News & Events
Athlete Profile: Ladies of the Virtuosity Competition Team
Maybe you've noticed some badass ladies quietly repping out muscle-ups, or throwing ridiculous weights over their heads at the back of the gym during team practice times. Perhaps you've wondered who they are and what they're doing. Wonder no longer: introducing the lovely ladies of the Virtuosity Competition Team!
Behind The Programming Curtain
with Kurt, The Wizard of Tucson
For those of you who have been wondering if there's a method behind the madness, here's a little insight into Kurt's programming approach! Our programming currently runs in 5-week cycles. Every 5 weeks, Kurt chooses a set of benchmarks to particularly hone in on, and measure improvement in.
Athlete Profile: Jeb Stuart-Johnston
Name: Jeb Stuart Johnston
Hometown: Baltimore, MD
Age: 35
Occupation: Hairdresser
CrossFitting Since: On and off since 2007
How has CrossFit helped you prepare for your [Strongman] competitions?:
It's such a mental game and that mental toughness really transfers over to my Strongman training. Honestly, though, it's not the WODs that helped me most at my last competition, it was the CFV community. There were over a dozen CFV athletes who trekked up damn near the Bronx in arctic temperatures to come see Maillard and myself compete. In the max reps deadlift event, when I blacked out and went to one knee, it was voices from CFV that made me stand up and get that 28th rep @ 315lbs. It was one of those moments that made me realize just how much bigger CrossFit is than just us as athletes. It was really touching.
Athlete Profile: Brooklyn Barbell Olympic Weightlifting Team
Led by Coach Blanco and Coach Joey, The Brooklyn Barbell Olympic Weightlifting Team put in a command performance at the 2013 Connecticut Weightlifting Championships in late July. This was a first competition for most of the participants. We checked in with them to see how it went!
Athlete Profile: Guillermo Santiago
Name: Guillermo Santiago
Hometown: San Juan, PR
Age: 37
CrossFitting Since: I was first exposed to some CrossFit-style workouts by Keith in 2006, but when CFV opened, I started CrossFitting on a regular basis.
What advice do you have for people just getting started? Listen to the coaches, they know what they're doing. Oh, and stretch. Definitely stretch. Take the coaches' mobility instructions seriously, because that's half the battle. And scale. It's better to do a movement right with a lower weight than to do it wrong with a heavier weight.
Athlete Profile: Kathleen Ryan
Name: Kathleen Ryan
Hometown: Walpole, Massachusetts
Age: 28
CrossFitting Since: In and out since 2010, but safe to say 2012 really started the CrossFit addiction!
How have you changed since starting CrossFit Virtuosity? I think we all know how our body can change if we stick to a CrossFit lifestyle and the physical rewards this sport alone can pay us. But what is important that some underestimate is how it affects you in ways where other fitness regimens don't. The community is awesome, the atmosphere is great, and the people, well they are fabulous too. It is pretty cool to be able to leave work and head to the gym to for a couple hours to get in your training but also hang with good people who push you to be a better person and athlete.
Becoming a Supple Leopard: The Ultimate Guide to Resolving Pain, Preventing Injury, and Optimizing Athletic Performance
Our very own Coach Panda brings you his thoughts on the new book,"Becoming a Supple Leopard: The Ultimate Guide to Resolving Pain, Preventing Injury, and Optimizing Athletic Performance" by Dr. Kelly Starrett with Glen Cordoza.
Athlete Profile: Valerio Da Silva
Name: Valerio "Vurpees" Da Silva
Hometown: Rome, Italy
Age: 26
CrossFitting Since: March 2012
What advice do you have for other people considering trying CrossFit? The first time I told my mom about CrossFit, I told her about how great it was because everyone was doing the same thing at the same time. We are sharing a moment together. For me, it was really bewildering to see twenty five people waiting for the clock to start to do the exact same thing. It really motivates you to finish. You can't do CrossFit by yourself - you need that group environment to motivate you. You suffer together. When you see someone finish before you, you're motivated to finish. It's very beautiful and incredibly inspiring.
Athlete Profile: Michele Kelber
Name: Michele Kelber
Hometown: Westfield, NJ
Age: "Bitches! I'm 39 1/2!"
CrossFitting Since: January 2010
What is different about CrossFit? CrossFit has made me say, "you can fucking do this, you want this, pick up the bar and find out what you've got." When you PR that lift or get yourself on the leader board or do something else that you never thought you could do, you walk away with a spring in your step. You've blown the glass ceiling off of your life. Yeah, your life. Sounds dramatic, but CrossFit enables you to see yourself differently. There are opportunities inside these walls that don't exist anywhere else. CrossFit isn't solely about fitness, it has the capacity to alter your self perception. You just have to get here.