Athlete of the Month: Lauren Simpson

When Lauren walked into the box, we knew she’d be a firebreather! We saw the determination in her eyes and recognized her quick ability to make form adjustments with simple cuing (not an easy task for many). Lauren’s continued desire to improve and dedication to training is so inspiring which is why we want to highlight her this month.

Why? I was tired of big, modern gyms and their aerobics, zumba, and kick boxing followed by pulling cables on weight machines. I was tired because I wasn’t seeing all that much progress. And then, in the summer of 2013, I saw an old friend compete in the CrossFit Regionals. I was fascinated and excited to try it. I finally found myself at CrossFit Salus in October 2013, after more than a few months watching videos and getting psyched.

My recovery time has improved. As I get more familiar with the different movements, little by little, I am getting faster.

One of the first moves that blew me away was the pistol. I saw athletes doing 50 at a time and I couldn’t even get down in the squat with my leg out. I worked on it at the box and then around my house on the coffee table. One day it was in a WOD and boom I was doing pistols. It was and still is a great feeling.

I was always thin, but now, my abs and back are ripped! And I’m just generally more muscular everywhere.

I yell a lot less! No joke. For me, CrossFit is like the oxygen mask on the plane. You have to put yours on first before you can assist your young children. It’s the way I take care of myself, so I can take care of my family. I workout, socialize a little, enjoy the me-time, and then have more patience for my family. It makes everyone happier.

I try to get everyone to join CrossFit. I tell people it’s a workout anyone can do because it will be scaled to you and what you can do. It’s any combination of running, olympic lifting and gymnastics. You don’t have to be an athlete or a prior athlete to do these workouts.

Salus’ programing of the workouts. I especially like the 12 week strength work. It’s designed so as the weeks go by you continually PR week after week. It is weekly proof of how much better and stronger you are becoming.

I love any gymnasty WOD. Favorite lift would have to be the deadlift since that’s what I’m best at. If I can get to a few more OLY classes it could become the snatch. You look like a badass snatching.

Work at your own pace. You may be sore, and you need rest days, but don’t let there be too many in between. It can become a reason not to workout. The sooner you get back to the box and work out, the less sore you will be.

I can do pull ups, and dips, so it’s time to put them together… my next Goat is a bar muscle up!

The post Athlete of the Month: Lauren Simpson appeared first on Salus.