TUESDAY

Here’s another athlete profile on Andrew Manello. Thanks Andrew!!

Where do you live? 

My wife, who also belongs to Thor Fitness, and I live in Hauppauge with our twin girls. 

What brought you to Thor Fitness? 

I’ve been with Patty since April of 2013.  I’ve been a very active person most of my life and prior to CrossFit I was doing the globo gym routine 4-5 days per week.  I actually first learned about CrossFit in 2011 and was very interested in joining a gym however at the time I was dealing with spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease in my neck and opted not to join.  In June of 2012 I ultimately had to have surgery on my neck which put eight screws and two brackets fusing everything together.  Due to the recovery and healing process I was very limited in any type of activity I could do for about three months.  After that time I started PT and was cleared to go back to light physical activity in December of 2012.  So I tried getting back into my globo gym routine but I became frustrated with my limitations and loss of strength.  Around that time Chrissy had joined Thor Fitness and in April of 2013 I came for friends and family day.  The next day I signed up for elements. 

What were your goals? Have you achieved them? 

My first CrossFit goal was to get double unders, I could barely jump rope when I started.  Now I can get over 100 in a row!  Most recently I hit a double body weight back squat.  Over the next year I want to hit a 300lb clean and 225lb snatch as for endurance a sub 3:30 Fran and sub 6:30 mile.  In the last few months I’ve really been focusing on my nutrition which has overall made me feel better and perform better.  I highly recommend tracking macros, it works!

What do you do when you are not at the gym?

I am married and have twin girls who will be three in December. I also work as a sales rep and I’ve been with my company over 7 years.  I really enjoy the people and company that I work for.  So most of my free time is spent being a dad, husband and in sales meetings. 

What crossFit exercise or lifts are your favorite and least favorite?

My favorite CrossFit workouts are Nancy, Cindy and Jackie.  Any workout that has a front squat is also a favorite.  When muscle ups are programmed I know that the workout is going to be extra challenging.  Clean and jerks and snatches are fun too.  I am not a fan of box jumps, they always slow me down.  I would actually rather do thrusters or wall balls than see box jumps in a workout. 

Any other tid bit info…

Over the past four years CrossFit has had a major positive impact on my life. I hate when I hear CrossFit is dangerous or “I am not in shape to do it.” CrossFit is not dangerous!  Stupid people are dangerous! 

I feel that CrossFit is for anyone in any shape at any point in their life!  Even if you got a terrible time in your workout that day I can guarantee that you’re still fitter than 95% of the people who walk past you every day!

STRENGTH:

5 sets: 1 power clean + 1 push press x 3. Each set consists of 1 p clean + 1 push press of 3 unbroken reps of each. Build with each set.

CrossFit WOD:

3 rds:

400 meter run

15 power cleans 135#/95#

75 double unders

LEVEL 1:

3 rds:

300 meter run

15 power cleans 55#/35#

75 singles