March
Member of the Month:
Sara Hardy

 
 
 
Our member of the month for March is Sara Hardy. Sara has made huge improvements since I’ve joined the ATL Barbell family last year. Sara never ceases to impress me in the gym. Whether she’s squatting 200#, or jumping on top of a 40″ box, she always seems to pick up on things quickly and make them look effortless. To add to her athleticism, she can always be found with a smile on her face, even when she had to do 7mins of burpees alone. In recent months, a lot of her focus has been on gymnastics classes, where she has also taken on several new skills. Sara, we truly value the dynamic you bring to our gym. Congratulations on being this month’s member of the month!

 - Coach Benji

What got you into CrossFit?

I always played sports growing up; after college I joined LA Fitness to keep in shape, but never really pushed myself. In almost 10 years I didn’t see any real change in my physique, my strength or my endurance. Plus I was bored out of my skull. I needed a change and CrossFit Downtown was 2 blocks from my house, so I gave it a try and loved it immediately – the competition, the challenge, the camaraderie.

What changes have you noticed since starting CrossFit?

Most notably, I’m stronger. I dropped 2 pant sizes in the first 3 months, and I can’t believe the muscle definition I’ve developed on my arms and mid-section. Going full paleo has been a challenge, but I feel better and have a lot more energy now that I watch what I eat.

What do you enjoy most about CrossFit Downtown?

I love the people – trainers and athletes. It’s a positive and fun environment and I always look forward to going, even when it’s an awful workout. I enjoy the variety, plus I like not having to plan what I’m going to do. All I have to do is show up and not die.

What do you find to be the biggest challenge with CrossFit?

Working out to country music. (heehee!) But seriously, my endurance STINKS and when something gets hard all I want to do is quit – I have to face those 2 demons every time I work out, and push through. But the sense of accomplishment I get at the end of a WOD keeps me coming back. Little by little it’s getting easier.

What is your favorite movement and why?

I have a love/hate relationship with pull-ups. They rip my hands to hell, but when I started I thought I would never be able to do an unassisted pull-up, and now I can kip 10 unbroken. I get excited every time I do one. Next step: butterflies! Also, I like ball slams. I find them cathartic.

Anything you would like to add/say?

Thanks to all the trainers for their help and encouragement. It’s been a fun ride so far and I want to get my name up on that board a few more times. And more people should try the gymnastics WODs! They are a blast!

Benchmarks

Backsquat: 155 —> 200
Deadlift: 165 — >225
Strict Press: 75 —> 90
Power Clean: 120
Clean & Jerk: 65 —> 95
Snatch: 95
Bench: 90 —> 105
Box jump height: 41”
Unbroken Pull-ups: 10
Unbroken HSPU: 11
Unbroken 53# KB Swings: 21
Cindy: 14 rounds (not RX) —> 12 rounds + 24 (Rx)
Helen: 12:27
500m row: 1:57
1k row: 3:57
5k row: 21:31
7-min jumping burpees – 81

Congratulations Sara