December Athlete Of The Month: Janet Daum

Posted December 1, 2014 by Ryan Savard in Blog

For the first time since we started the Athlete Of The Month blog series, we have chosen one of our masters athlete to represent the month of December! Everyone meet Janet Daum. She can be seen at the Tuesday and Thursday evening Masters’ classes working her butt off. With the help of a better diet and consistent exercise, Janet has managed to lose more than 70 lbs. She is moving better than ever before and really has no limitations from here on out. Congratulations Janet! Your positivity and drive are infectious!

1. When did you join EDCF? How did you find the gym? What was your first impression or how did that first workout go?

I believe I joined EDCF in either late April or early May of this year. I was told about Crossfit by a man that I ride the bus with to downtown most mornings. After hearing about Crossfit for a year and a lengthy rehab following my last ankle surgery, I decided it was finally time to join. My first impression was that this type of workout was definitely something that would keep me motivated. The first workout was really tough but I knew it would eventually get better…

2. What class time do you attend the most, are there any regular members you work out with at that time?

We have a great group of folks in there that made me feel welcome from the beginning. During the workouts, I usually partner with Susan, Isabel, one of the Debbies, Vickie or Marci. Can’t forget about the guys- Jay (from the bus), Tom, Tim, Rick and Dennis…oh and Joe and anyone else I may have left off.

3. Tell us a little about yourself, What is your life like outside the gym? Where do you work, do you have kids/pets/husband/bf/partner? What is your favorite hobby outside the gym?

I work at the federal building downtown. I will spare you the details. I have a dog and a cat which my parents refer to as the grand-dog and grand-cat. It’s just me and the critters right now, no boyfriend currently. I started volunteering in 1999 at Equest, which is an amazing place that offers horseback riding for people with disabilities. I returned to Equest just this past September after a 5 year hiatus and a few orthopedic surgeries. It’s good to be back!

4. What do you like about CrossFit or EDCF that keeps you coming back?

Crossfit keeps me coming back because it keeps me motivated. Every workout is different and there is always something that challenges me in each class. I keep telling myself that I will eventually like doing burpees…. The people keep it fun as well.

5. What is your favorite lift or exercise or type of workout? What is one of your short term and long term goals?

I really don’t have a single lift that I could currently call my favorite. I usually like anything with kettlebells, which I have actually caught myself encouraging others to get the next larger weight…imagine that. I find the AMRAPs a good challenge every time. My main goal in joining Crossfit was to lose weight and get moving. That is still my goal today….to keep moving!

Barbells & Handlebars 2014 Recap

Posted November 24, 2014 by Ryan Savard in Blog

Barbells & Handlebars 2014, the best one yet, is in the books. Saturday started out a madhouse with things quickly falling into place and ran smoothly for the majority of the event. Throwing an event like this shows the roots of our community. How a bunch of awesome people were able to volunteer their time and effort and come together as a team for a greater cause. Our volunteers were the fabric of BBHB and I can’t thank you all enough. Seeing everyone working together really warmed my heart and was a huge reminder of why I wake up at 5 every morning to do what I do everyday. I appreciate each and every one of you and I can’t thank you enough for making this event possible. This is what CrossFit is all about and this is what I have been working to make our gym about; the community.

A big congratulations is in order to all of those who competed this weekend. For many of you it was your first taste of competition and you rocked it. It takes guts to put yourself out there like that. I hope that your experience was a positive one and you will consider more in the future. Every one of you athletes conducted themselves with the utmost class and for that I am so very proud to call myself your coach.

I would also like to recognize Jennifer Evidente and Justin Welch who won 2nd and 1st respectively in their intermediate divisions. Way to go you two! You both deserve it as I know how hard both of you have been working in class.

I would also like to quickly thank my awesome team of coaches and fellow owners. Drew, Justin, and Trevor were the glue that held everything together on Saturday. Chase and Ben did everything behind the scenes to make everything you saw unfold possible. A big thank you also goes out to Bryan and Jill Perkins for loading so much time and energy into this event year after year since it’s conception.

I am lucky to have such a great set people around me, thank you again.

