| |
|
|
December 5
POWERED BY
 |
|
Good morning and welcome to the Morning Chalk Up.
In today’s edition:
- Ricky Garard is racking up frequent flyer miles and competition experience this off-season
- As Noah Ohlsen adds more and more team competitions to his resume, we take a look back and analyze his individual career
- The Weekly Buzz is coming in hot with sports and affiliate news and updates
- After four days of competition and 28 divisions, WheelWOD 2023 is a wrap
Don’t forget to hit us up with story tips, highlights, quotes of the day, and more.
Looking for the perfect gift this holiday season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide.
|
|
| |
|
QUOTE OF THE DAY
|
+ Send us a Quote
|
|
“The real glory is being knocked to your knees and then coming back. That’s real glory. That’s the essence of it.” – Vince Lombardi
|
|
| |
Around the World in 80 Days: Ricky Garard Makes Up Lost Competition Time in the 2023 Off-Season
|
| |
 |
|
|
Ricky Garard didn’t have the 2023 season he had hoped for after an unfortunate injury took him out of the running for the NOBULL CrossFit Games. However, as the year comes to a close and major off-season competitions ramp up, Garard’s put his name on the roster of almost every one of them.
His coach, Justin Cotler, weighs in on his journey back to the competition floor and what’s in store for the 2024 season. Garard just competed on team “A Coupla Dawgs” at the Down Under Championship (and took second place) and is slated to appear at the Dubai Fitness Championships and 2024 TYR Wodapalooza. He also competed at the 2023 Rogue Invitational and placed 5th overall.
For those keeping track, that’s four major, international competitions on three different continents in 80 days (October 26, 2023, to January 14, 2024).
Remind me: The Australian athlete has been recovering from a shoulder injury he sustained during a mountain biking accident earlier this year. The injury required surgery and it has been a long road to getting back to 100 percent.
Garard, 29, has had somewhat of a dark cloud over his head after facing a four-year suspension due to a drug testing violation during his rookie year at the 2017 CrossFit Games. He came back to the 2022 NOBULL CrossFit Games fired up and ready to fight, finishing in third. Most would assume he’d return for another podium spot in 2023, but the shoulder injury derailed him again.
- Cotler said he spoke to Garard recently, who told him “I feel like I’m at my best when I’m having the most fun and I have the most fun when I’m competing.”
- Cotler: “I think that’s the most important thing right now for him coming off the injury and losing the Games. I think right now he’s looking to try to have fun.”
- “To be honest with you, if it was anybody else I would probably be considerably more stubborn about pushing back and he knows my feelings on it,” Cotler continued.
- “It’s hard for me to push back too much because at the end of the day, he’s missed so many competitions and he’s missed so much time and you don’t get back these years and I understand him wanting to compete as much as he does,” he concluded.
Cotler, the founder and co-owner of Underdogs Athletics, adds that Garard is much more than an athlete to him, he’s a part of the family. He understands the setbacks physically and mentally that Garard has faced and “the best way for him to deal with that is to get back up out on the competition floor.”
- The Down Under Championship was held in Australia from December 1 through December 3. Garard competed on a team at the event alongside Joel Molinia and Johan Roberts.
- Dubai Fitness Championships will start soon after on December 8. TYR Wodapalooza will begin on January 11.
When asked about his approach to this offseason, Garard said, “I love to compete and why not compete as often as you can when you are in your prime.”
One last thing: Looking ahead to the 2024 Games season, Cotler said he expects Garard to have a great season and “that he’ll be in the mix at all these events all the way leading up to the Games.”
“He’s one of those guys who seems best for the high-pressure moments. Some people fold under pressure and some people rise up and Ricky’s just one of those guys who tends to rise under pressure.”
|
|
| |
The Ultimate Fitness Companion: X2 Grips
|
|
|
|
Why get X2 Grips:
- Comfort: Soft material keeps you cool during your WODs
- Bar Versatility: Ideal for powder-coated, speal bars (bare steel)
- No Break-In Time: Just chalk up and go
- Fast Transition: Flips down seamlessly for a barehand exercise transition (Freedom Style Only)
- Lightweight and Durable: Perfect balance for lasting performance
- Washable and Vegan: Easy to clean, crafted from sustainable materials
- Style Choices: Available in Fingerless, 2-Finger, and 3-Finger styles
Chalk up and conquer.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
The Dubai Fitness Championship leaderboard is now locked. The competition kicks off next week in Dubai, UAE, and tickets are still available.
