The Level 3 Test at CrossFit Scottsdale- “The Mental Game”

Adjectives to describe the test; Miserable, Long, Difficult, and the “Unknown.”
By: Jeff “Sarge” Brennan

I started at CrossFit Scottsdale in October of 2009 for the purpose of testing for the SWAT team and getting in better shape.  In my line of work I don’t have the opportunity to stretch out before a foot pursuit followed by a fight (possibly for my life).  Train hard, fight easy…

My strengths are:  mental toughness, heart, and the desire to win.  I don’t want to be second to anyone and I don’t give a shit if you have more training than me.  There are plenty of people who have better genetics, and/ or Olympic technique…but when its “gut check” time I have the mindset to keep pushing and getting stronger.  I thrive off of other competitors getting weaker during a WOD…it makes me stronger to see people break.  The more I CrossFit the more I realize how much of a “mental game” it is.

Improvise, Adapt, and overcome.

Be prepared for anything and everything.  The Level 3 test encompasses heavy weight and Olympic technique with little to no rest. With the Level 3 test you don’t have the opportunity to know what you are going to do next until you’re 98% done with that prescribed exercise. 

So how do we look at this test and see whether or not an individual passed?  Do we do it by a total number of reps, or mere “respectable” completion?  

One thing that I completely agree on is keeping the test a secret until you have to absolutely come out and tell everyone because so many people have taken the test.  The idea/ philosophy behind the Level 3 test is not being “prepared” or warmed up.  There is no “WOD” management, just raw output.  Challenge yourself as a human and see what you’re capable of 

Congratulations Jeff “Sarge” Brennan on passing the CrossFit Scottsdale Level III Test

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On Saturday evening we celebrated with our friends and family 2 years of CrossFit Scottsdale. It seems like just yesterday when we moved in to our current location, one year later we are stronger and more focused than ever. Thank you to Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane, The North Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce, Calisto Bistro, Cruz Tequilla, lululemon athletica our students, friends, ambassadors, CrossFit Scottsdale Connections members, local business’ and community members that attended our Anniversary Party and Celebration. It was a fun time and a huge success. Through the raffle, we raised close to $300 for Arizona Baseball Charities (6 kids now have equipment to play Little League this season). We also took a few minutes to recognize our students and community. Here is a recap of the awards given:

CrossFit Scottsdale Team Awards (voted on by the student body):
Best Attitude: Hallie Flood
Best Teammate: Dwight Peck
Best Dressed: Erica Picard
Best Undressed:  Ted Sweeney
Best Burpee: Ilana Fisher
Best Pull-up: Melissa Einbinder
Most Burpee Penalty: Marguerite Robinson
Best Smile: Tia Wise
Best School Spirit: Bob Hisle
Best Form: Nick Rini
Most Intensity: Matt Blanton
Best Legs: Jill Haaser
Sweatiest: Paul Zetah

CrossFit Scottsdale Super Hero Awards (CrossFit Kids):
Zachary Schawelson
Amanda Weber
Paxton Tatum
Laura Weiner
Rachel Weiner
Kanon Kayyem 
Hanna Vange

Coaches Awards:
Show Up Don’t Quit: Jeff Zuhl
Most Improved: Alison Nocks
Student of the Year 2010: Myrna Atha
Most Dedicated: Marc Lutz
Spirit of CrossFit Scottsdale: Don Wong
Most Determined: Dani Moudry
CrossFit Scottsdale Old School: Richard Shields

Students training at the gym for a year or longer. If you weren’t at the party, see a Coach next time you’re in.

Myrna Atha
Brett Bartlett
Stephanie Binch
Matt Blanton
Reed Connally
Skip Divelbiss
Liz Farnlof
Mike Gillis
Natalie Gillis
Bill Gold
Tom Gorman
Brian Gubernick
Bob Hisle
Katie Hunt
Kristen Johnson
Shannon Johnson
Jon Kaufman
Reem Kidess
Raj Kukunoor
Tracey Latham
Marc Lutz
Dani Moudry
Betsy Nagy
Alison Nocks
Erica Picard
Tom Rietz
Marguerite Robinson
Zachary Schawelson
Richard Shields
Chris Tousley
Devra Tousley
David Tousley
Tina Vange
Mark Verhamme
Erin Wellendorf
Mike Wellendorf
Sean Whiteman
Tia Wise
Don Wong
Jeff Zuhl

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1 comment

1. Ashley Ulinger
   What a great event! THANK YOU to everyone who came out to make the evening and celebration so special!

