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CARMELO BUETI
What do you enjoy most about being a member of CrossFit Middle Village?
The people. The members are all super close. This camaraderie makes each workout a blast and is a source of encouragement as everyone keeps up with and cares for each other’s progress. Additionally, the coaches are all phenomenal, each providing a different but special experience. I can’t imagine any other gym in the world has staff that is so invested in each of its members’ evolution.
How/when did you get involved in CrossFit?
April 2021. My entire life, my only real sources of fitness were playing soccer and running. My 2021 New Year’s Resolution was to put muscle on and start weightlifting, something I had never done. After ~4 months in the gym on self directed plans, I was not seeing progress as I thought I would. Having known Coaches Chris and Ag for many years (my wife is Ag’s cousin!) I spoke to Chris about stopping into the gym to see if it was something that could help me reach my fitness goals. After one session, I was hooked!
What was your first CrossFit workout? How did you feel afterwards?
Push Press for strength and a WOD with a huge number of reps of Push Press, Ball Slams and Hand-Release Push-ups. I was so sore I told the coaches I had injured my shoulders. Of course, that was not the case -- I just didn’t know what being sore actually felt like! Shout out to Stephen Mattes for guiding me through as he still does to this day.
What do you enjoy most about CrossFIt?
How well rounded of a program it is. Strength, gymnastics, cardio, mobility. Each workout gives my body a different shock.
What is your favorite WOD or Lift?
My favorite WOD to date has been the 12 Days of Christmas workout. With so much variety in the workout (12 different movements!), it was a great checkpoint to gauge just how much I’ve learned since joining. With regard to a favorite specific lift, squat cleans win for me.
What is your least favorite WOD or Lift?.
“Least favorite” is harsh, as no movement keeps me from the gym! However, any workout / strength day with Snatches or Overhead Squats always gives me trouble.
What motivates you? How has CrossFit changed you?
General health and fitness. While a younger version of me may have reveled in the competition, I’m now more interested in being more fit in a broad sense (not just cardio as in the past) and living a healthy lifestyle. It has also brought much structure to my life, as the early morning classes -- often 4:30am -- allow me to seize the day before most are out of bed.
What were your goals when you started this journey ?
To gain muscle, have a good workout regimen, and eat healthier.
What are your goals for the upcoming year?
In addition to carrying through those original goals, as I have learned more about this sport, I want to be able to complete ~50% or more of the WODs at the prescribed weights / movements.
Do you have any advice for new members?
Always listen to the coaches. Sometimes you have to take one step back to take two forward. This means that you may be coached to tweak something in a lift or movement that feels a bit uncomfortable and leads to fewer reps or less weight in the short-term. However, if you practice that modification, I guarantee it will lead to substantial gains in the weeks / months down the line.