Erik is our Member of the Month! He joined our gym just within the last year and ever since he has smoothly integrated into our community. Erik is extremely friendly to every person in the gym, whether they have been there forever or it is their first day at the gym. He makes everyone feel welcome in any room that he is in.
Erik has let us know that he used to be even more fit than he is right now, but the current Erik that we know is pretty dang fit as well. It has been great seeing him get his first Bar Muscle Up at the gym and not much later stringing 5 together, or smashing the Spartan Race with everyone. We love having Erik at the gym and hope that he never leaves us. Erik is the man and our newest Member of the Month.
When did you join Croga?
End of May 2023
What were you doing before for fitness?
Nothing outside of hiking, leisurely bike riding, and chasing the ice cream truck down the street.
What was your first workout? First reaction to your first workout?
I can’t recall, but it wiped me out. I felt like Peter Pan in the movie Hook where he couldn’t fly to save his children because he was fat and lost his magic, and the pirates quit laughing at him when they realized just how pathetic he had become. That’s honestly a fairly accurate depiction of what went down.
What improvements have you seen in the way you look, feel and perform?
I still can’t fly like Peter Pan, but I do look and feel great. Hook stands no chance if he comes around my hood.
What days and times do you come to Croga?
I was a pretty loyal member of the 7am squad Monday through Saturday, but I am transitioning to 5am…which has been very unpleasant.
What’s your favorite WOD?
Honestly, as long as there’s some chill people in the gym (there always is), I’m having a good time. Added bonus if there are pull-ups or cleans.
What’s your least favorite WOD?
I don’t have a least favorite, but I’m not so great at squats or jump rope (I’ve been called Hurricane Erik due to my destructive path if there is a rope involved).
“The Erik” WOD! What would it be?
AMRAP pints of Ben and Jerry’s. But if that’s not an option…some variant of one of these two
Option 1:
AMRAP 30min
400m run
20 strict pull-ups
15 man-makers
10 cleans
5 bar muscle-ups
400m run
Option 2:
400m run
4-5 rounds of:
10 bar muscle-ups
10 man-makers
10 strict pull-ups
10 clean and jerks
400m run
What’s your favorite post-workout routine?
Hiding my tears of pain from everyone and then going home, eating some yummy oatmeal for breakfast, and crying more in the shower.
What’s been your favorite culinary discovery since joining Croga?
Honestly, I generally eat fairly healthy most of the time so my diet has not really changed much. I do eat more oatmeal with berries and peanut butter in the morning than I had prior to Croga which is a perk because I love oatmeal.
What’s your biggest fitness goal for this year?
Move some big weight (for me) on bench (315) and clean & jerks (250)
What do you love about this type of fitness?
Mingling with some mellow people. It’s easy to get up and head to the gym to workout with some rad peeps that are cheering you on and progressing with you day in and day out.
What words of advice do you have for new members or people considering joining Croga?
Try it for a week. The coaches, the members, and the workouts are all phenomenal. Whatever you’re looking for, it’s here, and you’ll want to keep coming back.
Anything to add that we didn’t touch on yet?
Be excellent and party on, dudes!
