscle elasticity.

It's waterproof too so we use them to set swimming cadence as well. Some people have even used them to set a consistant tempo for kettle bell swings.

CrossFitters can get a 25% discount on then at this link:

http://eteamz.active.com/multisportsoc/news/index.cfm?id=4166009&cat=385137

Yea Crossfit: I love the fact that Crossfit does not shy away from controversy of any kind. Coach and Lauren run this site and crossfit the way they want and they do not care if you like it or not (My Opinion). Quite frankly, I love dissent. I like to stir the pot whenever I can. The things that I really love about Crossfit are:

I love the workouts and information on this site.

I love it when coach is in an interview and he says, If you don't like Crossfit or you think its too hard, go away, we don't want or need you.

I love the bad words in the music lyrics. I have young children and I do not let them see anything on the internet without approving the content first, no exceptions.

I love the comments that different people say in the videos posted here, like coach Rip. They have opinions and you can rebut them to your hearts content if you want.

I love the rest day opinions and dissent. I very seldom get involved in the rest day stuff, but I love it when it gets heated. Dissent is what keeps this country great. It is important to be able to say and do what you want and its equally important for people to hammer your opinion if they want.

I love the ladies of crossfit. The video of AllisonNYC today is a little edgy and that is just fine by me. Allison, your enthusiasm for Crossfit is excellent, keep your chin up.

Perhaps AllisonNYC is ahead of all of us by introducing a new POSE method called the "Strike a POSE" method.

Political correctness has no place in democracy and the Glassman's have created a place where everyone's opinion and voice counts equally.

Thanks Coach, Crossfit is awesome in every way.

Have Fun,Train Hard,

Billy

Oh, and I really like knockers so that's saying something...

#192 Allison_NYC

classy post

Much as I like the nobel prize winning economist Milton Friedman, TANSTAAFL was coined by Robert Heinlein. I've loved Heinlein since I was about 12 and I was delighted to find many Heinlein quotes in Mark Rippetoes' books. Thanks coach!

I don't think any economist really believes taxes and giveaways "stimulate" the economy. It's all politics on both sides. Check out fee.org.

D #186

I understand Friedman's point -- and i still disagree. For example, I popped a nickel into someone's parking meter this morning as the parking enforcement officer was on the way. Cost to me: 5 cents (essentially nothing) benefit to stranger: $20 in non-existent parking tickets. I suppose you could say "cost to the city: $20 in missed parking tickets", but I think you'd have to be pretty mean-spirited. MY point is, this sort of under the table economics happens all the time and there is no way to account for it.

AllisonNYC#: holla to being HAPPY and HEALTHY

namaste

Allison,

Very well said. I'm ooking forward to seeing the evolution of Allison.

Ahhh - little daggers of hate.

Now its time to go workout. Have a good day all!

tucker

Wow, 3 postings by Coach so far today. I've never before seen him post that many times. Something in today's postings really got to him.

Of course it's all about freedom. The site is free; the powers that be are free to post as they please; we are free to participate, comment, or not. But freedom in itself is no justification for any chosen action, i.e. "I'm free to do as I please." The tired but true adage, "With freedom comes responsibility" indeed applies. What we value is what defines us. The obvious question then arises: What does CrossFit value? The comments today indicate an unhealthy schism regarding this answer, where Allison is the pawn for this tipping point (willingly or not), and has been for some time. So what is the official position? Sadly, I do not believe this question will be answered, as it is easier to leave us to our own devices, or should I have said leave us free to decide. Therein lies the rub, but no answer.

Allison:
I look forward to seeing your “after” videos. I think what’s great about your video here is that, as you said, it shows that crossfit is for all different “body types.” This video celebrates the fact that you work hard despite not being an elite athlete. You are “healthy” and that’s what really matters. This video is, in part, about merit.

That said, I am extremely skeptical that your body type could ever be transformed into that of an elite athlete. I believe that genetics plays the biggest roll in our potential for athleticism. Many Crossfit members believe that hard work and eating the zone can get you to the top. I don’t. I do believe that some very determined and hard working people may overcome “some” genetic predispositions, but never all.

Compare your 100, 400, and mile to an elite high school girl. Is it close? what about your vertical leap or crossfit total? how many HSPU and muscle-ups you can do? How fast you row the 500 compared to HS girls, etc. Certainly you’ll get better at these things. But will you ever truly be elite? Will you ever run an 11.5 or even a 12.5 second 100m dash? No. Partially because it’s too late for you to start, and given your body type, genetics is fighting against you. I hope you’ll stick with the experiment though and prove me wrong.

#172 Coach - you said "Close your eyes, don't look at Allison, and listen to the running instruction." I think the shots of Allison were attractive, and frankly, arousing. No harm in that - I enjoy looking at attractive and arousing videos of women online, and don't know many people who feel otherwise.

One point of constructive criticism. I was disappointed that while the instructor was speaking and demonstrating, the camera was focused on an audience member.

This is not a complaint, as I love the site. However, that choice in production and editing was telling about the intent of this particular video.

It is funny to me that there is so much....self love on this website.Im all about being confident, but this is dumb. Allison, needs to put some clothes on. Why doesn't she just strip? You should cal it slutfit.com Its pathetic. My "idea" of crossfit being professional, is deteriating.

As usual, Laffer is spectacularly wrong. The problem with the stimulus plan is that it is too small. It also targets the wrong people.

Many middle class taxpayers will use their rebate checks to pay down debt. This will not provide any economic stimulus at all.

It would be better to target the help to those who need it most and are guaranteed to spend it. So it would make more sense to focus on extending food stamp programs and unemployment insurance.

Such a program would amount to redistributing wealth from taxpayers to non-taxpayers. To Laffer, this is anathema. His ideological extremism blinds him to a policy tool that can be useful in certain situations -- such as the current one.

Unfortunately, the Democrats caved on extending unemployment insurance and food stamps. So we end up with a wishy-washy half measure that won't be very effective. I do agree with Laffer on one thing: it's usual a bad sign when Democrats and Republicans achieve consensus on economic policy.

Fortunately, President Obama is likely to display greater wisdom and prudence on the economy.
John McCain admits he know little about the economy. He could become a prisoner to the crackpot theories of supply-siders, who continue to advocate the discredited ideas of the disco era.

i think allison is an amazing individual. my baby girl and i had the pleasure of meeting her during her trip to the west coast. allison is legit and is a true athlete. she's super stoked about crossfit and who isn't? i would like to think i have just about as much enthusiasm about crossfit as she does.

I THINK EVERYONE IS SUPER QUICK TO JUDGE. have you met her? have you worked with her? do you know anything about her other than what is posted?

i think everyone needs to see the fun side of things. quit being so serious. as a woman i was cool with her video. i don't think it was such a big deal. you can't always be so serious about crossfit.

i train hard and i take my crossfitting seriously but at the same time, seeing the fun side of crossfit is cool. like nicole's shirt "smoke you like cheap crack" or that picture from halloween of "annie", "nicole" and "eva t's" asses. come on, guys. lighten up.

#192- AllisonNYC, just read your post and I wasn't a fan before. "Ah, she gets too much attention for 2 reasons." But, you turned me around. Way to represent!

I'm still waiting to see if there's an improvement at the end of the POSE weekend.

How was your "date with Fran"?

I'm not offended by the video, in fact I think that Coach can post whatever he wants on the site. However, to offer my personal opinion, I liked the days when videos were about WODs, lecture clips, perfecting technique, etc. This video (let's be honest, sorry Allison) was none of those. I'm sort of a geek for new coaching "cues" and new exercises/equipment, etc. God bless you Allison, but, there are a LOT of worthy personalities in the crossfit community right now. Let's see what some of the newer affiliates are up to. Let's see some more of the mash up vids. Let's see some more of the 70 year old men and women who inspire just about all of us.

As far as the article is concerned. Either I'm an idiot or Laffer did not make any sense in his argument. His example was reciprocal to what he was saying would happen and did not clarify his point. I think a lot of high school kids could have written a more enlightening article.

Joel

With respect to Mike Erickson: so so sorry for the Friedman assumption, thanks for setting us straight.

Daniel Freedman #216: yeah, what you said.

namaste

The hotel room scenes were weird and creepy. I thought I was watching the "Blair Boob Project". So many CrossFitters who are serious athletes--let's see videos of them. Please.

#213, The Gift:

While a bit hurtful, I think there is unfortunately some truth to what you typed.

To be productive and sane long term in the world of general fitness, the emphasis needs to be on "maximizing oneself" rather than "becoming elite."

Elite athletes have the combination of inherent gifts AND top-notch work ethics. Take away EITHER one and you don't have an elite athlete.

If the goal is to become an elite athlete, then one must carefully choose the sport to go along with inherent gifts AND THEN ruthlessly work toward maximizing potential. Put the combination together.

I just can't resist. I don't think anyone is doubting your dedication and abilities. While there was some great information in the clip, there was clearly an effort to make your boobs famous. Boobs attached to running legs will bounce. Honestly, I don't know how you do it without more support. I guess it wouldn't quite have the shock value. Hey, I love the wonders of nature but it all has it's time and place. It all boils down to attention. Yes we all like it and you certainly got it. Mission accomplished. Very nice. Let's move on.

POSEPOSEPOSEPOSEPOSEPOSE

Man that was fun! So that's what was so funny in that other room. That Helen was the worst after all the 400's we did. After practicing POSE I will bring down my time. The B-Man and Brian D are planning on having a running club for CrossFitNYC which I will participate in every time I can.

This morning I spoke to a woman about CF and running. She had been an avid runner for 10 years, doing 10-15 miles per week. Now her knees are all screwed up and on the way to replacement.

The work of Dr. Nicholas S. Romanov, and now Brian MacKenzie and Michael Collins, will give Crossfitter's the ability to train smart while they are training hard so that we can train long term. If you are (or you have clients who are) planning on competing in any race or competition involving running, especially if running is not your best event, then get to this cert.

Your knees will thank you.

I don't usually comment, but I feel I have to chime in here. It's great that Allison is comfortable in front of the camera, and she should do what she wants. But this is not the kind of video I like to see on the Crossfit main site. I can see this as a fun video, that you share with a bunch of friends who all personally know each other, but I (and most people here) don't personally know Allison. What works for a small group of friends does not necessarily work anymore when you have 1000+ (?) people checking on a site each day.

I want to (and do) direct my friends to this site, but I want them to see what attracts me to Crossfit, which is the elite fitness, not the fact that there are some very good-looking women doing the workouts.

Tim

Allison:

Classy post in general but a bit disingenuous. Let's be real here, seriously.

You say: "When I first played the video the first thing I thought was 'Oh My Gosh I'm on CrossFit.com in my bra'."

Really? When you took off your shirt and the CrossFit guy started *filming* you -- what did you think was going to happen?

Well, I knew it was too good to last. The site is reduced to an episode of the Man Show. No more of this silly crap, let's get back to business.

Why have we never seen Annie, Nicole or Eva being interviewed in a seedy motel scene in their underwear? Its a matter of taste and dignity.

Face it, CF'ers view Allison as a novelty skank, a joke, and they present her that way. She's not respected or admired, she's just something to be gawked at.

Coach is a closet lefty! Inviting comments and personally attacking the respondents is a leftist tactic.

Good response, Allison. Hate to change the subject, but I have a question.(You look great and keep up the hard work.) Anyone out there experience insomnia after starting CF? I quess my body is releasing all kinds of hormones doing these workouts. Went to bed at 10:00pm and it was 2:00am before I got to sleep. Just curious.

The article:
Laffer was right for all the wrong reasons, and he came off as an arrogant snob. Giving $600 to someone who will actually notice it is going to have more impact than giving it to someone for whom $600 is noise. Given what the government is trying to accomplish, this is exactly the right way to do it in the short term. It would have been better not to have taken the money in the first place but it's too late for that now.

The thing is that they're trying to accomplish the wrong thing. The real problem in the economy right now is that we're 25 years into a trend of artificially lowering interest rates to stimulate growth for the sake of growth. What is the Fed going to do when all of these "key" interest rates are at or near 0? Will we have negative rates? Pay people to take your money? We're getting near the end of the run and it's getting harder and harder to fake it.

The only real, long-term solution is to cut taxes and spending, deregulate to minimize artificial pressures on the economy, and allow the economy to contract without manipulating rates. In short, let the market work.

The video:
If we could all be as enthusiastic, dedicated, and energetic as Allison then we'd all be better crossfitters. She may only be an average athlete, like most of us here, but she is the embodiment of happy determination. She's also near the pinnacle of 40,000 years of nature's efforts to make men sit up and take notice. The overall effect should be inspiring to people, and would be if they weren't so uptight. We can't take a rest day and simply enjoy a few moments with a beautiful woman who's interested in some of the same things we are?

Gabe #208

Sorry...cost you a nickel. Pedantic? Possibly. True? Unquestionably.

As to the redistribution of money FORCIBLY TAKEN (taxes) from the creator's of wealth (the workers, the innovators, the very people who make this great country what it is) so as to be given to the wothless (extending unemployment insurance and food stamp programs)...well...are you kidding?

Obama should just admit he knows pretty much nothing about anything.

#53 Mike K
Do you do the WOD? Can't believe anyone would ask about cardio if they were putting ANY kind of effort into the WOD.

#224 RifRafRob

"Let the market work."

Perfect, wish I had thought to just say that. Its a beautiful thing isn't it?

Haters...

Coach is driving the bus. I am in for the long ride. I take the scenery in, without question.

Google "Tall poppie syndrome" it's an Aussie social dilemna.....Haters!

I'm not an economist so I don't know how insightful my input will be. All I can say is I plan on using the money to help pay for some home improvements, my sliding glass door is next on the list. So, I'm quite thankful for the rebate.

As for the video:
Before watching the video I read the comments and I think the "soft porn", and the "NSFW" remarks were a little overboard and the Paris Hilton comparison was out of line. Allison, I don't think I would want anyone to watch my footage of learning how to row so I give you a lot of credit for allowing your mistakes to be the punch line of crude online jokes. I also don't think I would have been willing to post or allow to be posted a video of me giving an interview in my bro, or manssier as it were. All the fuss reminds me of a quote by GK Chesterton "A puritan is a person who pours righteous indignation into the wrong things"

#116 Hale
HILARIOUS!

#69 Lorna and #147 Brady
Lorna-
Want to add more muscle? 20 rep back squats, a gallon of milk every day and a 6,000+ calorie diet will do you right.

Brady-
I would disagree about this programming being primarily upper body. Every movement that has the athlete standing on the ground is a hip extension. Applying force to the ground in order to apply force to something else. Simple physics. Think about it. CrossFit has plenty of lower body work unless you are doing the movements wrong.

#164 CraigH,

Interesting background. Here are my thoughts about what people want to see:

I was recently promoting CrossFit to a relative of mine. She's already big into fitness and exercise in the "traditional" triathlon/marathon endurance athlete mentality, but hasn't done anything like CrossFit. I sent her links to several videos that I thought would motivate her. I picked "nasty girls", "girls go overhead", and "playing with push-ups". I have observed that those videos, and others like them extremely motivating to a very large demographic. Today's video has none of that. It was humorous and entertaining, but not something that I'm going to come back to time and again like I will the above mentioned clips.

So in that sense, today's video is not the type of thing that "I would love to see". I get much more excited about videos that show incredible demonstrations of fitness or amazingly lucid descriptions of exercise mechanics or fitness philosophy. Am I a accurate representation of the average crossfitter? I don't know. But it does seem like these opinions are the core of what the people who frequent this site have in common.

Does that mean that you shouldn't post videos like today's? Of course not. If Coach likes to stir the pot, then more power to him. But I'm going to go back and watch more of Annie and Nicole kicking some serious ass.

Tall Poppy Syndrome (spelling correction)

google it, it is the equivalent to "hater"

Too many people take this video too seriously...lighten up!!! It has provoked one of the best rest day discussions I have seen, though!

The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed - and hence clamorous to be led to safety - by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.

-- H.L. Mencken

Whew! I'm gonna be ok now. Gonna have six hundred bucks soon. No more worries. Everything's gonna be alright 'cause the government are taking care of me. I am so relieved.

So I think the rebate is a stupid idea. Let me repeat that: A. STUPID. IDEA. Politicians are seen to be doing *something*, doing *anything*, protecting us. And so we give them a pass.

Now they can stand on the Capital Steps in their suits and in their ties and harumph harumph harumph about how "we've promoted harumph by doing the harumph the taxpayers of this Great Nation have sent us here to harumph!"

Sigh.

End of rant.

