Description of the Location: Crossfit Northlake located 8721 Sidney Circle, Suite 500, Charlotte NC.

As
you walk in thru the front door there is an area to the right for kids to play, a room where crossfitters can
leave their children as they work out. Of course there is someone there keeping a watchful eye on them.
Immediately in front of the entrance there is somewhat of a hall where you can find two large whiteboards
posted on each side of the hall. This is where crossfitters can post their PR (personal records) for each lift.
You also see the hero/heroin workouts dedicated to fallen soldiers, law enforcers, or as simply stated heros.
On the other board you have news of events that are coming up. As you pass through the hall you are in an
open area where the magic begins. The open are is filled with jump boxes, weights, rings, and the Echo
series squat/pull up racks. Within this open are there is an office where Jason the owner works in, filling
paperwork or viewing statements. There also bathrooms located by the sides.
Figured World: A figured world is a large social environment complete with its own conventions of
appropriate behavior, manners, and community-specific discourse (i.e. ways of communicating/jargon).
In the crossfit environment, they expect a level of maturity, respect, and motivation. The
gym not only invites you to be physically ready but to join a family who cares and pushes
each other to be better ourselves each and every day. Throughout the gym, not one person
is silent and alone. The cries of crossfitters pushing their body and the loud screams from
coaches to keep the weights moving. The coaches help motivate and drive a person to
push their limitations at a safe pace. The music blasts as they go thru rounds of reps
sometimes seemingly to push someone harder then they have ever accomplished. Unlike
most gyms, where the environment is silent and everyone seems to avoid eye contact,
crossfit you could possible be motivated by people younger then you, driving you to pass
expectations. The gym is like a sports field where you compete against or applaud those
who attempt, and as it all ends, give one another high fives for the great accomplishment.
There is no set rule but more of common sense environment. As you join you not only
join a gym but a family. You gain a sense of trust and you familiarize yourself with each
person. Everyone communicates with passion and encouragement, as no one plays the
role of a dictator. Everyone is equal and no one tries to make someone smaller then they
are. Its almost a sense of being home, having people around to show you whats right from
wrong and to tell you that you are better then what society believes you to be.
Actors: Actors are people who play significant roles within a figured world; another way to think about
actors is as an archetypal role, which fulfills a specific purpose. Though these are not all the actors,
which played significant roles within the figured world of the office, I have chosen these people because
they are major players in setting the stage for this observation. Throughout the observation, I may refer
to other actors in the actual notes.
Jason Bright: Owner and coach at Crossfit Northlake. He is overall in charge of everything goes
on in the gym. His purpose within this figured world is to operate and run the gym smoothly with
little to no injuries. Of course participants will be sore and out of breath but that comes with the
benefits of staying in top shape. He has great leadership skills with a powerful voice to back it up.
Amy: Amy is Jasons' wife. She is the endurance coach and her program runs every Monday and
Wednesdays. She has a great attitude and loves the workouts. She also has a great sense of humor
and always has a smile no matter what the situation.
Andrew Her 2/8/14 5:59 PM
Comment [1]: Naybe auu the times its
open anu closes.
Andrew Her 2/8/14 5:58 PM
Comment [2]: Baving the location of the
gym was goou, because people can look up
wheie it is.
Andrew Her 2/8/14 5:59 PM
Comment [3]: Explain what ciossfit is
because a lot of people uon't know what it
is.
Andrew Her 2/8/14 6:00 PM
Comment [4]: uoou oveiview of the
actois, letting people know who uoes what
in my enviionment.
Coach Hendel: Coach A is the owner of Crossfit Charlotte. He is the head trainer
for level 1 trainer certificate course, who hasv25 years of strength and condition
experience. He is a 1983 graduate of NC State University, walk-on All-American
for the Wolfpack and has played professionally for Jacksonville receiving All-Pro
honors and special teams leading tackler/short yardage goal line specialist for the
Miami Dolphins
Jill: She is the intro to crossfit trainer for Crossfit Charlotte who shows you the
ins and outs of the gym. She describes the WOD and proper forms to reduce
injury. She takes you through a workout with no weights so that you wont get
injured.

Artifacts: These are physical items and emotions/feelings, which are culturally or socially significant to
specific characters within the office or to the group as a whole.
Echo Series Squat/Pull-up rigs: This set up is beneficial in the Crossfit world as you can have
multiple participants work on their techniques
Jump Box: The equipment is used to improve endurance and their lower body workouts. Used in
multiple situations, such as to help an athlete reach the pull up bars or to even rest.
Personal Records paper: This paper is a recording of all the crossfitters records on each workout,
such as their front squats, dead lift, thrusters, and so forth. It is used to keep the participants aware
of their previous recording to push their limit.
Computers: The computers in the gym are a significant part of the gym. It
provides the participants/athletes to sign in and record their data from the work
outs. It also provides people to buy products from the gym such as work out gear.
Workout Equipment: Throughout the gym you have various workout gear. It is
a major part to the gym.
Whiteboard/Chalkboard: The board is used for various activities. It shows are
the workouts that are dedicated to fallen military men and women, and also shows
the WOD. It is a place where people can also record their workout times.
Discourse Communities: These are groups, which share common interests and ways of communicating
within the figured world of the office.
Crossfit Members: The members come from the young to the old. From students
to workers. The members come from different backgrounds. They all come
together to workout and stay motivated with their physical wellbeing.
Coaches: The Coaches are the motivators who come together to help out those in
need. They show you the proper form and techniques. They motivate you when
you feel like you can't do the workout any longer. They forge you into a healthy
fighting machine.
Andrew Her 2/8/14 6:01 PM
Comment [5]: Tiy to explain what a W0B
is so people can bettei unueistanu the
acionym
Andrew Her 2/8/14 6:02 PM
Comment [6]: uive a biief uesciiption of
what each equipment uoes anu how it
effects the muscle gioup involveu.

