Jan Athlete Focus: Robbee!
Robbee Belcher & and his wife Julie joined us back on January 8, 2011. It will be 6 years in a few days! Clearly two of the most dedicated members and athletes we have at Torque! Known for always introducing himself to visitors and new members, making them feel instantly welcome! He is the first to exclaim post-workout, huffing and puffing
“I Love this stuff!”.
We wanted you to learn more about our original first member, Robbee: what got him through the door and what’s keeping him here after all this time.
His hobbies are some of the best around!
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Bee Keeper (sometimes a bee killer – sorry folks, but it happens)
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Mountain Bike rider
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Working on older cars
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Playing the Mandolin, Tenor Guitar, Tenor Banjo and upright Bass (aspiring Bluegrass musician)
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Love riding motorcycles
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Heating with wood
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Welding and woodworking
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Fishing / Kayaking
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Beach living
1) What was it about CrossFit Torque that made you want to join?
I came to CrossFit after being a competitive bicycle racer for over 15 years. As part of that I was also a competitive short track Speed skater for 8 of those years. My most successful year was 2004 when I was NY state masters champion on the ice, New England champ on the Mt. Bike and raced Mt. Bike nationals at Monmouth Mt CA finishing 10th in the 45+ elite division. In 2005 my racing days came to end as a result of a medical event. For the years following my departure from racing I continued to ride bikes but the challenge I felt from racing had left a void. In January of 2011 I was having lunch with a fellow retired bike racer and we discussed the benefits of strength training as we aged. He gave me a men’s heath magazine on the subject. In the article there was a reference to CrossFit. I did some searching and realized a box was located on my way to work and just a couple miles from my house. I contacted Amanda at the newly opened CrossFit Torque and rest is history.
I quickly realized that my strength was very much one dimensional. My legs and cardio were in good shape but my core and upper body was way out of balance. The new all body challenge that CrossFit Torque offered filled that racing void that I had and made me a more balanced athlete. Challenging myself multiple time a week just felt better than simple riding a bike to stay in shape. I was learning so much and because my wife Julie also joined it was perfect. We both have very much enjoyed the journey that started in 2011. It also helped that CFT was just getting off the ground. I think Torque and the Belchers were growing our CrossFit mojo together. It was so cool.
2) What has kept you coming back to Torque day after day?
For sure the people and coaches are a huge part of the answer. But I think people that go to a conventional gyms must also have a similar response. Yes we love the people that CrossFit attracts and the coaches are most excellent, but for me the variety has keep me coming back to the box looking for next cool challenge. A few weeks back we did overhead dumbbell lunges. Wow, after over 1,000 workouts at CFT and there are still movements that I am experiencing for the first time. Hats off to the coaching for keeping it fresh.
3) What is your favorite thing about working out at Torque?
So I’m a morning guy, 5:15 or 6:00AM and frankly some morning are tough. Such as the dead of winter when it’s cold and dark out and just getting out of bed is a challenge. But to go to a “warm” friendly place and get the juices flowing before I continue down the road to work, there nothing better, even on the coldest darkest days.
4) What is your proudest accomplishment thus far?
There have been a number of accomplishments that I feel really good about. Things like figuring out how to clamp with my legs when climbing the rope, kipping pull-ups, getting my long legs for figure out how to get into a proper squat. After 6 years I have to say consistently being able to do double-unders is top of the list. I fondly remember the day that I strung 5 together thanks to some keen pointers from our coach. If you ask Julie about when we first did jump rope at the box, she was having a good laugh over my two hops for every revolution of the rope. The inverse of double-unders. My Double-Unders PR is now over 70 and I hope to improve on that.
5) What has been your biggest challenge?
I think weighted squatting in a WOD is top of the list. wall balls, thrusters, front squats, back squats, overhead squats………… I’m not built for that stuff and still struggle with it. When you’re over 6 ft tall, it’s a long way down there.
6) What is your favorite CF movement to do?
Rope climbs. Now that is where my height is an advantage. I have been able to get to the tape with one good jump and one good pull. Rope climbs are still hard but getting through them a little faster help offset other more challenging movements.
7) What piece of advice would you give to someone who is looking to start CrossFit but hasn’t yet?
I think we all have been exposed to the negative press that’s out there about CrossFit and getting hurt. I feel that a new member has to really understand that it is journey that has to develop in small steps. Cut back on the weight and really work to get the best position possible. The weight will come over time. We all get those little aches and pains that all part of being an active person. I really appreciate the Torque coaches that are so very attentive. 6 years in and no real significant time out due to injury, thanks to good coaching.
Anything else you would like to share?
Most memorable workout? I remember my first CrossFit open. There were several movements that I had not yet mastered. Chest to bar pull-ups being very challenging as I could barely do a kip. Lynne Griffith and I were the only two 6 AMers that day and we were working those things like it was the end of the word. We both got through the WOD and I remember being so pumped. “I love this stuff”
