BTSCF Newsletter - January 2021
Happy New Year! We are moving quickly through the winter, days are getting a little longer and before we know it, the Open will be here! For many, the new year presents an opportunity to get started again. Whether it is for becoming more healthy or to compete, the New Year is a great time to assess where you are and set goals for the year to come. The important thing to remember as last year taught us, we will encounter challenges. It is on us, and completely within our capability to keep moving toward our goals. Check out what is happening this month at BTSCF.
The CrossFit Open
By the time the Open begins on March 11, it will have been nearly 18 months since we last had the opportunity to throw down with the rest of the world. For some of us, we found CrossFit after the last Open, so this will be their first chance to join in.
So what is The Open? The Open is a worldwide competition that starts the CrossFit Games season. Ultimately, the world’s fittest will progress from the Open, through the season, and attempt to be named Fittest on Earth. That doesn’t mean the Open is only for the elite. The Open is for everyone and there are new additions to make that statement even more true.
New additions to the 2021 Open include the Foundations Division, which is a scaled variation of the scaled division. CrossFit has also added a number of Adaptive Divisions. A new quarterfinals round has been added, following the Open. To qualify, you’ll need to make it into the top 10% within your continental region. The quarterfinals will be an online qualifier for the semifinals.
Interested in joining in? Click here to sign up. Not sure or have more questions, please talk to a staff member.
Pop Up Competition Classes
We have introduced some Pop Up Competition Classes geared toward those who are a little more competitive. This session in the gym is less of a instructional format. You do not have to be signed up for a competition, but if you are curious about what a competition setting might be like, this could be a great opportunity to participate. The workouts are scalable. With the Open coming up, these classes are a way to further prepare.
Stay tuned for updates as to when a pop up class will take place. If you’re interested but unsure, feel free to talk to a staff member for more details.
Jumping Heyer
BTSCF coach Jon Heyer decided to start off the year by participating in RPM Training’s annual double under challenge. The challenge is to complete 10,000 double unders over the course of the month. Some of his dubs came as part of WODs, but most of them came by way of finding a spot in the corner of the gym and jumping.
This volume is very tough to do all at once, which is intentional. The goal is to find consistency throughout the month. Congratulations to Jon on hitting his goal and completing the 10K Challenge.
BTSCF Feature Athlete
Meet Mike Dunlop: After a great workout with great people, the problems of the world seem less intense
When did you start CrossFitting?
Jan 2018 at Crossfit NewHampton. Frank, Mel, and company were really welcoming and made fitness and health, a possibility. I would never have made it this far without them.
If different, when did you start at BTSCF?
Aug 2020
What brought you to CrossFit?
I was really overweight and unhealthy. I didn't like regular gyms. I would get overwhelmed and had no direction or drive, but something had to be done.
What have you learned from doing CrossFit?
So much! I learned to stay humble and to stay in the moment. An ongoing lesson. I learned to keep myself accountable with where I am at and to remember where I started. I learned to be grateful that we have the opportunity to wake up everyday and better ourselves instead of seeing it as a chore.
What would you say to someone who is on the fence about starting CrossFit?
Give it a honest try and be patient. Listen to your coaches. It will change your life if you let it. You will thank them and yourself.
What do you like to do in your free time?
Aside from Crossfit, I'm a outdoors kinda guy. I love hiking with my wife and dogs. I like kayaking, photography, and being on the beach.
What do you do for work and how has CrossFit impacted how you do your job?
I’m a Safety Officer at a forensic psychiatric center. Crossfit has made me a better officer by being in better shape. The job can be demanding as I can be working a lot of crazy hours and shifts. I like being active more now than ever.
We hit Mike with some rapid fire questions, here’s what he had to say:
Q: What super power would you give yourself?
A: Finding humor in anything.
Q: What's your favorite healthy food?
A: Sushi
Q: What's your favorite not so healthy food?
A: Pizza
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: Being awkward. Lol
Q: If you could write your own fortune cookie fortune, what would it say?
A: Don"t forget to breathe
Q: If you were a professional wrestler, what would you finishing move be called?
A: The double under. Where we both get caught up in the rope.
Q: Who do you look up to for inspiration at BTSCF?
A: Everyone is inspiring. All of the coaches do an amazing job of reaching the members on their own level and getting things to "click." All the coaches and members are all at different age groups and athletic abilities. It's an incredible community.
Q: What is your favorite and least favorite movement?
A: I love box jumps now that I'm getting better with them. My least favorite is Single/double unders. I'm trying to get it down to a smaller dumpster fire
Q: What is the one thing you've done at BTSCF that your old self wouldn't ever believe?
A: You are gonna be about 90 lbs lighter and enjoy running.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like to add or say?
A: BTSCF is a great place and I'm grateful. We are living in crazy times. After a great workout with great people, the problems of the world seem less intense.