Recent Posts

05.14.13 Reminder!

Reminder DogTown has a modified schedule this week due to the SoCal CrossFit Games Regionals.

 
Thursday: 7:30pm Advanced Class Canceled (There will be no 7:30pm classes)
 
Friday: 6:30am, 7:30am and 12:30pm Classes only. All others canceled. 
 
Saturday: No Classes
 
Sunday: No Classes
 
If you can make it out to Del Mar to watch Lindsey Valenzuela, Val Voboril and our Team (Niki Osimo, Daniele Burger, Kat Leone, Scott McGee, Arsenio Valenzuela, and Nick Cameron) we would love to see you there! 
 
Here are more details: http://games.crossfit.com/region/southern-california/schedule

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05.08.13 Who is ready to hit the beach?

 

DogTown CrossFit’s

DT Surf Club – Surf, Sand and Sweat

Hello DogTowner’s, 

We are exicted to announce DogTown is hosting a Saturday class at the BEACH! The DT Surf Club will provide workouts 1 hour in duration. They will be performed outside on sand, grass, sometimes concrete, and possibly some water (don't worry, we will give you a heads up). The movements include body weight exercises (gymnastics) and cardio/plyometric exercises. The focus will not be about weight lifting, but external load will be used in some classes (kettlebells, medicine balls, etc.).

The concept behind DT Surf Club is simple:

1.     Get outside (an average person spends 90% of their day indoors!)

2.     Increase your cardiovascular conditioning and muscle endurance

3.     Learn how to run with more efficiency

4.     Have FUN

You will not be required to bring any equipment with you to class.

Now I know what you are thinking…this sounds like a commercial. DUH! But its more than that, we want you guys to take advantage of the beautiful California weather, and get a tremendous workout. Not to mention, that after every class, we encourage you to stick around and challenge your friends to volleyball, throw a football around, or have a picnic with some of your favorite gym mates.

At the end of summer, DogTown will host a team competition on Sept 7th “BASH AT THE BEACH”. Stay tuned for more details regarding that event.

Details

Starts: Saturday, June 15, 2013

When: Every Saturday Morning from 9am to 10am (last class Sept 7th)

Where: Crescent Bay Park- 2000 Ocean Ave. Santa Monica, CA 90407. Ocean Ave at Bay St. We will meet on the grass near the bottom level. Look for the DogTown CrossFit Tent.

How: We will have a weekly sign up sheet at DogTown CrossFit where you can reserve your space for the Saturday morning beach workout.

Price: DogTown CrossFit members = $FREE, Friends and Family of DogTowners = $15 per session. Open to the public= $20 per session

Let’s have some fun this summer and train outside in beautiful, sunny Southern California! Let me know if you have any suggestions, concerns, or questions.

See you at the gym!

Coach Mike V, Coach Josh G

 

cue the music

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04.19.13 WLC Champions!!!

 

Whole Life Challenge Champions!
 
Well a week has passed since the demise of the Whole Life challenge and no doubt some alcohol has been shot, sipped or shaken, sugar warmly welcomed and possibly even some grains gone wild on your plate. Congratulations! If you were amongst the top 20 finishers you likely deserve the stomach aches! Then again I didn't finish in the top 20 and my tastebuds have dabbled with all of the above (in moderation of course
 and in the form of a glass of wine, oatmeal and dark chocolate) so perhaps consider that food is not a reward, cheat days do not denote blowing your load and that you all learned an incredible amount about yourselves, your bodies, and your minds and for that you are all champions.
 
I know I don't speak as a lone soldier on this when I say that one of the coolest things about these challenges is the inspiration, spirit and proven results from so many of the participants. We have seen it before: pounds shed, medications lowered, and some l-b's added to your lifts but one of the best take aways is seeing people blossom as their confidence increases and they get a bit more pep in their step. No doubt I learned this in some rom-com movie staring Jennifer Lopez or Hugh Grant but when I go to a wedding while everyone is watching the bride walk down the aisle I glance back at the groom because in that moment he has a look of pure happiness. Last weekend in timing the baseline workouts and taking measurements I saw that same face on every whole life challenger .Take Jordan Siperstein, for example, if he gets to class early he hangs out quietly by the foam rollers but then lat Saturday I kid you not I am pretty sure I saw both his hands in the air as he threw down a little happy dance post the baseline workout. Or Becca Clason who has been with us for a few months, clocks in consistently 3x  a week, ad post WLC has decided  to give some "All Levels" classes a go! We are so fortunate at DogTown to have some of the top athletes in the world call our gym home and wow are they incredible, but do yourself a favor next week and take a look at the person to your right as I have a hunch they too are up to big things.
 