The new CrossFit Scottsdale gear is in. EAT SLEEP WOD  in both mens black T’s and Women’s black tanks. Also back by popular demand is the CFS original and the ladies favorite Like my rack? Get your new gear before class or order your own at our online store, we ship anywhere in the world.

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Just another CrossFit Scottsdale Level I test complete with PR's, sweat, cheers, and even pukie made an appearence. We had another great turnout for the Level I test complete with guests, current Level I and Level II athletes and even Mom and Dad. Each time we have a Level test, it is a chance for our students to see how they stand up to the standards we have as a School of Elite Fitness. Even for those athletes who did not recieve the white band this time, you now know what to work on. Chase your weakness. The next Level I test is October 14th at 6:30pm. For those of you that did receive your white band, be proud, you are the new leaders in class and set a new goal for your orange band and Level II.

Congratulations to all the new Level 1 students:

Jen B.
Raj
Jen D.
Claire
Lolita
Doc V.
Justin
Robb
Brandon N.
Kevin G.
Jami
Katie W.
Erin W.
Chris E.
Julie K.
Jeff W.


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“Show up, Don’t Quit” is our mantra at CrossFit Scottsdale but there is a difference between SHOWING UP to do the WOD and giving YOUR BEST in the WOD. 

There  are  those WODs that you know you couldv’e done better in.  You could have pushed harder, run faster or got that last rep in.  So what stopped you?  Why didn’t you give your best? There are no limits except the ones we create for ourselves. Don’t get  me wrong, showing up is certainly going to get you results but just think about what you could do if you truly gave your best.  Put the blindfold on, don’t look at the clock, don’t look around you,  push with your heart and ignore your body telling you to stop,  give 110% of everything you’ve got  and then take the blindfold off and see where you end up.  I promise you will amaze yourself!

  So I challenge you…don’t just show up to class, GIVE IT YOUR BEST!

~Coach Tiffany

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It is with great pleasure and excitement we announce our 1st CrossFit Specialty certification at CFS. Spend two full days with CrossFit Olympic Lifting Legend and Coach Mike Burgener, studying and practicing the Olympic lifts. The snatch and clean and jerk. Bring speed, power, coordination, agility, accuracy and balance to your strength training. This cert has only been available  for Level I certified Coaches before now. Mike is a friend of Coach Luke’s and has family here in Scottsdale. There is only 15x spots left and the Coaching staff is taking 4x of those so register now at

CrossFit Olympic Lifting Certification

 
Schedule:
November 6, Saturday: all day snatch instruction

• 0900: Introductions
• 0930: Snatch instruction
  1. Burgener warm up
  2. Snatch skill transfer exercises
  3. Snatch from high hang
• 1200: Lunch
• 1300: Barbell snatch instruction
  1. Snatch from mid thigh
  2. Snatch from below knee
  3. Snatch from floor
• 1600: Secure

November 7th, Sunday:

• 0900: Review
• 0930: Front squat instruction and practice
• 1000: Learning the clean and practice
• 1200: Lunch
• 1300: Learning the jerk:
  1. Skill transfer exercises
  2. Footwork
• 1400: Putting the clean and jerk together
• 1500: Workout:
• 1600: Secure

Mike Burgener, owner of Mike’s Gym (a CrossFit affiliate and USAW Regional Training Center), is a USAW Senior International Coach, former junior World team (1996-2004) and senior World team coach (2005), and strength and conditioning coach at Rancho Buena Vista High School in Vista, Calif.

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1 comment

1. eileen
   YES!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wouldn't miss it for the world.