HUSBTTW ftw Allison.

Allison is a CrossFitter. She is not the only type of CrossFitter however. But is an example of the diversity of people that can benefit from pushing themselves through the CrossFit protocol. I understand people being uncomfortable with those who are different than them belonging to a community that they identify with. It is a level of development which finds great comfort in the likeness of all members being consistent with theirs. It's often called "Ethnocentric" because it defines who you are by your groups position and fellow participants.
I'm attracted to the inclusive nature of this community and it's ability to bicker and disagree but still relate to one another as lovers of functional fitness that is expressed in forms as diverse as Annie, Greg, AllisonNYC and (Oh Yea) Me
Jesus shared table with the politically incorrect of his day. Bravo!

D #226

You're not really being "pedantic," per se. Maybe a bit nit-picky. I see a net $19.95 gain on the deal. You see "I'm out five cents." Maybe we just have a different method of accounting for favors given and received. That's cool. I'd rather not lose the personal relationships I've developed from random stranger favor-doing (both ways) than keep the nickel.

I'm trying to get on you, but I DO think it sucks that you think people on unemployment and food stamps are "worthless." No person is worthless. Programs like these CAN be abused, but I've mostly seen them act as safety nets for people in a temporary bad spot. They CAN be instrumental in literally saving someone's life and getting them back on track to full time employment.

In the interest of full disclosure: I have never used food stamps OR unemployment, but I know people who have.

namaste

A few points on the video controversy that I think have been overlooked:

1) I've read a lot of people commenting that since Allison is OK with it we should be to. This attitude shows a frightening lack of morality. Just because someone is OK with being exploited, doesn't make it right to exploit them. It's still wrong.

2)If we can believe what was posted earlier about the intentions of the director, then this is just a blatant low brow attempt to drum up interest. That sort of behavior is beneath Crossfit.

3)Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should do something. It may be a privately owned website, but there is such a thing as good taste. Hopefully taste is not considered a "leftist" trait by the websites owners.

First, leave Allison alone. I do not know her personaly, But from her posts, she seems to be a sincere and harmless person, not saying she is weak, just saying she means no harm to anyone. Judging from some of her CF scores I bet she can cause some harm if need be.

Second, Stimulus package? lets just abolish this rip off tax system! I say Fair Tax. everyone should read the book by Neal Bortz, the FAIR TAX BOOK. It has the idea of abolishing all taxes, and puts in place a 23% sales tax. It would actually work. read up on it.
Just think no politician, Dem or Republican, can use the argument about raising or lowering taxes and would have to stick to other important issues. Everyone would be paying taxes because everybody buys toys. Drug dealers who pay nothing now, would have to pay taxes under the fair tax system.

I dont post on this site regularly. Although, I am a hardcore crossfitter. Im in the gym everyday as I am on this site. Its my homepage. Today I surprised myself with my "Fran" time, which was yesterdays WOD. The last time I did it was one month into starting crossfit on dec 19th and my time was 16:04. Today my time was 7:58. Thats a PR by 8:04. I know thats a huge PR, but back then I was still rebuilding after dislocating my elbow. I just wanted to say that hard work plus dedication equals big improvements. (Damn engineering makes me put everything into equations). AllisonNYC definitely has those two qualities and I think thats fricken awesome. I just want to thank the crossfit community for keeping me focused.

Comment #91 - Posted by: Maurkov

Well said sir! Bravo. Paul

#223

Yes! Glad you brought that up. I started CF on Jan 15 and have had some sleep issues last couple of weeks. I am telling myself my body is going through a growth period!

i never really post but this is hilarious. some of you must have no life to be so irritated by a video like this. i would hate to live like that. live a little. stop being so angry. if the video was of annie, nicole, or eva. i doubt anyone would have said anything.

Comment #234 - Posted by: funnmoneyloanshark at February 15, 2008 9:34 AM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tall_poppy_syndrome

it looks like comment #234 hit it right on the head.

from the article "Benjamin Franklin Fairless, president of United States Steel Corporation (1950), criticized such behaviour when he stated: "You cannot strengthen one by weakening another; and you cannot add to the stature of a dwarf by cutting off the leg of a giant."

#53 Mike K,

Your question is definitely under the FAQs (1.5).
And I'm not going to lie, I can't do all the exercises listed on this site, i.e. muscle ups.

But it is true that everyone has different fitness goals. What you are going to do on top of the WOD is up to you. A lot of people do extensive warm ups before the WOD. I add some running and swimming to the WOD. But this is not by any means compensating for an easy workout. I am usually so smoked after the WOD that I feel like I'm going to throw up, pass out, or die. I do additional running and swimming to work on the form and skill side of them.

I also seem to remember reading a post by Bingo answering this question...

After reading #111 and re-reading my post, I realized it sounded far more against today's video than I intended (and I would disagree I think the comments against the video are far more bitter than those defending it). I was only thinking back to the last several Allison debates (and how quickly they turned mean) and hoped to remind people not to take comments so personally and not to get too worked up. Post your thoughts, say if you like or not and why; just keep it in the spirit of a discusssion/debate. Oh and I stand corrected, some of the jokes today were pretty good. To #165 I agree, unless the comments are telling the Glassmans how to run their site.

To those complaining about the attention Allison gets vs. Eva etc. I haven't taken the time but I think each of Eva, Annie and Nicole, Greg, Brenden have had many more videos posted.

To those complaining about non-workout content please remember the huge amount of workout content that is included. So one day is a little light (and not devoid)? How many non-fitness related pictures have been posted? Do we need to remove the mascot dog because she has nothing to do with functional fitness?

Discussion is almost always great, just keep things in perspective.

#155 - Ewen why do beleive the rest day discussions are limited to elite fitness?

f/31

Couldn't resist putting in my 2 cents.

Uh, it's all good, ya'll. I'm sure if Allison didn't want her video posted, it wouldn't be there. So she's in a bra, big deal. She's beautiful. She's come a long way due to having embraced Crossfit and that's why we're all here, advancement of human performance. She's walking the walk. Personally, I prefer the technical talk, but I'm one person. At the risk of sounding disgustingly cliche, it takes all kinds.

And to the parents in an uproar, if you have kids you feel are too young to view the video, perhaps supervision while they're surfing the internet is the solution.

Gabe #239

"Worthless" was admittedly a little harsh, so I redact that and say, people of less worth to the rest of us. I guess I don't mean to rail against the people as much as the programs, which I abhor. If I was in that spot, you bet your ass I'd use them. I'm a human being, we're inherently self interested. That doesn't mean that they're a good idea, not even close.

As to your scenario, cost you $0.05, cost the government $19.95 ($20 - the nickel you paid them), saved the car owner $20. So, in that little closed system you created, nobody lost or gained, money was simply transferred...what were we arguing about again? Oh yeah, TANSTAAFL. So there were costs incurred, by you AND the government, even though the car owner appeared to get "a free lunch."

Shana: "And to the parents in an uproar, if you have kids you feel are too young to view the video, perhaps supervision while they're surfing the internet is the solution."

Fine, then why do the admins require that EVERYBODY ELSE specify if something's WFS?

I thought the admins' reasoning WAS to make it easier for parents to provide this supervision?!

I believe the point of Friedman using the whole TANSTAAFL thing is not about "charity" or "generosity" as exhibited by people voluntarily putting a nickel in your parking meter or giving a friend a few bucks during a tough time. The point, I believe, is that forcing one person or group to give to another has unintended negative results in the economic behavior of those coerced into "giving."

Regarding the rebate stimulus. It is indeed like giving aspirin to a Cancer patient. It may or may not provide momentary relief of the symptoms, but does nothing to address the underlying cause.

Please note that this "recession" that we are either in or are headed to (depending on who you read and/or believe) is based on huge sea-change level demographics. There are 90 Million baby boomers if you count legal immigration, perhaps more depending on which data set you consider as valid. The following generation, known affectionately as "Generation X" is about half the size, with around 45 Million members.

In 2011 to 2014 (again, depending on how you define the baby boom generation), the boomers will have all turned at least 50 years old. What do people do as a group, with notable exceptions economically after 50? They downsize. The kids are into or getting ready for college, the big house, big car to keep up with the Jones' becomes less important as maturity and retirement concerns kick in. In short, they become savers and investors, not spenders.

There is downward pressure on things like Real Estate due to this downsizing and a simple lack of numbers of buyers with money coming behind to buy the stuff that the boomers are now selling off.

At 50 and up, people, as a rule, again with many exceptions, become healthcare consumers and require more doctor visits and meds than their insurance premiums (although potentially quite high) will never again cover.

The same problem with Social Security exists with Medicare. Too many consumers of the benefit and not enough payers to keep up.

In short, we are in for a difficult period as the last years of the Baby Boom rolls through the US Economy over the next 10-20 years.

The defense? Get out of debt. Live below your means. Save money, get fit and happy instead of old and bitter. Find joy in relationships, not things. Stop growing your lifestyle to meet (or exceed) your paycheck and choose to invest time into things that matter.

Not an easy thing to swallow in our consumer driven economy, but a coming reality check the likes of which our generation has never seen.

Neither political party can do much to stop this wave of retirement and until the "Echo boom (kids now in Jr. High) comes along, there is not much more upward buying power to counteract the downward selling pressure that marks the Boomers retirement years.

Van-Go #236:

You are proving my point, your voice is just as load as mine on this site and you are free to have your opinion and I'm free to hammer it and vice versa. I believe that the point that you are trying to make is that your opinion is a minority opinion today. If that is the case, back your opinion up with clear, concise discourse. What exactly do you disagree with on the site today? So far your comments have only included two personal shots, one at AllisonNYC, you called her a skank, and the other at coach where you called him a closet lefty. I will try to respond to both comments. The next time you are at a cert and you get a chance to meet AllisonNYC, talk to her and make an informed opinion. As for your comment about coach, as a closet lefty; I believe that you mean that he does not like a dissenting opinion. The rest day is coaches baby, and he has it just for people to dissent. Van-go, next time you post on rest day, try to make your point and try not to use personal shots, they just make you look bad.

Have Fun, Train Hard,

Billy

Hey, Tatto Nicky #127--I followed your first three pieces of advice and it worked. I am very relaxed today.

And now I know what my (other) problem is: Laffer says "if you've worked too hard and earned too much, you won't get a rebate". All my life I've worked too hard and earned too little! Dang it.

Allison, I'm impressed by your ability to rise above the haters-keep training hard!

CROSSFIT, I come to this site for its self proclaimed statement that you are forging elite fitness. There has been a whole lot of fluff lately. As an elite athelete I would like to see more instruction/posting of kick ass times and efforts and less fluff and flurting.

Regarding 'tall poppy syndrome':

"In Australia, a tall poppy is a successful person or achiever who, as a result, is the target of jealousy and grudging remarks."

It is an interesting observation that there is such a discrepancy in how the Allison videos are received versus videos featuring Nicole's ring push-ups or Annie's double-tabatas (to name just a few). Allison's spark such a heated discussion, along with name-calling and the assumption, be it true or not, that critics are jealous of her for her physical qualities/cababilities. Why then do we not see CrossFitters who vehemently and emotionally post criticisms of Nicole or Annie, who, for many of us I'm sure, are envied for their physical qualities/capabilites...

anyhoo, day 9 of my strength program today -
Front squat: 155x5x3
Bench press: 120x5x3
Deadlift: 225x5x1

I love the passion Allison! More videos...more everything!!

C'mon crossfitters, don't lose your focus...stay positive and keep training!!

How's everyone's L-sits coming?

Did spin for 1:00 followed by a 1.5 mile hike with a 50lb pack.

Smoked.

1:15 EST. and 256 posts on a rest day.

WOW.

Is that a pr for Allison?

Billy #253...I did not, and would not, call Allison a skank. I said, clearly and concisely, that CF'ers treat her like a skank. There's a difference. As for Coach Glassman, his treatment of dissenters frequently targets the dissenter, not the comment. This is typical of the left. If you can't counter the argument, attack the person who presented it.

Anyone who posts here knows their opinion may be hammered, and I'm OK with that, in fact I love it. But any response designed to hammer the person, rather than the opinion, is wrong.

I am kidding when I write this, but it does make me wonder...

...if this "discussion" took place the rest day before the CrossFit Games. Would there be any games or would it be a CrossFit brawl?

The allison video reminds of hign school boys oogling the girls playing volleyball, seems out of character with the core vales of "forging elite fitness", all of the guys stating they love allison - blond and built - is normal, just not expected for this community, back to www.rossboxing.com for me.

Allison NYC represents my city. She hasn't done anything but brace the Crossfit lifestyle. She can be a bit over the top... but so are all of the other athletes on Crossfit. Besides, she is entertaining... as evident as all of the comments on a rest day.... Someone knows what he/she is doing.

AllisonNYC, Keep rocking it! In your reply, you said you wear less at the beach? I for one would be happy (Read VERY happy) to escort you to the beach for some running, anytime! ; )

The economic article seems to sum up the errant ideology behind this newest stimulus (?) Package. One only needs to look at history to understand that the new policy won’t help at all(With the exception of the raised conforming loan amounts, which are a good thing) Look to the past and learn what has worked. Remove the shackles (Taxes) from free enterprise, allow those with initiative to build what they can without taking profits from them, allow investors to invest in markets that create returns, the trickle down economics created by people who work hard, build wealth, and know how and are willing to invest knowing they wont be over taxed because of their own initiative will stimulate economies… Not taking from those who have earned wealth through hard work and sacrifices only to GIVE to those who have sat on their hands waiting for handouts.

It makes as much sense to expect that an individual like Greg A. with his extreme dedication to both hard work, consistency, maintaining a strict diet, and perusing an education on correct form should be equal or entitled to the same results as to the guy who every Monday night, Thursday night, all day Saturday, and Sunday, sits on the couch eating Hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and drinking beer, and only getting off the couch to take a leak be given the gift of having a sub 3:00 Fran time.

Those that work hard, apply themselves, and demonstrate initiative must be allowed to keep what they have earned. Those who don’t demonstrate these attributes can keep what they earn.

Simply giving (The perception to them) the gift of a few dollars to people is not going to make a dent in what is wrong with today’s economic issues. Significant tax cuts for increased production, cuts for economic investments, reductions in Capitol Gains amounts for the invested dollar’s return, throughout history have demonstrated to be effective tools for economic stimulus not Robin Hood tactics, however, due to the election year antics, I for one am not surprised at a less than favorable President utilizing antics designed to get a mass approval rating a few points higher through taking from the rich (Those that earned it) and giving to those that didn’t aka: Robin Hood.

Wayne.

as was said previously, i love the variety of people and backgrounds that come together here. Coach, thank you for stirring the pot.

Knees finally starting to feel better. did Randy last night modified to hang power squats to keep from bending too deeply at the knees. First workout after a couple weeks travelling for work/using that as a forced excuse to rest. hopefully in another couple weeks i can have another visit with fran (or any kind of wod with squats for that matter)if all continues to go well.

The same video featuring a flat chested unattractive lass would not have received a single complaint. The language of "exploitation" and "morality" is Talibanesque misogyny.

We get regular complaints about all our women including Annie, Nicole, Eva T, Jolie, Texas Annie, and Jelli.

Daniel, no one can make an intelligent argument for income redistribution. It's a religion, a political tool, perhaps, but not economics.

"Lighten up Francis"
Sgt. Hulka - Stripes

I thought the video was fun and light hearted (if not light chested) and a good way to show that women of all body types can get involved in crossfit. If looking at or discussing large boob issues upsets or annoys you, then don't watch the video! I know a few women who are well endowed and have problems running because of it. Not just from a discomfort, what kind of bra to wear pov but also from a how do you deal with all the dolts staring at your bouncing breasts pov as well. Allison is a pretty girl with admirable physical qualities and she has to deal with the plusses and minuses that go along with them. I think the video is humorous way to deal with what can be an uncomfortable subject for a lot of women, and men! So keep having fun and working hard Allison, all the naysayers are dealing with their own issues about sexuality, you have done nothing wrong IMHO.

Economics - I think the stimulus package is just political theatre and won't really do much for the economy. We are just borrowing money from the Chinese and promising that our grandkids will pay it back to buy what will amount to a $170 billion shot of Dewars. We might feel better in the short term but the reality of the situation will reassert itself shortly. If we really wanted to do something constructive, we should borrow money from the Chinese and promise our grandkids will pay it back and use it to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure. Maybe take all that money we are paying Haliburton and company to say they are rebuilding Iraqs infrastructure and not do it, and use the same money to actually rebuild ours!

