What CrossFit Rising provides is complete, broad-spectrum fitness. We focus on CrossFit's Ten General Physical Skills: Cardiovascular/Respiratory Endurance, Stamina, Strength, Flexibility, Power, Speed, Coordination, Agility, Balance, Accuracy. This is the fitness of the generalist.
The fitness of the specialist focuses on one or more of these skills, but not all. A top marathon runner has phenomenal endurance but little strength or power; a power-lifter has amazing strength but does not have the endurance to run any long distance. While this is fine for the specialist, this is not our goal.
For most of us, the path of the generalist (also called General Physical Preparedness, or GPP) will more fully meet our needs than the path of the specialist. Firefighters, police officers, military personnel, mothers, fathers, teachers, construction workers, mail carriers, people trying to lose weight or gain weight or "get healthy" or look better or feel better... all of these will get more bang for their buck from GPP. Think about it. Who does not need the ability to squat down, lift heavy things, carry them up an incline or steps, and raise them overhead, then go and do it again? Even most specialized athletes will find that improving their GPP will carry over into an improvement in their chosen sport.
Our methods are simple and effective. They include (but are certainly not limited to) barbell training, running, kettlebells, rowing, gymnastics movements (simple ones, think pull-ups or dips), high-intensity intervals, jump ropes. There are no isolation machines here. Isolation machines control your movement; they will not teach you how to move your body, or how to control a weight. They will not make you learn the most efficient way to move a load from the ground to overhead. Using only these machines, you won't know what you don't know.
You will keep track of the weights you use and the times in which you complete a workout. Over the months, those weights will go up and those times will go down. You day to day tasks will get easier, climbing the stairs instead of taking the elevator will no longer be a workout, it will be something you do for enjoyment. You will excel at your sport, you will be one of the strongest and healthiest among your friends. In this way will you see your improvement.
These workouts are not easy. You will sweat and swear and gasp for air. You will go home tired and wake up sore the next morning. In the middle of a workout you will question why you are doing this, and as soon as it is over you wonder if you could have gone a little heavier, a little faster. Next time you will, and having proven to yourself that you can tough it out, go a little harder, push through it, you will gain in confidence and mental toughness. This will carry through to the rest of your life, people will notice, people will comment, and in this way will you see your improvement.
With enough sleep and proper eating, these workouts will put muscle on you and take fat off. Your clothes will fit differently, you will buy new clothes. People will notice, people will comment. In this way will you see your improvement.
It all sounds a little intimidating, doesn't it? It is, after all, a lot of work, doing things that most people have never done. But you can do it. You may be out of shape, with old, nagging injuries, carrying some extra weight, "past your prime", etc. None of this can prevent your success. We are here to help you, to teach you the art and science of human movement, to guide you through the labyrinth of contradicting information about health and diet and exercise, to push you when you need motivation, to slow you down when you are moving too quickly... We are here to help you get to where you want to be. This program, these movements, are for all people of all ages and fitness levels. Whether you have zero athletic experience or compete in several sports, we have a program which can be scaled to fit your abilities and your goals. You can do this.
Aileen Ryan- A.K.A. PonyGirl
Full time Exercise Physiologist in Cardiac Rehab at Saint Joseph's Regional Medical Center, Paterson, NJ
Personal trainer and group fitness instructor for 11 years (spin, yoga, boot camp, kick boxing, step-remember step classes?) In other words, heal 'em with exercise by day, hurt 'em with exercise by night! I have extensive experience with special populations including but not limited to: children, seniors, pre/post-natal, diabetic, and cardiac clients. Age ranges of clients: from 11 to 83. Types of clients: heart transplant recipients, those with pacemaker/defibrillators, diabetics with insulin pumps, those with multiple joint replacements, and plenty of former high school athletes having a mid-life crisis- I have worked with them all.
Credentials:
CrossFit Level 1 Certification
CrossFit Kettlebell Trainer Certification
CrossFit Nutrition Certification
CrossFit Barbell Certification
CrossFit Gymnastics Certification
YogaFit Level III Yoga Instructor
BS- Exercise Science, William Paterson University, Magna Cum Laude
Reiki I & II
Jack Allen- A.K.A. Goat
At a young age, I became active in sports. I play soccer, basketball, baseball, and football. Despite this I spent the majority of my teenage and adult years drifting back and forth across the border between "overweight" and "obese".
As an adult I became involved in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and the physical demands prompted me to take working out seriously. This led me to CrossFit, which eventually led me to reassess everything I thought I knew about working out and nutrition. Today, in my mid-30's, I am leaner and more fit and active than ever before in my life.
My areas of expertise are in programming for strength training and nutrition. I also do the majority of Pony's programming, which may be why she is so bad-ass. I also have the experience of having been on the "other end" of the spectrum, completely out of shape.
Credentials:
CrossFit Level 1 Certification
CrossFit Kettlebell Trainer Certification
CrossFit Nutrition Certification
