April Athlete of the Month: Yale Smith!
By Meghan Gehle | April 4, 2017
Our April “Athlete of the Month” knows about going above and beyond. Whether Yale Smith is staying late after class to work on his weaknesses, coming to open gym for extra mobility work, or persevering through injury by appropriately scaling and modifying workouts, he has shown remarkable consistency and resilience and is always trying to make himself a better athlete. Yale, we are so proud of the athlete you’ve become and can’t wait to see you crush some more goals this year! Congratulations!
CS: Tell us a little bit about the difference CrossFit has made in your fitness since you joined. What changes have you noticed?
Yale: Before I joined I maintained a bit of aerobic fitness with sporadic running, but my efforts at gaining strength at a regular gym were futile. After joining CrossFit, my aerobic capacity has increased a lot. My strength in all areas, including areas I didn’t know existed, has increased dramatically. A lot of moves and lifts are still beyond my ability, but I feel I’ll be able tackle many of them over the next year or so.
CS: What’s your favorite part about coming to CrossFit class?
Yale: I really like the camaraderie and support of working out with the group. I would never get fit without it. It’s what makes the WODs bearable. I also really appreciate the feedback and advice from all the coaches.
CS: What’s your best piece of advice for a brand new CrossFitter?
Yale: For new members over 50 and/or people who haven’t been working out regularly, I recommend starting slowly and listening carefully to your body. The coaches can help you scale the workouts in a way that works for you. The intensity of CrossFit is one of it’s appealing aspects. However, when you are new, I recommend moderating the heaviness of the weights you use and going for it when the workout is more bodyweight-oriented. Finally, stick with it and have fun!
Categories: Athlete of the Month