Literacy Practices: Simply put, literacy practices are ways of communicating both written and spoken,
verbal and nonverbal (such as body language). These can include basic every day practices such as
writing emails, texting, etc. or more complex tasks such as manners and politeness.
Coaches assistance: Throughout the workouts, the coaches show you the proper
technique to reduce injury. They teach you the ways to produce better results.
Crossfit terminology: In the crossfit world they use words such as WOD to
shorten workout of the day, or wall to wall to describe a certain workout. Many of
its workouts are shorten and some kept the same.
Observation One (Crossfit Charlotte)
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Time:8:50AM-10:00AM
The Observation
0850-0900: Arrive at the gym and sign an insurance waiver.
0900-0930: Coach Jill shows you around the gym and describes what each
equipment does. You also get a chance to see another class doing the daily
workout.
0930-1000: During this time you get to work out with the participants. As there is
not time limit, you work out as best as you can, with proper form and technique.
As it comes to an end everyone comes together and applauds you and the
newcomers for coming in and experiencing their community.
Observation Two (Crossfit Northlake)
Monday, February 3, 2014
Time: 5:00PM-6:00PM

The Observation:
5:00PM-Crossfitters start arriving as the warm ups begin. They run 500m, air squats, and lunges to prepare
the heart and muscles for intensive training.
5:10PM-After warm ups Coach Jason gets everyone in to stretch before the workouts begin. Participants
stretch and warm up the muscles to reduce injury and get the muscle group ready.
Andrew Her 2/8/14 6:03 PM
Comment [7]: Auu a uesciiption of the
gym because I hau obseiveu a uiffeient
ciossfit gym iathei then on Ciossfit
Noithlake.
Andrew Her 2/8/14 6:04 PM
Comment [8]: Auu moie uetails on the
obseivation.
Andrew Her 2/8/14 6:05 PM
Comment [9]: Auu a uesciiption of what
im uoing anu what I am seeing.
5:15PM-Jason reads out the daily WOD (work out the day). Once that is done, people go and get the
equipment set up.
5:20PM-As the WOD begins, you can hear the coaches pushing and driving the crossfitters to better
themselves and to motivate to finish. The bars cling to the chest as they try and attempt for a new personal
record for front squats.
5:45PM- The 6 o'clock class begins to arrive and stretch as they watch the earlier class finish the work outs
with kips, overhead lunges and double unders.
6:00PM- The earlier class ends its training with the participants lying down trying to relax their muscles
and slow their breathing. So the 14 new crossfitters begin their warm ups and its the same routine as the
5PM class.
Observation Three (Crossfit Northlake)
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Time: 6:00PM-7:00PM

6:00PM-As crossfitters begin entering the coaches give a brief on what the workout for the day is. Once
the brief is over, they immediately begin warm ups with a 200m run, high knees, and inch worms to get the
legs ready.

6:15PM-As the warm ups and stretching come to an end to participants begin with the first workout,
personal records for dead lifting. They start by warming up the muscle groups involved and shortly after
begin by adding weights.

6:30PM-Once the dead lift is done they take 5 minutes to recover and coaches go around making sure
people have written down their max dead lifts.

6:35PM-At this time the next work out begins. AMRAP. They do whats called a ladder. They start with
three front squats to 3 box jumps. Once they completed that stage they immediately add 6 more reps and
this continues for 7 minutes straight.

6:42PM- Once the amrap is completed, eveyone takes a walk to relieve and relax the muscles. Ending with
a stretch.

The Interview with Coach Amy and Coach Jason
Andrew Her 2/8/14 6:06 PM
Comment [10]: uoou inteiview ieplies.
Kept the same questions to see what the
iesponses weie foi two uiffeient people.
1. What goes on a daily basis in this gym?
Coach Amy: We pick things up and put them down :) We have at least 7-8 crossfit classes
running everyday. Also have endurance, yoga, CF kids, and personal training.
Coach Jason: we do the same thing for every class all day long. We post the
WOD of the day at 5am in the morning the each coach take the class through the
WOD. At 12:30 each day the coaches workout between classes
2. How is Crossfit Northlake different from other gyms?
We have a lot more diversity and a really amazing community. People from all backgrounds, ages,
and fitness levels coming together to become fitter, healthier, and stronger.
we voices on the person so that we can drive results.
3. How was crossfit formed?
Formed from Greg Glassman in 2003
Greg glaasman the owner of Crossfit wanted to start something that everyone can
do from home with the correct drive
4. How is crossfit different from P90X and Insanity?
The community aspect. P90X and Insanity are fantastic programs but are missing the
accountability of working alongside others.
crossfit places a focus on community which is what sets up a part from anything
else. We really care about each member.
5. Explain how crossfit address the plateau that people often hit when working out for a long
period of time?
It constantly varied and functional which helps people not hit the plateau. As crossfitters we are
never hitting the same program/routine on a daily basis.
we use HIT (high intensity training) to constantly vary high intensity functional
movement
6. Do coaches have to keep pursuing other certifications?
Yes! Always important to further your education as newer knowledge and information comes out
no they don't. We ask them to at Northlake