Hey guys, We have been hard at work over the past couple of weeks in our big 3 strength cycle and you may have noticed all the accessory work coming along with it! Here is why YOU NEED TO BE DOING IT!!!!!! First lets talk about the definition of accessory work. Accessory work- is the little exercises that contribute to the bigger exercises. Any movement that compliments the bilateral and full-body movements that are done in CrossFit, Olympic lifting, Power lifting etc. Accessory work may involve isolation exercises (targeting one muscle or muscle group) or unilateral movements (using one side of the body), with the intended goal of improving overall performance. Now I know what you are asking….coach what are Bi-lateral movements? Wellllllll let me tell you!!! Bi-lateral Movements-are exercises that work both sides of your body, as both limbs share the stress of the exercise. Think of movements such as squats, presses, deadlifts,...Read more

“Community” What CrossFit does exercise-wise, is nothing new.  High intensity functional movement has been around for a very long time.  However, CrossFit does something that almost no other fitness program does.  It creates COMMUNITY.  When you get a group of people together in one place day after day, month after month, year after year, suffering, growing, laughing, crying, hitting PRs, yelling, and falling on the ground exhausted, community naturally happens. Call it a family, a team, a tribe, whatever, people are drawn to working really really hard together. When we started UpReach CrossFit we decided on two core values, Community and Excellence.  Today, 5 months later, I want to take some time to brag on this incredible community we have! In the 5 months we have been open, I have seen all of the following things and more: Relationships begin Marriage Engagements Happen Pool parties Non-English speakers get welcomed and...Read more

My interest in electrolytes started after getting dizzy during workouts on hot days.  It was back in 2011 when Austin, TX had over 60 days of 100+ degree weather; the weight room’s only ventilation was a large garage door with fans, and it was just generally hot as hell.  The first day I got dizzy, I just sat out the rest of that workout and started drinking a lot of water.  It took me about an hour and a half to recover back to the point where I felt normal.  The second dizzy day, a gym mate (thanks Tiffany!) offered me a packet of electrolytes, I drank it, and I started feeling better 30 minutes later.  I tried preloading electrolytes with Gatorade before workouts, and it was back to working out out as usual. Fast forward to now, I’m older, and weight is harder to lose.  A 32oz bottle of...Read more

Member of the Month – JUNE 2018 Phanny Lay is this month’s member of the month!  We sat down with Phanny this week to learn more about why she joined Crossfit. What led you to try out Crossfit? Short Answer:  My frieeeennnd Efffrennn Long Answer:  When I first started working out, I decided to use a personal trainer and I went to 24 Hour Fitness.  I hated it.  Every day I would dread going to the gym because I hated it so much.  I worked out with him for several months and every day that I went I hated every single freaking part.  I was talking with one of my coworkers one day and she mentioned that she was doing Camp Gladiator.  She said that her husband bought her a Groupon for it and she kept telling me was how much she enjoyed it and how I should try it...Read more

We get a lot of questions about the butterfly pull-up.  Rightfully so!  It is the fastest way to get those reps in! This will be a step by step guide to learning the butterfly pull-up. The butterfly pull-up was designed as a way to execute the “Kipping Pull-up” at a faster turnover rate. This is used almost exclusivity in the functional fitness community as a way to get more work done in less time. Please note: the butterfly pull-up puts more torque on your shoulder girdle than a strict or kipping pull-up. This skill should not be learned before the user has a solid strict strength foundation and a deep understanding of the kipping pull-up. VIDEO 1: SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES The first thing that I want everyone to see is that there is NO DIFFERENCE in how you start either type of pull-up. Both begin with a lat engagement and...Read more