Dutch Lowy

I just wanted to let everyone know that i’m not dead nor have i given up on spreading the word about fitness and Health or weightlifting. I have been very busy building and starting a new gym in Fort Worth, TX. I am excited to get back in the gym and start coaching full time again. I am happiest when i am affecting peoples lives positively and for me, this is the best way to do that.
I invite anyone in the area or traveling through to stop by for a visit anytime. Also, i will be writing more frequently on the new website at BlackBoxFW.com so if you really haven’t gotten enough of my blathering there will be more new content. The only hitch is that website is directed towards a bit of a different audience so apologies if it repeats some of the stuff posted here already. This site will remain active with the intent on coming back to blogging at some point.
Go check the new site and leave a comment about what you think. I look forward to hearing from all of you and thank you for your support!

Dutch

On April 23rd, 2010, Amanda Rose Miller passed away after a hard-fought battle with melanoma. She was 24. Amanda proudly served her country in the United States Navy, earning numerous awards and commendations. Amanda was also a dedicated CrossFitter, finishing in 55th place at the 2009 CrossFit Games.

Amanda’s amazing athleticism was overshadowed by her determination, fierce competitiveness, and enduring spirit. In her honor, CrossFit Balance will be hosting The Gunfight: Honor Every Second, a charity event to raise money for the Melanoma Research Foundation. Participants will raise money and do the following workout:

“Amanda”

9-7-5

Muscle-ups

Snatch, 135/95lbs

The workout is optional and infinitely scalable to all fitness and skill levels. If you are unable to attend, donations are still highly encouraged. Similarly, please spread the word to your friends and family. Any email, Facebook, or Twitter updates linking to this donation page would offer incredible support for this event.

Thank you so much for your generosity and support.

Event Details:

Date: April 23rd, 2011

Time: 10AM-4PM

Location: CrossFit Balance, 1111 14th Street NW, Washington, DC, 20005

For further information, please email Quint Fischer at tyquif@hotmail.com
http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/crossfitbalance/amanda

Enjoy!

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/arnoldweightlifting2011

Check it out. Some great lifting all day! I lift at 430 CST and will be early in the session.

I had a conversation yesterday about how to come up with a training program for a group of people. My response came from something i have been thinking about for a while now and it has to do with the trainer or coaches experiences. Over time each coach or trainer will have a style. That style is heavily influenced by their experiences. For example i am a weightlifter and subsequently all of my clients do some weightlifting. If you don’t believe me, ask them… haha!

I would be ineffective as a swim coach because i swim like a rock and don’t have an extensive background in competitive swimming outside of sleeping on the lifeguard stand at 530am. The point is that it would be irresponsible as a coach not to pass someone off that was looking for something outside of my experiences.

It is important to seek new experiences as a coach so you are more versatile. I have attacked this problem from two sides and there is a clearly better and worse way to do it.
Better: Find a new category of exercise/training/sport, find a coach yourself and learn from their experiences and get some new ones yourself.
Worse: Pretend to be an expert and learn as you go guiding someone through a long and winding road to their goals.

Like i said there is clearly a better way to gain new experiences to be used in your coaching. My recommendation is to go find someone that knows very well what you want to accomplish and sit at their feet and soak up all their knowledge. Ask questions and observe how they handle certain situations and you will be a better coach for it.

I just thought i would update everyone.
Above is the new gym in College Station. Obviously its not finished but should be very soon! If you are in the area, you must go check it out.
I will get a picture of the new Fort Worth space this week.

Apologies for the pause in posting real content. I have been a bit busy to say the least. Thank you for your patience, i’ll be back soon!

Meet Kilo!

This is Kilo. He is a terror but he is our dog. Little does he know we are messing with his mind. Recently we had a meeting with a “dog trainer.” I put that in quotes cause the guy didn’t really train Kilo, he trained us. Understanding what goes on in a dogs head in any given situation will help you control that situation and end with a favorable outcome. For us the main outcome we were looking for was when we want Kilo to come, he needs to come. We have been failing miserably the last couple months and were really at his mercy.

After the first 3-4 weeks i gave up on treat training because i didn’t want kilo doing things for a treat, i wanted him doing things because we are the leader and he listens to us no matter what. I got this idea one day when i was walking around Lowes and saw a couple with a dog that walked with them through lowes and only stopped when the owners stopped and would wait patiently till the owners moved on. After stalking them for a couple isles i decided i needed to get my dog to do the same thing.

I am a huge follower of Ceasar Milan (The Dog Whisperer). I respect his ways his thought processes and reasons are spot on. Train the owner and the dog will act like a dog. Its totally natural and easy if you know how to do it. We learned it this weekend and have seen a noticeable difference since.

I have nothing really meaningful to teach here, i just wanted to invite all of you into our home and have you meet Kilo. If you ever get the chance to meet him in person please do me a favor and greet me first. Even if you didn’t come to see me.

Oh and by the way, if you are in Fort Worth, keep an eye out there will be a new gym opening soon. Ready for the first weightlifting Club in Fort Worth?!? You can come meet Kilo as well…