Who am I kidding? Best idea is to borrow money from the Chinese and promise our grandkids will pay it back and then give it to the .01% wealthiest people in our nation in the form of tax cuts. They should be rewarded, after all outsourcing American jobs overseas is hard work!

rh

I did FRAN 3 times, thought that 1 round
was 21,15,9.
Took me about 25-30 minutes and my hands started to bleed but it was a total of 135 Thrusters and 135 Pullups.

#218 - Brad,

I agree and I like your formula. Elite athleticism takes = genetics + insane determination + picking the right sport for your genetic predisposition. You have to have a gift to make it.

My comment to Allison may have been harsh, but I often read that people on this site believe they'll eventually become an elite ahtlete or even above average athlete. It's just not a realistic goal. For the vast majority of people (probably 99%) healthy and average is much more realistic.

It's a rest day. For those of you that have a problem with the video...stop being so damn insecure and stop taking yourself so seriously. The purpose of the video was...FUN.
Did you really expect any video that starts out with the A-Team theme music to be anything but fun?

We love Allison because she has a great personality, isn't afraid to make fun of herself, she drinks the kool-aid and yes, from this man's perspective she's not hard on the eyes. But really, most CF women aren't. I know I'm a pig right?

BTW... many women i know don't run because they are self concious about the size of their "mamms" and the subsequent bounce. At least the video addresses this one very real issue and at least Allison is secure enough to be an example to them and let them know that they aren't alone and its OK to be a woman and workout even if you do have

Relax people! What's the point of being in super great shape if y'all can't live life and have fun without finding fault in everything.

I find it "funny" how we don't read hundreds of posts everytime a picture or video is posted with a guy taking off his shirt during a workout. I can see the posts now: "How dare they objectify themselves. I can't believe they allowed anyone to make this video... I'm gonna complain... after I watch it again" -some hypocrite

Parting thoughts to those wanting to gain certification knowledge from the free daily videos... pony up the money and go to a certification. This site isn't crossfit welfare!

Wow, I'm so amazed at the harshness of some people here today. Major Internet induced courage.

As for WFS safe, what with this video was not safe? I mean, seriously - there are commercials on Family TV that are more graphic than this. I watched this at my desk at work without fear and I would be fine with my young daughter seeing this video, she's not the one who would view it as intimidating.

And to "The Gift", the last I knew, although Crossfit "Forges elite fitness" this is not the ONLY kind of fitness forged. Myself and many others that bust ass doing WOD's for personal development will never be elite but we will continue to become stronger and we will continue to bust ass nevertheless. This is a good thing. Pointing out that someone will never be elite is simply poor taste IMO.

There is a difference between "Elite Fitness" and an elitist attitude. I thought Crossfit was a program that could be applied to people at all fitness levels and stages of life, from kids to the elderly. Perhaps you're thinking about the Gym Jones version?

Chrisinvt

Interesting coincidence of post topics today. Girls like Allison get enough crap from people in the real world, don't make this yet another place where they get it. An old girlfriend of mine is of a similar appearance to AllisonNYC and she is generally regarded as a stupid blonde ditz that is a slut, even though she is none of the above except blonde. She even managed to procure an internship at Laffer Associates. Feel free to make fun of people that aren't dedicated to Crossfit and their only goal is to improve how their body "looks," (I know I do). Allison is clearly not that type and even mentioned in a previous interview that the body is just an added bonus of Crossfit.

Oh yeah, I pretty much agree with Mr. Laffer on the stimulus package.

"The same video featuring a flat chested unattractive lass would not have received a single complaint. The language of "exploitation" and "morality" is Talibanesque misogyny."

Give it rest Coach. The video didn't feature an ugly flat chested lass. As my Dad used to tell me, a bullfrog wouldn't bump his ass so much if he had wings. An ugly flat chested woman wouldn't have been doing an interview in her bra complaining about how her breasts swung to and fro while she ran either.

And how exactly are the topics of exploitation and morality only applicable to the Taliban? Are you suggesting we don't have those problems in the good ol' US of A? And the bit about mysogyny, wow. It seems to me you are accusing others of doing what you've already done.

My take is that Allison's obvious need for attention has been exploited either to create controversy just for giggles or to drum up business. Explain please how that view is "Talibanesque mysogyny". The hand waving will be entertaining.

#267 Coach

"The same video featuring a flat chested unattractive lass would not have received a single complaint."

I don't know... i may have to complain about watching a flat chested unattractive lass in a bra instead of Allison

Sorry if my last post seems a little worked up, but having it implied that I am being mysogynistic goes beyond a reasoned argument. It is a personal attack that is absolutely unjustified. I in no way attacked or insulted Coach Glassman. If this is supposed to be a site where civil debate can be had, I simply suggest he lead by example.

Coach, well said Brotha!
Allison is a gifted athelte who came to the cert to work on her run technique, she did and did it well. Allison, it was nice to meet you and hopefully see you sometime soon.

Decided to make up Valentine's Day to Fran (our first date). She was not impressed. At rep 7 she called me a little boy and by the time I finished the first 21 she left and sent her little sister in to finish the job of humiliating me. That was when I remembered that I hadn't even started my watch. I scaled back to 75# to finish the 15 and 9.

Even if I knew my time, it is irrelevant. At least when you are at the bottom of the pit you can only go up.

#272- chrisinvt

I was only responding to Allison's claim that she would one day be an elite athlete.

She said, "I'm considering these my "Before" videos because one day I AM going to be like Annie, Nicole and Eva."

I disagree with that statement. She doesn't have the body type, genetics, or athletic ability of those women. ALthough she does have the determination, I don't think she'll make it to that level. Sorry.

But I totally agree with you that working hard at the WOD's is the most important thing regardless of whether you become "elite." I did say something like that in an earlier post.

I object to everyone who assumes that the amount of money a person earns is directly correlated with how "hard" a person works. As an example:

I chat with the guy who works the front desk at my office. Through our conversations, I have found out that he works 3 jobs, averaging 75 hours per week. I don't know for certain, but I would guess that he earns about half of what I earn as an engineer working 40-45 hours per week.

One may argue that being an engineer is "harder" than working at the front desk which I will agree. But is it that much harder? For the guy at the front desk I suppose it may be, but I'm pretty smart - school was easy for me, engineering isn't that hard.

Now don't get me wrong, I like making enough money to be able to live comfortably, but am I more deserving of a bigger tax rebate than he is because I work "harder"? I don't think so.

As a side note: I don't think the current economic stimulus package is going to help things no matter how the money is distributed.

The Gift - thanks for the reply. My misunderstanding. I missed your earlier post and didn't connect your latter with a specific point but rather as a general statement. Being someone that will never be an elite athlete myself I was quick to take the post personally! :-)

#267 Coach,

I understand that it is a redistribution of wealth. However, it is also a short-term jolt to the economy made even better by the money multiplier effect. Do you disagree? It also has positive effects on consumer confidence.

Also you cannot possible disagree with all government forms of redistribution. Do you disagree with the GI Bill?

I will say the best thing the Federal government can do for the economy is manage it for the long-term: low trade barriers, reasonable taxes, deregulation, etc. However, we cannot have consumer spending faulter; the economy still has yet to contract since we hit our rut last year, we must keep GDP in the green heading north.

Van-Go #261

You hid behind the rest of us at Crossfit when you said,

"I did not, and would not, call Allison a skank. I said, clearly and concisely, that CF'ers treat her like a skank."

That's pretty weak when you cannot even stand up for your own comment.

I have asked you and now I will ask once more, back up your name calling with some substantiation. So far the three posts that you have submitted have not had one opinion backed up with anything more than name calling. That line of dissent is counter productive and serves to make your opinion much less valuable. On your rebuttal to this post, please try to provide an opinion that can be argued on its merit.

Have Fun, Train Hard,

Billy

#279 The Gift,

It seems pretty clear to me that you're an educated guy who knows a bit about science and medicine. It's equally clear that you are neither an actual scientist nor a doctor. If you were, then you would never make such a definitive statement about someone whom you've never met. Until you've gotten a sample of her DNA and traced the relevant genetic markers or given her a thorough medical examination, preferably both, there is no way that you can make any sort of authoritative statement about Allison's athletic potential.

In general, you're right that some (even most) people just don't have what it takes to be an elite athlete. Your mistake is trying to make a particular diagnosis without access to all of the relevant facts. A real scientist or doctor would have known better. Your opinion on the matter is clearly worthless. If by chance you happen to be, in fact, working as a scientist or doctor, might I suggest a change in career? Or maybe a posting with the IPCC.

so i've recently started doing the WOD's so im not in the best of shape. For something like the Fran, is it better to do the recommended reps and weight even though it might require me to take long rest periods and i know that the fran is supposed to be done somewhat continuously, or should i just adjust the reps to something like 11,7,3 and do it with out stopping?

Loof #269, you rock! excellent effort! Fran 3 times, cool.. by accident 3 times, very cool. way to stick it out.

Have Fun, Train Hard,

Billy

#226 Kevin_R and #246 TA

RE: Insomnia

Are you taking rest days? A common sign of over training is insomnia.

#267 Coach:

I used the term "conscious exploitation" to describe Sevan's stated desire (and Allison's acceptance) to film AllisonNYC as "eye candy" for the CrossFit website. I think my language is very accurate (and not a criticism, by the way).

However, your statement that the use of the terms "exploitation" and "morality" are "Talibanesque misogyny" is incorrect and an unfair slander. I neither agree with Taliban belief system regarding women, nor hate women. Quite, the opposite in fact, as my wife will attest.

ANYC is quite attractive. I also applaud her exuberance for all things CrossFit.

I simply am aware of the decision-making process behind the selection of ANYC: the producer stated that her physical appearance is attractive to CFitters. Thus, the producer exploited ("to employ to the greatest possible advantage") Allison with her full consent and knowledge to create a compelling video.

34 M 195

As Rx'ed

5:30
1 min slower then last time. I got my form corrected and did Full Squat Thrusters this go round.

Can we just get back to normal workout videos? Judging by the last couple of days, tomorrow I am half expecting to see someone doing a kipping deadlift in a g-string.

The Gift: I'll never be as good as Annie, Eva or Nicole. Thanks for making that clear...twice. I guess I needed a reality check.

Can you please explain how you define an elite athlete and what you know about my genetics that I don't.

What numbers do I have to hit in the DL, Clean, Press, Squat, Snatch? What times do I have to have? Please lay it out for me.

For the record it's not my goal to be stronger or faster than a high school girl or my CrossFit Sheroes. My goal is to never stop working towards being the best I can be and encouraging other people to do the same.

I don't compare myself to Eva, Nicole and Annie. I use them to remind myself of what's possible. Just like I want the women I train to see how far I've come and realize it's possible for them to do it too.

Only makes me want to work harder. Keep it coming. Thanks.

#291 AllisonNYC

touche
I couldnt have said it better myself

M/27/175
CFWUx3
WOD as Rx'd: Fran - 3.17
A PR for me, but after seeing someone throw out a 2.19 I still got a lot of work.

As for the video, everyone needs to relax. I have a feeling that everyone that took offense is either weathered or has a weathered wife that got pissed you were watching it. If everyone looked that good we'd all be walking around in bra's.

Interested in seeing a response to #288...

In reading some of the anti-anti-video posts, it seems many have assumed that an "anti-video comment" equals an "anti-AllisonNYC comment" and have responded as such.

Great comeback Allison! I, too, look up to Eva, Annie, etc....all the Sheroes! I know I will never look like them, I am too tall to get muscles like that...but I can dream can't I? That's what gets me through workouts like Fran and Badger and the Filthy 50. I know I can DL 200 pounds. While that may not make me an elite athlete, it does make me glad to know that if one of my children were ever trapped under a 200 pound rock, I could more than likely get it off of them.
Oh yeah, and I say if ya got 'em, flaunt 'em! Shake what your mama gave ya baby girl!

#291 AllisonNYC

Classy post, ANYC

While I can understand the entertainment value of today’s featured video I question the intent with maintaining the "strive for excellence" standards. Watching the video I cringed at the thought of the many Crossfit page newcomers. As a chiropractic intern and trainer I presently recommend many other trainers, athletes and various medical professionals to check out the CrossFit page to improve their understanding and acquire new ideas regarding true functional fitness. What kind of professionalism is being portrayed by today's video? Would Crossfit simply be written off as a joke?
Don't misunderstand. I do enjoy when the videos highlight members striving to stand among the Crossfit elite. I respect Allison and share similar goals to be able to go head to head with Nicole, Eva, and now the Annies of Crossfit. However, I simply share in the frustration with the decision made to post such a video on the main page. The internet has countless other more suiting sites to provide such footage.

Best of luck to you Allison. And I look forward to sharing in your Crossfit enthusiasm perhaps at Albany's Crossfit East Coast Challenge??

So I had to make up "Randy" today cause I was traveling on Wed. I'm a noob, and I workout in a Globo-gym here in Southern Indiana.

So I was approached by a fellow globo-gym-er. He asked me questions about my workout. Told me a few tips on his days at doing snatches.
For the most part he agreed with what I had to say about globo-gyms. Then I told him about Crossfit and how he should check out the site. He blew me off, you know, kinda how someone says, "try this" and you just nod your head and flush it as soon as you walk away.

I decided to finish up with 100 sit ups and 100 back extensions. Then he approached me again and asked,"How many sets did they have you do?" I told him, "75 total". He says,"No, how many sets?" I said, to clarify, "75 total, no rests. Those rests you saw me do were cause I just started this stuff." His eyes got a bit wider and he asked me again what the site was. LOL!

Everyone have a good Crossfit weekend!

I don't regularly post on here simply because it appears the vast majority use it like a blog rather than a log as in workout log. Today really went overboard, so much so I felt I needed to put in my two cents.

I would say 65% of the people that posted today need to leave this site and never come back you’re idiots. If you had anything to say that wasn't positive you’re an idiot. If you turned this into a penthouse forum, you’re an idiot, if you turned this into a political forum, you’re an idiot, if you turned this into a women’s rights forum, you’re an idiot, if you are an uptight, pent up, politically correct, jealous snob... you’re an idiot.

This is a free site. One of the best ones on the web with a ton of useful information. Nobody here pays a cent, so your “membership rights”, are to log on, or not. You don’t like what you see, beat it! Nobody cares about your opinion so go whine to Hillary.

Gayle #287
I'm definitely taking today off. This is my first week on CF. I was doing the Men's Health CF workouts for two weeks prior to that. I need to get back to my 6:00am routine.

After reading the comments today, I felt I should check the video - I really expected to see partial nudity, some skanky motel scenes, even some soft porn.

Ha - was I wrong.

Chill out people. Get strong, get healthy, get excited, get committed, and get beautiful. Inside and out.

Bobby #282

Yes, all...ALL government forms of wealth redistribution are economically deplorable, including the GI Bill.

As to your comment about the best thing for a government to do...its STAY OUT OF THE WAY. That's why its called "laissez-faire economics"

I hope I was not so vague in my previous comment that I came off as pointing fingers at anyone. I personally have no beef with AllisonNYC, her celebrity, the way things are done on this site, or even the video that was posted today. I was merely trying to bring up a hypothetical situation. I imagine a newcomer to the site, having no idea what it is about, clicking on a picture or watching a video of pretty ladies, and thinking that Crossfit is just like any other site where they usually have even more provocatively dressed women (or men) adorning the home page (if you don't believe me, check out http://west.ballyfitness.com/ http://www.bodybuilding.com/
http://www.getfit.com/ or any other fitness site you could think of).

From my perspective, as someone who is already sold on Crossfit, I think that the video is completely acceptable. I do not see why anyone has issues with its content or its purpose. I don't think it is exploitation, by her post I don't believe that Allison had any aversion to it being posted. I don't think that it is a big deal that it is not a video of a WOD (this is, after all, a rest day). It definitely served a purpose, and I'm sure there are many people who caught on to it. People who can't catch on at all to what is being said or the true point of the video are probably guilty of objectifying women in general. So she isn't Annie, or Eva, so what? Everybody is at a different level and at a different point in their training. There are plenty of motivational videos of people doing nearly flawless WODs just a couple of clicks away.

The one thing that bothers me about today is the guys who go overboard with their compliments. Have fun, but don't say anything you would be too embarrassed to say in person. I don't care if she doesn't take offense; show her the respect that a fellow crossfitter deserves.

I know that no matter what I say there will be a different opinion, which is completely fine. I just wanted to make my stance a little more clear...

Craig H in comment #164 said:

"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."

