Hip Hop is Back! Terminus members took the dance floor with this specialty class – having loads of fun, laughter, and a great workout too! This event was FREE for Terminus members and their friends! Our instructor, Mandi Young, came back for the fourth year in a row to challenge our members, and she was a fantastic leader! Here’s to another dance off in 2023!
Q: Who inspires you at the gym, and how do they inspire you?
I’ve got to give a shoutout to some of the early members of the community on this one. Dan, Jake, Sara, Hannah, Britney Kidd, Graham, Robin, Sonya, Chase, Cam, Kayla, Patrick Donahue. The list goes on! Anyone who has been able to stay committed to CrossFit as a fitness routine as seasons in their life change has my respect.
Q: How would you describe what it’s like to be a part of Terminus?
Community. It doesn’t matter where you are with your fitness level, you can always count on having fun if you show up. Regardless of what class you attend there will always be someone there to challenge you, encourage you and more than likely grab an Old fashioned afterwards!
Q: Tell us about your first day of class at Terminus.
I remember it all too well. I was nervous entering a new gym and had no way of knowing how brutal one of Ben’s run interval cycles could be. I caught the full force of a 4×800 meter interval workout on day 1…DAY 1. After years of unhealthy habits, I learned the hard way that it would take more than cutting corners, walking and even skipping a few laps to keep me from needing a “walk in the garden” to “collect” myself. I will never look at the bushes in front of Ammazza the same way.
Q: What is something that we may not know about you?
After attending Auburn (War Eagle!), I went to work as a Consultant at EY traveling Monday-Thursday to cities all over the US. I’ve spent time in 35 of the 50 states and even moved to New York for a year in 2017.
Q: What are your top 3 memories or proudest moments in CrossFit?
Doing CrossFit for ~4 years has come with so many proud memories and a lot of personal fitness growth. Hitting new PRs, retesting hero WODs, doing comps, doing Murph straight through and running a 5K have all been highlights. Overall, I think I’m most proud of the consistency CrossFit has brought to my physical health and nutritional habits over the years.
Q: Moving forward, do you have any short term or long term goals in the gym?
Show up, work hard and keep having fun. There is always room for improvement in this sport and I look forward to continuing to grow and get better across the board!
January 2022 AOTM: Meet Chloe Parker
We have so much appreciation for our community, and love to highlight one athlete each month that exemplifies hard work and perseverance. Chloe is the model of consistency. Not only does she show up day & day out, but does so with a smile and infectious positivity. Make sure to give her a fist bump the next time you’re at the gym.
Q: How long have you been going to Terminus? What changes have you seen in yourself (physically or mentally) since joining?
I joined Terminus in August 2019, so 2.5 years. But since that’s mostly been the pandemic, it’s felt like ten years and also five minutes. Physically, passing rays of sun occasionally reveal actual, real shoulder muscles and biceps! Mentally, the purposeful variability of the programming has helped me take life’s curveballs in stride and learn that sometimes yelling loudly is cathartic.
Q: How has your journey at Terminus helped you outside the gym?
I start every day with a simple achievement: I show up. No matter what else happens that day, I’ve accomplished something. Beyond that, Terminus has helped me embrace nonlinear progress. Consistency means showing up on the bad days *and* the good. Not every day is a PR, and that’s okay – but when I go even on the days I don’t feel like it, I’m consistently better month over month. Trust the process. Discipline is more durable than motivation, inside and outside the gym.
Q: Who inspires you at the gym, and how do they inspire you?
EVERYONE inspires me! Every single coach is a gem. The 6AM crew deserves a big ol’ heart eyes emoji. It’s also been revolutionary to find a community of women who celebrate strength and see food as fuel. Special shout-outs to Keenan, Claudia, Arielle, Eszti, Sara, Olga, Beth and Andrew, Jen, Jon, Joe, Sonya, and of course my Turducken Games partner, Callie!
Q: How would you describe what it’s like to be a part of Terminus?
Terminus is a support network: we show up for ourselves, for each other, and for the community. I’ve found so many friends here and had the chance to raise money for important causes. Somehow, I stumbled across a group of people who see me every day at my worst, and still seem to like me. And that’s the same group of people I can lift super heavy with on a Friday, then go talk about books and drink beer with on a Sunday. And sometimes we make chili or run 10ks. It’s the best.
