Our most recent PM On-Ramp grads. So proud of each of you. When you see these smiling faces in the Open Classes, please, come up and say hi and welcome them to the TOTF family.
Which got me thinking.I have a challenge to all TOTF members who are reading this post. I want each and every one of you to post a reply here telling us who or what got you interested in doing CrossFit. What was the moment you said “I NEED to do this!”, or who gave you that push or guided you in the right direction to get started? Share your stories. Not only will this be good for those just starting their journey into improved fitness, but might just inspire some of the other members. Share in 3, 2, 1…..GO! And I’ll be the first one to do so.
Day 88 of the 100-Day Burpee Challenge!
12 days, that’s all that separates you from completion. 12 Days. Don’t give up!
Strength:
Press – 3 sets of 5 (same weight all three sets)
Add 2.5-5 pounds from what you used on 25Mar2013 (click here for a refresher)
Post weight used to Comments/LogWOD
WOD:
“Up The Hill, Down The Hill”
For Time:
4-8-12-12-8-4
Kettlebell Swings (1.5/1)
Box Jumps (24/20)
Post time to Comments/LogWOD
Video courtesy of CrossFit HQ. Matt Chan going over Box Jump efficiency. Try using this today to make these fly by in the WOD.
Cash Out:
Ring Dips
3 x max reps
Rest as needed between attempts
CrossFit Team Offutt Tactical Fitness 
So, what got me started in CrossFit? Well, I have been involved in strength and conditioning for the last 28 years. But CrossFit didn’t happen for me until a few years ago. My last trip to the desert (end of 2007, beginning of 2008), I saw a group of Army guys doing some crazy looking workout at a very fast pace. I asked them what they were doing and they replied “CrossFit”. I was interested right away and started doing research on the movements, mentality, etc… behind CrossFit. Fast forward the fall of 2008 when I got orders out to Offutt. i was lucky enough to work downtown, and was all of 5 minutes away from CrossFit Omaha. Granted, it took me about 8 months before I got around to checking the gym out, but I was finally ready to jump in. And I haven’t looked back since. I am so thankful for the lessons I learned and continue to learn from CrossFit Omaha’s staff. Just like all of you are family to me, all of CFO is family to me as well. I try my best to apply those lessons learned into helping each and every athlete at TOTF continue in their journey to better fitness. I love this way of life, this sport, this community, and hope to stay around it for a very, very long time.
So, who’s next?
So, for those of you who don’t know, I’m married to Courtland, the newest addition to the coaching staff here at TOTF. He’s pretty much the reason I got involved in crossfit. Courtland had been doing crossfit for a year our so before I ever tried to get involved. I have pretty much always been active and the few months before I got into the on-ramp program, I was actually paying a personal trainer to push me harder in workouts so that I felt/saw better results. Within the first week of on-ramp I was being challenged more than I had been in a long time and I was enjoying the soreness and pain because I felt like I had accomplished something during every WOD. This journey into crossfit started last June for me and although this year had been crazy, I’ve suck with it and made some great friends! I love the community that TOTF provides and I am so grateful to be a part of it! Everyday i push myself a little harder and reach new goals with the help and encouragement of the coaches and fellow crossfitters! Thank you Guys… I wouldn’t be where I am today without y’all!
Hmmm…this was a tough one. I think what caught my interest was the intensity, competitiveness, and community of crossfit.
I was always a competitive person, and always wanting to push myself in athletics. I tore my Achilles in 2011, and I really didn’t know what to do from there. I picked up weight lifting to become “fit” and stronger. I didn’t become fit, but I became stronger. I stayed away from squats, or any variation of a squat movement because of the fear for my Achilles snapping. I became inflexible, and I had a hard time doing simple stretches. I noticed tactfit while I was jogging, and I saw every single person cheering for someone to not give up an exercise. Although, I was embarrassed about my inflexibility and my inability to perform simple leg movements, I wanted in. I did on ramp, listened carefully, studied movements, and stretchesd. Now, I’m here, performing those movements and working on my mobility to take it step-by-step up to the next level. Thanks, guys.
