Let’s go Around the Whiteboard with No Excuses’ Director of Programming, Chris Fischer
Certifications
B.S. Kinesiology/Exercise Science with a minor in Nutrition from Georgia Southern University
Crossfit Level 1 Trainer
USAW Performance Coach
KBC L1
ACE
NASM
OPT Assessment Coaching Certification Program
Favorite WOD: Amanda 9-7-5 Muscle Up/Squat Snatch 135#
Favorite Lift: Split Jerk
Deadlift: 465
Back Squat: 370
Snatch: 225
Clean and Jerk: 270
Favorite Food: Healthy: Paleo Meat Loaf, Non Healthy: Anything Italian
Favorite Movie: I don’t really have one favorite but I like spy movies… Bourne series and James Bond type films.
Favorite Athlete: Michael Jordan, can’t think of anyone else who has impacted so many generations with his athletic abilities
Dream Job: I can honestly say that I can’t imagine doing anything else than what I do today. I love coaching, programming and seeing people achieve their goals.
Dream Vacation Destination: A food tour of Italy, Fiji, and a Cruise/Train trip in Alaska.
How did you find CrossFit and what drew you to getting started?
“I first heard the name CrossFit from one of my professors in college. It sparked my interest so I occasionally viewed the web page but never really understood what it was or how to do it. From 2006-2007 I was really involved in the high intensity type of training with P90X. Then after graduating from college, I became a personal trainer and explored other methods of training until circling back to CrossFit. In 2009 I decided to give the Crossfit.com program a 3 month strict, nothing extra, trial to see what happened. It has been about 5 years now and I haven’t turned back since.”
How long have you been doing CrossFit?
“I have been doing CrossFit since 2009. For 2 years I trained at the Globo Gym I was working at and for the last 3 years I’ve been here at No Excuses.”
How has CrossFit changed your life, lifestyle, level of fitness?
“In the short of it, my life would look nothing like it does today without CrossFit. It is my career, part of our family dynamic- my wife does CrossFit, and it has provided an opportunity to better my life and the lives of people around me. My level of fitness has exponentially grown since starting CrossFit. Before CrossFit I had tried many crazy fitness techniques but CrossFit has enabled me to be well- rounded in my fitness abilities.”
Have you always known that you wanted to be involved in training and coaching others?
“No, I originally started in college pursuing a mechanical engineering degree. After 2 years I decided I didn’t want to have a desk-bound job for the rest of my life. Fitness had become a big part of my life when I started college and I had lost about 60lbs over the first 2 years. I decided to pursue this thing that had made such a change in my life and help other people do the same. I changed my degree focus to Exercise Science and my pursuit of providing knowledge and encouragement to help others achieve their goal hasn’t stopped since.”
What do you love most about coaching others?
“The thing that I love most about coaching has to be that moment when you explain something to someone and it just clicks. They have just understood, improved, and applied the thing you were coaching them on that will make them a better athlete but most of all will make them understand the big picture behind everything they are doing.”
You have a degree in Exercise Science. How have you seen your academic background help in your ability to coach others?
“The biggest advantage of the degree is the understanding of how the human body works internally, moves, and responds/adapts to different stimuli. My degree has also been beneficial in coaching as it enables me to look at the psychological aspect of motivation and to relate to different personality types. Anyone can obtain the information on the internet but understanding and applying are the benefits the degree has facilitated.”
Tell us a little bit about being Programming Director at No Excuses and what you enjoy most about program design.
“To me, programming is the mixture of science and art. When you have data that tells you what people need to work on to achieve their goals, it’s just a matter of telling them the movements to do to get to their result. The challenging part is keeping people interested- that’s where the art comes in. There is also a fine line of how little to how much work to program to get people to their result the quickest without injury. I would say the biggest enjoyment I get is seeing the workouts being done and at the end hearing that it was great and fun.”
What can the members at No Excuses look forward to as we approach our next set of Benchmark workouts (June 23rd week) and upcoming cycle?
“As far as the benchmark workouts go, members can expect to see the training they have been doing pay off and their benchmarks increase. For the upcoming cycle, there are 3 things that are priority: 1. Ensuring that the weaknesses of the gym get worked on and improved, 2. Focusing on training our strengths to keep them our strengths, and 3. Guaranteeing that most importantly everything is programed in a fun and exciting way to keep you coming back for more.”
Did you play any sports growing up?
“Baseball: 3rd base and catcher”
Tell us about a CrossFit moment or achievement that you are particularly proud of.
“Snatching 225#”
What is your funniest CrossFit moment?
“When I was doing CrossFit at my old Globo Gym job, I was demonstrating how to use the row machine. My feet weren’t strapped in and as I pulled back on the rower, I flew off the back and did a somersault in front of a couple dozen people.”
What is one goal you have yet to achieve in CrossFit but are working hard towards?
“I have a couple goals but the first and biggest one that I work on everyday is to not let my performance be prideful. This is being humble if I do good in a workout but also includes accepting the workout for what it is if it doesn’t go my way. From a number standpoint, I want a 400lb Back Squat, 250lb Snatch, 300lb Clean and Jerk, and to be able to do 20 Unbroken Muscle Ups. Competing at Regionals is really not a main goal of mine. If it happens then great, but as long as I feel like I am getting better each day that’s all that matters.”
Do you have a personal motto or life mission statement?
“No personal motto but I’d like the impact I make on others to say that he’s a guy that treats others with kindness and respect and who loves his family.”
What are your hobbies and interests outside of CrossFit?
“I love doing activities with my wife and two Kids. I am also a big movie guy so watching movies happens a lot.”
What is your advice for new members?
“No matter if this is your first time in the gym or you have been working out your whole life, set out to improve on yourself and don’t compare to anyone else. Other people have different goals and different abilities so strive to be better today than you were yesterday, not better than the person next to you.”
What do you love most about No Excuses CrossFit?
“I think the biggest thing is that our community is like family. There is a sense of cohesiveness with everyone from the coaches to the members. We motivate each other, play together, and celebrate each other’s achievements. It also helps to be surrounded by a great facility and coaching staff.”