NovemFit - Community Fitness

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What a beautiful day we had for front squats and Helen! ☀️☀️☀️ #WeAreNovem #NovemFIT #NovemStrong #CommunityFitness #strongertogether #communityunbroken #CrossFit #BootCamp #Weightlifting #hitt #grouptraining #Philadelphia #Fishtown A#Kensington #FitFam #CommunityStrong #PhillysBestGym #PhillyFit #health #wellness #mentalhealth #GutterFit

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We saw many forms of shoulder to overhead today: strict press, push press, push jerk and thrusters! Which one was your favorite?? 🤩 #WeAreNovem #NovemFIT #NovemStrong #CommunityFitness #strongertogether #communityunbroken #CrossFit #BootCamp #Weightlifting #hitt #grouptraining #Philadelphia #Fishtown #Kensington #FitFam #CommunityStrong #PhillysBestGym #PhillyFit #health #wellness #mentalhealth #GutterFit

Next up in our coaches spotlight, Coach Jeanette!

Pronouns: They/them

1. What got you into fitness?
In 2018 a of mine friend started talking about “CrossFit” and I was feeling pretty down about myself physically. She assured me that there wasn’t “that much running” and that you got to lift heavy things a lot. That sounded much more my style if I was going to have to workout than long runs with my wife in Prospect Park (yes I did cry a few times waking up to go running in the morning). So I tried it out. It’s definitely my style.

2. How long have you been a coach?
I started coaching at my gym in Brooklyn at the end of 2020, and started coaching at Novem after we moved here in June. 

3. What’s your favorite part about coaching at Novem?
I love being a coach! I love watching folks like me who were hesitant or reluctant about fitness see how their body can move, what it can do, what it can lift, and help them improve and actually have fun being in a gym. It’s important to me that all bodies can be healthy and enjoy doing it. It’s even more special at Novem because in the short time I’ve been here, I’ve found an incredibly strong sense of community and competitive spirit. 

4. What is your athletic background?
I played basketball and threw shotput and discus in high school, but I also did ROTC, in both high school and college. With that I was sort of forced into fitness, and afterward, for almost a decade sort of avoided it… I dabbled in rec sports and biking until I joined a basketball league as an adult (where I met my wife Ciara) and through a friend learned about CrossFit… We both ended up trying it out and joined in 2018.

5. What’s one thing about yourself that no one in the gym knows about you?
I’m a published author. (Ask me about it!)

6. Favorite Benchmark or hero wod?
Fran. (NOT) I’d say a tie between Isabel and Karen. 

Questionnaire continued in the comments

Next up in our coaches spotlight, Coach Nick!

Pronouns: He/him

1. What got you into fitness?
I was a runner for a long time before I tried any kind of non-cardio based fitness. After I stopped running, I started spinning but was looking for some more variety. My boyfriend Joe did CrossFit, and he inspired me to try CrossFit. The rest is history.

2. How long have you been a coach?
I’ve been coaching at Novem since early 2019, and I’ve been coaching spin since 2018.

3. What’s your favorite part about coaching at Novem?
Hanging out with Joe Ling!! And also seeing our members progress. Folks join Novem at all different stages of their fitness journey, and it is such a pleasure to see progress and do things they never thought they would be capable.

4. What is your Athletic background?
I was a long distance runner in high school in both Cross Country and Track & Field. When I went to college, I opted not to run for school and instead started running longer distances. I’ve run a handful of half and full marathons.

5. Tell us one thing about yourself that no one in the gym knows about you.
I do actually have a job outside of coaching at the gym! I’m a project manager at Penn Medicine, and I’m also in nursing school part-time.

6. Favorite Benchmark or hero wod?
Chad is probably my favorite. 1,000 box step ups for time with a weight vest. No skill needed; just an hour and some good music. Friends are only welcome if they won’t distract you and make you lose count!

7. Favorite lift?
Squat sn**ch

8. How has fitness impacted your life?
Fitness has given a lot of direction to my life. When I graduated from college, I really didn’t have the slightest idea what I wanted to do, and as a result, I had a career that wasn’t personally meaningful or interesting. It was through coaching that I learned that I love helping people and working with people one-on-one, and ultimately informed my decision to go back to school.

