Pop Quiz. What is the one thing that all big bench pressers have? If you answered “a big bench”, congratulations! Just like me, you’re a sarcastic ass. However, the answer is a HUGE back.
Big, Bench Pressers Have a HUGE… Read More »
Largo, FL (March 6, 2018) – CrossFit ABF, one of Largo’s premier CrossFit Affiliates, is pleased to announce location details regarding Beauty is a Beast II, an all-female CrossFit competition.
All-Female Competition, Beauty is a Beast II, Announced for May Read More »
While most of CrossFit ABF’s athletes are a little too loud at times, you can always count the quiet, steady demeanor of Daria Orlova.
With Unicorns and BuzzFeed, Daria Orlova Found CrossFit Read More »
Member of the Month (MOM) Kaycee Cholak wasn’t looking for a second family, but she found one at CrossFit ABF. Down the Rabbit Hole… Kaycee’s journey down the CrossFit rabbit hole began when she realized she wasn’t seeing the results she wanted from weightlifting. “My first attempt at CrossFit was three years ago,” Kaycee says.
Kaycee Cholak Found a CrossFit Family at ABF Read More »
No warm ups or cool downs? You’re doing yourself a disservice. How? By not individualizing your warm ups before the class and not incorporating proper cool downs post-WOD. Over the last 5+ years, I have continuously examined hundreds of CrossFitters during their arrival and departure from different boxes. Many athletes arrive 5 minutes before the
Improper Warm Ups and Cool Downs are a Disservice Read More »
I get it. Powerlifting and CrossFit haven’t always been besties. We’re more like distant cousins that have to interact twice a year at family functions. You know, the ones who dread interacting for hours leading up to dinner? Subsequently, we spend 45 minutes trying to smile and awkwardly ask how the kids are doing in VPK. It doesn’t
Stupid Powerlifting and the CrossFit Athlete Read More »
Written by: Brandon Bair Imagine this. Your blood is moving. Your adrenaline is pumping. Sounds like any other WOD, right? You start to panic. Now, you realize just how in shape you have to be to get away from the person hunting you down.
CROSSFIT ABF SEMINAR: How to Expect the Unexpected and Defend Yourself Against It Read More »
In my world, Friday kicks off the weekend of weakened principals and booze-related stress relief. The strict weekday regime is long gone and it is time to relax. But when I decided to take control of my Friday’s and let it set the tone for the rest of the week, keeping the weekend in check
Gyms can be a place to socially gather, talk amongst friends, make new friends, and take the occasional selfie. But when we all huddle up in front of the monitors the clock starts and it’s time to put in some work.
We’re here to work Read More »
Earn Humana Vitality Points at CrossFit ABF! CrossFit ABF is teaming up with Humana Insurance to become one of the first 200 health clubs across the nation to have access to Humana’s new Beacon Technology. Simply download the Humana App on your phone, then walk into ABF to receive Vitality points. The Beacon automatically
Earn Humana Vitality Points at CrossFit ABF! Read More »
COACH
A transplant from Arkansas, Cara played every sport she could growing up. After a small stint as a personal trainer at a globo gym, she was introduced to CrossFit in 2017 through another personal trainer. Her very first week of CrossFit was the first week of the 2017 Open and she’s been hooked ever since. She obtained her level 1 certificate in 2020 and coached at a gym in Arkansas for two years before moving here last year. Cara got into coaching because she loves to help and encourage people to reach their goals, whatever they may be!wing two coaches to our coaches page.
CrossFit Level 1 Certification
COACH
Tony is a highly-regarded CrossFit coach, known for his unwavering commitment to promoting fitness and wellness. Over his 11-year tenure in the CrossFit community and a decade of coaching, he has refined his approach to training, expertly blending rigorous physical conditioning with mindful perseverance.
His personal journey into fitness was initiated in adolescence, kindled by a passion for soccer that he nurtured well into his adult years. His tenure in the military further honed his discipline and mental resilience, vital attributes he instills in his athletes today.
Tony’s portfolio of qualifications is expansive, covering a broad range of CrossFit certifications, including Level 1, Anatomy, Coaching the Aging Athlete, Dumbbells, Running, Programming, Lesson Planning, Scaling, Spot the Flaw, and Coaching the Aging Athlete. These credentials equip him to create individualized and comprehensive training plans, catering to the unique fitness objectives and needs of each athlete.
In addition to his expertise in physical training, Tony brings a deep understanding of nutrition and supplements into his coaching approach. This knowledge was garnered during his time at the Vitamin Shoppe, and recognizing the pivotal role of nutrition in achieving fitness goals, he seamlessly integrates this into his holistic coaching strategy.
Tony’s coaching expertise extends far beyond his local community. He has demonstrated his effectiveness and adaptability on an international platform, engaging with a diverse array of athletes. His inclusive approach ensures that individuals of all ages and fitness levels have the opportunity to benefit from his coaching.
Embodying his mantra, “Only you can make it happen, so make it happen,” Tony encourages his athletes to seize control of their fitness journey. His coaching style marries challenge with support, fostering an environment that empowers athletes to push their limits.