I hadn't been inspired by her comments in this forum and really after a while just learned to ignore them. However, judging from the comments I had read, I opened the video to see if she was what I'd already stereotyped her as...and I was not at all surprised by the video content when I opened it. My perception was right on the money.

I am inspired by Eva T. and Nicole and the other beautiful and strong women who work hard, play hard, and seem to have all synapses firing.

Watching this video to me was a little embarassing. For me and apparently, for a lot of other people on this site. It should be embarrassing for ANYC, but I don't think she gets it.

As far as the producer thinking "This is what people love to see," maybe he was planning on marketing her to Girls Gone Wild? I could live without it. Then again, I'm guessing I'm not in the target market for the video.

Comment #279 - Posted by: The Gift at February 15, 2008 11:16 AM

"I disagree with that statement. She doesn't have {b/]the body type, genetics, or athletic ability of those women. ALthough she does have the determination, I don't think she'll make it to that level."

and Wilma Rudolph would disagree with "The Gift".

She won the Olympic gold in the 100m, 200m and the 4X100m relay in the 1960 Olympics despite having polio as a child. She had to learn to walk using corrective braces yet was able to overcome her physical handicaps to beat the best in the world. No one thought that she would ever walk let alone run.

There are times when HEART is more important than ability.

and it seems to me that Miss Allison has enough heart.

#285 - sam

The FAQ and "Start here" pages can help you answer that and many more questions.
The usual prescription is to focus on range of motion (rom) first, then intensity then weights. So you're better off doing this as hard as you can without stopping using a broom stick rather than with the prescribed weight but fewer repetitions.

I must say, I hate running but after seeing Allisons vid, I was inspired to run yesterday and IMPROVE on it which is the main point of the video.

So thanks Allison for the inspiration!!

#146 WP & #151 Coach

Given a mean of 162 comments for the past 11 rest days, todays 306 @ 12:05 pst already represents an 88.8% increase in responses. So WP the focus group in your head does in fact comport with reality.

Matt #290, do you want me to film a set of 3 or a set of 5?

"The Gift," those are bold statements to make to a girl that you don't know, a girl who also happens to post her name, height, weight, and stats. We don't even have an email address for you.

For those who encourage redistribution, I'm coming to your gym next time we do a CFT. For every 5 kg you do, you keep 3 and give me 2. I need them.

Coach gets it. Allison gets it. I guess I don't get it. I get more offended each time I watch the video...

Now imagine you don’t live in Pommerania, and your economy includes commodities and services beyond apple production and vending. In that place, perhaps like the place where we all actually live, the effect of the apple producer going out of business is simply greater than there being a smaller supply of apples. The apple producer can no longer buy automobiles, or handguns, or pay for her x-fit training sessions. A whole lot of people get hurt and the hurt spreads. Not because people are lazy, or liberal, or eat too many carbs.

Seems this author has never heard of money, interest or credit. The reason that 100% of the “stimulative effects” will not be offset by the “destimulative effects of the increase in liabilities of the workers and producers” is because they won’t feel these effects for a period of time, and if things go well (talk to Greenspan) they may never feel them. If things go bad enough, they will feel them. The point is to use what tools we have to stop things from going bad enough.

It’s like getting a loan for education. Without the loan you go nowhere, produce nothing. With the loan you become a producer and can afford to pay back the loan while ending off better than when you started.

Comment #280-Genvieve:
I believe strongly that everything comes down to personal responsibility and the decisions we make everyday in our lives.
Even if your job is physically/mentall less demanding then the receptionist's is now, I bet you worked your ass off in college and probably paid through it as well for the priv of attending university.
The difference is you did the heavy lifting up front to make your life easier later(now).
You make more money now.
You pay more taxes now.
You are harder to replace now.
You should be entitled to a larger tax break/refund simply based on percentage of Income.
I don't actually believe anyone is "entitled" to anything they didn't work for but in the case of an income based system; yes, you deserve more.

I do agree the stimulus pkg is political and will do little especially since a large percentage of people are waking up and will be paying off debt.

Why do people always want to join something that is cool and then try to change it for their bias?
Crossfit is the extreme. It is not watered down Gym-in-the-box. If you want your workouts, politics, and sexuality watered down go somewhere else. If you don't have a real reason to dis on someone rather than your own insecurity than keep it to yourself.
Allison keep up the good work, we should all enjoy our lives while you can, life is too short not to enjoy the gifts we have been given.

"The same video featuring a flat chested unattractive lass would not have received a single complaint."

There also wouldn't be a lot of fawning over how dedicated she is to Crossfit, how determined, what a lovely personality, etc, etc.

Honestly, I prefer the commenters who just admit they like boobies, rather than implying that they admire Alison because she's gregarious and dedicated to health and exercise. I doubt they care that much about gregarious, fit women who aren't barn burners. Funny thing, that.

It just reinforces that this site, at least, is primarly for the straight men here (who are the majority). I come here, get my workouts, and ignore the rest, since it's really not for me. That's fine. I love the workouts and appreciate their availability.

Wow, who made the decision to display that video? I respect Allison's committment to CF, but my advice to her would be the same that I have for my own kids.....if you think that it may be even a little embarrassing, or demeaning, then it is, and don't put it out there for the world to see!

On a day like this I think it is necessary to point out that I am not the only "Matt" posting comments. I did comment #305, but I definitely did not post comment #290. I should probably think of a different title to use, considering there are probably just under 800 Matts that visit this site.

cant we all just get back to fitness, really ?

You see videos of Nicole C. with tremendous feats of strength and articles by Jon Gilson of "Beautiful Girls" that give an empowered meaning to a "fit and strong" woman......the video of Alison in her bra in a hotel room seems to negate all of the above mentioned empowerment and portrays her as "dumb blonde" .

Hey, its getting people to visit CrossFit NYC's website, right....? To each their own.

CrossFit women represent and bring to the table A LOT more than that. Just read Jon's article

i knew there would be a lot of haters on Allison as soon as i saw the photo. People are getting tires of her, but you are hot, girl. Keep working hard and they'll stop calling you groupie, even though you probably don't care. I can't wait to work out with you one day

Comment #320 BusterHymenJr

"cant we all just get back to fitness, really ?"

Oh, the irony.

This is Coach's site. You don't like it, go somewhere else and have a nice cup of STFU.

It is amazing that when a service is provided absolutely free, people still whine about how they are getting the shaft. That is the same kind of whine you hear from all the able bodied leeches sucking our tax dollars in programs designed to help people that actually can't help themselves.

"Hey O'Neill, take a break! You don't have to be a prick every day of you life, you know. " SGT Elias, Platoon

If I were feeling a little more lawless, I’d gather all the copies of Cosmo and Seventeen, douse them in kerosene, and strike a match. I’d throw in reams of print ads from Calvin Klein and watch with delight as Kate Moss’ stick-thin image was reduced to carbon. I’d add copies of Shape and Runner’s World until the flames reached toward the heavens, and then I’d crank call the editorial desk at Muscle and Fitness until they stopped publishing pictures of women on steroids.

I’d get the master tapes of America’s Next Top Model and dub over them with “Nasty Girls”, broadcasting the results on every television station in America. I’d skywrite “CrossFit.com” across the Boston skyline, and gently admonish the hoards of long distance runners trotting along the Charles River—with a bullhorn.

I’d take every woman with mass media-induced ideals of beauty, and I’d show them what it really means to be beautiful.

Beautiful women are strong and powerful. They are athletes, capable of every feat under the sun. They have muscles, borne of hard work and sweat. They gauge their self-worth through accomplishments, not by the numbers on the bathroom scale. They understand that muscle weighs more than fat, and they love the fact that designer jeans don’t fit over their well-developed quads.

They know that high repetitions using light weights is a path to mediocrity, and “toning” is a complete and utter myth. They refuse to succumb to the marketers that prey on insecurity, leaving the pre-packaged diet dinners and fat-burning pills on the shelf to pass their expiration date.

Beautiful women train with intensity. The derive self-image from the quality of their work and their ability to excel. They don’t wear makeup to the gym, and they wouldn’t be caught dead with a vinyl pink dumbbell. They move iron, they do pull-ups, they jump, sprint, punch, and kick, and they use the elliptical machine—as a place to hang their jump rope.

They spend their weekends in sport, climbing walls, winning races, and running rivers. They laugh as they sprint circles around the unschooled, turning the image-obsessed into benchwarmers. Beautiful women don’t care if they’re soaked in sweat and covered in dirt, if their nails are chipped or their hair out of place. They care only about quality of life.

Beautiful women are happy, healthy, and strong, and they’re right there beside me, tossing conventional beauty on the ever-growing flames of what used to be.
Be beautiful.

#294 FUNNY! I almost wet my pants when I saw that!

First, let me say that I am a crossfit junkie. Everyday I read the posts, watch the videos, and follow the WOD's. Since the beginning, one of my favorite aspects of crossfit was that it was a very positive and supportive community. That was, until today. Now, we have joined the ranks of the rest of the worthless websites in the world that promote negative, pointless banter.
Congratulations.

so i just cleaned half the house and decided to come back and check on my upload of allison's wod with jolie and lara...yes...i was lucky to be in attendance!!! wOOt! of course it's still uploading...

anyway, in the midst of all of this i wondered to myself, "it's 12:56pm...and we're at 321 posts...is anyone working today? or is everyone a housewife like me who is at home cleaning and checking out crossfit stuff???"

hahaha. i'll let everyone know on my progress thread/log (sakura barrientos' log) when the video is done uploading. i'm sure sevan will have his own killer cut of the wod--mine is more primitive. i'm sure you all will enjoy tching it just as i did when i was at one world during the filming.

oh yeah...and for all of those people worried about too much cleavage and all of that nonsense...

this is an awesome WOD with no "racy" scenes. although half way through lara takes off her top to reveal a rather nice sports bra-ish top. i guess since you all are so sensitive about cleavage i would just warn you before you watch it and then tear my head off for posting it. =]

M/23/5'9"/160
Fran as rxd
4:08
Allison NYC, You can run however you want at Crossfit ATM. I wouldn't

"Daniel, no one can make an intelligent argument for income redistribution. It's a religion, a political tool, perhaps, but not economics."

Coach, could you explain this further? I disagree with income redistribution, but isn't the utility or intelligence of income redistribution contingent upon what one's values are? And is that not a normative, rather than empirical, matter? What tool you use depends on what your optimal end state is. And you cannot deduce logically from empirical data what your optimal end state should be. You can use logic and data to figure out "what is", but not "what should be", or what you should want and value. You can demonstrate through empirical data and logic that Crossfit is effective at increasing work capacity across broad time and modal domains, but you cannot use logic and empiricism alone to convince someone to desire increased work capacity, unless you tie work capacity to something else that they already value, such as their health. But ultimately wants boil down to values, which do not have an empirical basis.

If one values income equality over maximal economic output and individual freedom, then state intervention in the economy would be a logical means to that end.

If one considers capitalism necessarily intolerably unjust because one's optimal end state is perfect equality, then it does not matter how efficient capitalism is at producing economic growth, or that economic freedom is symbiotic with political freedom.

On the other hand, if one values individual freedom and economic output over income equality, then state intervention makes very little sense.

Either way, values are a necessary part of the decision, and even libertarianism has a normative value system.

My musings for the day:

Couldn't help myself and made up Fran from yesterday. Back felt ok. 10:37, which is a PR, as lame as that sounds. Sub'd 75lb thrusters, but I am that much closer to being able to do a benchmark WOD as RX, which is encouraging. Last time was 19 minutes with 55lb thrusters, so I am relatively happy today.

The article. Umm, they are giving us back our own darn money so they can re-tax it next year. A cynical ploy to buy the illusion that the ship is not sinking. It'll work too, as the sheep graze contentedly. Let's all go buy lottery tickets and cigarettes. And some malt liquor. The Horns I jack up all day prefer Joose and Steele Reserve, if that helps narrow your selection.

AllisonNYC is hot and she knows it. Good for her. You got it and want to flaunt it, baby I'll look at it all day. I got the time. She works hard for that figure and is as good a CF poster girl as any, I suppose. She wants to spend big coin to go to certs all over the country? Coolio. Her discretion and her life. I can think of far worse ways to pass it than seeing the country, interacting with dynamic, energetic, mostly positive-thinking people, all the while getting in better and better shape.

Coach and Lauren, neither of whom I have ever met, want to post up Allie McHottie voyeur vid? Double coolio. It had good running info, too, but that kinda got lost, didn't it?. Their site, their rules. Don't like it? That, too, is coolio. (I like that word today. Coolio. Could I be whiter?) I really dig that we can dissent and speak freely here.

Today I did Fran, got a PR, and did not puke. I love you all just the way you are. See ya tomorrow.

change a thing about that beautiful run!

Fran today with 69.4 lb barbell

5:29 (pr)

I don't understand how it works. If someone gives me $600, I take that money and buy something from Best Buy, Wal Mart or Target that was made in China. Besides helping to pay for the minimum wage Best Buy employee and adding slightly to Best Buys bottom line, how does this help the economy in the long run.

Wouldn't the money we as a nation are loaning from China and Saudi Arabia be better spent on improving our highways, fixing failing bridges, or becoming energy independent? I can only guess at the jobs that could be created. It seems to me that I spend more money when I have a good job that pays well.

Oh who am I kidding, our fearless leaders are deep in debate about steroids in baseball and soon will move onto video taping in football. What I wouldn't give to find a group that wants to dump some tea in a harbor.....

Sakura, You've got guts girl! I'll check it out.

Every REST DAy @ CF seems like an interlude of cerebral intercourse. Hey that's ok.

My CF Rest Day when it happens to be a Friday is also my freakin' 60:00 indoor cycling day..and not by choice for that matter..I stll teach that hated long-endurance...Type I fiber muslce recruitment that CrossFit dreads.

SO WHAT'S THE WOD FOR TOMORROW. ENOUGH DICHOTOMY WITHIN CROSSFITTERS, ALREADY!

Like I said...it is getting CrossFitNYC some serious attention. Whether it is "good" attention or "bad" attention, it is getting their name and Allison's out there.

All I can say is that there is no video of myself on the CrossFit site, are you on the Crossfit main site? Probably not.

All i have to say is wow..normally Texas girls are the best but she would blend in down here just fine...keep it up AlisonNYC

Made up Fran today and results posted there. This Allison video is getting way out of hand. I believe it was posted for pure entertainment and to show one woman's dedication to crossfit. It's your choice to watch or not. I find it thrilling to see Coach stir the pot!!

Ok - I'm confused.

On the one hand we have the "Crossfit is serious so there's no place for sexy video's" and on the other hand, "who cares about politics, great tits!"

Surely most of us are both, serious about training but still alive enough afterwards to enjoy looking. Maybe it's just only the ones with strong opinions who post either way. As for me, hard training and eye catching chests fit together just fine.

As a follicly challenged, northern European Caucasian-American CrossFitting male I am offended by the content of the video between 23-25 seconds. The juxtaposition of the male runner’s' flying combover situated next to Allyson’s copious flowing locks was too much to handle. It was quite obvious to me that the editor(s) intentionally left this in as a jab toward all of us who might be lacking 'up there', but we have feelings, too! I demand that CrossFit stop focusing on the differences and become more inclusive. Might coach focus one of his lectures on the benefits of shaved heads in relation to drag, resistance, etc. It’s time for CrossFit and CrossFitters to embrace all hair styles with openness and respect.

‘Should I put a toupee on?.. no’

C’mon, lets all not take ourselves to seriously on a REST day!

Great job Ally, keep up the hard work and great sense of openness and HUMOR! Love your hair, too!

#55 Aloysha has it right on about the stimulus package. We are in debt to China and Europe for big $$. They just put interest on the money that we owe them. This is just like a kid with a credit card problem. This really needs to stop.

On the topic of Allison - many are haters and wish they had Allison's body and are just looking at the video that way.

How many of us have been willing to have our running put up on the screen to be analyzed? I know that I have only watched by feet in the past, not the whole body. I am happy with the way that M. Collins focused on what he needed to focus on.

Allison is willing to show a side to us that many of us would be running scared before we showed it. Yeah, the video scenes of the hotel room is somewhat like "Sex, lies, and videotape..." Yet, at the same time, Allison is really taking the time to be self-critical and be very aware of everything that is going on (even the embarassing stuff).

I will raise a glass of beer/wine/whatever to Allison whenever I see her. Hail Allison for the cojones that she showed. Pooh on the rest of you who just think that is all about the pubescent sense of humor.

