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Posted May 17, 2018
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Athlete of the Month: Marybeth and Steven Sklowdowski
Posted May 8, 2018
What made you decide to join the RIV?
Marybeth:Steven joined the RIV and after hearing him talk about it I did the free week trial and ended up joining. I had a person trainer a few years ago and enjoyed the idea of someone else planning my workouts for me so when I saw the RIV had multiple classes throughout the day with planned workouts I knew this was a good fit for me.
Steven: I had just started working full time and I realized I couldn’t spend my days sitting at work and sitting at home. I knew I couldn’t go to a regular gym and workout on my own. I wanted to workout in groups with someone designing the workouts and helping with my form. The Riv has proven to be just what I was looking for.
How has the RIV helped you achieve some of your fitness goals?
Marybeth: My fitness goals are to just be in the best shape as I can. I’ve always had trouble motivating myself to go to a gym with my work schedule of working night shift. The RIV has helped because it motivates me to go to the gym instead of staying home. If I take a week off, I know Chelsea will have something to say about where I have been. It also helps to have my brother there with me because we can compete for time or reps which makes me work harder.
Steven: I didn’t come in with any specific goal. I initially just wanted to get in shape and blow off some steam from work. Now my goal is to keep pushing myself in workouts with heavier weights and less breaks.
What has been your favorite workout? What have you improved the most?
Marybeth: My favorite workout was the in-house-competition in November. Steven asked me to be his partner and we both had never competed before. It ended up being a lot of fun working together and somehow we ended up in 3rd place.
The RIV has helped me improve in many different workouts. Before coming to the RIV I could not do a pushup and definitely couldn’t jump on anything higher than the 12 inch box. Even though I still struggle with pushups I can at least do a few in a row and, as of a few weeks ago, I can do box jumps on the 20 inch box!
Steven: I don’t have one specific favorite workout. However, anything that is cardio intensive and involves lots of running and rowing is something I always look forward to.
What is your favorite part of the RIV?
Marybeth: My favorite part about the RIV is the other athletes in the classes. I used to avoid partner day on Fridays because I felt like I was always slowing down my partner. After attending a few Fridays, I realized that no one was judging me for going slower than them. My partner just cheered me on or picked up a few reps to help me.
Steven: The atmosphere at the Riv is my favorite part. I enjoy seeing the coaches and members everyday. The members provide some friendly competition that keeps me motivated and the coaches are always cheering me on and suggesting the heavier/harder way. The holiday party is also a favorite part.
Athlete of the Month: Dani Young
Posted April 9, 2018What made you decide to join the RIV?
Believe it or not, I was not much of an athlete growing up. I was a gymnast from 2 – 14yrs old but after my early retirement from that, I did not get into any sports-ball type athletics. I bowled in high school! But I don’t really think that counts.
In 2011, I found Obstacle Course Racing and was determined to do a 12 mile Tough Mudder. I ran my first 5k that year and found out just how “fit” I really wasn’t. After a year of running (hating every mile) and training on my own, I finished my first Tough Mudder and… ouch. But crossing that finish line is all it took for me to become hooked on OCR. Over the next 4 years my goals transformed from just wanting to survive a race, to never walking during a race, then to never failing on an obstacle, to hoping to finish as a top 10 female. I knew the typical gyms were not going push me to these goals. CrossFit seemed to be all the rage at the time, so I started doing some research. I wasn’t sold on CF but the RIV won me over because of the diversity and amount of classes.
How has the RIV helped you achieve some of your fitness goals?
After one year of rivFit my mile time dropped by 3 minutes and my obstacle completion rate was in the 90% range. Add another 6 months and include a few WODs into the weekly mix (yup, I gave in and drank the CF Kool Aid) and I am usually in the top 10% of female finishers in all of my races. I have done nothing but improve since my start at the RIV and it has been addicting! I can’t wait to see what I can do next!
What has been your favorite workout? What have you improved the most?
Anything that is going to hurt the next day! Preferably involving burpees, running/rowing, gymnastics, and at least 20 minutes of work (yeah, yeah… I’m that person).
My strength and endurance have obviously improved but I think my attitude and confidence have improved the most. Every failure I experience motivates me to keep striving towards success! I no longer see my small stature as my greatest weakness, it just provides a greater opportunity to prove my strength.