Q: Tell us about your first day of class at Terminus.
I sidled into the intro class feeling semi-confident. I’d gone to a kickboxing gym for a few years, so I thought my cardio was pretty solid. Things escalated from there. Carter wrote “pain cave” on the whiteboard, and explained how to tell the difference between a hard effort and actual pain. Then we did about a million burpees over the barbell. Then I needed my inhaler. Then I came back to the next class.
Q: What is something that we may not know about you?
I tap dance! I am a huge fan of theater and grew up singing, playing instruments, and dancing.
Q: What are your top 3 memories or proudest moments in CrossFit?
*Getting that first kipping pull-up. I told Mark Emery how I’d never done one, and he just shrugged and said “Gun to your head, you probably could.” So I just went for it with that mentality, and it worked! That breakthrough kicked off many others as I gradually built my upper body. The pull up challenge in August cemented my first strict pull up!
*Cracking 200 lbs for my one-rep back squat max
*Placing 1st in the scaled division of the Turducken games with Callie!! Literally the first athletic thing I’ve ever won. We made a great partnership and came out on top!
Q: Moving forward, do you have any short term or long term goals in the gym?
Short term, I’m trying to prioritize form over numbers on lifts. I’m rebuilding the ability to trust myself when I go below parallel after an injury last year. I’m also chasing toes-to-bars – they feel tantalizingly close!
December 2021 AOTM: Meet Seth Oyler
We have so much appreciation for our community, and love to highlight one athlete each month that exemplifies hard work and perseverance. Seth brings a tremendous amount of positive energy and a intensity to each and every class. Most importantly we love his welcoming nature. We can’t count the number of people who comment that Seth was one of the first people to say hi or hand out some encouraging words during their first time at Terminus. Make sure to give him a fist bump the next time you’re at the gym.
Q: How long have you been going to Terminus? What changes have you seen in yourself (physically or mentally) since joining?
We have been at Terminus around a year and a half. Before joining Terminus I was feeling unconnected with CrossFit in general and considering taking a break to explore other fitness options. Since joining I have rediscovered the fun in CrossFit.
Q: How has your journey at Terminus helped you outside the gym?
My biggest guilty pleasure is eating and drinking good food. Coming to the gym does 2 things. First; it helps encourage me to eat healthier and maintain the lifestyle for long term healthy living. Second: I don’t feel as guilty about splurging on the things I enjoy.
Q: Who inspires you at the gym, and how do they inspire you?
In all honesty it’s the new members. I remember walking in when I first started and how intimidating and hard it was. The courage it takes to stick with it and build good habits is always inspiring.
Q: How would you describe what it’s like to be a part of Terminus?
Terminus is an extremely fit community. At the same time everyone comes in without an ego. We all encourage and motivate one another. In my opinion the competitive aspect of CrossFit is what makes it so fun, but the members at our gym never let that get in the way of a strong, uplifting environment.
Q: Tell us about your first day of class at Terminus.
I have been doing CrossFit for more than half a decade. I am also moderately fit; at most gyms this means I get ignored by the coaches. My first day at Terminus Patrick was the coach (as he is for many). I don’t remember specifically what was said, but do know it was a sassy comment correcting my form or telling me to check my ego. I appreciated that probably more than he ever knew. The only way to get better (or grow) is to learn, and seeing that the coaches at this new gym were willing to do that was one of the factors that sealed the deal on us finding a new gym.
Q: What is something that we may not know about you?
I am a pretty big nerd. Before CrossFit I had never played any sports. I love playing DnD and fantasy rpg’s. I also recently joined a sifi book club (thanks Michael Blanchard)!
Q: What are your top 3 memories or proudest moments in CrossFit?
First has to be meeting Chantelle, the first gym we were at brought us together and I don’t think anything can top that. (The first time we ever talked was thanks to a question of the day).
Second would be the first time I got a bar muscle-up. The first open I did (16.3) had them and I remember staring at the bar for the full 7 min unable to do a single one. After that I spent many hours learning how and made sure I could a least do them if they ever came up.
Third is a recent memory, there was a workout at Terminus that I was doing and I could feel pain starting in my back. I stopped the workout to prevent injury and was super happy I did. There was a point where I would have been dumb enough to keep going and risk injury and I think I have gained enough perspective to realize I am in this for the long haul, pushing through and finishing a workout that I know I shouldn’t is no longer worth the risk to me and I’m happy I have learned that.