Back in the summer of 2010, I decided enough was enough–time to get healthy! I started with walking and elliptical machines, which jump started my fitness, but quickly got bored, so I started to add in some cycling and resistance machines. Again, the routine was getting boring, but I stuck it out. I really wanted to work with free weights, but I felt I needed more training. Around that same time, I turned on the tv one evening and discovered CrossFit on a replay of the 2011 games. I was amazed at the athletes that I saw, but more importantly, I knew it was something that I wanted to try. I looked up local affiliates, but was still a little hesitant to take the next step. So I waited a few days…
Next thing you know, I’m walking the track at the Field House, and I see some new rigs and equipment being set up down at the end. As the area takes form, it begins to look much like the set-up I saw on the CrossFit games. I was so excited and curious. As soon as I saw the signs go up, I looked up TOTF on Facebook. Initially, I assumed that it would be an active duty only class, but I posted a message to inquire about it, and soon I was signed up for the on-ramp program.
I really had doubts in my abilities while I waited for that first class session, but with the encouragement of my husband and others, I realized I could do it.
And I can. There is always something new to learn or strive for, and I absolutely love this sport. I realize that I will never be an elite athlete by any means, but I will continue to improve and challenge myself. I can’t always make it in to classes, but I use the knowledge I’ve gained and complete WODs at home several times a week. When I do make a class, I’m amazed at all of the new faces. Wow, how we’ve grown! I’m attempting to convert my husband to the CrossFit family as well. We’re participating in the burpee challenge, and while I can see great progress and results from the past 87 days, I will be happy to have a true rest day in just a few more days. 😉
I realize my reply got a little long, but I must add on one more thing: A big thank you to all coaches and other athletes who have helped shape the group into what it’s become. I really appreciate all that you do for the group!
My introduction to CrossFit was similar to Dave’s. I have always been an active guy, be it surfing, rugby, or running. I had tried to get a buddy to go running with me while we were away for training, but he would always be tied up checking out a new “box.” Of course I had no idea idea what he was talking about and thought he was a little crazy when he started on about his WOD’s and PR’s. Fast forward a few weeks to a six month stint in Kandahar, and I stumbled upon a group of folks doing what looked to be a pretty chaotic workout. Curiosity got the best of me and I wound up joining them a few times. Little did I know I was actually getting my first taste of CrossFit. I sank back into my usual routine when I got back to Offutt, but was sidelined for some time after a torn labrum. Finally healed, I tried to regain my overhead strength but was just getting bored in “that” part of the gym. A friend clued me into what was happening down at TOTF and I had to give it a shot. I loved it from the beginning. The friendly competition, the outstanding coaches, and motivation are just amazing. What makes it truly unique, though, is the genuine community that is fostered in our little slice of the gym. I can honestly say that I’ve never had this much fun with a great group of people gasping for air. It’s been a life changer, for sure.
For me it is the community. I have always been a competitive person, but part of that competitiveness was tied to the ability to give back and camaraderie that comes with a competitive group. In my fitness journey, the gym was generally a solo effort for me (one reason why I sucked at it). A work colleague at the Pentagon told me about CrossFit – I liked what I heard, so I did some research and tried it on my own – an utter fail. I never gave up on the idea, but did not have enough understanding to pursue. On getting orders to Offutt, I was digging around and found the TOTF website and was intrigued. I work at AFWA with John Hendricks and he got me started. I will never look back. The community of our coaches and athletes make all the difference. Our community is not just a box – it is service to one another to keep pushing, to keep moving the bar higher. I’m with James above, it is a life changer.
I honestly dont remember what started me looking into CrossFit…I was a runner and a very active guy, but wanted more. I found a local box around the corner and did an on-ramp class….by day 2 of it I knew I wanted to coach and I knew I loved it! From there I took my second on-ramp class with TOTF and havent looked back since. My overall strength has almost doubled since Nov 2011 and yet I have still completed a 1/2 marathon and my pt score is still a 95! I have been teaching this to my son, friends, family and basically anyone who will listen…it’s a life changer folks!
The first time I heard about CrossFit was when a friend of mine started talking about the 300 workout. That was back in 2007. We looked at stuff online and I thought that is extreme and I don’t have the strength or the ability to do any of that, but it definitely peaked my interest. Fast forward a couple years and CrossFit was a buzz word around Honolulu. I started seeing girls wearing their box t-shirts during races I was doing. They were tone, buff, fast, and bad ass. I always thought to be a faster runner I had to choose between lean and buff. But these girls proved my thinking wrong. We found out we were moving to Offutt so I didn’t look into finding a box until after we moved. I found TOTF and I was beyond excited! My on-ramp class was September 2012 and in the last 8 months I have made huge gains in every aspect. I am fitter, faster, stronger, and I am always eager to push myself even more. I’m so glad I found TOTF and that I decided that CrossFit was something I could do!