I LOVE THIS REST DAY. Not only do we have a laughable article from Laffer- but a discussion on Allison NYC that has people so up in arms. All those that have had a reaction to this rest day- get some. Put up, shut up, or get out. I was going to post something like "you go allison" or "you people are a little sensitive for an alpha community"- but i accidentally realized there was a school shooting yesterday where humans lost their life, there was a war going on, and I couldnt care less about the ramblings of a few extra-squishy mental midgets complaining about sports bras and objectification of a woman that obviously isnt being objectified. Fun to read though, and I am glad it made everyone check the site on a rest day.

KEEP IT UP, EVERYONE!

Good day all.

Hey all,
Wondering if anyone out there had some answers for these QUESTIONS:

Kevin_R - What issue of Men's Health are these CrossFit workouts in? I have a bunch of the Mags at home and can't believe I overlooked the CF stuff.

Having had ACL reconstructive surgery in Nov, I have read the 'Working Wounded' article from May 2005, just wondering if anyone knew of any more 'Working Wounded' programs kickin around out there? I'm losing my mind and having a hard time working without symmetry - so much so that I bulged a disc in my back last week.

As a guy who works his ass off to stay in shape and plays sports and yet still has his knees get injured, back thrown out and overall fitness and body weight fluxuate - I'm glad we have guys like 'The Gift' out there to tell us that we just don't have the genes to ever get in really good shape... I'll remember that the next time I'm packing 100 lbs of gear across the poppy fields of Afghanistan.
Relax buds, lay off the woman and try staying positive.

I haven't seen the video.

9:18 for overhead squat Fran, much slower than my regular Fran scores, done in OPT crash and burn style i.e., no safe harbor resting. For me doing overheads is slower than thrusters because I'm not strong enough to fire the bar up there and start cranking. I've got to slightly adjust and tinker with my stance, almost like a baseball player getting into the batter's box. The round of 21 wasn't too bad, broken at 12 and 18, but after 21 pullups the creeping fatigue made the round of 15 much more difficult, broken at 4,9 and 13! I'd be curious to see how any others may have found this variation. Thanks Coach! BW:172 Y/A:59

Fran
65# thrusters
Asst pull ups
Time: 6:39

Did a little walking from station to station but that should not have increased my time by so much. Usually I am close to about 5 min using 60# thrusters. Bummer. Next time!

DL singles: 165-185-195-205-210-215-220 (PR!)

Handstand push up practice (okay okay, I have the urge to practice these every time I see a nice wall there…)

Erin

38/m/5'8"/196

5 Rounds for max reps

225 Deadlifts
195 Bench Press

6, 8, 7, 6, 6 = 33
10, 10, 8, 8, 6 = 42
Score = 75

Increased Dead's 20 lbs. from last week. 3-4 minutes rest between supersets. Weak link is grip; refuse to use straps or mixed grip.

I am new to CF, perhaps that explains my confusion to all the negative posts aimed at Allison. I don't know how long she's been a familar face/name within CF but since I started on Dec 31, 2007 I haven't felt like she has been every where.

All I really know about her comes from the interview videos. Obviously she is very cute, no crime there, and she seems like she is fun and loves life. I thought the 'snatch' joke was funny (If it was her idea. I wouldn't want her to be used as a punchline without her consent.) But what struck me most from the interview was her passion for CF.

With Allison's passion I wonder how many people she has turn on to CF. More than me, probably more than most. I think thats great.

Now I haven't see today's video (I'm at work) and maybe I'll repost tonight and say that her and the video 'director' have gone to far. But for now I would say having Allison as a face of CF is a great thing and those that have said some pretty mean things about her in this forum should stand down.

If you dont like the video, get off your butt and make an "acceptible" video and sent it in to be posted. And for those that say you are sick of Allison being all over the sight, why don't you muster up the passion she has for CF, quite your current job and do CF fulltime.

Good job Allison, keep it up!

Reading the posts regarding the Stimulus Package, and the resulting comments, reminded me of an article by Warren Buffet from a few months back. It was hard to find, but here's the link:

http://64.236.22.104/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2003/11/10/352872/index.htm

How should I run so my johnson doesn't bounce up and down? more upright? Tighter quads? I will do an interview wearing only a thong if the ladies would like the tables turned. Just let me know....

I watched the video this morning and was a little surprised at first (hotel room, top) but the content was fine with me and I didn't think anything was terribly risque. I also got some good running tips. However, I figured there would be a lot of comments.

After reading most of the comments, I re-watched the video. It is a fun video that actually has great fitness/running content. Talk about a tempest in a teapot folks, really.

I would like to see a little less sports bra and a little more AllisonNYC.

WWCD, you bring up a good point about the body on the bed. If I am not mistaken, I think it might have been Rippetoe.

Another rest day, another reason never to spend a dime on a cert, never spend a dollar on anything crossfit related. Glassman can post whatever he wants on his website, but I don't have to support him.

I think, I'm sure I will be corrected if I'm wrong, that most (including my own) people's strong feelings about the video revolve around the fact that she honestly hasn't 'earned' the attention. Videos of Crossfit machines (Greg A. Brendan, Eva, Annie, etc.) are great to watch because it shows what is possible with hard work. And what has been earned with hard work. I am not doubting anyone's work ethic, but results speak for themselves. Allison would not need to defend her work ethic if the posted video was a WOD, like OPT doing Helen. No one criticized his vid, because it was an awesome display of athleticism. This was just candy. I don't think most of us come to the site for candy.

Well done Coach! Way to re-generate interest! I never have read the rest day articles or comments. However I do notice the number of responses so when I saw the number today vs. recent rest days I had to check it out. (I've been around here for years and marvel at the increase.) I haven't read the WOD comments in years either. (It's just too hard to sort through the drivel to find times to compare.)I heard from an affiliate gathering attendee what the number of daily hits for the site was, amazing. What is it today and how does it compare with the fervor over the music selection in 'Hot Mama Clean/Pullup WOD some time ago? There's probably been other similar instances I'm sure.

For the record I'd rather see the hardbody with the pony-tail in the green top as the centerpiece of the photo!

Make up day

"Randy"
75 pound Power Snatch, 75 reps for time.

24:19

Three rounds, 21-15- and 9 reps, for time of: 10:21
95 pound Thruster
Pull-ups

3 Rounds Kettlebell Swing: 20X @65lbs

500m Row Time:1:32

Swim:1000yards

re: TANSTAAFL
I agree only with the double negative. I think economists often leave out the completely irrational, non-utility maximizing behaviour of people such as mothers, voluntarily giving up their own time, energy, and breast milk to nurture their small child. Take the nickel-in-someone-else's-parking-meter to the extreme: there are human actions, often stemming from love or compassion, that have utility benefits to both the giver and the reciever, without significant or any cost to either party.

I can't believe I just wrote that, and I'm supposed to be a tough crossfitter. Puke. But still...

re: Comment #330 - Posted by: russ greene
Great argument, required reading for those who missed it.

Whether or not income redistribuiton schemes will "work" depends primarily on what you value in the outcome. If you value equality over economic progress, income redistribution starts to look pretty good.

"I think economists often leave out the completely irrational, non-utility maximizing behaviour of people such as mothers, voluntarily giving up their own time, energy, and breast milk to nurture their small child."

That's because you don't know anything about economics.

Wonder what Dan Silver thinks of all this?

Ray-

Funny, I was telling eric the same thing, the fitter you get the worse fran is. I had to tell myself before fran 'it's ok you don't have to PR' just get through it. haha, such a mental game. glad Freddy C and I are not the only ones who wander around the gym forever before we get to this WOD.

mac-

thanks for the info on restless legs. ill pass it along to eric.

ken c- thanks and i know your theory on his restless legs-too funny. i told him what you said and he cracked up. you might be onto something, but it's really bothering him thus he asked me if i would post the question. he's totally drinking the kool-aid but won't post. :P

wilson #109

i had a weird experience with fran too yesterday. i usually recover pretty darn quickly from the wod's but after fran i was smoked. i crumbled to the ground almost in tears, i got up about 20 seconds later and walked it off. then i almost passed out, had to sit down, felt ok then went to get up and couldn't feel my lips or tounge. i sat down again and almost fell asleep, i had to be driven home, and almost had a panic attack in the car. then 30 min later i was totally fine. that was just odd. fran does some weird things to us.

#352

If you unleash that argument upon this board, you'll have another 350 posts before the end of the day.

That said, at this moment I agree with you. Even if I were to ignore my feelings about the merit (or lack thereof) of today's video, I've come painfully close to being disenchanted by CrossFit within the last 24 hours.

My desire to attend a certification is gone. That is, unless Glassman promises to call me "Talibanesque" if I use words like "morality" and "exploitation" in ways that displease him. (Note: I do not think today's video was immoral or exploitative, but I understand why some people feel that way.)

'Cause that's a reasonable reaction, huh? I mean, I always thought semantics were equivocal.

I don't say this to be malicious, but I truly am frustrated that I now have so little respect for a man whose fitness philosophy has done so much for me. I hope that changes in the future.

I patiently await for the wrath of the coach for tomorrow's WOD with all these negative vibes on the site.

Damn it. Now the comment I referenced in the previous post jumped from #352 to #346. Bah!

Why can't CrossFit get a truly functional message board? (Relax, I'm kidding.)

#354
Nadia,
I'm not a dr but that Fran experience does not sound normal. Maybe dehydration? I've seen something similar with a buddy of mine after a PT test, but I think you should get a professional's opinion before you hurt yourself.

Rob 301

Why don't you just post all of your qualities and opinions so the rest of us thay may have opposing views can realize we are all "idiots" much faster. I'm sure glad u don't post often.
That must have been the single stupidest post i have seen in the 7 months i've been here. Congratulations. And i got a solution for your problem. Instead of having 65% of people leave this site why not have 0.01% of people leave that would solve the same problem. Bye!

308 Jack Ryan

Well said. The hypocricy of it all is hilarious. " Uh, i just thought i'd post and whine about all you damn whiners." Then to end it all, just after he called everone idiots who turn this into a political forum , he throws in a rediculous politicall reference.

All new posters should read Rob 301 for what not to do and read any Bingo thread for what TO do.

Are you kidding me? Now it's #349! I'm going to lie down for a while.

I dont know how many of u live in the LA area that may have had the time to see Randy Simmons funeral today...what an incredible person...hearing his friends and family discuss his life was inspirational.
proud to be

shiba inu...hahaha. =] for some reason i thought you said "nuts" and i was like, no...i've got ovaries. lol. and then i read it again and you said guts. =]

the video is posted.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MElygxq8OfM

enjoy. and remember...three women...there's obviously boobage. and at 5:32 lara takes her top off. if you're one of those against the boobage in allison's video, i suggest you stop watching at 5:31. =]

TRAIN HARD, CROSSFITTERS.

It may be that I know AllisonNYC personally. And it may be that I can attest to the fact that she is a consistently decent and kind-hearted person. Let’s stipulate that these facts are true. It’s also true that these facts are immaterial to the discussion at hand.

Feminism in its most basic form is the notion that women can transcend being appreciated merely for their sexual appeal. Or can accomplish things only for that reason. This seems like it is too rudimentary a notion to have to point out, but I guess life is full of surprises. When Nicole smokes a burly fireman in an overhead squat test, this is subversive. It turns expectations upside down, and makes men (and women) re-examine what it means to be athletic. We have to throw out our preconceptions about strength and appreciate athletic merit for its own sake, divorced from gender. We realize how unfounded our notions about male athletic superiority can be.

At its best Crossfit drives that point relentlessly home. This is one of the many noble things about Crossfit, and something I’m proud to be around. It's exhilarating actually.

But what Crossfit gives with one hand it seemingly takes away with another, at least on its website. By making a spectacle of bras and boobs, it sends precisely the opposite message. It celebrates the merely prurient. And before you scream “lighten up,” there is some subtlety I’m asking you to think about. Asking questions about the underlying message doesn’t mean one is a Victorian prude who hates fun and America too. Those remarks are the responses of imbeciles; a good response for a Scientologist, but not for a rational, independent human.

Even though Allison does not seem to object (even as it presumably serves her own purposes), this doesn’t mean there isn’t a problem. There are lots of women who subject themselves to the odious stricture of the burka, and while they are free to do so, on any moral calculus this ought to be condemned since they become un-persons by agreeing to the act. In at least one case then, agreeing to the treatment doesn’t change the moral landscape one bit.

Crossfit takes women seriously as athletes, but then we get this stuff, and the frat boys arrive cracking jokes with the subtlety and finesse of a jack hammer (what are you feeding those things? Cleeeeeeever). Is this the official Crossfit position, or is it merely tolerated? Is there a difference?

I love Crossfit—it’s an incredible group of people, and watching the transformations people forge for themselves is exceptionally gratifying. There is plenty of room for fun, and no one here, least of all me, is calling for some stultifying PC speech code. Still, there are serious issues at play with this sort of thing that warrant some introspection on the part of this community. Hoots from the gallery to “chill out” don’t really address this issue in a thoughtful way.

#366 sakura - thanks for posting that! - a great depiction of a WOD and it shows how competition drives one further

Dr. Obvious:

OK, that makes sense. I couldn't figure out why the posts were doing the goddamn Ickey Shuffle on me.

Well decided to not be slack arse since i had been earlier in the week. i measured off the hotel pool here and found out to my surprise, it is a 25m pool! So i ended up putting 1100 m in.

#367 mega mega - thank you for excellently articulating the sentiments that I was not able to

oh, check out www.angrydalty.com for today's blog, a commentary on Fran.. :)

xFit Rocks. :)

www.angrydalty.com/crossfit.htm

Comment #355 - Posted by: An Economist

You may be right, I don't purport to be an economist...and the example was probably poor.

Still, I have trouble believing there is no one good example of an action without opportunity cost, or at least of opportunity cost so small as to be negligible compared to the benefit.

Maybe I'm thinking about this all wrong...can you suggest some good reading on this matter?

Extremely disappointing video.

I view CF women as something very different from what this video is portraying. I picture hard working, buff, sweaty, & beautiful women. I usually love watching all the CF videos but this one sent a very disappointing message I've always hoped CF would stay away from.

Thank goodness my 3 CF loving girls didn't see it. I want them to see that CF is performance based not looks based. I hope they see it empowers them to be strong both inside and out & eventually, someday pick a man that values those same qualities, not a man that values their breast size and pant size. I hope they are proud that their buff little thighs barely fit in designer jeans and their small chest is due to their smokin' times.

Thank you to those men who have posted against the video, you actually get it!

Allison, I know you have a whole lot more to offer than that.

18mi, 45 lbs

4:21

Used Perpetuem during effort (4 servings). Hip flexors/L knee aggrivation (slight). Followed up with 5 block meal during contrast baths, icing of L knee. Foam roller and streching later tonight.

Allison: As I said before, I think what you’re doing is great. I agreed with you. But, it’s not a bad thing to be realistic about your abilities. Anyway, my comment is less about you and more about the reality of elite athletics. Ignore it or prove me wrong.

#285- DNA and relevant genetic markers would not tell any scientists if Allison could be an elite athlete because we don’t currently have that level of sophistication. Your ad hominem attack was irrelevant.

#306 – Polio is not a genetic disease. Your argument fails to address my point that genetics plays the biggest – but not only – roll in athletics. Plus, a single instance of someone overcoming disease to be an elite athlete probably bolsters my argument. Either way, I hope Allison proves me wrong.

#310 – see end of response to 306. My email is irrelevant to my argument, as are my stats. I don’t have to be an elite athlete to be correct. But just because you asked: 31/m/180#: 100m in 11.68 s, vertical 27.5”, Fran 5:30, muscle-ups - yes please, HSPU – yes. I consider myself an average athlete and I love Crossfit. It’s fun.

Thanks for the video and keep em coming. Crossfit keeping it real and AllisonNYC pretty as usual.

Coach wrote:

"Daniel, no one can make an intelligent argument for income redistribution. It's a religion, a political tool, perhaps, but not economics."

Agreed. But all governments redistribute income ..most often on the basis political power, rather than economics.

An example is the deductibility of mortgage interest payments. Some poor schnook who makes $25,000 a year and rents will pays taxes that subsidize the $500,000 mortgage of someone who can afford to buy. The renter derives no benefit from the policy. So it's tough to defend on economic grounds, much less moral ones. This is a wealth transfer -- and it's in the wrong direction.

303 D

I've earned my GI bill supporting your right to believe I don't deserve it.

I'm sorry but what is this !@#? What happened to what CF is truly about? Fitness and performance; not some girl standing there in her bra. I would rather see Annie, Nicole, or Eva T busting out some awesome workout, or any girl for that matter, even Allison. Girl, let's see what you can do, not what you look like undressed.