Q: Moving forward, do you have any short term or long term goals in the gym?
Well just like everyone my goal is to make it to the games (2025 here I come). In all seriousness I gained a few lbs on our recent honeymoon and I would love to burn that off. Long term, my goal is to squat 500, not sure if I can but I’d love to give it a shot.
November 2021 AOTM: Meet Sarah Pritchard
We have so much appreciation for our community, and love to highlight one athlete each month that exemplifies hard work and perseverance. Sarah brings a tremendous amount of positive energy and a strong work ethic to each and every class. She has shown tremendous progress both inside and outside the gym. Make sure to give her a fist bump the next time you’re at the gym.
Q: How long have you been going to Terminus? What changes have you seen in yourself (physically or mentally) since joining?
I’ve been at Terminus for a year now and couldn’t be happier! I’ve really seen my skill work improve since joining – the little things like an efficient kip and getting comfortable being upside down (even if it’s just kicking up to a handstand). Like many of us, I tend to avoid things that I’m not very good at, but the coaches here always push me and have great cues and modifications so I don’t always fall back to the same scaled movement without even attempting to get better at those things.
Q: How has your journey at Terminus helped you outside the gym?
My journey at Terminus has really helped me outside the gym by providing a routine and stability over the last year that has been anything but routine and stable. I know that every time I show up to class I get to spend one hour forgetting about whatever else is going on and I always feel better when I leave than when I arrived.
Q: Who inspires you at the gym, and how do they inspire you?
Q: What is something that we may not know about you?
Q: What are your top 3 memories or proudest moments in CrossFit?
Q: Moving forward, do you have any short term or long term goals in the gym?
In-house Team Competition: Saturday Nov 6th
The “Terminus Turducken Games” have arrived! Calling all Terminus members! You are invited to participate in this “members only” in-house competition! This will be a partner competition for charity! The competition will take place on Saturday, November 6th from approximately 8am to 12pm! There will be an Rx division and a scaled division, both divisions will have 3 workouts + a final workout for the top 3 teams.
Sign-up Info: Please email your name, and division (Rx or Scaled) to [email protected]
Deadline to sign up is 11:59PM Sunday October 31, 2021. No exceptions!
Please note: The Terminus staff will be picking your partner! Partner selections will be released on Tuesday Nov 2!
Volunteers: Don’t want to compete but still want to hang out and participate? We will need a small group of volunteers to help with judging, score keeping, and set-up/ tear down. Please let us know if you would like to sign up to volunteer for the event by emailing ben@crossfitterminus.
Charity info:
Terminus members Leigh Ann Williams and Brooke Christian are social workers for schools in South Fulton County. They work directly with kids and families who are considered high needs in terms of resources. We will partner with them to provide food for Thanksgiving for as many families as possible! Your entry fee for the competition will be a $10 gift card to Kroger ($20/team). In addition, we will have a list of specific food items that all members can purchase and leave at the gym in designated food box between Nov 1st and Nov 17th!
The Workouts:
Please note that no further scaling or substitutions will be given. Movements, weights, and standards are absolute! “It is what it is!”
Event 1:
RX:
Partner 1: 9 power cleans/9 Burpee Box Jump overs
Partner 2: 9 power cleans/9 bbjo
P1: 12 power cleans/12 bbjo
P2: 12 power cleans/12 bbjo
P1: 15 power cleans/15 bbjo
P2: 15 power cleans/15 bbjo
Rx: 135/95#, 20” box
Scaled: 95/65#, 20” box, step up and overs allowed
Event 2:
Rx
For time: (switch partners as needed)
80 Toes to bar
70 cal row (MF: 60 Cals) (FF: 50 cals)
60 chest to bar pull-ups
50 cal row (MF: 45 cals) (FF: 40 cals)
Scaled:
For time: (switch partners as needed)
80 Hanging Knee Raises
70 cal row (MF: 60 Cals) (FF: 50 cals)
60 Jumping chest to bar (standing on box, arms overhead, bar height at elbow)
50 cal row (MF: 45 cals) (FF: 40 cals)
Event 3:
Rx:
P1 completes
2 rounds for time:
10 Handstand Push-ups
20 Front Squats M#155/W#105
40 double unders
Tag partner
P2 completes
30 wall ball shots (20/14# to 10/9’)
Immediately into
3 rounds of ‘DT’
12 Deadlift
9 Hang Power Clean
6 Push jerk
M#155/W#105
Scaled
P1
2 rounds
10 shoulder to overhead M#75/W#55
20 front squats M#75/W#55
60 single unders
Tag partner
P2
30 wall balls (M#14/W#10 to 10/9’)
Immediately into:
3 rounds ‘DT’
12 Deadlift
9 Hang Power Clean
6 Push jerk
M#115/W#75
Event FINALS: Top 3 teams for RX and Scaled
TBA day of event
Q: How long have you been going to Terminus? What changes have you seen in yourself (physically or mentally) since joining?
