Coach Brooks has been training and Coaching at CrossFit Durable for over 3 years. He is our Barbell Club Head Coach and is responsible for programming and ensuring all athletes are making serious gains. Coach Brooks holds his CrossFit Level 1 & Olympic Weightlifting certification (USAW). Try not to get lost in his eyes during the interview...it's hard!
John Newman is CFD's Member of the Month!!!
John has been a member with CFD since we first opened our doors 3 years ago. If he's missing from class you notice it as a coach, because he always brings a ton of energy and a smile. We imagine John was a class clown in his early years, but this may have just been a learned behavior as he got older and wiser. Day in and day out John puts in work to become a better athlete, which he proved by finishing in 1st place in his age group at his last CrossFit competition, and a frole model for his two sons, Austin and Aaron. John even married his high school sweetheart, Gena! They will celebrate 20 years of marriage this month!!! Congratulations John!!!!
What did you think about CrossFit before you walked through the doors for the first time? Hmm.. tough one.. a life style aka cult kinda both. 5 minutes workout.. please how will I get in shape doing that!
What kept you coming back? Team approach.. the challenging workout gets me out of a concall
What might you tell someone who is still on the fence about trying CrossFit? Give it 30 days believe In the programming.
What’s your favorite WOD/Movement? Push Press
What is the last thing you googled? Life360
What is a weird fact that people may not know about yourself? Gena is my wife not my side chick... celebrating 20 years of marriage November 15!
If you could choose one superpower what would it be and why? Flight...traffic
What was the first concert you ever saw? Led Zeppelin
What new skill will you have a year from now? What new skill will you have a year from now? Double under or muscle up...
October Committed Club
Check out who showed up in October!
Committed Club:Classes Attended
Kristine Yesnowski 27
Honorable Mention
Committed Club:
Randy Lacasse 19
john newman 19
Jeff Varnes 18
Bryant Cruzado 18
Catherine Baker 17
Charlene Harbourt 16
Nicole Varnes 16
Mike Garavito 16
Lilia DeWald 15
Lora Loconti 15
Maggie Hernandez 15
Ani Rigual Brown 15
Chris Mount 15
Bridget Occidental 15
Sandy Genberg 14
Emmy Blandin 14
Vonnie Price 14
Soma Martin 13
Paolo Catapang 13
Dave Gowen 13
Chris Credno 13
Kristine Yesnowski is CFD's Member of the Month!!!
Kristine goes to work from 930am - 1130am on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. What does she do? She trains! CrossFit and then Boot Camp immediately following it. (she goes tuesday and thursday too but we only let her stay an hour)
For the past 4 months we've been sending out our "Committed" rankings. (# of classes attended for the following month). You'll find Kristine's name at the top of the list every time...the 1 month she wasn't was because she was suffering from pneumonia, and even then she made it in 15+ times. (we all feel lazier around her).
Kristine has an infectious energy and always makes the classes fun to coach and be a part of. We're so very happy to get to celebrate her this month!
Meet Kristine...
What did you think about CrossFit before you walked through the doors for the first time?
To be completely honest I was nervous. I did Crossfit in Massachusetts, Rhode Island & Pennsylvania for a little more than 2 years but due to an injury and the move to VA, I had been off for two years and was afraid I wouldn't remember all the movements or be able to do all of them anymore.
What kept you coming back?
To me Crossfit is like an addiction. Once I started, I loved it and couldn't stop. I tried other programs and workouts but it wasn't the same as a Crossfit workout. I've been to several different Crossfit boxes between Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and Virginia and I can honestly say that out of all of them that I've been to, Crossfit Durable is the absolute best one yet! The coaches are extremely knowledgeable, motivational and exceptionally helpful, all the members are friendly, caring and positive... the entire atmosphere is truly outstanding.
What might you tell someone who is still on the fence about trying CrossFit?
Just try it!!! It may be intimidating at first to see people who are lifting heavy weights and doing incredibly tough workouts but everyone started at the same place that you are at. And although you may not be able to put as much weight on the bar or jump as high as others, each workout can be scaled and each person does their best at what they can do. It's all about making your workout work for you.
What’s your favorite WOD/Movement?
My favorite movement used to be back squats because it wasn't as technical as other movements and at least I could do it... but now I'm really working hard on getting better form on my cleans and I really like them ( even though I currently have two painful bruises on my collarbone ) So practice practice practice!!
What is the last thing you googled?
Kettlebell belly rings & Paleo Pumpkin recipes
What is a weird fact that people may not know about yourself?
This is a tough one because I'm pretty much like an open book. There's not much people don't know about me and most of them already think that I'mplenty weird…However; I guess a weird fact about me that I don't think anyone knows is that I wrote about 5 children's books that I haven't tried to get published yet. So who knows, maybe some day I will.
If you could choose one superpower what would it be and why?
If I had to choose a superpower, it would be the ability to regenerate and heal myself like Wolverine. I would fix my shoulder, my knees, my elbows and anything else that limits me from doing certain movements.
What was the first concert you ever saw?
This question will really show my age, ha ha! The first concert I ever saw was the Beach Boys when I was in third grade. My cousin and I were dancing on the chairs, so their photographer came over and took a picture of us for their personal scrapbook.
What new skill will you have a year from now?
Hopefully a year from now I will have perfected my cleans!!
Congratulations to Gabby Gowen, CFD's Member of the Month~!
The staff is thrilled to get to recognize Gabby as Durable's Member of the Month! Not only did she finish first in the Region at the Garage Games, she also represented Durable at the National Championships for her age group. She was 1 of 10 athletes in the nation that was invited to compete in event!
Gabby trains in our CrossFit Kids program and also does Personal Training with Coach Jenn to work on skill and strength work.
Next time you see Gabby in the evenings make sure to congratulate her on all of her success!
What brought you to Crossfit?
When I was little, my Dad did CrossFit at home and it looked really cool. I used to do gymnastics but there was too much drama for me. So when we moved to Haymarket, my Mom signed me up. I'm so glad she did, because Its my favorite hobby and everyone is nice...no drama!
What’s your favorite WOD/Movement? Barbell work.
What is the last thing you ate? Chicken Marsala, raw carrots and a glass of water.
What is a weird fact that people may not know about yourself? That I love Big Foot and secretly hope to see one some day.
If you could choose one super power what would it be and why?To become become invisible when I want to. Why? So I can sneak attack and spy on people.
If you could be a new color in the crayon box what would you be?Gabby Gray
Are there any goals you're still working towards? I'm trying to do more than 3 butterfly pull ups. I'm also working on pistols.