Athlete Spotlight: David Schramm

Name: David Schramm

Age: 50

Occupation: Electrical Engineer

Hometown: Eufaula, Alabama

Class time do you usually attend: 6 am

Favorite WOD: Any kind of “chipper.” If it involves the Assault Bike, I feel like I have been assaulted.

Favorite CF Movement: Rowing and strict pull-ups

Least Favorite CF Movement: Assault Bike

3RM Back Squat: 235

3RM Deadlift: 295

Favorite Food: Lasagna

Favorite Movie: The Princess Bride

Favorite Athlete: Julie Schramm

Dream Job: Don’t need one. I’m happy where I am.

Dream Vacation Destination: Anywhere there is no pressure to go go go. Warm and sunny is a bonus.

If you could have any superpower…: Fire Bending

Favorite Motivational Quote: Do the best you can with what you’ve got

 How long have you been doing CrossFit? January 2020

How did you first discover CrossFit and what made you decide to start?: I got fat and weak and needed to make changes. I’ve driven by No Excuses a million times and each time thought CrossFit would be something I would enjoy. Julie Schramm (my wife) encouraged me to go in and give it a shot.

Tell us about your fitness/sports background: I played baseball through high school (back then, our baseballs were made of dinosaur hide). Before CrossFit, I had never lifted weights with a barbell other than bench press (I don’t count the 5 minutes that I played on the high school football team). For about a year (some time in the mid 90s), I ran 30 miles a week. I did P90X several times. I paid for gym memberships but never went (well, I went maybe 5 times). I mountain biked for a short time then switched to road bikes. After my first solo bike ride on the roads around here, I had to throw away my bike shorts and gave up cycling. Other than short stints at things like that, I spent the vast majority of my time doing very little exercise.

What sorts of positive changes (mental, physical, emotional) have you noticed in your life since getting involved at No Excuses?:  I’ve lost 65 pounds and gotten down to 10% body fat. I am so much stronger than ever before (not saying much though if you read my fitness background). Emotionally, I am happier with myself, which, if I’m not mistaken, makes me for enjoyable to be around.

Who or what keeps you coming back and motivated?: I feel so much better when I come to class! My wife and oldest son attend with me and that makes it even more enjoyable. The classes help keep me motivated even though we don’t compete against each other. Everyone is very encouraging and friendly.

In what other ways do you use your fitness?: Everything physical thing I do is easier than it was before I joined No Excuses.

Please share with us a favorite CrossFit or No Excuses moment: It’s a tie between Coach Brandon coaching me to do kipping hand-stand pushups or coaching me (through video of all places) to do rope climbs. I’ve never been able to do either prior.

Name one goal you would like to achieve in the next year: I want to deadlift 400 lbs.

Tell us about your hobbies and interests outside of the gym: I like being a handyman around the home. No yardwork!

What advice do you have for someone just starting CrossFit or is on the fence about starting?: There is nothing to fear. Every exercise will scale to your ability. You absolutely will see improvements.

What do you love most about No Excuses?: It never gets too easy and it’s not boring.

Coach Brandon’s take: “David came to No Excuses CrossFit after losing some weight on his own, but needed some guidance with strength training. He made great progress the first couple of months with his weight loss. But then COVID happened and it would have been an easy excuse for him to slip back to his old ways. Instead, he built a pull up bar at home and got some other equipment. That’s the epitome of No Excuses! He now has his wife and son joining him on his fitness journey at No Excuses and we are thankful to have all three of them at the gym.”