Regardless of where you stand in your fitness journey, Tony’s comprehensive approach to CrossFit, backed by a wealth of knowledge and a firm belief in personal determination, is poised to inspire and guide you toward achieving your full potential.
CrossFit Level 1 Certification
COACH
Amy Bell has always been into sports and fitness all her life, starting soccer at a very young age, playing competitively through high school. Once she started college, being an athlete and staying fit wasn’t really important to her at the time but quickly realized she needed to do something to get her fitness back in check. Her sister participated in CrossFit for over a year before she finally talked Amy into trying it. Once Amy did, she was hooked. She started CrossFit in Georgia as she finished her bachelor’s degree and then moved to Florida. Shortly after her move to Clearwater, planning on testing different gyms in the area, she bought a Groupon for ABF as her first one and stayed, never trying anywhere else.
Amy enjoys the community, the programming and the overall atmosphere of ABF. She been with ABF for four years now, making huge improvements to her fitness and dialing in on her nutrition. CrossFit has become a passion and a lifestyle for Amy. Working in the medical field, she realized how important fitness and nutrition are and if more people could make this kind of lifestyle change, even just a small change, there could be less people with illnesses and more living healthier lives. CrossFit has also given Amy the competitiveness she’s always loved playing sports, competing against other athletes at ABF as well as competing in local competitions and the CrossFit Open.
She has been a large part of how we’ve kept the gym clean the last three years. She has been planning to coach for some time now and finally completed her CrossFit Trainer O-L1 course in September 2021 to become an official coach at ABF. She is excited to be able to share her passion with others, to encourage and help fellow athletes reach their fitness goals.
CrossFit Level 1 Certification
COACH
Brandi fell in love with all things barbell after watching the CrossFit games in 2012. She hadn’t been into sports or fitness in her younger years, but had been looking for ways to improve her strength and conditioning between a desk job and being a mom. After failing to make much headway in a standard globo-gym, she bought a Groupon for a local CrossFit box and immediately realized there was no turning back. The supportive community and infinite scalability of CrossFit has kept her engaged and coming back for more. Years later, Brandi continues to grow into a well-rounded athlete.
Her passion and dedication has lead fellow athletes to look to her for guidance on their lifts, so when Brandi was offered the chance to coach she jumped at it. Brandi earned her ABF L1.5 in 2020 and runs our foundations program. If you’re new to CrossFit, she will likely be your first coach.
CrossFit Level 1 Certification
COACH
Fitness has always been a piece of her life, but things didn’t change until she found a Groupon for CrossFit ABF. Andrea gave ABF a chance after years of attending a regular gym that left her wanting more out of fitness. This was the best choice she made as it combines her love of being social with new and old friends and a newfound love of lifting weights and pushing herself to the limits. CrossFit ABF has shown her what a FitFam really means as she looks forward to working out with them every week.
Andrea is an inspiring mother to her daughter Layla and her giant fur babies, Storm and Thunder. You can catch Andrea killing a workout, rollerblading down the causeway, or enjoying a night out line dancing (yes, she loves her country music!). She enjoys the adventures of life and encourages others to strive towards their goals. Andrea continues to take her skills to the next level and wants to be there to help you do the same.
CrossFit Level 1 Certification
COACH
Amber Krumn, lovingly referred to as “Krumncake,” joined CrossFit ABF (and the overall discipline of CrossFit) in 2017 after she grew tired and bored of the “typical” gym atmosphere. Different from anything she’d done before, she grew to enjoy CrossFit due to its varied workout types. Every day’s workout finally became exciting! An avid runner, Krumncake also fell in love with the sporting aspect of CrossFit. Recently, she’s become more interested in the nutritional aspects of functional fitness and you’ll often find her trying to improve the sport’s various skills, which, in turn, make the sport all the more challenging.
CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
COACH
Ryan McElhaney is a CrossFit Level II Trainer, USAW Level II Coach, CrossFit Gymnastics, and CrossFit Movement and Mobility Certified. He has been an athlete for as long as he can remember. His father built box jumps and agility courses in the backyard rather, than sending him to summer camps. He’s participated in soccer, track & field, cycling, golf, basketball, paddle boarding, 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons, and extreme napping.
In February of 2012, he realized that he needed more than what the standard Globo-Gym could offer, so he finally took the advice of a good friend and gave CrossFit a try. He was hooked somewhere between 3-2-1 Go! and the gut-wrenching feeling of never having conquered a workout like this before. Continuously-varied challenging workouts, strong community support, constant improvement, and a proper diet are what fueled his passion to coach and inspire others to share in his success. Two years later he completed the CrossFit Level I Trainer course followed by CrossFit Movement & Mobility.
“I love to coach, it’s the highlight of my day when one of my athletes becomes proficient in a lift or movement and I’m extremely passionate about helping others improve their fitness. I’m also a big fan of any career that promotes flip flops and t-shirts as the standard work uniform… coaching!”
Ryan is married to Linda and they have an adorable puppy named Bella.
CrossFit Level II Trainer