24 Day Challenge, Let’s Go!

Posted November 3, 2014 by Ryan Savard in Blog

After a recount, what was formally the 23 Day Challenge, is now the 24 Day Challenge… and it starts today! We have already had a slew of pledges to cut bad habits over the next 24 days leading up to Thanksgiving. A good amount of our morning 5:30 and 6:30 am classes already have their names and habits on the white board for the rest of the EDCF community to see and to help them be held accountable. So what are you going to give up?

Remember, you are giving up a bad habit. This can be, but is not limited to diet, daily expenses, time management, etc. You can also pick something that you don’t do enough. For example, we have a couple athletes pledging to drink two liters of water per day.

So, again, what are you giving up (or adding)? Write it on the board along with your name when you get to the gym today!

October Athlete Of The Month: Brent Glass

Posted October 27, 2014 by Ryan Savard in Athlete of the Month, Blog

1. When did you join EDCF? How did you find the gym? What was your first impression or how did that first workout go?

Around November of last year, my wife began asking me if I would be interested in joining East Dallas CrossFit. I didn’t know the first thing about it. In fact, my only impression of CrossFit had come from seeing much younger and healthier people wearing Crossfit T-shirts. At age 43, I was not at all certain that crossfit was designed with me in mind. Especially since, despite being a very active runner in the past decade, my workout regimen had basically evolved into lying on the couch until the urge to exercise had passed.

But my wife was persistent, and so we joined an essentials class and met a fantastic group of people, many of whom I still see today. Upon finishing that, I attended my first “real” class on a Saturday and it was a great experience! My first workout was a partnered WOD and I was fortunate to have Jason as my partner. He was very patient, friendly, and more than willing to pick up the slack for his novice partner. In fact, everyone who was a “regular” that day seemed to make it a point to call me out by name or tell me how good of a job I had done. I gratefully accepted what was surely their polite exaggerations and left feeling a bit like a rockstar. I loved the sense of accomplishment and community. I was hooked!

2. What class time do you attend the most, are there any regular members you work out with at that time?

I started out by attending the 7:30 class because it fit well with my wife’s schedule. But after a couple months we found out that we were expecting! So, she decided to take a break for awhile and I found a new home at the noon class. This class consists of a great group of folks. As for the people I work out with most regularly: Ashley, Jake, Adam, Rosario, and Jared, come immediately to mind. They are the people who push, pull, and playfully mock me into doing more than I think is possible. I appreciate them very much.

3. Tell us a little about yourself, What is your life like outside the gym? Where do you work, do you have kids/pets/husband/bf/partner? What is your favorite hobby outside the gym?

When I’m not at CrossFit or hanging out with my new daughter, I am a therapist in private practice here in east Dallas. Since bringing Emily home from the hospital, my hobbies include changing diapers, washing bottles, and brokering the peace between my daughter and our 90 pound dog, Ranger (I foresee quite a few tea parties in his future). But in the not too distant past, my hobbies included following Longhorn athletics, auto repair, and playing guitar somewhat badly.

4. What do you like about CrossFit or EDCF that keeps you coming back?

The community and the culture of EDCF. I can’t say enough good things about Ryan and the other coaches. They do so much to foster the incredibly welcoming and supportive culture which makes EDCF an amazing place.

5. What is your favorite lift or exercise or type of workout? What is one of your short term and long term goals?

My favorite workouts are ones that include long AMRAPS with lots of different activities. I really feel a sense of accomplishment when I finish one. Also any workout that includes running is a fun workout to me.

As far as goals are concerned, I’m still working on mastering those ridiculous double-unders. In the long-term, my goal is to turn 45 next year feeling fitter than I did at 25. Honestly, I’ll probably meet the long-term goal well before the short term one.

Barbells & Handlebars Meeting This Thursday

Posted September 23, 2014 by Ryan Savard in Blog

Reminder: Meeting this Thursday evening

We need your help!

Barbells & Handlebars, our annual fundraising competition, is going down on November 22nd at Community Brewery and is right around the corner. Once again, we will be giving all proceeds to Movember but we can’t do it alone..

This year we would like to make our biggest donation yet but we need your help! Whether you plan to compete or not we are going to need some members to help us round up sponsors and run the event. If interested, please join us at the gym this Thursday evening (9/25) at 8:30pm. The meeting will take place at the gym and shouldn’t last too long.

