Featured Athlete: Chris G.

While Chris has always had a great engine when it comes to conditioning, in the past year he has made some pretty amazing gains in terms of strength and olympic lifting!  His combination of dedication, consistency and humility allow him to not only come in each day with a positive attitude and put forth his best, but also drive him to continue working on his weaknesses, before, during and after the classes!  Chris however doesn’t just focus on himself, even minutes after finishing a grueling workout he can be found running an additional 400 meters to help push someone on their final run.  Another fun fact about Chris that many people may not realize is that this year was Chris’ first CrossFit Open,… and he totally smashed on it!

Name:  Chris Grames
Age: 31

Q.  How long have you been doing CrossFit?

Off and on for 5+ years, I started at Reebok CrossFit One but only got serious about it 2 years ago when I started coming to Sweat Shop.

Q.  What were you doing for exercise before CrossFit?

I would do a combination of weightlifting, running, biking for my workouts.

Q.  How did you begin training at CrossFit Sweat Shop?

I lived in the Oak Road Station apartments and would run by the gym on the trail. I knew I wanted to get back into CrossFit and the easy location made that easier.

Q.  What has been the most significant benefit or change since you’ve been a member of the Sweat Shop?

Joining the 6am crew has been a lot of fun. I like getting up early if I can, but it’s hard to stay motivated if you don’t like what you’re doing and you don’t like the people you’re with. Trying to keep up with all of them keeps me getting up early most days.

 


Q.  What is your favorite exercise or workout?

I don’t have favorites – I like variety. That being said, snatches on a good day are just fun to do.

 

Q.  What is your least favorite exercise or workout?

I’m not good at pulling – pullups and ropeclimbs are frustrating as a result

 


Q.  What is your favorite cheat meal/snack?

All of them? I don’t eat nearly as healthily as I should. Burgers, pizza, donuts, ice cream, cake… all are good contenders

 


Q.  What do you enjoy most about training at CrossFit Sweat Shop?

I’ve come to appreciate the programming and coaching more as I have done some drop ins while traveling. I noticed from the get go that the coaches learned names really fast (I’m particularly bad at names) and that impressed me. Our gym’s focus on strength training and complex lifts 2-3 times a week is something that I enjoy compared to coming in and doing metcons every day.

Q.  Now that you’ve been doing CrossFit, what’s one thing you could never see yourself doing again? 

I think crossfit has cemented for me that I don’t have any desire to train for and run a long distance race.

Q.  What is your proudest exercise related achievement?

I was a cheerleader in college. There is a stunt called a full-up where you toss a girl into the air and she does a full 360 before you catch her feet above your head. When I could do that with any girl on my team I was pretty proud. Especially since I was one of the only guys under 6′ and 200lbs.

Q.  What advice would you give someone who is hesitant to try CrossFit?

I got tired of just ‘working out’ for 2 reasons: I didn’t want to think about my programming, and it’s always hard to maintain intensity or get a good workout in at the gym. Crossfit solves these things for me – I get told what the workout is everyday and I know that I’m going to come in and get a good workout in because as long as I show up having others push around me will help me push.

Q.  What is your most sought after exercise goal?

To be more goal oriented in my training 😉 I would like to snatch 225 just because.

Q.  What do you enjoy doing outside of CrossFit?

Everything! I work on my house a lot, hike with my dog, eat good food, watch movies. Variety is the spice of life!

Q.  What is something you have recently purchased for less than $100 (or acquired for free) that you thoroughly enjoy and/or would recommend to others?

Nothing recently – I bought some reclaimed wood off craigslist for projects around the house…

Q. What advice would you give your 18 year old self?

Be more responsible where is counts and less responsible where it doesn’t.

4 replies
  1. Big Mike
    Big Mike says:

    I have been able to witness firsthand Chris’ amazing feats of fitness during the 6:00 am class. I enjoy working out with him, as he always pushes himself and the rest of us to give our best effort.

    Reply
  2. DJ Lynam
    DJ Lynam says:

    Love these featured athlete posts. I always learn something new about someone! Chris truly is the man and its been very impressive to watch him improve dramatically. A bit sad there were no star wars answers though…….

    Reply

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