These two give us hope for the next generation. If you don't know Tatum and Haydn, you're missing out.

Message from TJ:

CrossFit's Initiative and what it means for us: Part 1

Thirteen years ago, I watched CrossFit CEO and Founder, Greg Glassman, preach his ideas via grainy, pre-YouTube, videos that would change the course of my life. If you're reading this, his teachings had some effect on you, as well.

Fast forward to the present day, and things have changed. The company that used to wave the "Forging Elite Fitness" flag has taken to slaying very real dragons. CrossFit aims to rid the world of chronic, preventative disease.

Stroke, heart disease, Type-2 diabetes, obesity, and arthritis are the five horsemen of our apocalypse, according to the CDC. These are the reasons we die, and we can prevent them.

This tends to get peoples cackles up, but it's true. Sure, there are genetically disadvantaged folks who suffer from a poor roll of the dice, but for the large majority of people who die from these diseases, something could have been done to change the course. Sorry for the cackles.

The question is why? Why did CrossFit decide to take this on? It's an interesting story, and I hope you will indulge me by reading further, because, it could, quite possibly, save your life.

It all started back in 2013 when the NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association) put out a study that claimed, essentially, that more people get hurt from CrossFit than get fit. Only one problem. They fabricated their data. So CrossFit sued for the data and exposed the lie and made a fool out of the NSCA, of which I was a proud member years ago.

I have to interrupt to turn back the clock and add in a bit of my own history here. A million years ago when I decided to become a trainer, I was told that I was unable to get insurance if I didn't carry a "certification" from an approved heath and fitness association. I had many, many options: ACE, ACSM, NASM, NSCA to name a few. I could either get a text book by mail or go to a weekend seminar and take a Scantron test. Six weeks later I would be awarded with a certificate that claimed I was now able to set the leg press at the correct angle, place the pin correctly in the lat pulldown machine, and most importantly, carry insurance, so that injured clients couldn't go after the wealth you had accumulated by working for $10 per hour at Ned's Body Palace.

Beside learning how a belt drive is different from a chain-driven machine, we were also taught nutrition. It was a simple concept that carried a very convoluted equation. Once you figure out the resting heart rate of a client and you multiply it by .66, you will find the "fat-burning zone." From there, you needed to use a handy spreadsheet asking for the height, weight, age, and gender of your client, and it would show you how many calories you client burns at rest and during exercise. Then it was simple: how many calories did your client consume vs. how many calories did your client burn, and voila!, you had the perfect equation. Otherwise known as Calories in vs. Calories out.

But what kind of foods should my clients eat? That was easy as well. You see, we had this other wonderful resource called the FOOD PYRAMID. It was written in stone by the FDA., the government, for crying out loud! They know what the truth is. They take care of us. We need them. Hell, we want to need them. YAY for the government. YAY for the food pyramid. A bulk of your meal should come from whole grains and starches, some vegetables and fruits, a little bit of protein and NO FAT.

Brilliant.

I would whip out my trusty handbook, pull out my calculator, and boom, within minutes I could tell you exactly how many calories you are burning, on average. Then I would figure out how many calories you should be eating, at a deficit of course, and you and my other clients started melting fat away like butter on ice-cold popcorn. You see what I did there? I used a weird analogy that showed this sham didn't work. Because it didn't.

But the 90's had an 80's hangover, and we were trying to get off the blow and get moving and all this sounded good, because the government created science and that's cool, right?

Then in the early 2000's this guy Greg Glassman and this other guy, Gary Taubes (stay tuned for Part 3) started talking some crazy shit about how the food pyramid should be upside down and fitness machines were the work of the devil.

I was busy in my office straightening my framed NSCA, ACE, ACSM, and NASM certifications when someone poked their head in and said "You ever hear of this thing CrossFit?" Had I only known that I was looking Morpheus dead in the eye as he held a blue pill in one hand and a red pill in the other, and my life was about to go every which way but loose.

Stay tuned for Part 2 next week...

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Thanks to Coach Gabe for another Nutrition Seminar!

Did you miss it? No worries! We've got another seminar coming soon to San Rafael!

INTRO TO HIGH SCHOOL STRENGTH-AND-CONDITIONING PROGRAMFOR FOOTBALL

We have limited spots left in this very cool program for 8th-grade, high-school football hopefuls! We are one week in and still have space.

TJ’s Gym Lifestyle & Accountability Program (LAP) is now an ONGOING Offering!

$250 for the first 6 weeks of working closely with TJ. Then sort out a plan that works for you!

This program has become quite popular. TJ has FOUR spots available for next month so act quickly!

Change your life NOW. WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

Want to change your life? Our 6-week program with TJ is a great jump start. You can start any time. Over the course of the first six weeks of your journey, you will work closely with TJ to get yourself on track to actually achieving some of your most important goals. After the six weeks, you'll have an opportunity to continue with the next level of the program, or go on your way with the tools and plans you've created.

Email Jessica@tjsgym.com to register TODAY!

NEW Teen/Tween Session Started Monday, May 7th! Hop on in!

Session Dates (8 weeks): 05/07 - 06/30* *No class Monday, May 28th.

Session Prices - $160 (one class per week)*

$280 (two classes per week)*

$395 (three classes per week)* We also have monthly options available for our year-round members.

Spring Schedule

*Corte Madera - Monday/Wednesday (12 - 16) 4 pm *Mill Valley - Tuesday/Thursday (12 - 16) 4 pm *Corte Madera -Tuesday/Thursday (10 - 13) 4:30 pm *Mill Valley - Wednesday 4:30 (12 - 16) - Girls only class *Corte Madera - Saturday (12 - 16) 11 am *San Rafael - Monday (11 - 16) 4:30 pm

*Classes expire at the end of the session. Make-ups can happen as needed throughout the session.

Please share with anyone who might be interested in joining!

Email jessica@tjsgym.com to register.

SOCIAL MEDIA

If you're on Facebook, please request to join the TJ's Gym Members Facebook Page (current, active members) for all of our most up-to-date announcements and offerings. You can also follow us @tjsgyms on Instagram.