'300' Workout Challenge Results

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This Saturday we had 25 people show up for the '300' workout challenge. Congratulations to Brett Sepi of SPC-CrossFit, the top male finisher with a time of 15:15 and to Kate Rawlings of CrossFit Cleveland West with a time of 19:03! Here are more photos -- a video is on the way.

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If you're wondering what is on Brett's feet, those are Vibram Five Fingers.

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We Have Moved!

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We have moved from 1300 usable sq feet to 3200 usable sq ft plus high ceilings! New location: 2218 Superior The new spot is across the street and 1/2 block East of our old space.

Parking Options (in red):
1) along the street in front of the building entrance
2) along the street across the road from the building
3) The parking lot for A&G Furniture
4) The lot on the corner E24 & Superior
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Adam Kantelas joined Carl Sandridge and Aaron Shaffer recently as our third CrossFit Level 1 instructor -- and this weekend Adam received his CrossFit Kettlebell Certification. Congrats Adam! Adam leads our CrossFit workouts Tuesday and Friday evenings.

Collectively our trainers now carry CrossFit Level 1, CrossFit Olympic Lifiting, CrossFit Powerlifting, CrossFit Kettlebell Certifications, and NASM. Aaron will be pursuing his CSCS in January after graduation, Carl is pursuing his ACSM, and Mark is pursuing his Masters in nutrition and Medical Dietetics. As a side note we haven't deliberately chosen all male trainers - we'd like to have several female CrossFit instructors too. Please let us know if you're interested.

Just a reminder, you can contact any trainer individually by using their FirstName@crossfitcle.com. This includes Aaron, Carl, Adam, Mark, and Joe.
Rogue Fitness in Columbus is hosting a Level 1 cert this Nov 22-23. These certs fill up quickly so if you've been waiting for something local now is your chance! Rogue Fitness is home to Caity Matter, female champion of the 2008 CrossFit Games.

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This Tuesday Coach Glassman, Coach Rippetoe, Dr Lon Kilgore, Robb Wolf, and Andy Stumpf all got together for a discussion on CrossFit and some of the criticisms that some, specifically Mike Boyle of the NSCA, make about the program. This episode stands out above the rest. You can listen immediately below or download the MP3 here.

More Space!

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Thank you to all of you who have helped CrossFit CLE to remain a success. Due to increasing membership we are considering relocation to a larger space. Please keep your eyes open for possible options. Ideally the space is:
1) East of downtown
2) 4000-5000sq ft
3) Free Parking
4) High-ceilings / warehouse
5) Ground floor (ability to drop weights)

CrossFit in the News

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CrossFit received some press in our local Cleveland Plain Dealer this week! Editor Zach Lewis's comments remind me of the day I started CrossFit two years ago:

"As an occasional triathlete, I've grown quasi-comfortable switching from one sport to another. Assuming I can swim, I usually don't have much trouble in a triathlon jumping out of the water and onto a bike, or from there into a run. But boy did I have trouble with CrossFit, a fitness program in which transition is the founding principle. Slogging my way through one of its timed, circuit workouts, I quickly came to feel like throwing in the towel, even as I sensed the benefits."

About the Trainers

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Carl D Sandridge
Trainer, CrossFit CLE
CrossFit Level 1 Certified
Pursuing ACSM-PT and NSCA-CSCS Certifications
BA, Sports Management, Tiffin (1998)

I've trained for intercollegiate athletics, martial arts and boxing, and managed facilities for one of the nation's largest health clubs. If there's a fitness routine in existence, I've probably tried it to one extent or another. One thing I know -- nothing compares to CrossFit workouts. The concept is simple, effective, and fun. Workouts are no longer mundane or boring, and don't take hours to complete. Everyday there's something new and challenging. There's a feeling of excitement when you walk into the gym. It's not just me. All the CrossFitters I've met, worked-out with or train feel the same. No more Men's Health or Muscle & Fitness babble for me. Not only do I feel the CrossFit difference, but I see what the other workouts lack. I'm 100% confident this is the best way to train myself and most others. I'm 32 years old and truly in better shape than when I was 22.
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Mark Nizen
Trainer, CrossFit CLE
Competitive Powerlifter
NASM Certified
Pursuing MS in Nutrition and Medical Deitetics
BS, Biology, John Carroll

