A year ago, I did my first workout at CrossFit Thermal.  The first thing I noticed (beyond how nervous I was to be in a new gym) was the jumble of numbers and terms on the board reading things like Open 14.5, 21, 18…, thruster, and burpee over bar.  I didn’t understand the lingo so luckily, I didn’t know what was about to happen.  If I knew what I was reading on the whiteboard, my deconditioned self would have run screaming from that garage gym back to the safety of my treadmill-driven fitness endeavors.  I was about to push myself to a level that I didn’t even know existed for ANYONE let alone myself.  I didn’t know that a complete stranger was about to scream, cheer, and coach me through every horrible rep like my life depended on it.   Truth is, I didn’t know it at the time, but so...Read more

The Catalyst Athletics 8 week General Cycle for CrossFit Thermal Start Date: Monday, April 6, 2015 As CrossFit athletes, we are constantly trying to raise our fitness levels to new heights.  Over the past 5 weeks many of us have participated in the CrossFit Games Open, and tried to quantify where exactly we land on the scale of fitness around the world.   I’ve lobbied for years that the key to improvement is measuring your progress and keeping tabs on your training.  This philosophy says that if your numbers are improving, your times are getting faster, and you’re achieving more reps in workouts, then, you’re achieving your goals. As a result you will look, feel and perform better. It’s simpler to follow these metrics than it is to go around day to day measuring every inch of your body, and having blood work done on a weekly basis.  You won’t find someone...Read more

And the winners are…….Trish, Stacey and Heather!!!! Today we would like to officially congratulate the winners of the CrossFit Thermal Nutrition Challenge.  It took some time to get through everyone’s submissions but in the end these 3 ladies came out on top.  Dedication and team work were the most important ingredients in this winning recipe.  These ladies had excellent journal entries, took before and after pics, and also had impressive improvements in body fat readings (based on individual goals).  What has been most impressive is their continued commitment to improve themselves and others through proper nutrition.  On several occasions Trish has asked me for additional body fat measurements just to make sure things are still heading in the right direction.  She also has her husband Bob on the Paleo train, and he is now a member of CrossFit Thermal.  Stacey has been crushing workouts and showing signs of added strength...Read more

Happy Birthday Coach P!!!   Wanted to take a moment to wish a very happy birthday to Coach P.  I can honestly say that I’ve never known someone with an all around more genuine interest in helping others achieve their goals.  We’re happy to have him as a coach here at Thermal.  From The CrossFit Regionals, to Mt Washington, and punk rock concerts to dance offs,  P and I have shared some great times over the past 5 years.  Stick around him long enough, and you might be that lucky!!  Happy birthday dude… My 3 greatest quotes that I’ve said to P “Dude, you are just generally a better human being that me…why is that?” “Dude, I want to be you!!” “Bro, that makes no sense, how can you lift that much??” VinRead more

Strength Deadlift 5, 5, 5 Conditioning For time: row 750m then, 3 rounds: 50 sit ups 20 shoulder to overhead, 95/65#Read more