Susie and Brent
Members Since March 2011
What has been your favorite workout so far?
Susie: Amazing Grace/Barbells for Boobs without a doubt. It was an important cause for me personally, and I like the Clean and Jerk.
Brent: I don’t have a favorite, but I do like workouts that are short and intense. Any workout where I don’t have to rest between movements, but still collapse on the floor afterward, is a good one.
What were you doing for exercise before Strength & Conditioning?
Susie: I was wasting my membership at the Y and running a little bit.
Brent: I wasn’t really doing anything. Before I met Susie I was mountain biking up to four times a week, but then she began filling more of my time and the motivation just wasn’t there anymore.
How would you describe your previous athletic background before Strength & Conditioning?
Susie: I never would have called myself an “athlete” because I never played any organized sports. Way back in the day I used to snowboard and ride my bike around town. So actual fitness was entirely new to me when I started CF.
Brent: I don’t really have an athletic background. I never played any team sports growing up, and it wasn’t until adulthood that I started running and biking.
What made you want to give Strength & Conditioning a try?
Susie: I needed something that would make me more disciplined in my fitness. Something that made me feel accountable for showing up and getting my money’s worth. I told Brent I was going to do this and I think he pretty much figured if he ever wanted to hang out with me he’d better try it too.
Brent: I didn’t really have a choice. Susie really wanted to do it, and I was open to it. I had secretly been hoping to get her into biking but wasn’t having much luck. This was something we could do together.
What impact has Strength & Conditioning had on your life?
Susie: A pretty major one. It’s definitely changed my body and physical strength, but it’s also challenged me emotionally and psychologically. It’s a whole new part of our lives and a regular part of our routine now.
Brent: I’m sore most of the time, but mostly because I’ve learned how to push myself harder than I ever have before. Strength & Conditioning has also introduced me to a lot of nice people and new ways of living and eating.
What is your favorite thing about Strength & Conditioning? Courage Fitness Durham specifically?
Susie: Honestly, I love that it’s something we do together. We talk about our technique, we support each other through struggles and sore muscles, and we celebrate our PRs. I really enjoy the people at CFD, the coaches are all different but all fantastic and the other athletes are so supportive. I also like that it’s not a Boys Club. There are some seriously strong and amazing chicks at CFD!
Brent: I love setting goals and reaching (or sometimes surpassing) them, and the feeling of accomplishment that goes along with hitting that new PR.
How would you describe Strength & Conditioning to someone that had never heard of it before?
Susie: It makes you feel like a badass. It’s challenging and fun and sometimes you feel like you might die, but you won’t.
Brent: There’s always something new to do and try, and it maintains my interest because we rarely do the same workout twice. CF motivates you to go harder and push yourself. And it’s addictive; we check the WOD every night at 9:05 and can’t wait to see what we’ll be doing tomorrow.
What is your Strength & Conditioning nemesis?
Susie: Double Unders. But I’m steadily making progress.
Brent: I’m still working on my overhead squats. They’re getting better, but I’m not happy with them yet.
What is your favorite movement?
Susie: Kettlebell swings and box jumps in a metcon. Push press when I’m lifting.
Brent: I like cleans more every time we do them, and I always look forward to double unders in a metcon. I’ve gotten pretty good at them, and they’re usually where I can make up time in a WOD.
What piece of advice would you offer to others thinking about starting Strength & Conditioning?
Susie: I tell myself “This too shall pass” – whether it’s pain, exhaustion, struggle or injury.
Brent: It took me a couple of months of using too much weight for the metcons before I found my rhythm. Don’t get discouraged. I find that with a new movement it helps to be conservative with the weight to keep the intensity high and rest to a minimum. You can always go harder next time, and keeping a record of your progress will make finding this balance so much easier.