Nancy Meenen

nancy@crossfitseattle.com
206-992-7360

- General Manager
- CrossFit Trainer Certified: Level II
- Russian Kettlebell Challenge (RKC) Certified
- US Army Veteran
Interests: hiking and extreme gardening

Interview with Nancy:

Q: Nancy, have you gotten a lot stronger from working out? You don't look bulked up.

A: Yes, I've gotten a lot stronger. After training for a while I noticed that a lot of movements got a lot easier. It was easier to go up stairs, carry a suitcase, things like that, without getting fatigued. I never wanted to look like a bodybuilder anyway! But I'm a lot more toned and my body has definitely changed for the better. My muscles are more developed and I have a more athletic body than I thought I would. I was never really into working out before.

Q: What's your favorite result you've gotten from working out?

A: My favorite result is being able to do pull-ups. When I was little I could do them, but since my teens I had never been able to. In fact, when I went into the Army, although we didn't have to do pull-ups to pass the fitness test, we were tested on them, and I couldn't do even half of one. When I first started doing CrossFit, I could only do a quarter of a pull-up. It took me a while, but I finally got a pull-up, and I felt extremely proud of that—it was delightful! Then once I had one pull-up, it was much easier to add more pull-ups, so it was really rewarding. That was a big deal for me. And then also thrusters—when Dave gave me the 45-pound bar and said to do twenty thrusters, I was like, "Man, are you nuts? I'm never, ever going to do twenty in a row!" I could do two and then put the bar down. But now I can do a significant number in a row. It built a lot of strength and I have a much greater work capacity.

Q: What will I be asked to do during my first workout?

A: First, the trainer will ask you about your exercise background, if you have any issues, medical problems, or pain that they should know about. We'll ask you to think about some specific goals—what you want to accomplish, more than just getting in shape, since that is different to different people. The trainer will evaluate some of your basic movements, such as the squat and some others, and determine what your limitations might be and where you're at with flexibility. Then the trainer will warm you up, teach you some new exercises, and put you through a short workout. For example you'll probably start learning to row, to do kettlebell swings or deadlifts, and air squats. Some people have been on a rowing machine before and some haven't. Most people have not used kettlebells before, but it's fun learning what those are and how to use them. Even air squats, most people have not done them before because they haven't had a reason to, but we lose a lot of hip function that way, so squats are basic but really important. The trainer will challenge you but he (or she) won't push you over the edge, and will watch to make sure your form is good and the movements are safe for you. Exercises are modified if they need to be so that you can do them.

Q: What would you say to people who are nervous about a strenuous workout or about being coached?

A: If you're not used to a strenuous workout, that's perfectly fine. The trainers have a way of pushing you appropriately and backing off. Some people aren't used to having a lot of stress on their body, and that's okay. This is the kind of training that will let you progress in strength and work capacity. As for the trainers, their job is to make sure you get the training you need to progress, and they have years of experience with these exercises, so their suggestions are valuable. If you do the hard work of working out, you'll be surprised how fast you progress.

Q: What should I expect when I arrive at the gym for my first session?

A: Expect to see a gym that's not typical, in a really fun way. You'll see some different equipment, such as kettlebells, pull-up bars, parallel bars, and Olympic-style weightlifting equipment. The great thing is you will be trained and coached on all these things. And you'll see people working really hard!