Having been a competitive Power and Olympic style weightlifter for several years I understand and focus on the importance of joint and core stability.  I have a tremendous knowledge of anatomy, physiology and the mental dimensions associated with exercise and fitness and understand how to take those dimensions into account when working with clients of all ages and ability levels. My style has always been such that every session is tailored to the client’s current physical state while challenging them to the fullest, which coincides with the Crossfit principal of constantly changing the workout to provide unique challenges.
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Adam Kantelas
Trainer, CrossFit CLE
CrossFit Level 1 Certified
CrossFit Kettlebell Certified

I am an amateur powerlifter, Olympic lifter, and kettlbell enthusiast. My biggest influences in the fitness arena are Mike Mahler, Coach Dan Jon, Coach Rippetoe, Pavel Tsatsouline, Coach Burgenner,  and of course Coach Glassman.  I was turned on to Crossfit a few years back while serving in the Army in Washington D.C.  I initially looked to Crossfit to enhance my conditioning for kickboxing, but have now come to realize that Crossfit offers a much greater potential for me and others.  What really draws me to Crossfit is functional part of the equation.  I believe these modes of exercise we use are an integral part of human movement in regards to our anatomy.  I also believe these movements have tremendous therapeutic properties by way of balancing and aligning the body in terms of strength and flexibility.
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Aaron Shaffer
Owner & Trainer, CrossFit CLE
CrossFit Level I Certified
CrossFit Barbell Certified
CrossFit Olympic Lifting Certified
Pursuing NSCA-CSCS Certification
BA, Cognitive Science, Case (2008)
BA, Communication Science, Case (2008)

Yes, CrossFit gets a lot of hype - but I wasn't convinced until I tried it myself. I've been doing the CrossFit workout-of-the-day for 2.5 years and am now completely sold on the effectiveness of the program because I have seen incredible strength improvements and time performance improvements in both myself and in others. I am a former cross-country runner (16:35 PR). Six years ago I had arms like sticks and weighed 130lb. Today I'm up to 170lb and I'm stronger than ever thanks to CrossFit. If you had told me I'd be deadlifting 350lb, doing 30 consecutive pull-ups, or hitting a 48" box jump just one year ago I would have laughed in your face considering my chronic low back pain and weak arms. Based on nine years of machine training at regular gyms with little or no results, I did not believe I had the genetics to "be strong". CrossFit changed my world.

CrossFit is quickly growing because thousands of other individuals continue to see incredible results like this in workouts that last only 20-30 minutes each day. If you are willing to commit I can help you achieve levels you simply never thought your body was capable of performing. No bullshit.



CrossFit Plate

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Aaron's new motorcycle plate...
This Sunday we welcome Mark Nizen as our resident olympic and power lifting expert. Mark will be running the WOD Sunday mornings from 9-noon. Mark is available to help you learn and perfect advanced movements like the clean and the snatch which are important to regular CrossFit workouts. Mark speaks from experience with a deadlift of over 700lb! Visit him Sunday morning or contact him via email: mark@crossfitcle.com

Mark Nizen
Trainer, CrossFit CLE
Competitive Powerlifter
NASM Certified
Pursuing MS in Nutrition and Medical Ditetics
BS, Biology, John Carroll

"Having been a competitive Power and Olympic style weightlifter for several years I understand and focus on the importance of joint and core stability.  I have a tremendous knowledge of anatomy, physiology and the mental dimensions associated with exercise and fitness and understand how to take those dimensions into account when working with clients of all ages and ability levels. My style has always been such that every session is tailored to the client’s current physical state while challenging them to the fullest, which coincides with the Crossfit principal of constantly changing the workout to provide unique challenges."

CrossFit Ladies' Night

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Each Thursday at 6:00pm is now CrossFit ladies' night. Only women will be permitted to work out between 6 and 7pm on Thursdays. The workouts are designed by our own CrossFit ladies -- a good way to introduce our female friends to the benefits of CrossFit.

Cleveland Nightlife Meetup

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The Cleveland Nightlife group from Meetup.com will be joining us this Friday at 6:30pm. Our end of the deal is a free group workout -- their end of the deal is Karaoke fun at Corky's Place. Details here.
Congratulations to Jeff Semenas, Chris Ryan, and Mary Scott, the winners of our physical opportunity scholarship. Each will be training with us over the next six months as we lead them on their quest to a healthier, more fit life using CrossFit training and nutrition principles. We're excited to bring them on as new members!

CrossFit CLE on Facebook

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You can be part of the growth here at CrossFit CLE by joining our new Facebook page. As members you can actually upload your own photos and videos of favorite workouts and new PRs -- a place to share and archive the fun!

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Labor Day Holiday

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This Sunday we will be open: 10-noon instead of 9-noon.
Monday is Labor Day and a CrossFit rest day, so we will be closed.