To start us off we talked to Paul Billham, our newest member of the coaching team:
Q. How did you find out about CrossFit?
A. "My friends introduced me to CrossFit after they’d done a taster class, I was looking for something to get me motivated and a regular gym just wasn’t for me. I couldn’t find any motivation when by myself, but seeing others smashing out the same wods with me makes sure I give it my all every time. I still remember my first wod, I pushed quite hard and was sure this wasn’t for me after I started feeling a bit ill, but I kept coming back and my time got quicker and quicker. The results just kept coming and now I love it."
Q. What was your first CrossFit workout?
A. "It was called ‘The Judy’. On my first attempt I did it in 8.09, second time 5.42 and now (4 years later) I can do it in under 4 minutes."
The Judy
200m Run
15-12-9
Squats
Ring Rows
Press ups
Then…
200m Run
Q. Have you entered any competitions?
A. "I’ve taken part in quite a few different competitions as an individual and in a team and loved every minute of it. The list so far is;
RainHill Trials x2
War of the Roses
Dominance Series
Lions Pride x3
Q. What are you favourite CrossFit Movements?
A. "These have changed over time but at the moment I would say 'Toes to bar' and 'Handstand push ups'. I struggled with kicking up to the wall to get into a handstand, it was something I’d never really tried before, but after some friendly coaching and a little help to get my feet up (I just wasn’t finding the wall) I found it became easier and easier, practice made perfect and now I can do it without really thinking."
Q. And what are your least favourite movements?
A. "Again these have changed as I've got stronger and fitter but at the moment it would be 'Muscle ups' and 'box jumps'. For some reason I’ve always struggled with muscle ups, they have come and gone over my time CrossFitting. I would like to do them consistently but I need to work on my shoulder / arm strength. I plan on increasing my pull up training to decrease the distance between my chest and the rings then use banded progressions to ingrain the movement until I can do it every time. It’s all about the practice!"
Q. After over 4 years at CrossFit what would you say your favourite workout is?
A. " Definitely 'Filthy Fifty’ it's a killer but I love it, my best time so far is 30.15.
Filthy Fifty
50 Box jumps 24”
50 Jumping pull-ups
50 Kettlebell swings 24kg
50 Walking Lunges
50 Knees to elbows
50 Push press 20kg
50 Back extensions
50 Wall balls 20lbs
50 Burpees
50 Double unders
Q. And you know what comes next, what is your least favourite workout?
A. "At this time I would have to say the dreaded (by me anyway) ‘Murph’. The best time I have done this in so far is 59.21. You have to do this workout wearing a 10kg weight vest!"
Murph
1 mile Run
100 Pull-ups
200 Push-ups
300 Squats
1 mile Run
Wearing 10kg weight vest
Q. What is your favourite meal?
A. "At last an easy one - Fajitas."
Q. Hows about your favourite cheat meal?
A. "Even easier - Kebab."
Q. And finally, back to CrossFit. What has been your most inspiring moment?
A. "I've given this some thought and would have to say it was when I first managed to complete the workout JT. This workout consists of 21-15-9 of HSPU, Ring Dips and Push-ups. I remember my arms were completely spent after the first round and I was sure I didn’t have the strength left to finish it. However I kept on persevering with everyone supporting me as I was by far the last one to finish. I completed all reps to the cheers of everyone in the box. And that's what CrossFit is all about, people completing the seemingly unachievable whilst everyone encourages each other. Amazing!"