One of the “O-G’s” at Terminus, I’ve been part of the crew since day 1 in August of 2013. So thankful Emily and Ben made their vision a reality so my life could be stronger and healthier.
Q: How has your journey at Terminus helped you outside the gym?
I have tried to be consistent over the years (3-4 times a week) and early on I could see dividends. As I close in on 60, I credit Terminus and its programming for keeping me off all medications! It’s a badge of honor and hard work (and good genes) to be healthy and drug free.
Q: Who inspires you at the gym, and how do they inspire you?
It’s the couples that inspire me, David & Jen Eastman, Mark & Jen Emery, Steve & Ellie Hoover. To be able to share workouts with your spouse is pretty special. My wife, Lynn, was with Terminus in the early days, but bad shoulders curtailed her career, and I miss that.
Q: How would you describe what it’s like to be a part of Terminus?
Terminus is a wonderful community of people from various backgrounds that come together for common goals; to be challenged and to make yourself better.
Q: Tell us about your first day of class at Terminus.
My second day at Terminus I almost died. It was August, I was pushing the sled with Robin and some other ladies over the Edgewood/Beltline bridge and thought “what have I gotten myself into”. Glad I stayed.
Q: What is something that we may not know about you?
I think I’m pretty much an open book, I’m a Jesus follower who loves my family, friends, my work, golf and the Dawgs. I believe everyone has a story and I enjoy hearing that story, I try to never stop learning.
Q: What are your top 3 memories or proudest moments in CrossFit?
My memories of Terminus are centered on the people. I feel blessed to have coaches that are top shelf; Sonya, Patrick, Chase and of course Emily. The Noon crew has been special; Robin, Nicole G, David, Brittany and Julie, to name a few.
Q: Moving forward, do you have any short term or long term goals in the gym?
I wish I had some long term goals, but sadly my time at Terminus is drawing to a close. Lynn and I have sold our Inman Park home to start building our forever home at Lake Oconee. We are not leaving town yet, I still have work to do, so we have bought a townhouse in Brookhaven. Thru all the changes in my 50s, Terminus has been a constant and for that I am grateful. I will miss this place, so I will cherish these last few weeks. Thanks again Emily and Ben, you helped enrich my life.
| Say What!?! Terminus Golf Outing When: Saturday October 2nd Where: Candler Park Golf Course We will head to Candler Park Golf Course on Saturday, Oct 2nd! Groups of 4 will tee off together and play this “walking only” 9 hole course! We will start at 8am and each group will tee off 9 minutes apart. We will take the ‘best ball’ for each hole to determine a team score at the end of the day! Winning team gets bragging rights! Depending on the number of people who want to play, we imagine everyone will start between 8 and 9am. Please email [email protected] by Monday, Sept 20th if you are down to play! In the email, please note whether you have never played, played less than 10 times, or more than 10 times, and if you own a set of clubs! We will do our best to put together even teams! Terminus will cover the cost of the event. |
Reminder: The blood drive is this Saturday!
Click HERE to make an appointment!
Walk-ins will be accepted!
Charity partner workout this Saturday September 18th!
Last weekend there was a massive apartment fire that displaced dozens of families in Southwest Atlanta. Unfortunately, two of our Atlanta leadership club girls were among those who were affected! We’ve been hosting these girls for workouts at Terminus for over a year now, and Daisha (14) and Nya (15) are two of our most consistent attendees. Their families lost everything in the fire!
We would like to do everything we can to help these girls! We will be running a fundraiser workout this Saturday, September 18th in our regular Saturday classes. We encourage you to donate HERE if you would like to help! All donations go directly to Atlanta Leadership Club!
Direct Link to donate: https://gofund.me/