What is your favorite part of the RIV?
Oh, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways…
Okay, I don’t want to get too sentimental here so I will keep it simple:
The music. Who doesn’t love working out to some throw back hip-hop, reggae, or backstreet boys?! No really, I do love the music.. I think I dance during most WODs. But on a more serious note…
The Diversity of Classes. My fitness goals are all over the place. I want to lift more, run faster, climb higher, flip that tire, and hold on just a little looonnggerrrr. The RIV has classes for all of these things! From rivFit to Strongman, WODs to Endurance, and Cycling to Mobility I think I am getting the most well rounded version of fitness that anyone could ever ask for. Except for maybe swimming. Do you think we could add a pool anywhere? haha. But, to be honest, my favorite part of the RIV is…
YOU! The people are what MAKES the RIV one of my favorite places to be. It sounds silly thinking that a gym can represent a community but the RIV is just that and more! It does not matter how my day was or how late I am walking into class, haha, there are always people greeting me, asking me about my day, or what I thought of about a WOD, or just looking to talk about life. The people are amazing, both the members and our dedicated coaches. You ALL inspire me! You provide the challenge and motivation that I need to push myself. And YES, I mean all of you – from the parents setting their kids up with coloring books so you can work out, to the olympic lifter cleaning 200+ lbs, to the CrossFitters that are stringing 100 DUBS together and the CrossFitter leaving with welts because they are still working on getting one DUB, to the coach that volunteered to come in early to help judge the Open, the athlete that is having an off day, and even the member that just made it through their first class. The members and coaches understand the struggle it takes to overcome that next obstacle ahead of you and they also know how sweet the reward is when you get there! You all have believed in me and my abilities more than I do on most days and it is because of ALL OF YOU that I have come this far. Thank you! And y’all better keep it up!
Athlete of the Month: Zach Dilworth
Posted March 6, 2018
What made you decide to join the RIV?
Having come from an endurance sport background, I was never a huge fan of lifting weights. After taking a break from marathon training and not feeling as fit as I used to be, I was looking to make a change in my level of fitness. My girlfriend Brittany had been doing CrossFit for two years at the time and suggested I give it a try.
How has the RIV helped you achieve some of your fitness goals?
The RIV has been a fantastic environment to workout in and be a part of. The RIV helped me get stronger and more fit than I used to be and has given me more energy throughout my day as the result.
What has been your favorite workout? What have you improved the most?
Coming from my endurance background, I really enjoy any WOD that pushes you to work for 30, 40, or even 50 minutes. Two that come to mind are The Seven and a beast of an old cardio Thursday we did last year that was 3 rounds of 800m Run, 60 Lunges, 500m Row, 40 Air Squats, 200m Run, 10 Burpees. My strength as a whole has improved so much since starting CrossFit. I distinctly remember during 17.3 last year, about a month after starting CrossFit, I went to clean 135 lbs and couldn’t even get the barbell past my waist, yet alone snatch it. After a few months I was able to clean 135 and since then I have improved my clean to 200.
OTOM Wilmington DE Riv Athletics!
Posted March 2, 2018Who’s ready for a OTOM Wrap Party?!
We are so excited to bring this special event to your city! All guests are invited to join us for this exciting, one-day, One Team One Mission event to hear real stories from real people in your community who have transformed their health, finances and lives with It Works! If you’re already a part of the It Works! Family, we encourage you to come and get connected to the local team and bring guests to show them what IT is all about! As a guest, you’ll have an opportunity to try our flagship product and experience our culture of friendships, fun and freedom firsthand! You’ll learn more about who we are as a company, our incredible line of results-driven wellness products, and how you can get involved with It Works! to transform your own health and finances!
Join this amazing party with Double Diamond Amy McGlinchey and other area leaders!!
Itinerary
1:00 p.m.- 2:00 p.m. Registration, Sampling & Wrapping
2:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m. Party Pad Presentation
3:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. Break/Open Networking
Dress: Come decked out in your It Works! black, green, and bling!
*Guests are welcome to attend for FREE and can obtain their free ticket via the Eventbright link Sign Up Here!