SRA

5:14

last time 6:38

inappropriate video for this site. very unprofessional. get some clothes on. doesn't anyone screen these things first before they get on the site?

Is the argument that the boobies are offensive? Or that people are tired of a "teehee cute boys crossfit" mascot and that it isn't a true representation of us as a fitness culture/community.

It's been said. There are a lot of hardcore crossfitters that could do far better representing and motivating us that already crossfit and those interested.

"AllisonNYC pretty as usual."

That about sums it up, thanks.

I'm a male so I can find some enjoyment out of the video, but if I was a female and was giving it all I got in the gym and a proud and out loud crossfitter, thats not what Id want to be associated with. Thats not how I'd get other females motivated in trying crossfit.

*tee hee

To the person who thinks AllisonNYC does not have the genetics/body type to be an elite athlete:

I have the same body type as Allison. My thought about your comment is that women with this body type are often disuaded from athleticism. It isn't that the ability and potential are not there, it is because there are cues from society that say we can't. We can. Kudos to Allison for her perseverence in the face of those who chose to comment about what she IS NOT about. She has chosen to become a fitness professional for her own benefit, and to assist others in their work to reach their fitness potential. I believe she will continue to get stronger every day.

AllisonNYC,

I have to say I was unsure how to take the material and video today. That was until I read your message #192 I think. It is true, having a video on the site is not only pretty kick ass but its also a great way to document progress. I got a chance to do a WOD video in a CF Toronto cert about a year ago and still look at it to this day. I feel its all part of the CrossFit community experience. We see our idols on the site and hope to attain the levels of fitness and commitment they have achieved. Its called inspiration. We use it to guide our efforts and become better people. I'm no Greg or Brendan but I sure do believe I put as much into my WOD's as they do as well as almost any other crossfitter I have seen out there. The times may be different but the effort is still there. We are a community, lets keep supporting each other, this shit aint easy, lol.

#355 - An Economist,

Well put. I actually laughed out loud. There is no sense explaining behavioral econmics and finance to a guy like that.

#337 - Hilarious!! Well done..

I'm loving the passion on this site. Apparently, economics and breasts are a hot button..

Best training site on the net. Cutting edge information, intellectually stimulating, and free.I would guess the door swings both ways around here. Most of us like it just the way it is, don't like it, don't let the door hit you in the ass on your way out.

"Don't be mean. We don't have to be mean" --Buckaroo Banzai

AllisonNYC, keep on keepin' on kid! I would advise you to 'never let 'em get ya down' but I already know you won't.

Coach, you could evoke passion from a stone. Great job stirring the pot. I gleaned some useful tips on running form from the video. Significant as I surely am the worst runner in the Crossfit-verse.

Nadia, congrats on the FRAN PR! That is a huge milestone. I too feel a sense of dread on a FRAN day. Like a kid about to get a shot at the doctor.

Allison is a goddess. She seems to be a hardworking, dedicated young woman, loving life right now, who happens to gorgeous. Some people need to lighten up. Don't be hater.

oh yeah...you know the part where allison is doing kb swings? who's the guy taking off running? i mean, his "mammories"...er...pecs...were in quite some motion too... ;] haha

M/48/151

Missed a couple of days so I wanted to get a work-out in. Thought I'd...I dunno...

RUN.

Plan was to do 5K. Crumped at 2 miles, 16:55. Guess I was sicker than I thought. Concentrated on mid-sole landing, slight forward lean, head as steady on a line as possible. Obviously still landing too close to heel and still pounding because hips still sore after running.

Making running an intellectual exercise. I STILL hate running.

Sakura: His name is Jeremy Thiel and I think he's one of the owners of CrossFit Austin. I also think it wouldn't be a bad bet to put some money on him at the games. He's an animal.

But Sakura if you watch it again keep your eye out for Brian Contosh. ... wow. what a man.

Bingo: Having things to think about and work on during a run is one of my favorite parts of learning the pose method. When I ran 4 miles on NYE the hardest part besides my legs feeling like bricks was that I was bored. I like having technique to focus on.

Good job getting out there. I'm convinced it will get easier for us. :)

TANSTAAFL

This is not one of Laffer's better efforts. It does, I think, allow us to discuss the fact that this "stimulus package" (the legislation, not the topic/video package) is largely a political action. It is neither very elegant nor very well-targeted, and it is a clear example of the pollution of EVERY conceivable economic philosophy by electoral politics.

The Laffer Curve is the well-spring of supply-side economists, and the poisoned well of social engineering economists. Proven time and again, the proponents of social justice through government intervention (read drastic income redistribution) continue to claim that surely THIS time they will get it right. THIS time they will find the magic spot, the sweet spot, wherein they tax the productive "just enough" to give "just enough" to the less-productive, without either reducing the output of the productive or inducing less effort from the less-productive.

Laffer, like Krugman, has allowed himself to become as much a "name" as he is an economist, and this article seemed to come from Laffer "the name". To say that Laffer and his work are not followed by industry or academia is not to read Mankiw, Cowen, Hanson, Caplan, Mahar, Klein, and many, many others.

It is to be hoped that serious economic issues that lie before us (subprime mortgages, healthcare finance, maintenance of infrastructure, et al.) will be met with serious solutions backed by serious thought, rather than rapid-fire responses to the sentiment of the moment, backed by nothing more substantial than political expediency.

TANSTAAFL.

Wow! AllisonNYC is SMOKIN! You gotta love crossfit women!

Does anyone have any suggestions on HSPUs?

Yes, I read the FAQ...I'd like to hear some success stories because handstands alone kick my butt...right now

How ever you may feel about the video, when has the Crossfit community started breaking people down?

ahhh. cool, alliecalli. thanks! i was like, who ARE these guys? so many awesome crossfitters out there that it's so hard to keep up. you know? sometimes i wish i could meet everyone. i still have a lot of learning to do and figuring out who is who. so many powerhouse women out there and all i know of are a handful. (annie, nicole, eva, allison, jolie, susie rosenberg...) i want to meet and learn about more awesome women.

394 lar-

i do HSPUs using a box. i just put my knees on the 20" box and then put my hands down on the floor and do push ups that way. i also just do regular hand stands to get down the form. once i get an actual HSPU i'm sure i'll be posting it. hehehe.

23/m/215/6'1"

WU
20 dips
500m row (1:46)
10 bench press, 185lbs
5 front squats, 135lbs

'Fran'

As Rx'd, 13:44

First Fran, loved and hated her.

See Kristyn Birrell: "Free Lunch Money", today at http://techcentralstation.com for a much more readable, intelligent, rational rejection of the "stimulus package".

TANSTAAFL.

Ok This will be my first post, ever. I have read most of the posts everyday, and am now finally compelled to write something.
First off I mean no offense to anyone, AllisonNYC or crossfit or coach or the hundreds of people who have posted, but come on people this is rediculous. What is happening here is the same thing that happens everyday in our country. We are distracted by frivilous unimportant things from the real issues.
There were some things that could be learned from the video but instead we focus on the "Sex." Lest we forget that coach also put up an important article to discuss also, we focus on what sort of clothes allison chose to wear. Yikes folks, is this E! channel or Crossfit. This is exactly why we have a misguided president, misguided congressmen, and a misguided nation. Instead of focusing on what is important we tend to focus on "Pleasure" and "Entertainment," and let the important issues slide by without a second glance. If everyone in this country took just 5 mins every three days and read the rest day posts and thought about them, whether they agree with them or not, We would be far more informed and a better country as a whole for it.
End Rant.
Thanks CrossFit and thank you Coach

I do not see the big deal, the always show guys without their shirts on. Allison good job I love seeing people learn better technique to improve themselves.

#377 - Daniel Freedman

Not a valid argument. The poor schnook who makes $25,000 a year doesn't pay any federal income tax.

That video was lame... the hotel footage was drivel. I've said my piece. No disrespect to anyone, just kind of surprising and trashy.

I find it really upsetting that crossfitters are so willing to fight with each other and break someone down so readily. One of the best parts of CF is the fact that we all support and encourage each other, but we are setting a really poor example for people who may be new to the CF methodology. Instead of seeing a community of supportive, passionate athletes, we will come across as a group of CHILDREN, fighting play-ground style. Yes, ANYC is attractive. So what. The video is a little titillating. So what. She deserves the support and encouragement of the community, the same as WE ALL DO. ANYC is no better or worse than any of us, and fighting over a video-the bulk of which was about RUNNING-is childish and lowers us all.

In summary, I'm dissapointed in all of us. We are a COMMUNITY, but instead we are acting like we've been personally harmed by a stupid movie. Let's move on.

The GI Bill is the very best kind of wealth redistribution. It's a VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTION to a fund, and ANYONE who has contributed can access that fund.

If the government would give us all our taxes back, we could all put our money into voluntary funds and send it wherever the damn hell we want to. You want to help combat AIDS in Africa? Great. Here's your taxes back, give it to some charity. You want to support the government of Pakistan? Sweet. Here's your taxes back, write a check to GOVERNMENT OF PAKISTAN. Ugandan goat farmers? Here's your check, and the credit goes to church/synagogue/principles of humanism/me. Whatever.

Tax rebates are the very best way to promote pure democracy - I don't have to write my congressman or vote on it... I just have to write a check, and support whatever I want to support.

7:02

Joe #402,

Debate is an absolutely necessary component of any healthy community, especially our democratic nation. CrossFit is not a cult, blindly following a leader.

Your expression of disappointment is incredibly condescending. Is this how you handle your family?

I enjoy being a part of this community. My dissention today was not in any way a personal attack on ANYC nor CrossFit. Go back and read my comments, you'll find them fact based and insightful.

Granted, the personal attacks and equally personal supporting comments are not logical arguments in a healthy debate, but they too are part of a community. Fortunately, intelligent people that comprise the bulk of a healthy community such as CF disregard personal attacks (and support comments "go girl!) as irrational emotions or useless chatter.

Hello CF

That was real stuff! Honest video... We all love this sh@t. We all can learn from this video because non of us are perfect. I don't care if you started CF 2 days ago or 5 years ago.

We can all learn from NYC!

LUV U ALL!

Junster

Wolffo writes of my objection to poor taxpayers subsidizing rich taxpayers on mortgage interest deductibility:

"Not a valid argument. The poor schnook who makes $25,000 a year doesn't pay any federal income tax."

Point taken. But the far-from-rich rich guy who makes $40,000 a year and rents an apartment still subsidizes the guy with the $500,000 mortgage.

Why?

How can using the coercive power of the state to redistribute wealth be justified in this case? Is government-sanctioned class warfare okay as long as the victims are the less affluent?

Meanwhile, in another part of the forest...
On the great Allison brouhaha:

It's a joke. I'm sorry some people didn't find it funny. But Allison obviously did. Surely that is her right.

Oh be nice kittens! This is a kennel full of top dawgs.

Check out AllisonNYC's WOD at Sakura's latest "you-tube" link in this commentary.

She actually rocks, you know. I'm still Annie's #1 fan, though!

My girl has a huge chest and doesn't like to run/jog because of them, so this WOD was of great help... now I can 1) show her where to get a good bra, and 2) tell her what to do with her arms when running, and 3) drag her out to Crossfit Newport Beach to learn how to run despite her two big "obstacles".

Thanks to the Crossfit folks!

I can't believe I just wasted an hour reading all of this.

Allison is cute and has a fun demeanor, but that gal running in the other direction looks powerful and fit.

Coach wrote: "Daniel, no one can make an intelligent argument for income redistribution. It's a religion, a political tool, perhaps, but not economics."

Does Coach mean to say "no one HAS MADE an intelligent argument for income redistribution". I don't think a statement like: "I can make an intelligent argument for income redistribution", is capable of logical refutation(and I don't think Coach the person to get done anyway). Still, I wouldn't put much stalk in the more conservative, potentially verifiable statement that "no on has made...." if Coach had made it - he doesn't exactly come across as an omnivorous reader.

Look at the way proponents of the free market speak of it. Do they not speak of it as a tool, the means to an end?

What is refreshing about Coach's posts today is that they give us a window into the deeper man, the man beyond the brilliant stick-figure flourishes and the hard-forged fitness nuggets. We get a sense of how tirelessly he has cultivated his intellect, how conscientiously he has sought out opinions challenging to his own as part of the ongoing process of self-education that marks a life evolving toward wisdom and happiness...toward..."free markets and beautiful women."

And how are those free markets treating women Mr. Glassman? And what is the contribution of Cross-fit to that market? Is it opening up or contributing to a new one that is more friendly to women? Is it content to skim off the top of the one it was Mr. Glassman's privilege to inherit from the centuries?

Oh, but I sputter....

Oh sh*t. I take back what I posted earlier about Allison not being a model of athleticism and fitness. Go here and watch her do a *terrifying* WOD at Crossfit One World:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MElygxq8OfM

She totally rocks it. Now THAT'S how to post an inspiring video. Too bad we don't see more like that instead of the self-serving fluff posted here today.

God bless AllisonNYC.

XXX

Prole, #115

First off, I meant what I said.

You don’t understand free markets. Proponents of free markets speak of them as a means to an end AND, more commonly, an end unto themselves. Freedom doesn’t need teleological support. We have free speech because we were willing to kill those in opposition to the notion. Believing that freedom, including free markets, can be justified solely in terms of outcome is symptomatic of a hydra headed cultural pathology – declining morality and economic and political illiteracy. You’ve conflated the origins and justifications for socialism with freedom.

You ask “how are those free markets treating women Mr. Glassman? And (sic) what is the contribution of Cross-Fit (sic) to that market? Is it opening up or contributing to a new one that is more friendly (sic) to women? …”

Here, Sir, are your answers:

1. Those free markets are treating women better than they’ve ever been treated under any other socioeconomic/political system ever. Same with minorities. Hayek and Freidman, Nobel Laureates both, each argue quite convincingly that free markets are a historical and necessary precursor to democracy and all other freedoms.
2. Women largely run this company. Lauren Glassman, Lynne Pitts, Nicole Carroll, Deana Dinel, and Carrie Klumpar are responsible for the overwhelming majority of the business management and decisions that are CrossFit. This is damned near a matriarchy. CrossFit has three operating divisions: content, training/seminars, and affiliates. A female heads each. (As a cultural note, the “Nasty Girls” video was conceived, programmed, videoed, and edited by Lauren with no outside involvement at any level. Lauren commissioned the Allison videos.)
3. Of course, that’s what free markets do.

I’m not sure if your observation, regarding me, that, “he doesn't exactly come across as an omnivorous reader” is a compliment or an insult but it will come across to those who know me as humorous.

You know what would be cool? A video of the illiterate coach debating the worldly well read liberal!! I wonder if I’d be accused of exploiting liberals?

#365 sakura

Thank you for posting that video!

AllisonNYC - Way to represent, good job!

This was a really, really good rest day for me.

In the end I think, as always I suppose, that there are those that can see all of this for what it is and for what it isn't (it being CrossFit as a whole with the content, training, and affiliates). As per usual, there are those that obviously don't too. And that's perfectly OK.

Good training to all today, and Coach thanks for the great things we have in CrossFit.

I'll be having a blast here in my little garage affilate. Anyone needing a place to train feel free to drop in. I've got a great 5K mapped out...

Cheers to all.

David
CF Chattanooga, Ignis Aurum Probat

That video is crazy. CF never fails to surprise me. The best comment: "Hide your boobs!"

50 yoa newbie, 5'08, 180

Did "Fran" today...

75# thrusters 10, 11, 10, 5 then 9
Pull Ups in sets of three 7, 5, 3.

approx 16'20"

I hate that d-bag...

It's wierd I was reading some posts from early this morning and when I came back they are no longer there. So much for free thought and the spirit of debate. I knew there was a reason I only looked for the workouts and quit looking at the comment sections. A couple of people don't have something positive to say about the rockstar and they get the boot. Typical.

Crossfit produces elite level fitness because of the hard work of the participants combined with the knowledge and experience of coach and a commitment to the continuing acquisition of knowledge about what works and what doesn't work. Observable, measurable, repeatable. Ideally that is what is supposed to happen in a free market in every sort of enterprise. But liberals don't want a free market because they don't want people to achieve elite levels of success and rewards in the real world. In a pure free market those who would rather talk than do are shown up for what they are: mediocre. Thank you coach, for crossfit and your support of freedom and free markets.

all I know is my 16 year old daughter thought it very inappropriate for her daddy to be watching a video where some chick is standing around in her bra. nuff said

That video belongs on a myspace page, not crossfit.com!

I think this whole video and subsequent "BOOBIESBOOBIESBOOBIES hur hur hur" response is just sad.