So on that note of passion for what we are ALL up to, without further adieu I bring you our 2012 Whole Life Champions!
 
Most Improved workout with a 22% increase in speed, Nikola Kantar!!!!
 
Most Improved (*) body measurements with an 11% decrease in inches, Omid Kahalil!!!!
 
Drum role please…..
 
Top Female with a 18% increase in speed, 12% decrease in measurement and perfect "check-in" score, Claudia Padula!!!!
 
Top Male with a 10% increase in speed, 5% decrease in measurement and perfect "check-in" score, Christopher Ambrosini!!!!
 
(*Note Omid was second in lost inches and Claudia first but in fairness we wanted to spread out the reward love. It is also probably worth noting that Omid and Claudia are tying the knot next month so they are obvi a solid team but also proof that there is power in doing things with others!)
 
Huge thanks to Dogtwon, Brian's Bowls, WOD Gear, Hylete, SFH and Ventura meat in your generosity for our winners circle! Winners please see Liz or Josh for your prizes!
 
As for the rest of  you players, great job don't lose now and in the words of Nas "play on playas"
 
Incredibly inspired but all of you. Your teammate, 
 
Jo

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04.12.13 8 Weeks Later

8 weeks later

Well it goes without saying that you all have more self-control then I… That or a better memory, you decide, whatever makes you sleep at night. I won't judge. And nor should I judge because I will be the first to admit that I bombed in the final weeks of The WLC. However I learned some very valuable lessons in my failure and I have an optimistic outlook that the purpose of this challenge was to create new habits and learn about yourself. Both I did, so all is not lost.

I know you are far more concerned about what comes next as opposed to my story but since I am the voice of this blog I am going to abuse my powers one last time and share with you exactly when and how the challenge crumbled for me. (p.s. I have been told I have a conversational tone to my writing so feel free to read in a Canadian accent if it makes you more comfortable).

Day 39, Easter Weekend: I went away Easter weekend and somewhat tried to stay WLC compliant but Good Friday came and went and I forgot to log my points, same with Saturday, then Sunday…Then I received the most awesome but out-of-control chocolate Easter basket which eventually caused me to throw in the towel all  together on the challenge. Upon my return home I even went so far as to put the chocolate in the freezer hoping that would dissuade me. It didn't. It did however cause me to nearly chip a tooth attempting to gnaw a rock hard bunny tail off. (Does that almost sound like a  dirty rap song innuendo? "Gnawed that hard rock tail") This was nothing new for me. WLC or not any day of the year my grocery list is "clean" because if I have chocolates or desserts (and oddly nuts?) in my house they will all get eaten.. in one sitting  So to avoid that I don't buy them. Which means if I have a craving I actually have to go out of my way to get, which means I must REALLY want it. So after forgetting to login 3x in a row and an Easter basket to boot I became a quitter.

Funny because I don't often think of myself as a quitter if anything I would have thought maybe a fighter? But now I have found myself reflecting on other times of my life that I have slowly phased myself out of challenging scenarios, perhaps not stood up for something I was doing, walked away from a commitment because of peer pressure when the reality is no one was pressuring me I just didn't want to be different. So the bigger question is why? Why do we choose to make the actions we do? That my friends and team mates is the question I suggest you all reflect on…

Why did you even participate?
Why did you play full on?
Why did you cheat when you did?
Why are you counting down the days until it is over?

I imagine some of your answers may change the rest of your life. i.e. you did it to look and feel good for your wedding - don't you want to look and feel good everyday? You played because you needed a forum, team  and a scoreboard to be accountable for your health - maybe now you can consider your mile time or your back squat your scoreboard. You cheated because you felt rude saying no to the bread basket on a first date - 1. they probably wouldnt have cared and 2. if they did maybe they aren't for you. Can't wait for it's over so that you can eat whatever you want? I assure you from my chocolate- coma you won't feel good doing so.

They say it takes 40 days to create a habit so don't discount the mountain of accomplishment you took on and conquered! Sure toss some cream in your coffee and enjoy that glass of wine, but continue to read your labels, take your fish oil,  meditate, sleep well, do something nice for others and most importantly remember how you feel today.

Congrats all!

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04.11.13 Regional Tickets Sale Tomorrow!

