April Member of the Month // Phil Studt

How did you first get involved with Blitz?

Sometime during Summer 2013, I was training at Fitness First in Teddington and doing some thrusters and boxjumps when this nice (but slightly intense!) bloke started chatting to me and told me that he was opening a new gym in Twickenham and that Crossfit would be right down my alley. I had absolutely no idea what Crossfit even was but what Tim said sounded interesting so when it finally went live I signed up for what I believe was the second ever Foundations Course starting October 14th 2013. I somehow talked my then girlfriend Fi into joining, too, and the rest is history!

What is your most memorable CrossFit moment so far?

Really hard to pinpoint one (it’s been a while!) but winning the Summer Social 2021 Masters Comp with Anna, Robi and Tom R was pretty cool, as was finally taking the fittest at Blitz crown in this year’s Open after years of sitting around 10th. We all know Jamie Boston would have won had he not injured himself but I can only beat what’s in front of me, not my fault he’s such a fragile flower.

What is your favourite movement/workout?

Probably mid length to long rather than short, Cindy / Murph are up there – I do like a bit of prolonged misery (I did Atalanta RX during lockdown, just because..)

What is your least favourite movement/workout?

I avoid the rower wherever I can, and wall balls are not my friend. I can do decent number sets of DU but they are so energy inefficient (I jump hiiigh!) that they totally gas me. Those three, probably.

Name a CF goal you hope to achieve by the end of this year?

I try to keep chipping away at stuff I struggle with, and will hopefully make some progress with handstand walks. I’m in Australia as I type this so will aim to get some beach practice in.

What do you do when you’re not training at Blitz?

I teach German at a local boys’ school (plus some U13 rugby coaching and S&C)  – apart from that, I try to spend as much time as possible with my wife and two little boys (3 and 6). I still play some social rugby at #7 for Old Hamptonians and Teddington Fat Stag Vets, though I’m not sure for how much longer – I’m turning 42 this year so maybe it’s time.

What is your favourite part of being a Blitz Member?

I absolutely love walking into the 6 am Jamie Boston class on Monday morning  – there is no way you’re not going to seize the day (and week!) after that.

More generally, the 6 am class – full of absolute legends, and then what other people before me have already said about the vibe and community at Blitz.

If you could give a new member one piece of advice- what would it be?

Just get yourself through the door, no matter how little you’ve slept or how much your body screams at you. It’ll probably come right during the warm up or at the latest at some stage during the WOD – and if not, you can always modify or just be sensible about your RPE. Also, never ever be without a decent snack option. Crossfit makes you hungry – don’t sit in your office eating all the biscuits (I have a draw full of protein flapjacks and biltong).

Two sessions a week is not really enough. Do three for solid progress and to keep ticking over. Four sessions a week is when the magic starts to happen! Make it a non- negotiable habit to train.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself…

I did a WOD with my mates the morning of my wedding.

Apparently, that’s boring so…

I can open a beer bottle with almost anything  – a book, a toothbrush, a dumbbell, another bottle..