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36% of Gyms Couldn’t Pay Rent in January

 
Morning Chalk Up

January 22   |   POWERED BY

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Good morning and welcome to the Morning Chalk Up.

In today’s edition:

  • A new survey indicates that 36% of gyms couldn’t pay rent in January.
  • Rami Castillo found love and a purpose in working with athletes with Down Syndrome.
  • Meredith Root explains how to balance performance and weight loss.
  • Loud and Live’s The Trials highlighted an innovative new platform. Patrick Clark has more.
  • Saxon Panchik programs this week’s Workout of the Week challenge.

We love seeing your story tips, quotes and PRs roll in. Keep sending them to [email protected].

 
QUOTE OF THE DAY + Send us a Quote

“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  

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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SPEED READS

  • 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 programmingKriger 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 bras from 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.”
  • CrossFit Mayhem is hiring a junior videographer and content editor.
 
GOOD
  Rami Castillo Learns About Love From Down Syndrome Client, Starts This(Ability) Training Foundation Non-Profit  

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.
Continue Reading...
 
LIFESTYLE
  How to Balance Performance and Weight Loss  

MEMBER EXCLUSIVE

How to Balance Performance and Weight Loss

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.

Continue Reading...
 
INDUSTRY
  Loud And Live’s New Broadcast Platform Empowers Viewers  

Loud And Live’s New Broadcast Platform Empowers Viewers

This past weekend, Loud And Live Sports debuted The Trials Finalsan 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.

Continue Reading...
 
WORKOUT
  Saxon Panchik's Workout Of The Week  

Saxon Panchik's Workout Of The Week

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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...WIN

A Reebok Nano X1 Athlete Locker

Reebok is giving away an exclusive athlete locker to one Morning Chalk Up reader, filled with two pairs of Nano X1s, shoe bag, jump rope, duffel bag, exercise band and towel. Giveaway ends tonight.

ENTER TO WIN.
     
 

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...SERVE

Vegetarian Three Cheese White Bean Buffalo Dip

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DIG IN.
 
HIGHLIGHTS...

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.

 
LOCAL COMPETITIONS + Submit an Event
4/6 - 4/7: Landifornian Battle (Seignosse, France)
4/6: Two Peas in a Pod: Mixed Gender Partner Comp (Burlington, MA)
4/6 - 4/7: SeaDog Summer Showdown (Jupiter, Florida)
4/6: Girls Gone Rx Minnesota (Austin, Minnesota)
4/6: Girls Gone Rx Kentucky (Richmond, Kentucky)
4/6: Girls Gone Rx Ohio (Lancaster, Ohio)
4/6: Best Babes Decatur (Decatur, Alabama)
4/6: Best Babes 608 (Janesville, Wisconsin)
4/6: Best Babes South Carolina (Beufort, South Carolina)
4/6: Best Babes Tampa (Tampa, Florida)
4/6: Best Babes Wyoming (Cheyene, Wyoming)
4/6: War Off I-4 (Deland, FL)
4/6 - 4/7: No Pain No Game (Legnano, Italy)
4/6 - 4/7: Shack Team Edition (Rome, Italy)
4/6: Best Babes South Carolina (Beaufort, SC)
4/6: Best Babes Decatur (Decatur, AL)
4/6: Best Babes Houston (Houston, Texas)
4/13: Queens of Oly East Tennessee (Bulls Gap, TN)
4/13: Queens of Oly Rockledge (Rockledge, FL)
4/13: Fittest on Main (Boaz, AL)
4/19 - 4/21: Crash Crescendo (Spartanburg, SC)
4/20: Barbells For Bullies: Community Workout Savannah (Savnnah, Georgia, US)
4/20: Festivus Games @ CrossFit Plattsburgh (Plattsburgh, NY)
4/20: Festivus Games @ CrossFit Masiphumelele (Kommetjie, Cape Town, South Africa)
4/20: Festivus Games (Goderich, Canada)
4/20: Festivus Games (Clermont, FL)
4/20: Festivus Games @ The Gym – CrossFit Kilo (Cedar Falls, IA)
4/20: Festivus Games @ CBM Sirens (Caledonia, MS)
4/20: Festivus Games @ Coyote Valley (San Jose, CA)
4/20: The Fittest 4 (Sunshine Coast, Australia)
4/20: Embrace the Challenge (Mentor, Ohio)
4/20: Festivus Games @ CrossFit Pagosa (Pagosa Springs, CO)
4/20: First EVER Adaptive Festivus Games Competition (Waterford, United States)
4/20: Festivus Games (WAUKESHA, WI)
4/20 - 4/21: BGR Contest Spring Edition (Bergerac, France)
4/20 - 4/21: Okanagan Valley Throwdown (Penticton, British Columbia, Canada)
4/20 - 4/21: Okanagan Valley Throwdown (Penticton, British Columbia)
4/25 - 5/12: Raised by Grace (Virtual, )
4/26 - 4/28: Crash Crescendo (Spartanburg, SC)
4/27: Cap Crown Throwdown (Gladstone, Australia)
4/28: 249 Spring Throwdown (Sittingbourne, Kent, England)
5/4: CHLKDUP Classic (Nashville, TN)
5/4: Masters Equalizer Co-Ed Team of 4 Comp (Oceanport, United States)
5/4: The Battle on Bedford (Lynchburg, VA)
5/4 - 5/5: Pavia Spring Challenge ’24 (Pavia, Italy)
5/4 - 5/5: Italian Bulls Games (Lido di Ostia, Italy)
5/4: Team Challenge Texas (San Antonio, Texas)
5/4: The Strong and Courageous (Cullman, Alabama)
5/11 - 5/12: Finest City Weightlifting Open – Presented by The Strength Tank (San Diego, CA)
5/11: True Fitness Trials (Cherry Hill, NJ)
5/11: Queens of Oly Hawaii (Wailuku, Hawaii)
5/11: Queens of Oly Hudson (Hudson, NY)
5/11: Queens of Oly Philadelphia (West Chester, Philadelphia)
5/18: Thrive Throwdown (Lynchburg, VA)
5/18: Imperial CrossFit’s Spring Fit Fest (Kent, WA)
5/18 - 5/19: The Rainhill Spring Trials (Manchester, UK)
5/18: Luminate the Day (Nonprofit comp for Windy Willow Foundation) (Grand Rapids, MI)
5/18: Girls Gone Rx Chicago (Alsip, Illinois)
5/18: Girls Gone Rx Wilmington (Wilmington, North Carolina)
5/18: Girls Gone Rx San Antonio (San Antonio, Texas)
5/18: Girls Gone RX Wilmington (Wilmington, NC)
5/18: Code 3 Clash (Eagle, ID)

See all upcoming events

 
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