September Athlete Of The Month: Liz Dominguez

Posted September 15, 2014 by Ryan Savard in Athlete of the Month, Blog

Liz D. has gained so much ground since joining EDCF with her mother, Mrs. Pam. Simply put, Liz puts in work and gets results. Liz is the definition of consistency. She has one of the best attendance rates since joining the gym and works hard everyday she’s here without complaint. She is your Athlete of the Month for September and probably deserves it for more than just this month. Great work Liz. We are proud to call you an EDCF athlete. A little more about Liz:

1. When did you join EDCF? How did you find the gym? What was your first impression or how did that first workout go?

– I joined EDCF in October of last year — Halloween was my first class, actually! My mom was the first person to tell me about CrossFit and suggested we check it out. We visited another gym before we found EDCF while running around the lake. Shortly thereafter, we signed up for the prep course and have been coming ever since! My first workout was pretty rough. I think I was sore for about 2 weeks STRAIGHT.

2. What class time do you attend the most, are there any regular members you work out with at that time?

– I usually attend 5:30 PM classes – me and mornings don’t get along too well. 🙂 Here’s my fav workout crew: Sarah, Jill, Amber, Holly, Angela, Shannon, and Lisette (my original workout buddy). They definitely push me! And of course my mom, Mrs. Pam. Moms are the best motivators, when they’re not heckling other members. Oh! And I can’t forget my two big, annoying bros Charles and Braz.

3. Tell us a little about yourself, What is your life like outside the gym? Where do you work, do you have kids/pets/husband/bf/partner? What is your favorite hobby outside the gym?

– I graduated from SMU last year, and I’m working in my first ever big-girl job. I’m an engineer in app development at AT&T, all super techie stuff. No kiddos and no pets, but I’ve been with my boyfriend Roger for a few years. My dad likes him, which makes EVERYBODY happy. 🙂 Right now, I enjoy rollerblading on Katy Trail, hiking, and experimenting in the kitchen. But who knows, that might change soon!

4. What do you like about CrossFit or EDCF that keeps you coming back?

– CrossFit is addictive. It’s equal parts grueling and invigorating. EDCF is the first gym I’ve ever joined, and is by far the absolute best exercise experience I have ever had. Between Ryan coaching so patiently and Drew throwing weight on my bar when I’m not looking, EDCF is a perfect fit!

5. What is you favorite lift or exercise or type of workout? What is one of your short term and long term goals?

– My favorite exercise/movement is the pull-up, because I suck at it. And ONE DAY, I’ll be able to execute at least 2 of them….consecutively. Short term, I’d like to get through a wall walk before my body decides that I shouldn’t be on a wall upside down. Long term, I’d like to continue learning about health and fitness, challenging myself, and progressing in strength and endurance.

Prep Course Starts 9/8!

Posted September 5, 2014 by Ryan Savard in Blog

An all new CrossFit Prep Course starts this coming Monday evening, September 8th, at 7:30pm. The Prep Course is your gateway into the community of East Dallas CrossFit. Each course is small in size to give you personal attention.

This course consists of eight one hour sessions over 3 weeks. It’s designed to introduce you to the movements used in CrossFit and transition you safely into our regular classes. Classes are every Monday/Wednesday/Thursday evenings for the first two weeks and Monday/Wednesday for the third week. Times are 7:30-8:30pm. Cost is $150.

A new Prep Course starts every three to four weeks. Reserve your spot HERE.

A Private Prep Course option is also available. This is a 6 class option for those who can’t fit the regular course into their schedule or who would just like some extra attention. Cost is $200 and can be scheduled on your time. Contact us HERE if you would like to schedule the private option.

Labor Day Weekend Schedule

Posted August 29, 2014 by Ryan Savard in Blog

Labor Day Weekend Schedule:

Saturday
– 8am Olympic lifting
– 9am Masters CF
– 10am CrossFit
– 11am Free intro to CrossFit

Sunday
– 8am CF Endurance
– 12-2pm Open gym

Monday (Labor Day)
– 10am CrossFit (only class of the day)

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