February Member of the month // Sam Wilkinson

How did you first get involved with Blitz?

Before joining Blitz, I was mainly into long distance running but had been looking for something more to improve my overall fitness and strength. Lou (who many of you will also know from Blitz) and I went to Thailand back in Dec 2022, and we did a fitness bootcamp in Ko Samui. The bootcamp had CrossFit sessions. I’d never heard of it before but I liked the challenge and variety of the workouts and wanted to do more. With the help of Google, I found Blitz and I booked an introduction session with Tim for the day after we came back to the UK. I’m still here and enjoying it more than ever 1 year later.

What is your most memorable CrossFit moment so far?

For me, managing to do my first rope climb up to the beam. I’m not the best with heights and it was definitely a movement I didn’t believe in myself to do. A big thanks to Tim for challenging me to push myself in the session where I finally cracked it.

What is your favourite movement/workout?

I’ve really enjoyed discovering weightlifting through CrossFit and learning the techniques in the various movements. My favourite movement is the clean and jerk

What is your least favourite movement/workout?

Anything involving skipping, but I’m determined to get better at it.

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

It’s a three-way tie between doing my first pull up, my first double under and taking part in The Open for the first time. Hopefully all of them!

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

Work aside, I’m also a musician and play ‘cello in two local amateur orchestras in Richmond and Kew. Also very recently Lou and I adopted two kittens, called Ozzy and Iommi, and they’re keeping us busy!

What is your favourite part of being a Blitz member?

A really difficult question as there are many positives, but for me the overall community with the supportiveness everyone has for one another is a real highlight. I also really appreciate how the coaches are continually evolving and improving the experience for the members, such as with the new strength classes and the nutrition course organized by Becca.

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

Enjoy the sessions and don’t worry if you can’t immediately do certain movements or have to scale the standard versions of them down. CrossFit is very much a long game activity, with everyone starting at a different stage with our own personal goals. For me I’ve found breaking down my goals into smaller steps to help me see practical, positive progress has helped a lot.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself….

I love cheese and I’m into cheesemaking from scratch at home. It all began with a starter kit and I’ve slowly taken over the kitchen with various equipment! Making halloumi for barbecues with friends in the summer is one of my favourites.