Fran & Karl Rissland

Fran:  I’ve been teaching Group Fitness for 30 years.  Anything that ever came into the industry I got certified to teach it.  I love all fitness and the challenge of learning something new.  Crossfit always intrigued me.  Karl was a cyclist but didn’t like the ‘big box’ gym.  Our good friends (most know Laura and Greg Stalemark) were members so we decided to give it a try.  Karl and I signed up for our trial with Lara (4 years ago).  We said we’d give it a try for 3 months.  If he liked it, he’d stay but I would leave after 3 months and continue teaching group fit classes.  Well guess what?  I LOVED it! And here we are 4 years later.

Karl:  Fran made me!  In all seriousness, hearing our friends talk about it and seeing the results they were having were intriguing.  Fran is right, I just never liked going to a big gym, just felt like another number and it was boring. 

Fran:  I LOVED it!!!  Literally! I was beat up, but LOVED it! Not what I was ever used to but couldn’t wait until the next one.

Karl: I really liked it.  You are challenged by the people around you and by yourself.  The quality of the coaches was evident.  Then, the day after… ouch… The second day after ‘WTF, I am way more out of shape than I thought! …F*** I have to go up the stairs again?!’

Fran: The different challenge every day!  AND the fabulous community Dan and Lara have created. Some of my dearest friends I have met through Crossfit.

Karl: I am with Fran.  To add to that, I was in martial arts for a long long time before we moved down to GA.  The box has the same feel as my old Dojo.  Lots of camaraderie, a strong work ethic, and again, fantastic coaches.

Fran: Anytime I set a new PR!

Karl: Anytime I can do a more advanced movement throughout a WOD, i.e. even though I am slower, doing all pull-ups in a WOD and not dropping down to ring rows or doing all rope climbs without any progressions.  I may end up finishing last, but the feeling of accomplishment having done those movements throughout, is great.

Fran: Split Jerk is my favorite for sure!  And I am beginning to like Snatch because I finally (after FOUR years) figured out how to do it!  I DESPISE deadlifts and burpees.  Why oh why are there always deadlifts AND Burpees in a WOD?

Karl: I like the push jerk when I can use the jerk boxes; that is probably my favorite movement.  I am not a fan of deadlifts because of some back issues and yes, burpees suck.

Fran: Favorite – FRAN of course!  Least Favorite – anytime there are deadlfts or burpees in a WOD!

Karl: God I Love FRAN!  I mean, I love FRAN so much, sometimes I slow down just so I can enjoy FRAN a little longer.  Least fav,  hmmm… I don’t know if I have a least favorite WOD, really depends on how I feel when I show up.

Editor’s Note: Oh my! Karl!!!

Fran: I have many but I really want to be able to do ONE pull-up, just one.  I need to work on my grip as I have several issues with hand grip.

Karl: Get better at Cardio and being able to string more movements together without resting…

Fran: The biggest impact has been in the last 8 months.  I decided to go unlimited, training 5-6 days a week and started the Keto/low carb lifestyle and it has been a major game changer.  Between Karl and I we have lost about 40+ lbs and feel so much better! I still need to get back on the Inbody  and see where I am at. It wasn’t easy (especially at our age) but we were committed and have not stopped. We love this lifestyle!

Karl: Just feeling better in general. Well, after moving around for a few minutes in the morning….  One big change has been my Back. Flat out, I have a bad back… many years of getting thrown in martial arts around did a number on my lower lumbar.  Before CrossFit, I would literally move the wrong way and my back would lock up.  That simply hasn’t happened for a long time.  While I have to be careful with some movements, the back feels real good.  Also, I just feel stronger.

Fran: Hanging with my family, chasing four kids and keeping Karl out of trouble as he is my 5th kid  teaching group fitness, working my health biz, running the household, etc.  #momlife

Karl: FRAN! And I also tinker, build things, game, boat, try to get into trouble when Fran isn’t looking, and embarrass my kids as much as possible.

Fran: In so many ways!  I am forever grateful that I ‘stayed’ with this community. I am more confident, I can keep up with my young kids, and keep pushing harder in all aspects of life.

Karl: It is continually reinforcing the face that hard work pays off.  When you show up, depending on how you feel, that workout can be incredibly intimidating. CrossFit helps me practice getting over myself and to simply focus on what is in front of me.  Show up, don’t cherry pick, figure out how to get the work done, don’t complain, do it… then feel good about the accomplishment.  It is nice to be rewarded for my hard work every time I go to the gym. 

Fran:  Don’t be afraid! Just do it! I love that everything is scalable to EVERYONES’ ability!

Karl: I would agree with Fran, just do it. You will make many new friends, surprise yourself, and surprise others.