Sunday, February 21, 2010 – Athlete Profile: Michael Anderson

Athlete Profile:  Michael Anderson

1.  In general, what is your background?

I grew up in a small town outside of Columbia, SC called Winnsboro.  I have a younger sister that lives in Columbia that is awesome.  It’s too bad she cannot work out with us.  She is a great competitor with a heart of a lion.  I attended University of South Carolina and stayed around Columbia for a couple years after graduating in 2003.  I moved to Charleston in October of ’05 to take a job with a local home building company called Sabal Homes.  Growing up I was either hunting, fishing, or playing sports.  Baseball was my favorite.  Nowadays, I still enjoy hunting and fishing as well as hanging out with family and friends.

2.  Age, Occupation?

29, Homebuilder

3.  How did you get to know about CrossFit and why did you start?

Kevin Barnwell is a good friend from Columbia and he hired a personal trainer with a CrossFit background.  He kept telling me how awesome it was and I should check out a CF gym in Charleston.  Then last summer I worked with Grant Broggi (fellow crossfitter) and he too was encouraging me to try CF.  I started watching some CF videos online and became very interested in the movements/workouts.  I started doing the CF in the globogym but that wasn’t really working for me.  First and most importantly, I did not know the proper technique for each movement.  Second, the gym management didn’t appreciate me dropping their weights.  Lastly, the intensity in the globogym is nowhere close as to CF Integrity.  So in May 09’ I started CrossFit Integrity and I have been attending as many workouts as my work schedule allows.  During each “WOD” I tell myself, “I am never coming back” only to find myself each night checking the website to see if they have posted the next “WOD”.

4.  How has CrossFit changed your life, lifestyle, level of fitness?

Last summer before I started CrossFit I was benchpressing more weight than ever and weighed more than I have in the past with a very low body fat percentage.  I thought that I had achieved fitness and was in shape.  I could not have been more wrong!  My first day at CF, we were about 2 minutes into the WARM UP and I was gasping for air.   Since that day my fitness level has continuously improved, but just when I think I’m in shape, the coaches throw a WOD at us that totally breaks me down.  Energy, diet, and mental focus have all been impacted in a positive way.  While all those are important I am most happy about my flexiblility.  I tore my ACL a few years back and had problems with constant stiffness in my knee.  Since I have started CF, the flexibility, overall feeling, and range of motion in my knee has improved tremendously!  It is probably stronger now than before my injury.

5.  Name one goal and/or personal record you would like to accomplish through CrossFit?

To get my name on that big, white WOD-board!

6.  Favorite CrossFit moment so far?

RXing my first pull up WOD.

7.  What do you like most about CrossFit Integrity?

The people, coaches, and positive atmosphere!  It is all great.

Once I decided to go to CF Integrity I was nervous and anxious at the same time. I walked inside, the music was loud as hell, weights were being thrown around, and people were covered in sweat and bleeding from their hands.  I was thinking, “I am getting the hell out of here!”  Before I could make it to the door everyone started introducing themselves and seemed very encouraging, so I stayed.  Now I am always looking forward to the next workout, not just to workout but to catch up with everyone.  It is kind of weird.  You feel like you are going to puke while working out but having fun at the same time!

8.  Favorite WOD?

I do not really have a favorite but I do like the AMRAP WODs better than the others.

9.  Least favorite WOD?

I have a short memory but the “Air Force WOD” was brutal.  Thrusters, overhead squats, and a few other movements, combined with 4 burpees on the minute, all in one WOD…  That’s just stupid!

10. Favorite movement?

Front Squats and medicine ball cleans.

11. Least favorite movement?

Overhead Squats and lets be honest nobody likes doing a burpee!

12. Favorite place to eat in Charleston ?

Too many to name just one………So I guess anywhere that you can sit outside on a nice day for a good meal and a cold beer.

CrossFit Integrity, Charleston, SC