CrossFit Coach

CrossFit Coach

CrossFit Coach

NYC, NY

Male, 37

I opened CrossFit Hell's Kitchen NYC in September 2010 and since have coached thousands of CrossFitters. I have had athletes make it to the CrossFit Regionals as well as place in many local competitions. Prior to CrossFit, I ran a Kettlebell club at a gym in midtown Manhattan while I worked as a personal trainer. I am a licensed massage therapist who worked on Randy Johnson "The Big Unit" during his pitching days with the NY Yankees.

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Last Answer on April 21, 2017

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What's the Crossfit gym certification process like? It seems to be blowing up these days; what do you have to do to be able to use the Crossfit name, and does the parent organization dictate how many there can be in one city?

Asked by Chelsea212 almost 12 years ago

The certification process is at a cost of $1000.00 and is weekend long process under watchful eyes of the CrossFit HQ staff. Yes, as the popularity of CrossFit increases, so does the demand for more coaches as well as the increased demand for HQ to provide more certification seminars. They sell out almost as quickly as they are posted. In order to be able to use the CrossFit name, one must be a level 1 certification, be a licensed affiliate by HQ, have the proper insurance a live web site and a few other things. Here is the link to CrossFit HQ's site with all the details: http://community.crossfit.com/how-to-affiliate No,... Read More +

How do the economics of opening a Crossfit gym work? Are there huge up-front costs involved with buying or leasing equipment and if so, when should a box owner expect to turn a profit? Right out of the gate?

Asked by GWB almost 12 years ago

That is a really tough question to answer, as the economics of a large city like NYC where CrossFit Hell's Kitchen is located compared to a CrossFit Gym in a rural area will be completely different. Different gyms will be outfitted with differing amounts of equipment. For example we have 60 feet of pull up rigging, 40 Olympic Barbells and almost 4000 pounds of bumper plates as well as 15 Concept 2 rowers and 4500 square feet of fully mat covered floor space. We also have a 6 GHD's, 20 sets of rings, 40 med balls, full dumbell set and a host of other goodies, air dynes, logs, farmers handles, 40 kettlebells and full locker/ shower facilities.... Read More +

Is Crossfit really just a brilliant MARKETING success story more than anything? It always seemed to me like it was just plyometrics packaged for the masses. (Hey, whatever works, right?)

Asked by rainman almost 12 years ago

Marketing? In what way? Only recently, with Reebok's involvement has there been any marketing at all. I was around before Reebok or any marketing took place and was busy and successful long before they came on board. I think one of the greatest things about CrossFit is the LACK of marketing. Look at the ads from globo gyms like Planet Fitness or NYSC or Equinox. They have advertisers that set up ads and marketing budgets. CrossFit relies on word of mouth and member referrals, all of which are unsolicited. I really do no marketing at all, have never been good at networking, exploiting connections or advertising. What I am good at though is... Read More +

What kind of weights can the strongest guy and girl at your box lift?

Asked by michael_kim almost 12 years ago

CrossFit total, which consists of the following lifts: Squat, press and deadlift has had a 405 squat, 185 press and a 565 deadlift by an athlete that weighed in at 190 pounds. Deadlift of 335 by a 105 pound athlete. 215 pound snatch and 270 clean and jerk by an athlete weighing 195 and a 285 clean by a 200 pound athlete. One girl who made Regionals last year and weighs 105 has a clean and jerk of 165.

What made you decide to become a CrossFit coach, instead of continuing your personal training more broadly?

Asked by dan79 almost 12 years ago

That is an interesting question. It was a direct extension for my desire to improve my clients performance. After examining several other forms of training, I felt it was in the best interest of my clients to revisit CrossFit and it's principles. As a CrossFit Coach, I am able to bring a multi-disciplinary approach to my athletes training. Using the best of weightlifting, powerlifting, gymnastics, kettlebells, as well as varying the intensities, duration, rest and loads I have been able to improve overall performance, strength, power and conditioning of the people I coach.

What was the most dramatic before-and-after you experienced with a client?

Asked by Cali cat almost 12 years ago

There have been so many transformations at CrossFit Hell's Kitchen, it is hard to say. The most recent one I can think of is a gentleman involved in our corporate program who has lost 44 pounds over the past 2 months by coming in 3-4 days a week and following a strict Paleo diet. He has gotten such great results, he now has even better support as his girlfriend has joined as well.

Do elite athletes have crazy musculature that a massage therapist can feel? For example, did Randy Johnson's body composition and muscle tone feel dramatically different than that of a typical weekend warrior with a desk job?

Asked by Pete almost 12 years ago

The quality and tone of musculature varies widely amongst people, regardless of their being elite or not, and mostly depending on their level of injury, as that is what I specialized in, injury treatment. Healthy muscle tissue is softer and more pliable in nature than hyper-tonic, injured tissue. There is a different quality to injured tissue. I would usually explain to people I treated that it starts out soft and squishy, like a water balloon. It then feels like a gummy bear and finally after it is chronic, more like beef jerky. Most of the people I treated were injured, and despite their being weekend warriors of Pro Athletes, all the injuries had the same qualities.