Tickets for CrossFit Regionals go on sale tomorrow, Friday, April 11th

For more information: http://games.crossfit.com/article/get-your-tickets-regionals-friday

The SoCal Regional takes place May 17-19th

Del Mar Fairgrounds

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04.10.13 April Updates!

 

DogTowners,

A few updates for you as we go full swing into April!

Whole Life Challenge

First off, we have the Whole Life Challenging ending this Saturday! There are several DogTowners who have stayed strong and it’s going to be a tough task to declare a winner! To everyone who participated, we are very proud of you and hope you’ve had some positive changes within yourself.

We are repeating the WLC Workout this Saturday so you can compare your scores. We are also taking measurements of hips and waste for participants only. Whether you participated or not, we encourage everyone to come to class Saturday, either 9:30am or 10:30am and re-test!

In case you forgot, here’s the workout:

800m Run

50 Air Squats

600m Run

40 Sit-ups

400m Run

20 Push-ups

200m Run

10 Burpees

Testing Next Week

It’s been 12 weeks since our last testing week so it’s time to re-test! If you’ve never tested with DogTown before I’ll fill you in. It’s a week of Max Effort Lifts and Baseline Workouts. We test approximately every 12 weeks so you can see if you’re improving and what you need to work on. It also let’s us know if the program design is working. We can’t wait for you to get some new numbers next week!!

CrossFit Regionals

The CrossFit Open is over and DogTown qualified individuals, Valerie Voboril and Lindsey Valenzuela as well as a Team which will be made up of 3 men and 3 women.

Details for the SoCal Regional

May 17-19th

Del Mar Arena

Del Mar Fairgrounds

2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd.

Del Mar, CA 9201

We know it’s a drive, but we would love to have some Dogtowners come out to support the athletes! We will be planning events leading up to Regionals for everyone to get together and show their support!

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04.05.13 13.5 Reservations

Hi Guys,

Please email liz@dogtowncrossfit.com if you will be participating in 13.5 on Saturday morning at 8am!

Thank you!

Liz

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03.29.13 Open Gym Sunday 9am-11am

Hi Guys,

 
Sorry for the previous email! Open gym is now back on for Sunday but only until 11am. Open Gym will run from 9am-11am. 
 
Enjoy!

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03.21.13 13.3

 

Morning Guys,

If you need your score validated for 13.3, you must attend Advanced Class at 8:00am on Saturday or make other arrangements. 
 
I'm taking reservations now so I can create heats and you will know your start time before the workout Saturday.
 
Please email liz@dogtowncrossfit.com if you plan on attending or have any questions.
 
Cheers,
 
Liz

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03.18.13 Namaste

 

10 mins of meditation hey? Or as the Canadian in me would say "ay"? Like woah, how are you all feeling about this curve-ball? For some of you I imagine it will be your version of making it to the CrossFit Games, in other words hard as heck and no small feat! So maybe it would help to know that a large percentage of professional athletes meditate. In fact, I joke you not, Lakers fan or not there is no denying Phil Jackson was an incredible coach and believe it or not he attributes a lot of his success to the meditation and focussing techniques he brought to his teams and players. So maybe consider that if it could work for Michael Jordan it could work for you.
 
Don't get me wrong I am not on a rant thinking this is an easy habit to pick up. In fact I am grateful that thanks to my previous life at lululemon meditation, journaling and prayer was something we played with often. The founder in fact swears mediation is going to be next world-wide phenom (though it is fair to assume he has never tried CrossFit.) 
 
So here are some hot tips for when you take your time-out:
 
1. Start small. I know it says 10 mins but if you are opting for  the sitting cross legged Eat. pray, love route. Break it up in your day to two 5 minutes or five 2 mins and build up from there.
2. Count your breaths and or length of inhales exhales it will help you stay present.
3. Come up with a mantra and play it on repeat in your head.
4. Download a meditation app 
5. Get comfy. Although many of us think of effective meditation as a Yogi sitting cross. Try sitting, lying, eyes open, eyes closed, etc.
6. if your mind wanders to your grocery list don't make yourself wrong just stop, recalibrate and listen.. to your breathing.
7. I recommend to do first think in the morning or last thing at night. Whatever you chose try and make it the same time every day. HABIT
8. If you go the journaling route, keep it positive positive, consider even  gratitude journal. Also make it hand written, No computers.
9. Make sure you won't be disturbed, turn your ringer off and close the door.
10. Do not stres. I guarentee you aren't doing it wrong.
 
Peace, joy and all that groovy sh*t hipsters.
 
Namatse, your team-mate, 
 
Jo

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