Sunday, January 2, 2011 – Athlete Profile: Alex Baker

Athlete Profile: Alex Baker

1. In general, what is your background?

Air Force brat who’s father decided to settle down back with his folks in Cassatt, SC.  Imagine Deliverance with a little more class and that’s where I grew up.  So after graduating high school I decided I wanted/needed to leave the state and see the world, so I joined the Army.  I was in for four years and that’s how I basically started working out.   It has now become a passion along side my other two great passions-  doing art and being a movie critic (sometimes an obnoxious one).  I also recently graduated from USC with a degree in art and now am a new resident in West Ashley.

2. Age, Occupation?

I am 28 and a full time student at Trident Tech for graphic design and a part-time server.

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

I am an avid reader of Muscle and Fitness and when they did an article on a CrossFit gym it really grabbed my attention.  The workouts reminded me of the military and how I would be exhausted after every workout.  I moved to Charleston from Columbia and decided to look up the nearest gym.  The deal for me was if CrossFit Integrity had ropes, tires and rings I would join.

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

I definitely have more stamina and power thanks to CrossFit.  I love it when I find something difficult and scary and then learn to push through the pain to achieve my goals.

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

To do everything that Eddie can do…starting with muscle-ups.

6. Favorite CrossFit moment so far?

RXing my first workout.  I forget which one it was I just remember being happy not having to scale down.

7. What do you like most about CrossFit Integrity?

The group classes are my favorite part.  I push myself more in a workout with other people around me.  I always imagine I’m a gazelle and the workout is a hungry lion waiting for the last person who finishes to eat.  Other than that the excellent music selection.

8. Favorite WOD?

Anything with a lot of pullups and pushups.  I still don’t know all the names to the workouts…yet.

9. Least favorite WOD?

Anything with double-unders because I suck at them, but what’s worse is the way the back of my legs feel after they’ve been whipped hundreds of times attempting to do double-unders.

10. Favorite movement?

Pull-ups

11. Least favorite movement?

DU’s

12. Favorite place to eat in Charleston?

Taste of Thai.  I always feel at home when tiny old asian women feed me rice and fish-heads.

CrossFit Integrity, Charleston, SC