October at CFI: Utility, Bench Press, & Big Events
Upcoming Events
- SouthEast Affiliate Conference @ CFI
🗓 Saturday, October 18th | ⏰ 10 AM – 3 PM
📍 CrossFit Impulse
We’re honored to host the SouthEast Affiliate Conference right here at the House of Gainz. The gym will be closed during the event, so mark your calendars. - Creme Brew Latte Pop-Up ☕️
Saturday, October 18th | right after the 8 AM class
These guys will be on site slinging lattes and serving up what I swear is the best coffee in four states. Don’t miss it.
Programming Notes
As we wrap up our Deadlift and strict Pull-up cycle next week, we’re rolling right into bench press.
Here’s the thing: I’ve never met anyone with a monster bench press who didn’t also have a lot of pull-ups in their arsenal. Why? Because lats and shoulders play a huge role in driving heavy weight off your chest.
So consider the pump primed. This bench cycle is going to be a great one—packed with fun and challenging accessory work. And don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten about your poe widdle wegs. You’ll see enough leg work to make you say, “leggo my leggos, Steve!”
On a side note—I discovered a couple weeks ago that I’m Lego illiterate. Who knew? Somebody wanna teach me to Lego? I’m down.
From the Desk of the Gorilla: Utility
“A person’s utility is a gift they give to themselves.” – Steve, 2025
I meditate alot. Quiet music on repeat, I let my mind wander… and it settles on this subject often.
Strong people. Reliable people. The ones you can count on—those are the people we, as humans, respect at the highest levels.
Ask yourself: Can you be counted upon? If asked, would you help someone? Could you help someone?
Over the years, I’ve been asked, “What are you training for? Why do you work so hard? Isn’t that a lot of time spent?”
You bet your ass it is.
Because when I’m called upon, I want to be capable. I want to be strong. I want to be reliable. That’s the gift I give myself: to live in that state, to know that when it’s time, I’m ready. A wise man once said…. IF YOU STAY READY…. YOU NEVER HAVE TO GET READY!
So yeah—thank you, past Steve, for never quitting. For not stopping when it was inconvenient. For not walking away when it got hard. Present Steve owes you a debt of gratitude. And future Steve will appreciate it even more.
Same goes for each and every one of you, fam. Your work doesn’t just serve you. Your family benefits. Your coworkers benefit. Everyone you interact with benefits. That’s what training hard really builds—utility.
So here’s the question for this month: What’s your why?
Mine’s simple. I never want to lose my utility. I want to be counted upon.
Stay strong, stay reliable, stay useful. That’s the gift.
— Steve