You know guys, you can argue AllisonNYC likes to be exploited. Whatever, it is her choice, right? But this is a public forum, and the people dropping in on the comments aren't necessarily on the up-and-up with your "Well, exploiting women is bad unless they like it, and then it's OK" logic. All anyone would see is a girl with big breasts getting the classless, T-Nation treatment. And suddenly, women are not getting the message that Crossfit is for everyone, and praise comes for athleticism and enthusiasm. Nope, a girl is going to think if she gets a video up there she'll have to deal with people being more concerned with checking out her tits and ass instead of her performance. She better make sure her bra is holding everything in rock-solid, because she can't trust the community to be tactful about it and ignore that detail. Nope, if things are bouncing she's going to have guys talking about her "hypnotizing mammaries" or begging her to pull a Baywatch and run by them in a bikini.

Is that the message you want to send to women? Is that the message you want to send to ANYONE checking out our community?

Furthermore, what if AllisonNYC was AlexNYC? And this video was followed by a whole bunch of gay men talking about AlexNYC's bouncing package and how they'd like to oil his chest? Would you appreciate those kinds of comments coming after every Greg or Brandon video? Somehow, I think you'd be less likely to excuse that as just a product of people "having fun" and the "male libido" or whatever bull**** you're using now.

Well said, Emily.

When I was in my 20s, male attention fueled my self esteem, which was a mistake on my part, but I would argue that a lot of women feel the same way as they begin to discover their identity and find a place to fit into the world. As I got older, I realized that parading my sexuality wasn't the answer to establishing my identity, so I've progressed as I imagine most women eventually do.

Male attention is nice, and I've been fortunate enough to get that attention and subsequently meet some wonderful men who at first, were only checking out the goods.

We have to consider the possibility that people are not their bodies, no matter how easy it is to continuously regard them on such superficial terms.

The more I think about it, the more I think that the "no free lunch" ideology is a glib oversimplification and very mean spirited at that.

E.g. I drive a recently divorced mother of two and her kids to work and day-care respectively because she doesn't drive and the only house she can afford is outside of town beyond the reach of the bus station. It takes about half an hour out of my day. If you imagine that I make about $30 an hour, then you can calculate the cost to me as $15. It's not a "free" lunch, it is breakfast lunch and dinner at a vastly discounted rate for a family of three. And it keeps her off public assistance too. That looks like a net gain to me, regardless of how you close the system.

On another note, I'm a little confused about what "liberal" means in this community. It sound like people use it interchangably to mean classical liberal, economic neoliberal, state socialist, social libertarian, pro-labor, member of the democratic party, and left-leaning member of the republican party.

If "liberal" has a meaning beyond "nasty term for somebody I don't like," maybe it would be more clear not to use it thusly.

As for Friedman, didn't he pioneer the regressive income tax? Is that really "free market?"

Coach,
Pretty strong personal words there dont ya think. Obviously I'm not the only one who felt it was gratuitous. Are all the other commenters woman haters also? I like women just fine Mr. Glassman. Actually if you must know I have recommended Crossfit to NUMEROUS people, and I love the principles you promote. I find myself in agreement with 90% of the content. Occasionally things get posted that are a little puzzling and seem out of place. It's your site, obviously you can post whatever you want, but as long as it's a public forum, people will express opinions. I have no ill feelings towards women in general and certainly none toward Allison.

Allison is a spokesman; possibly the most charismatically appealing and outspoken evangelist for CrossFit at present. Why wouldn't Coach, a shrewd businessman, want to showcase her enthusiasm for his company/program/model? Many of us would do the same.

Having said that, I thought the first Allison video (linked from the affiliates page) was better. I might have included "part I" on the mainpage before the controversial "part II", but that's just me and it's not my website.

Gabe:

You are confusing economics with game theory. Economics is a zero sum game. Someone can win only if someone else loses. It is part of the construct.

What you are so hopefully describing can only occur if one assumes the possibility of a non-zero sum game, one in which everyone can win (or lose) together. It is only in this scenario that one can accept the possibility of truly altruistic behavior where no costs are created, and no gain is anticipated or attained.

The economist would say that you have simply failed to examine a large enough system. If you had expanded your field of view the costs (the externalities) would become clear. Rather lacking in romance, to be sure.

TANSTAAFL is an economic concept verbalized by a libertarian science fiction writer. "There ain't no such thing as a free lunch" is an economist's way of saying "no good deed goes unpunished."

Sorry.

Dan, You rock !! Thanks for your comments
I am a serious triathlete and appreciate
your ability to see my athletisim in spite of
major eye candy in front of me.
I take my body and my fitness very seriously.
Many years of hard work has gone into that picture you see. I am 42 and hope to only get fitter as I age gracefully.
Julia

bingo:

If economics truly is zero-sum, then why would economists talk about constant steady growth as the only way to live? Constant growth is irreconcilable with a system that is ultimately zero-sum.

If you want to explain who loses and how by me giving my (now) friend a ride to work, I am open to another interpretation. What you are saying is really wishy-washy. This magical loss can't be seen, but I'm supposed to believe it is there? THAT sounds like religion to me. I get skeptical when people say I can't understand something because I don't have the education (like economics). I'm pretty smart. Smart enough to know I can trust my own judgment.

I totally reject the idea that "no good deed goes unpunished." I've been down deep wells in my life, and that kind of extreme pessimism has no place in my life anymore. I've also seen with my own eyes times when it has been categorically untrue. So much about society would stop working if everyone lived by the maxim "never do anything for anyone else unless you get something in return." What about firefighters? Or paramedics? Or nurses? I know some of each, and they don't get paid nearly what they should considering the services they provide. If you are looking to win converts to a different way of thinking, I don't think that explaining how something that makes them feel good should make them feel bad, eh?

No disrespect intended. Just my point of view.

namaste

Oh, and BTW: I'm pretty sure game theory is a sub-discipline within economics.

Tim,

Well, then I was mistaken. I'm relieved to find that I was wrong. You're owed an apology.

Thanks.

Gabe:

Simply explaining my understanding of economics as a field of study in the context of an economist wrting about the stimulus package. In order to be able to "have their cake and eat it, too" economists have concepts called "externalities" to explain observations outside the system that they may be studying, as well as to acknowledge that there must be some space into which their system (eg. the economy) will grow.

Who knows if life is a zero sum game or a non-zero sum game? I built a business around the concept of non-zero sum behavior, an extrapolation of the concept of aligning personal interests, rowing in the same direction, etc. IMO the economy is a zero-sum game, or a huge collection of zero sum games playing out simultaneously, where the sum expands. EVERYTHING has a cost associated with it (time, $, etc.); the cost is not always painful, or even noticeable, which is why altruistic behavior exists.

Even though it's not free.

It's taken me two days to organize my thoughts and realize that I want to put my opinion in "ink", no matter if anyone reads it.

I didn't like this video. Whatever value the running instruction may have held was hard to appreciate, because of the gratuitous emphasis on Allison's body, and her display of it in the hotel room.

Wearing a sports bra top to do sports is one thing, it's appropriate to the situation. Being filmed in a bra meant to be underwear serves no purpose other than to call attention to itself by nature of its inappropriateness.

I spend a lot of my time and energy with Crossfit. I'm helping to organize the East Coast Crossfit Challenge. I will be in the kitchens supervising the care and feeding of our visiting athletes. I love Crossfit, I think Coach is brilliant. Some of the things I learn here take my breath away with the elegance of Coach's conceptualization and ability to teach complex ideas.

Yet this clip did nothing to showcase athleticism. It was smarmy and sophomoric.

This video today made me feel somewhat ashamed to be a Crossfitting woman.

Susie

Coach said : "We have free speech because we were willing to kill those in opposition to the notion."

This bothers me greatly. If this statement is meant to be taken at face value, it has really quite drastic consequences.

First, it has the same problems as the principle of tolerance. It is problematic to claim to be tolerant while being intolerant of intolerance. It is problematic to be against having the idea of limits on ideas.

Second, do we really kill people because they are opposed to free speech? I thought we (I am assuming he meant as a nation, via military force) killed people when necessary because of their actions -- not because of their ideas, no matter how vile we might find them. Remember, there is a very, very big space between "being opposed to free speech" and imposing that as a doctrine upon someone else.

Third, we are very far from a consensus on what "free speech" means -- even in the world's biggest democratic country. For example, I don't think money is speech, regardless of what the supreme court says. I disagree with the notion of 'free speech zones' (I think a citizen of a free country should have no boundary on where they can say what they want). I think adult video shops have every right to operate. These are points that are being argued today. If we kill people who disagree with us about free speech, we'd better get the gas chambers fired up.

Fourth, embedded in this statement is the implication that only those strong enough to defend it have the right to free speech. What if a smaller, weaker entity wants to disagree with the guy with the gun? Who else is going to speak up after he executes his enemies in the name of free speech?

It is possible there is some sarcasm or exaggeration going on. But it didn't sound like it.

Oh pleeeese! Lighten up!

We all watch and enjoy films and TV shows with gorgeous scantily clad people in, so why take the high moral tone here?

I think Coach is refering to the principle of, "I may disagree with what you say, but I will fight for your right to say it"

Time this was put to bed. Move on. Best to take our training seriously, but not ourselves.

bingo:

So if an economist constructs a framework to explain a system, and then it turns out that it doesn't work, he can say "the framework is valid, but there were unanticipated externalities"? That is really difficult to take seriously.

And I see a fatal self contradiction with the term "a huge collection of zero sum games playing out simultaneously, where the sum expands."

If every time someone succeeds, someone else loses, who loses when I beat my Fran PR? ;)

anon:

How could free speech be "imposed" on anyone? I refrain from interfering with your free speech and I'm forcing something on you? Alternatively, if you try to take away my right of free speech and in self defense I'm forced to kill you what's wrong with that? I should just say "Well, I don't want to ever have to kill anyone so I'll just give up all my rights". Yes, people willing to defend their rights have them. Pacifists deserve what they get.

Regarding the Allison video, I was not offended in the slightest. As for the men who voiced their appreciative comments I can only guess they are stationed somewhere where they don't have the company of women and are very appreciative of any "eye candy". I know many years ago on the USS Saratoga my shipmates and I were very appreciative of the "eye candy" that Bob Hope brought onto our ship when he visited. Completely harmless and it doesn't take anything away from the other outstanding content on this website. My personal taste in testosterone revving eye candy is Eva T. Allison states her goal is to be an Eva T. I say "Go Allison!" It is not necessary to be offended and make hurtful remarks. As we used to say when I was a kid "It takes all kinds" and "It's a free country". Peace.

Regarding the article: Giving money to people who didn't pay that money into the government coffers in the first place is ridiculous. Do I agree that it'll make no difference or a negative difference? No. It leaves out the fact that money spent by ANY private individual (no matter how financially incompetent) is better spent than if it were to be spent by government. Now, this says nothing about the fact that it's wholly unconstitutional, but that became "just a piece of paper" a long time ago, the last time they properly implemented a new policy (by amending the constitution) was prohibition.

Now, regarding the video, come on. Would you feel completely comfortable watching that video with your grandmother, your wife, or your children sitting next to you? If it was only the running portion, sure, and maybe Allison didn't think it was going to be put on the main site, but if I were in that situation, I'd have at least a t-shirt on. I can understand if someone just finished running and was in a sports bra immediately following an event, but if your clothes are sitting there in the hotel room, put 'em on for the interview please. I appreciate a lovely lady as much as any other guy (well, maybe not as much as Slick Willie, but that's another story), but I don't want to see a lady who's not my wife in anything like this.

I've said it many times before, think of it this way: If you don't make videos like this (or at least post not safe for work/family) with either questionable visual or audio content (repeated use of the F-bomb or similar words), do you lose anything by NOT making videos like this (or posting nfs/nws)? No, you lose nothing. But do you lose anything by making these videos? Obviously. Look at this, over 440 posts on this single topic alone, a good chunk of which are people saying "ugh, please don't do that again". On the other days when there's just a normal video, do you ever hear people saying "Why aren't we seeing more boobies?" or "Why didn't the dude drop the F-bomb in that song?"

It boils down to a fundamental difference I see between two organizations I'm associated with. Both are privately held organizations, and can act however they see fit. Both are tremendous in their fields, but on one hand we have Crossfit, Inc, who seems to be ok promoting questionable material that I don't want to copy myself, let alone my children, whether it be questionable visuals, lyrics, or even words coming out of an interviewer's mouth. When someone does something we all know is blatantly out of line with family values, it puts their leadership and influence in question. If I'm listening to a leader in any field explain something, and he all of a sudden goes "and now you have a f*ing problem", it doesn't help his standing in my life. But the same thing could be said with a different word, and nobody would question it.

I dunno, a client of mine tipped me off to this video, asked if I saw it yet, which I hadn't, and I literally waited till nobody else was around to see what he meant by it was questionable and people were debating it, and I'm honest, I didn't even finish the video, I skipped to the middle, seeing something on-topic, and when I saw more of the interview in that attire, I closed it and said forget it.

Mike Erickson:

I think I was unclear. The doctrine I am referring to in my point number two is the doctrine of being opposed to free speech. I absolutely agree that "we" must take action against people who impose that doctrine on us. (The doctrine of being opposed to free speech.)

However, merely being opposed to free speech is not in and of itself the same thing as actively quashing speech. Using free speech to oppose free speech is inherently absurd, yet people do it all the time. And they should be allowed to so that everyone else can see that they are idiots.

This brings up an interesting point, though. As it stands, free speech is a negative freedom -- no one can tell you not to. But it's not really a positive freedom, is it? Access to the channels of communication are very very unevenly distributed. How does that play into a debate on free speech?

Gabe:

1st paragraph: I don't believe that the situation you have described is a valid one, that an economist would make that claim.

2nd paragraph: I fully accept the difficulty in this concept and plead that this represents the outer limits of my understanding of economics :=)

3rd paragraph: what interpersonal transaction occurred during your PR? I'm sure you know that I've said many times that CF is "you vs. you", but I don't think that counts in Game theory! Although, judging by the look on people's faces after Fran, she ALWAYS wins...

Anon:
Sorry if I misread your post. I don't think coach was talking about killing people who merely talk about censoring certain content but was talking about the origins of our constitution, the American revolution. The framers essentially signed our constitution in blood. That's what it takes to be free.

I don't believe in "positive" rights. Freedom does not guarantee equal outcomes.

The most important channel of communication is the internet which is approaching nearly universal access. Witness the growth and popularity of blogs with widely varying opinions. And the growth of Crossfit. I hope the internet doesn't become regulated like the rest of the media. Imagine some of the crossfit workouts being censored because they're too "dangerous". Maybe coach could get a pass because he already has the disclaimer: "This could kill you".

Coach -
You said the same video of a flat chested unattractive lass would have received no complaints - the whole point is that this video could not have been made about a flat chested lass, seeing as it is a video about boobs. But a flat chested lass could certainly be a used as a demonstration of how to improve running form and enthusiasm if that is what you were trying to get across. And I don't think that same flat chested lass would insist on being interviewed in her bra.

Disappointed,

It's no more about boobs than Huck Finn is about river rafting. Watch it again and this time notice the parts that have nothing to do with boobs - closing your eyes will help. The boobs are, perhaps, gratuitous, and pretty, but so what. Hating either Allison or the video because you can see her boobs seems pathological.

I don't find the female form fundamentally repugnant. I don't find Allison's silliness other than disarming. I didn't miss the running bits because of Alli's...

Several of you used the word "exploitation". This is liberal crap. Give it three more years and we'll see some of you calling the video a "holocaust", me a "Nazi" for allowing, and watching it "torture".

"The video and the article are bait for lefties. They hate women and love socialism."

Coach, This is conservative crap. Does that mean in three years you'll be calling lefties "faggots" or "pinkos", and our demonstration of ideas a "gay pride parade" or "communist revival".

Over reaction as answer to over reaction as answer to over reaction.

I say all this with caveat of a thank you for the knowledge and the forum to speak.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godwin%27s_law

From a Godwin's law FAQ:
s
5. So - *WHAT DOES IT MEAN*?

"... It means that somebody's eventually going to says something about the Nazis in any thread that lasts very long. When it happens, the thread is going to start either degenerating into a long flame war over Nazi Germany or about Godwin's Law. Either way, the thread is effectively over, and you can safely killfile the thread and move on."

Suggested Open-Source CrossFit Modification:

"You can safely move on after everyone does 150 burpees and concludes more pressing issues involve zone blocks and/or where to get good protein powder."

