“Liberate the minds of men and ultimately you will liberate the bodies of men.”- Marcus Garvey
NEWS
Alignable: 36% of Gyms Surveyed Unable to Pay January Rent
A survey of 10,325 small businesses conducted January 9-12 by Alignable revealed that 36% of gyms couldn’t pay their January rent.
One big thing: While this data isn’t broken down by type of gym, it tracks directly with what the Community Gyms Coalition has stated in its press releases and lobbying efforts.
What they’re saying: The Community Gyms Coalition released a statement on January 14 that applauded President Biden’s support for small businesses, but noted that “Nearly 4 in 10 gyms will not survive 2021 without support, and tens of thousands are at risk of closing permanently.”
The statement continued: “We applaud the president-elect’s support for small businesses across the country by moving forward with an additional stimulus package that includes funds for the hardest hit industries. Unfortunately, prior relief programs have not included targeted assistance that works for gyms.”
For comparison: The Alignable poll revealed the 57% of restaurants and bars couldn’t make January rent.
Gyms were 11th on the list behind Yoga studios, massage therapists, beauty salons, interior designers and wedding planners, among others.
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Scott Panchik announced on Instagram that he won’t be competing with CrossFit Mayhem for the 2021 CrossFit Games season, instead returning to individual competition for the first time since 2019.
Kristin Holte’s programming, Kriger Training, is now available online. “Kriger” means tiger in Norwegian and is the word often written on Holte’s hand while she’s competing.
Adam Klink announced that he will be leaving CrossFit Krypton to accept a position as Lead Partnership Manager for Bare Performance Nutrition in Austin, TX.
Former HQ media staffer Niko Ronnow will be joining Hamilton Road for the next seven months to produce content for the CrossFit Games season. Ronnow has filmed large-scale productions for HQ, The Buttery Bros docs, Morning Chalk Up and many Sanctionals over the last two seasons.
Born Primitive donated 500 special edition brasfrom the Alison Scudds Signature Collection to Pretty Girls Sweat. 100% of the sales will go toward their non-profit, Sweat Makes Cents, which unites and activates female college students to solve the childhood obesity crisis in their communities for future generations.
Team Richey appeared on the newest episode of the Make Pods Great Again podcastto discuss how they are handling lockdown and their clothing brand, HUSTL MADE, among other things.
Richey: “When I came up with the brand, I was just like, ‘hustle made,’ that’s what Jas and I have gone through…you hustle for yourself.”
Rami Castillo Learns About Love From Down Syndrome Client, Starts This(Ability) Training Foundation Non-Profit
Two years ago, Rami Castillo started coaching a then 17-year-old with Down Syndrome named JJ, and everything changed. “I just fell in love with the way he does life. They say they have an extra chromosome, and it must be the love chromosome,” said Castillo, the owner of CrossFit Uncompromised in Lancaster, PA.
“I realized that, ‘Yeah I can help people,’ but who I really wanted to help were kids with Down Syndrome,” said Castillo, who currently works with two teenagers with the condition, JJ and a 14-year-old girl. “I had never interacted with a kid with Down Syndrome before because in developing countries like mine, usually parents put them up for adoption,” said the Bolivian native.
This realization also led Castillo to start a non-profit focused on providing fitness to kids and teenagers with Down Syndrome.
The details: Castillo’s application for his non-profit — This(Ability) Training Foundation — has been approved and he expects to begin operations this spring. He just started accepting donations for the programs he will begin rolling out the moment he gets the go-ahead.
“I’m in the process of marketing and putting my energy into developing the programs,” explained Castillo.
It is important to understand that there is no prerequisite weight or body fat percentage a person must achieve in order to compete in CrossFit, or any sport for that matter.
Different sports will favor different body types and oftentimes the method in which we train over a long period of time determines how our bodies develop and look.
Loud And Live’s New Broadcast Platform Empowers Viewers
This past weekend, Loud And Live Sports debuted The Trials Finals, an international online competition that provided CrossFit fans an opportunity to watch a unique competition but also be part of a unique broadcast.
One big thing: According to Loud and Live’s Media Director Kristen Chandler, “The Trials provided a unique opportunity for the community to compete at a time in late fall 2020 when there was none. We believe our new platform will change the sport and the viewing experience for spectators at home. Loud and Live is in the business of creating life-long lasting memories and experiences for our pillars: athletes, spectators, volunteers, & brands. If we can do so in a meaningful, impactful, and innovative way, we will. This is only the beginning.”
Why it matters: The platform they created was unique in that it put the power of the broadcast in the hands of its viewers. Every person that tuned into the broadcast could create a unique viewership experience, one where they could choose what athlete or athletes they could watch on their screen from the comfort of their homes.
Every Friday, we’re bringing you an exclusive workout challenge programmed by a CrossFit Games athlete or coach that you can take on at home or the gym. You can post your times or scores in the comment section.
Today’s workout of the week is programmed by Saxon Panchik.
4 Sets:
21 Cals on Bike
15 Push Jerks
9 Burpee Bar Muscle-Ups
Rest 3-minutes
30 Minute Time Cap
RX: 155/105
RX+: 185/125
Some advice from Saxon: “The goal is for each set to be a moderate to a fast sprint. The bike should be fast but under control, the push jerks should be completed in 1-2 sets, and the burpee muscle should be a grind to the finish.”
To inquire about submitting an upcoming workout of the week, shoot us a note.
THINGS TO...
...LEARN
How to Sprint, Injury-Free
There are few drills that help build explosive power better than sprinting. But without a proper warm-up and preparation, the possibility for injury is high. Learn how to prep for a sprint workout in this article from T-Nation.
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The Superbowl is only a couple of weeks away, and it's time to start testing out some recipes for the big game. Give this delicious vegetarian white bean buffalo dip a try. It's baked to perfection with fiber and protein-packed white beans, three types of cheeses and your favorite buffalo sauce for the ultimate party or game day appetizer. Serve with tortilla chips, celery, carrots or anything else your heart desires.
Chalk Up Highlights is our section dedicated to celebrating our community’s wins in the gym. Follow @ChalkUpHighlights and submit your highlight to [email protected] to be featured.
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