BTSCF Newsletter - July 2021
Summer is in full swing. The CrossFit Games are upon us. We got stronger and we’re building our engines. Check out what is going on at BTSCF this month.
Silverback Barbell Club
Last month we finished our Silverback Barbell Club cycle geared toward the CrossFit Total benchmark. For twelve weeks our athletes put in the work developing their Back Squat, Strict Press, and Deadlift. New milestones were accomplished across the three lifts.
Congratulations to everyone who completed the cycle.
In Case You Missed It….
We continued our look at “Defining Fitness” with Part 2 of our series. This is a collection of articles and information from the CrossFit Journal which is designed to help bring a new level of understanding to why we do what we do in the gym.
Start Your Engines
We kicked off our next specialty training cycle with our BTSCF Engine Builder program. This program is designed to improve cardio and respiratory capacity as well as improve running and rowing technique. This program is built around a series of workouts over the course of 12 weeks that varies the speed and distances athletes will run and row. The purpose is to help develop gears and teach our athletes how to use running and rowing during CrossFit workouts to recover and continue moving.
We cannot wait to see these athletes progress through the cycle.
It’s Games Season
The 2021 No Bull CrossFit Games are underway to determine who is the Fittest on Earth. The competition kicked off on July 27th and will run through August 1st. In addition to finding the fittest individual men, women and team, this year’s competition includes a new Masters Division for men and women 65 years old and older. Also new this year were three adaptive divisions for upper extremity, lower extremity, and neuromuscular.
Who will be crowned Fittest on Earth?
Also in CrossFit Games news, the 2022 Season will kick off on February 24, 2022.
BTSCF Feature Athlete
Meet Anthony Ciancio
When did you start CrossFitting?
Around 2015 went for a little while, liked it alot, but hurt my back and unfortunately then never got motivated to get back into it. I started at BTSCF in June 2021.
What brought you to CrossFit?
Two things:
1. My wife. Living the quarantine life was starting to really get to me. No real interaction with people outside my house and nothing to really keep me motivated was hurting my well being. She reminded me how much I liked it when we lived in Jersey, and suggested that since I was home more that I should give it a shot. She was right, it was a great idea and I thank her for reminding me!
2. A couple years ago I was over 300 lbs and had gastric sleeve surgery to lose weight and get my overall health in check, but I wanted to get physically stronger as well and I knew crossfit would get me there.
What have you learned from doing CrossFit?
Discipline, dedication, technique, and that even when I think I can't do something, it turns out I can or at least get close to it. Also, getting out of my own head. Just because I can't do something, I'm in there trying and hopefully soon it'll happen!
What would you say to someone who is on the fence about starting CrossFit?
DO IT. CrossFit is a great group of tight knit people who support you no matter what your physical ability is. Crossfit and its athletes push you to go past what you THINK your capabilities are.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I just started playing golf. I enjoy spending time with my wife and kids, movies, and concerts.
What do you do for work and how has CrossFit impacted how you do your job?
Video news editor. Luckily working from home has now given me the opportunity to workout right after work. Crossfit has helped me feel more active and I'm getting up from my desk more to move around and stretch throughout the day.
We put Anthony through the lightning round, here’s what he had to say:
Q: What super power would you give yourself?
A: Super strength
Q: What's your favorite healthy food?
A: Fruit
Q: What's your favorite not so healthy food?
A: Bacon makes everything better
Q: What TV Sitcom family or group would you be a member of?
A: The Office
Q: If you were famous, what would you be famous for?
A: BBQ-ing, got a smoker at the beginning of quarantine and everything gets cooked outside!
Q: If you could write your own fortune cookie fortune, what would it say?
A: Words mean nothing without action
Q: If you were a professional wrestler, what would you finishing move be called?
A: Lights Out
Q: Who do you look up to for inspiration at BTSCF?
A: Tough question..... aside from all the athletes who put in 110% and cheer everyone on and give tips to newer athletes, I would have to say Frank for his ability to explain every workout so thoroughly and give such positive reinforcement. Jon H for constantly pushing me and not letting me give less. Mike for his expertise and knowing how to get an athlete on the right path to reach their goal.
Q: What is your favorite and least favorite movement?
A: Favorite back squats. Least, burpee box jump overs (I mean they are both kind of a pain, why combine them?!)
Q: What is the one thing you've done at BTSCF that your old self wouldn't ever believe?
A: Kipping swings. It may not seem like much but I could never get from hollow to arch without it looking like I was just flopping around. Now I'm able go get some in with rhythm and also add leg lifts with it. My goal is to get a kipping pull up and bar muscle up.