Anna Kournikova was my favorite female tennis player. That’s because I don’t care about Tennis. I just like looking at Anna Kournikova.

On the other hand, I care about (love) CrossFit. I suspect that is why so many people were annoyed by the video. I agree that the hysteria that surrounds every gratuitous shot is silly. Many people have become hyper sensitive to the endless victim status afforded to anyone and everyone. But there is a more important (to CrossFit) issue here.

Is AllisonNYC being held up as an elite athlete, of the caliber of Annie, Eva, or Nicole; or is she simply being used to illustrate an enthusiastic better-than-average CrossFitter, who hopes and aspires to be something more?

If the answer is the former, then people have every right to be disgusted, and their response is not much different than when they see any superstar athlete from a sport they care about behave like an idiot. But if the answer is the latter, then I think Coach’s perspective makes a lot more sense.

We look at the video and see what we want. If Allison were my sister, my daughter, or a fellow Black Box member, I would pull her aside and tell her that I think she is compromising her potential (which I consider to be considerable) by drawing so much attention away from her athletic skills and focusing it on her looks and personality. And I have told her just that. And Allison might respond by genuinely thanking me for my concern, but telling me that she wants to live her own life on her own terms. And she has told me just that.

It is one thing to respect women as a group or in the abstract. It is another to respect a woman as an individual. I respect Allison to make her own choices, even if I disagree with them. Allison does not seem to be holding herself out as a role model for all woman, all little girls, or anyone else. We’re all grownups. We can pick the role models we want. Among female CrossFitters, I pick Annie, Nicole, and Eva. Even if one or all of those three ends up making what I perceive to be a bad or an incredibly bad choice, they will still be among the athletes I most admire. If Allison ever gets as good as them, I’ll feel the same about her. That’s Allison’s goal. I hope she gets there

"It's no more about boobs than Huck Finn is about river rafting."

"We look at the video and see what we want."

WOW- finally something real

Hari, you should have stopped while you had ONE thing right.

I hope there are many more videos to come- maybe somebody through this entire process will find something about them self that they want to change, and then actually change it, instead of trying to project it on Allison.

Those of you who were soooo critical of Allison, I admire you for hanging your dirty self image out in the open for us all to see. Now that takes ballz.

Whatever is inside your melon that causes YOU to be so harsh and negative and project it on the world needs to be exercised.

Most people in this world KNOW that everything you see is just a reflection of yourself. Those of you that were and are negative towards your fellow crossfitter should not be embarrassed, but rather use that energy to change. Try and resist being mean to your fellow man. Be responsible for you're own insecurities rather then hiding them behind "morals", "family values" and other shields of denial.

When you get upset or offended, it is because you are arguing with reality. That argument can never be won. For you bible beaters, that means you are arguing with GOD.

Can't believe I'm back on this thread, but glad I did come back.

Very well said, Hari.

Coach, in this thread, you've called the use of the term 'exploitation':

1. "Talibanesque misogyny"
2. "Liberal crap."

These terms seem to be almost polar opposites and thus, quite illogical. And, I'm thinking that a woman-hating, Taliban Democrat (if there exists such a thing) might not get far on this forum.

That said, I happen to be politically conservative.

What's with all the silliness in this thread? I for one find Allison a very attractive woman, but I did not find the video to be provocotive at all. Maybe some of you critics live in a bubble, or perhaps never been to a gym in the last 10 years? Really, what's the big deal? I'm sure you all must be greatly offended when you go to the beach and see women in tiny bikinis? Do you shut your eyes when Victoria's Secret commercials air on your television? How many times have we seen Greg without his shirt? I've seen comments by women admiring Greg's body, but there wasn't any backlash like there is with Allison. A man can take off his shirt, bu a woman with a bra on is shocking? Come on people, stop being so petty. I think some of you folks need to take an anatomy course to get over the "shock" of seeing a partially clothed woman on the internet.

Gracious. 458 comments? Does anybody posting here remember Siameser? A hint is she was featured in the most recent CrossFit Journal, with respect to an accomplishment that should surprise no one who has followed her for any amount of time. She's admirably tough. Period.

It's not clear if the topic is Allison or the inventor (I assume) of the Laffer Curve.

With respect to the former, I have no comment, other than to say that I hope she has since corrected her running form deviations.

With respect to the latter, my only comment is to say that this "stimulus" feels a lot more like a spending spree on a credit card. We are currently running a budget deficit. If we take tax money, and don't apply it to servicing or reducing the debt, then we are in effect charging it. This prolongs the day of reckoning, when we start to actually live within our means, but that is all.

Republicans do not appear to be any longer "conservative". I had a dream last night in which Barry Goldwater appeared to me, and suggested I read "Conscience of a Conservative", which I plan to do.

I will add, that it also occurred to me that what our modern educational establishments appear to teach is that when an issue is contested, the truth lies somewhere in the middle.

If this is true, then all that is necessary to subvert the process of "truth" gathering is to strike extreme positions, and demand they be considered as moderate. Even if you don't get precisely what you want, you get most of it, by virtue of manipulating where the "middle" appears to be.

This is where we are at currently. The Left is not stupid, at least with respect to tactics. One does still wonder how intelligence can remain wedded to obviously unobtainable goals. That would warrant an essay in itself.

Craig H,

No, I've called the shock, disgust, and disappointment at a well endowed women in a bra "Talibanesque Misogyny", and the mindless chanting of "exploitation" liberal crap. I know it's en vogue to see the horrors of the Taliban as somehow philosophically related to the American right. I just don't buy it is all. It's not that I can't find the claim just no support for it.

Mr. White,

The existence of liberal crap doesn't preclude the existence of conservative crap. Your reaction seems to suggest as much, or at least requires mutual exclusivity to make sense.

Were someone to have posted on here that we, and Allison, and all who watch the video are going to go to Hell for so doing then I'd have had a different response. What we got was more of the I hate Laffer and the exploitation of Allisons boobs response. The shrieks of horror from the extreme left and extreme right on the subject of beautiful women are both shrill yet distinct.

Coach has refered to running 5k's and 10k's as fillers like iceburg lettuce is to nutrition. Thats what the AYNC videos appear to be...big ol' fillers.

I don't hate AYNC because she's half naked in a Crossfit videos. Never met her so I don't know one way or the other. I will say because most people will never meet her, they will form an opinion from the videos and their context. Good or bad.

It never ceases to amaze me how when someone disagrees with a video or execise tehnique you are labeled as a hater or trying to tear someone down. Common sense would dictate that if a video or picture is posted on the internet someone is going to have a differnce of opinion. I think the old say holds true...Opinions are like @@@holes, everbody has one and most of them stink.

I think the videos are serving their desired purpose from the people posting them. It generates an ample amount of discussion and more people coming to the site. If not for the fitness aspect of the site then for the viewing some well endowed athletes. When I first started Crossfit most of the thread postings hovered around 200 or below. Now they can found to be in the 500's.

I think its time both sides of the argument pull up his or her respective big boy or big girl pants and move on. This argument like the AYNC videos have been played out. It's my opinion and hopefully if it does not displease the powers that be too much it might stay posted.

I am a relatively new crossfitter and enjoy watching the training videos. I have to say I was pretty disappointed with this one. What part in crossfit does a girl in a bra in a hotel room play in this. I have to believe there are young viewers watching thia as well. I would use better descretion next time.

chris cerci crossfit pittsburgh
United States Grand National Champion
Firefighter Combat Challenge
team STIHL

Very good article, the bottom line is this "stimulus" package is code for another transfer of wealth...this is slowly weakening our country. It's a sad state of affairs when people who produce less (a rebate implies that one has already paid...many who will receive these rebates don't pay taxes) receive more...if this happened in any company or community it would be called stealing. Whether we get a temporary fix or not from these rebates...long term it is detrimental to the country

#462, Chris Cerci, writes,

"I have to believe there are young viewers watching thia as well. I would use better descretion next time."

This is a pretty old and tired argument used by the Right whenever it looks to censor or to encourage self-censorship. There are children who manage to get their hands on adult literature, but that doesn't mean writers need to exercise discretion in choosing what to write:

"The constitution does not permit a state to reduce its adult population to reading only what is fit for children."

Surely this site is not among even the top one million child unsafe or unfriendly sites on the web.

Hari,

This site promotes crossfit kids, because of that you need to use good descretion. I said nothing about reading anything. This is about viewing. If you think it makes it right or ok because others do it then you are just as guilty as using an old an tired argument. the bottom line is when you have young viewers you have to use good descretion or you will probably see parents get involved.

This is a pretty old and tired argument used by the Right whenever it looks to censor or to encourage self-censorship.

And yet if someone were to say "Allison NYC is just a slut looking for attention" it would be censored pretty quick, wouldn't it?

#465, Chris Cerci, writes,

"This site promotes crossfit kids, because of that you need to use good descretion."

Is there a reason that that a business (e.g., Disney) that promotes books or movies for children should not also promote books or movies that some parents might not want their children to see?

There is always something that some parents will want to shield their children from. On this site, that might include: detailed information about the deaths of soldiers (too frightening or traumatic); details about fighting and self defense (too violent); use of bad language; women in their underwear.

#466, Stan 3,

I assume that your point is that if CrossFit is willing to censor you as it sees fit, it should also censor itself as you see fit.

The corollary of free speech is the right not to listen to or print speech that one finds uninteresting or objectionable. You are not being censored when you are denied the opportunity to launch a personal attack on this particular forum, and you are not being censored when a newspaper decides not to print your letter.

I have to say I am pretty disturbed that you would even consider comparing honoring a soldiers death with a woman in her underware. the information shared about a soldier is to honor him or her and I have to say I have never read anything graphic about LODD or saw a self defense video that was to violent. the fact that you see them on a same level is pretty sad, but I get it now.

#468, Chris Cerci,

I can see that you are "pretty disturbed."

My point is that different parents object to different things, and it is unreasonable to expect that a business conduct itself in a manner that would provide no offense to any parent.

If you are trying to shield your children from ever seeing a woman in her bra, you have a pretty tough job.

My wife would probably agree with you about the pretty distrurbed crack. anyway, thanks for the fun debate. chris

Coach,

Thanks for responding, despite my obvious sarcasm. I see your point.

Cheers.

I count numerous videos on crossfit.com with topless beefcake men on this site and no one complains. All they do is comment on the work out.

In this video we have a novice runner who happens to be female and hot, with tons of good information from the instructor on her running form. If all you saw were boobies then you apparently missed the man in the hat tearing apart her form.

Here is a hint it is in between the 10 second bathroom scenes that annoy you so much.

Adam

Allison NYC
You rock girl, keep up the good work!

Misogyny and low-key sexual exploitation have always been central to crossfit's marketing.

Calling AllisonNYC a "good sport" implies that she's being taken advantage of, and is bearing it with a grin. Just because a woman in a pornographic movie is not crying while she's being filmed doesn't mean she isn't being exploited.

Responding to the reality of crossfit's misogynistic themes with free-speech related defensiveness and a reactionary caution that "if you don't like it don't watch it" misses the point. If normalizing it that way lets you live with yourself, fine, but that doesn't make the double standard go away: that male xfitters are athletes, and women xfitters are objects.

Right. The women who run crossfit are out to exploit women. Meanwhile Allison is working on multiple muscle-ups.

Allison: RESPECT!

Julie (brought to you by www.now.org): ??

#464, Julie McIntosh,

Does the National Organization for Women hold its own to the same standard that you apparently hold AllisonNYC?

See:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/19/AR2007071902668.html

I'm so mad at crossfit.com! In the last 1.5 years I've mentioned this "great website" to a lot of people who probably respected me back then.

Now you make me look like an idiot with these sick videos. Until I find a pure fitness version of this site, I can never suggest crossfit to anyone. The fitness is great, but the website is completely out of step with me, my feelings, my friends, etc.

You like to say crossfit is for anyone ... the fitness may be, but the website is not for me or anyone I want to share it with. Can you please start a separate pure fitness website that truly is for anyone (my kids and my grandparents)? PLEASE!!!!!

OMG...Dave Shuttie

More Fitness, less Soft Core Porn.

Thanks.

Wow, that just might be--no, it is--the most articulate and rational post on this thread, megamega (comment #368). Thank you for taking the time to compose an intelligent interjection into this morass of bad argument and ad hominem attack (or ad hominem adulation, neither of which is remotely relevant).

One does not have to hate fun or sex or women or men or America to be dismayed by the deeply mixed messages at play in all this. And thinking about--and asking others to think about--the subtleties and effects of this sort of thing does not make one automatically either a feminazi or a misogynist.

Megamega's post copied in below, because, really, it's worth reading again:

It may be that I know AllisonNYC personally. And it may be that I can attest to the fact that she is a consistently decent and kind-hearted person. Let’s stipulate that these facts are true. It’s also true that these facts are immaterial to the discussion at hand.

Feminism in its most basic form is the notion that women can transcend being appreciated merely for their sexual appeal. Or can accomplish things only for that reason. This seems like it is too rudimentary a notion to have to point out, but I guess life is full of surprises. When Nicole smokes a burly fireman in an overhead squat test, this is subversive. It turns expectations upside down, and makes men (and women) re-examine what it means to be athletic. We have to throw out our preconceptions about strength and appreciate athletic merit for its own sake, divorced from gender. We realize how unfounded our notions about male athletic superiority can be.

At its best Crossfit drives that point relentlessly home. This is one of the many noble things about Crossfit, and something I’m proud to be around. It's exhilarating actually.

But what Crossfit gives with one hand it seemingly takes away with another, at least on its website. By making a spectacle of bras and boobs, it sends precisely the opposite message. It celebrates the merely prurient. And before you scream “lighten up,” there is some subtlety I’m asking you to think about. Asking questions about the underlying message doesn’t mean one is a Victorian prude who hates fun and America too. Those remarks are the responses of imbeciles; a good response for a Scientologist, but not for a rational, independent human.

Even though Allison does not seem to object (even as it presumably serves her own purposes), this doesn’t mean there isn’t a problem. There are lots of women who subject themselves to the odious stricture of the burka, and while they are free to do so, on any moral calculus this ought to be condemned since they become un-persons by agreeing to the act. In at least one case then, agreeing to the treatment doesn’t change the moral landscape one bit.

Crossfit takes women seriously as athletes, but then we get this stuff, and the frat boys arrive cracking jokes with the subtlety and finesse of a jack hammer (what are you feeding those things? Cleeeeeeever). Is this the official Crossfit position, or is it merely tolerated? Is there a difference?

I love Crossfit—it’s an incredible group of people, and watching the transformations people forge for themselves is exceptionally gratifying. There is plenty of room for fun, and no one here, least of all me, is calling for some stultifying PC speech code. Still, there are serious issues at play with this sort of thing that warrant some introspection on the part of this community. Hoots from the gallery to “chill out” don’t really address this issue in a thoughtful way.

Comment #368 - Posted by: megamega at February 15, 2008 3:14 PM

So, I broke down and by virtue of the array of comments, decided to watch the infamous Allison video and make a comment. Below are my $.02

As for the video, I learned something about running. I thought that was good for me, so I will try to remember what I learned and apply it in my future workouts. Other than that, I thought it was an attempt to make more of a movie through a certain style than anything. Was it necessary to have her parading around in her bra in the hotel room? No. Do I get an impression of her, based on the video? Yes, right or wrong, but I do. Finally, and most importantly, do I really care? No. What she is doing in the video does not affect me in the least, except for me seeing the guy teaching the running technique that will definitely help me out. Is this video making it any easier for women to be respected? Not in the least. Ultimately, this doesn't really affect me, so it doesn't bother me terribly.

Ricardo

Wow...megamega said it best. Looks like a page taken directly from the one my literary criticism books.

I think a whole of of people are tired of Alison's attention-whoring. It's not just the video(s). She's always trying to turn the comments section into her personal forum. Enough. Does she wait next to the computer hitting refresh so that she can be first to post? Other people attention-whore too and are just as annoying (J-Rock). I pretty much ignore them & hope they'll eventually chill. I figured they'd burn out after a couple months but they're still going strong. I don't care about their drama, I just want to look up OPT/AFT/Speal's scores. I'll go back to ignoring the annoying now.

BTW, for better or worse, the vid makes it more difficult to be taken seriously and iffy to promote within the framework of the Armed Services and all it's sexual harassment tip-toeing.

Amen. Try pointing out the obvious if you're a female--then we're "jealous" or "insecure," none which are true.

Words cannot describe how much lamer this video was that I thought. 4 minutes on how someone doesn't know how to run? WOW fascinating... lets get serious, her boobs are what made the cut, nothign eles.