Athlete of the Month: Julie Lemon
Posted February 6, 2018What made you decide to join the RIV?
I actually joined the Riv a long time ago, back when it was the old karate studio. My then fiance and I were looking for a way to stay active together and have fun. Now, fast forward 2 kids and a husband later, I re-joined to get myself back into shape!
How has the RIV helped you achieve some of your fitness goals?
The Riv has tremendously helped me achieve some of my fitness goals. I had my boys pretty close together (20 months), and it really took a toll on my body. Since June, I’ve lost 27 lbs and that’s without dieting! That’s just me religiously rolling out of bed at 4:45 A.M. in the morning with multiple texts from a friend asking, “are you getting up today?”.
What has been your favorite workout? What have you improved the most?
I don’t have a favorite, I just like to keep moving! My favorite workouts are usually on Sundays. I like not knowing how many rounds there will be, and I enjoy partner WOD’s with the Hubs (sometimes, haha). As for improving, I would have to say I feel like I’ve improved in everything, even if it’s not Rx. When I started in June, it was like running/working out with a weighted vest on!
What is your favorite part of the RIV?
I would have to say my favorite part of the Riv is working out with my friends, gaining motivation by stronger athletes next to me and seeing results!
Athlete of the Month: Phil Garrett
Posted January 2, 2018
What made you decide to join the RIV?
My best friend has been doing CrossFit for two years and it’s taken him to new levels of fitness. Levels that has improved his run times dramatically in addition to physical fitness. He introduced me to CrossFit and then I looked for the most competitive box in Delaware.
How has the RIV helped you achieve some of your fitness goals?
RIV has done dramatic wonders for my cardio and strength. I’ve shaved at least 15-18 minutes off of my 10 mile run time, which scared me because that wasn’t going all out. It’s also done wonders for my Army fitness test. I breeze by on the 2 mile run and max my pushups and sit-ups on the test. I max the the test on the 18-21 year old scale.
What has been your favorite workout? What have you improved the most?
I greatly enjoy any of the bench mark workouts like Helen, Barbara or Debbie. I think I’ve improved most on my form. OHS, cleans and lifting heavier weight.
What is your favorite part of the RIV?
My favorite part of CrossFit is anytime I have to push very hard and dig deep. Also, the great chemistry between the members and coaches. The team motivation from both members and coaches makes it fun and competitive!
Athlete of the Month: Connie Madariaga
Posted December 4, 2017
What made you decide to join the RIV?
I joined the RIV last spring, when they were having the summer body challenge, it just seemed like a good opportunity to try something new.
How has the RIV helped you achieve some of your fitness goals?
The RIV has helped me achieve goals that I didn’t even know I had before, it makes me want to push harder . Before my main goal was always just ‘weight loss’. However, after joining the RIV, some of my new goals are based more on endurance and weight lifting and becoming a better athlete all around, as well as staying healthy.
What has been your favorite workout? What have you improved the most?
I am not sure if I have one favorite workout, because everything is challenging for me, which makes me excited to work out and do better during all the workouts. If I had to pick, snatches and cleans are fun, and my favorite class is OLY, because I get to work on my form. I think my cleans have improved the most, but its constant progress which I love, even if it’s a little tiny progress.
What is your favorite part of the RIV?
My favorite part of the RIV is the energy from everyone, athletes and coaches. My first few days I was intimidated , especially when walking through the WOD but everyone was and still is beyond supportive, they made me feel welcome. That’s honestly my favorite part, and also to know that as much as I want to improve on something , there’s someone next to me who’s watching and wants me to improve or hit a new PR as much as I do.
Athlete of the Month: Tirath Dhillon
Posted November 1, 2017
What made you decide to join the RIV?
A friend of mine referred me. I was looking to get in overall better shape.
How has the RIV helped you achieve some of your fitness goals?
My strength and stamina have increased tremendously since joining Riv Athletics.
What has been your favorite workout? What have you improved the most?
Honestly, I do not have just one favorite. Each workout has been challenging in its own way. I have improved the most on my squats. All the credit goes to the coaches who have helped me achieve my goals.
What is your favorite part of the RIV?
Team workouts are my favorite. Partner WOD Friday and RivWOD are what I look forward to most.