Mainsite Guest Programmer: Michele Letendre, former Games athlete, founder and owner of Deka Comp, and Pat Vellner’s coach, will be programming CrossFit Mainsite December 4-17, 2023. Her first workout, for Monday 231204, was:
- 7 Rounds for Time:
7 Deadlifts
7 Hang Power Cleans
7 Front Squats
Rest 1:00 between rounds
(155/105 pounds)
CrossFit Games veteran Alec Smith is now offering one-on-one coaching with individualized workout programming, meal and macro plans, weekly check-ins, and continuous communication. Check it out and fill out a lead form now.
ICYMI: Before the affiliation fee announcement, trust in the CrossFit brand from affiliate owners was at a near-all-time high.
|
|
| |
|
 MEMBER EXCLUSIVE
Analyzing Noah Ohlsen’s Incredible CrossFit Games Individual Career
|
| |
 |
|
|
Now that 32-year-old Noah Ohlsen has decided to retire from individual competition and move on to the team division (his team, “Ombre Hombres,” placed third at the Down Under Championship), we thought it would be a good idea to review all of what he has done in his incredible 10-year career at the CrossFit Games.
As we dive into this post, you might even be surprised to see some of the following statistics. Let’s get started.
Continue Readng…
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
28 Divisions, 4 Days: WheelWOD Games 2023 Come to a Close
|
| |
 |
|
|
The 2023 WheelWOD Games just wrapped up its big event in Raleigh, NC, over the weekend, bringing 28 adaptive divisions together to compete under one roof. The event was a preamble to what’s to come during the 2024 season when WheelWOD takes over the end-of-season competition for adaptive athletes.
Remind me: CrossFit HQ announced major changes to the format of the Games coming next season for age division and adaptive athletes. The respective divisions will each have their own end-of-season events hosted by outside organizations.
The entire adaptive season, programming, and classifying will be hosted by WheelWOD come 2024, a change that many likely see fit, given the limited number of in-person adaptive divisions the Games has offered in years past. CrossFit introduced adaptive divisions to the Games in 2021 and has always only allowed a handful of the divisions to compete in person.
- WheelWOD was established in 2013 by Chris “Stouty” Stoutenburg. He also created the WheelWOD Open, which was his own version of the CrossFit Open, specific to his needs as an athlete.
- Stouty’s videos grew in popularity, and other adaptive athletes started to jump in. Fast forward to 2016, and WheelWOD decided to host its first in-person competition. The success is evident in the participation and expanded divisions offered to this day.
- The 2023 WheelWOD Games brought together hundreds of athletes, judges, and fans for four days. Athletes competed in a staggering 11 workouts.
- 2024 WheelWOD Games details have yet to be released, but WheelWOD leaders have signaled it will be held in September or October.
Continue Reading…
|
|
| |
|
THINGS TO…
|
| |
| |
|
…BAKE
Two Ingredient Chocolate Cake
Made with only two ingredients, (yes, seriously), this chocolate cake is your new favorite easy treat. Whip it up for your next holiday party or for a quick dessert.
EAT UP.
|
| |
|
|
|
SPONSORED
|
|
…LEARN
Wondering How to Keep Your Members Engaged?
Unlock Member Success in 2024 with the “Expert Tips for Athlete Retention” guide. Discover strategies like impactful programming, showing athlete appreciation, and tips to cultivate a strong community. Simplify the gym experience, engage your athletes, and boost retention.
GET YOUR COPY.
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
…TRY
Tissue Exposure
Try out new and different grips in your pull-ups, and stances in your deadlifts, exposing the tissue to novel challenges which can lead to different stimuli and can maximize a short workout.
TRAIN WEIRD.
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
…GRAB
Your FREE Whoop and a Month Membership On Us
Ready to learn helpful information about yourself and your training? Whoop helps you monitor your recovery, sleep, training and health and gives recommendations to become a more efficient and healthy human. And don’t worry, for new members we’re hooking you up with a free Whoop 4.0 and a month of membership on us!
WHOOP WHOOP.
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
…TRAIN
In the Hole Overhead Squat
Try this lift to develop strength and comfort in the bottom position of the overhead squat, helping to fine-tune balance, and strengthen the joints.
GET LOW.
|
|
| |
| |
|
HIGHLIGHTS
|
|
Celebrating a PR, hosting a fundraiser, this, that, or otherwise? Send us a tip.
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