Happy International Women’s Day! We love being a space where women can come and feel empowered, strong and be 100% authentically themselves 💪💪💪

To the women of Novem: Thank you for being positive inspirations for the next generation to come 🤩

Over the next few weeks, we’re going to highlight our coaches so you can get to know them a little better 🤩

First up, Coach Lydia!

Pronouns: they/she/any/don't care

1. What got you into fitness?
My whole family is pretty active. Sports gave me and my siblings something to do growing up, and I love anything with a competitive aspect.

2. How long have you been a coach?
Almost 3 years. I actually started coaching at Novem during 2020.

3. What’s your favorite part about coaching at Novem?
The community. Each gym has its own atmosphere, but I’ve never experienced a place like Novem. I’m a big fan of the saying, “We rise by lifting others,” and I get to see that all the time at Novem. When you walk in, you’re pretty much guaranteed to have a great time whether you enjoy the workout or not.

4. What is your Athletic background?
I played soccer from elementary school through high school. My position was goalkeeper. I also played four years of field hockey in high school. In 2014, my brother and I took our first functional fitness class together using a Groupon, and we became immediately hooked.

5. Tell us one thing about yourself that no one in the gym knows about you.
My cat’s full name is Felix “Fi Fi” Rava O’Hara

6. Favorite Benchmark or hero wod?
Grace

7. Favorite lift?
Sn**ch!

8. How has Novem impacted your life?
Fitness is crucial to maintaining my physical and mental health, especially throughout school. Part of why I love weightlifting is simply because I love feeling strong. I also enjoy surprising myself and other people with how much I’m able to lift and do. For me, that physical strength also translates into feeling more capable in lots of other areas of my life.

Here it is! Week 2 of the open and we get to do some burpee pull ups and shuttle runs. THEN we get to play with a heavy barbell! Gonna be a great time 🏃‍♀️🏋🏻‍♀️

We’ve got some heavy hitters doing Friday Night Lights tomorrow. Join us at 6:30pm to see what weight they can put up for the 1rm thruster. Can’t wait!!














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Some behind the scenes of our photoshoot today. Thank you Coach for capturing us and the gym in some beautiful lighting! We can’t wait to see the final shots 📸














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Tonight’s the night! Join us for Friday Night Lights and cheer on your fellow fit and bootcamp members and coaches while they take on 23.1!!✨🪩

Athletes participating tonight: we encourage you to get to the gym a little early to start warming up

Can’t wait to see everyone later 🤩🤩🤩














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Congratulations to our Fit Athlete of the Month for February, Kolin!!

Here’s a little more about Kolin:

1. What got you into CrossFit?
My brother-in-law invited me to his gym/to do workouts with him years ago when he was dating my sister... I think he was trying to win over the little brother. I had really enjoyed the style, but never fit it in while in college. It was always on my radar and then after the pandemic ended I was able to find Novem and start the journey with consistency.

2. Name a fitness goal that you have.
In 2023, I’d love to become proficient at DU’s & MU’s while working on handstand related movements... I guess gymnastics :)

3. Tell us one thing about yourself that no one in the gym knows about you.
Growing up I loved ketchup - I used to mix it with syrup and put it on all my breakfast/diner food (i.e. pancakes, waffles, french toast, eggs & bacon)

4. What is your Athletic background?
Growing up I was a competitive swimmer turned water polo player through high school and college. I still try to play for fun in a masters league when I can, but mostly just focused on CF and general fitness now (and co****le if that counts as a sport 😁).

5. Favorite Benchmark, wod, and lift.
I love a good ole’ Murph, that was one of my first CF workouts. I also love anything with an Echo bike... My favorite lift is probably squat cleans

6. How has CrossFit impacted your life?
I think it’s really helped me become more balanced from a fitness perspective, rather than just focusing on running or swimming. I feel stronger than I have my entire life, while also having the ability to tackle endurance obstacles. It’s also led me to meet so many truly incredible people! No matter what the workout is, I truly look forward to coming to Novem each day for the interaction with my fellow members. I’m lucky to have found a place that’s not just a gym, but a community!

Good luck on your competition today Coach !

How’s everyone feeling after we spiced things up with DT in the EMOM?