MAGGIE CAPPOLO & RUBEN CHICO
Name: Maggie Coppolo
Age: 29
Height: 5’3’’
Weight: 130
Crossfitting Since: September 2015
Attends Class: (times per week?) Usually 3-4 times a week and supplement with running on my other days.
Favorite Quote: “It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get up.” –Vince Lombardi
HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT CROSSFIT? My husband, Brian went to a trial class and then signed us both up!
WHAT WERE YOUR GOALS WHEN YOU STARTED CROSSFIT? I have always been a runner, I’ve two marathons and multiple half marathons but was finding running a little boring. I also never had any upper body strength, so I was hoping to gain strength all around and also bring some variety into my daily workouts. After fundamentals, a big goal was to finish a workout or not finish last!
HOW HAS CROSSFIT DIFFERED FROM YOUR FORMER TRAINING? Its way more intense, but also a lot more dynamic. When I did go to the gym in the past I’d typically hit the treadmill and then maybe do some squats and pick up some dumbbells—I don’t think I ever picked up anything heavier than a 10lb dumbbell! I rarely had any direction when I went, that’s obviously totally different now!
WHAT TYPE OF RESULTS HAVE YOU SEEN WITH CROSSFIT? I was surprised when I went out for a run after only doing CF for a few months, I ran one of my fastest miles! I couldn’t believe it! CF has changed my outlook on working out and it has also changed my idea of body image. I have never been this strong in my life and it’s taught me a lot about the importance of cross training in general.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR EXPERIENCE AT CROSSFIT HOBOKEN? Amazing! CF Hoboken has a wonderful community, everyone from day one has made me feel comfortable and pushes me to be a better athlete. The coaches have always taken the time to get to know me, I won’t forget the day I did my first pull up in Coach Alex’s class- he made everyone stop what they were doing until I got my chin over the bar. It was such a great feeling not only because I did my first pull since I was 10, but because I felt really supported!
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH IN THE NEXT YEAR IN YOUR OWN FITNESS? I definitely want to push myself to going to classes more frequently and also get better at all of my Olympic lifting movements. I’m excited to see the growth I have made in the past year get ever larger and keep those PR’s coming!
NUTRITION QUESTON
WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY OF FOOD LOOK LIKE YOUR YOU? I have to say, I’m fairly fortunate with a very good metabolism! 
But I like to meal plan for the week and a breakfast is usually eggs or a protein shake a piece of fruit, lunch is usually a salad or last night’s left overs and dinner is a protein like chicken and a roasted veggie. I wish I could say I was always good on the weekends, but those are typically reserved for Rutgers Football and all day tailgates!
Name: Ruben Chico
Age: 31
Height: 5’8’’
Weight: 202
Cross fitting Since: May 2016
Attends Class: (times per week?) Usually 4-5 times a week
Favorite Quote: “I consider my ability to arouse enthusiasm among my people….the greatest asset I possess, and the way to develop the best that is in a person is by appreciation and encouragement” – Charles Schwab
HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT CROSSFIT? One of my friend’s wife takes CrossFit classes, he mentioned it to me and caught my attention. I tried doing it on my own watching videos on YouTube but I was not going anywhere. After passing so many times outside the box, I became interested in trying it. Here I am six months now and counting.
WHAT WERE YOUR GOALS WHEN YOU STARTED CROSSFIT? My major goal was to lose weight since I was part of a weight loss contest. Another goal I had in mind was to quit smoking. After trying fundamentals, I knew stop smoking was a top priority in order to have the energy and don’t run out of breath. Eight weeks after being part of CrossFit Hoboken I managed to lose 15 lbs. which motivated me to continue and don’t stop what I have achieved.
HOW HAS CROSSFIT DIFFERED FROM YOUR FORMER TRAINING? Since the age of 18 I started lifting weights. I was used to the same routine of arms, chest and legs. It got to a point where it was so monotonous that I stopped going to the gym. After fundamentals and seeing guys work out at the box I felt interested in trying the WOD’s.
WHAT TYPE OF RESULTS HAVE YOU SEEN WITH CROSSFIT? One of the major results I have seen is mobility. Trying to perform an OHS was impossible, now I can manage to do a few reps. My 1 RepMAx in chest and squats are weights I never thought of lifting. I was surprised to see how CrossFit has changed and taught me proper position when lifting heavy.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR EXPERIENCE AT CROSSFIT HOBOKEN? Wonderful! People here are very supportive and they always push you to the next level. Unlike a regular gym you do not have the guy that is just a show off. The 5 AM class is fun and the athletes here are always cheering for you to finish the WOD. The coaches here always take their time to teach proper posture to avoid injury. Coach AJ has really helped me a lot and I am very grateful.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH IN THE NEXT YEAR IN YOUR OWN FITNESS? I will love to manage to do a front squat having the bar rest on my shoulders and not hold it. I still need to work on opening my shoulder blades. Not in a rush but I know I will accomplish it.
NUTRITION QUESTON
WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY OF FOOD LOOK LIKE FOR YOU? Honestly, I try to keep myself away from fats and fast food. When I can, I meal prep for a week or two but then work schedule doesn’t allow me to continue. Once I get the hold of it, I am hoping I can meal prep for a whole week. I have seen results when I commit to it. Weekends wise, I try to keep it healthy but you cannot say NO to home cook meals.