Alison Thiede

Full Name: Alison Thiede

Preferred Name or Nickname: Alison

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How long have you been coaching?

Since 2011

How long have you been doing CrossFit, weightlifting, or other types of training? What other types?
I didn't start any kind of training until I was in my early 30's and at that point I was focused on running. I started going to a local gym to do some weightlifting but couldn't get interested in it until Joe and I tried a CrossFit gym.  

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How did you first get started with fitness or CrossFit?
Joe had been running and going to the gym so I started going with him for fun. One day he said he wanted to try CrossFit so I went with and it was like something clicked for me. The group setting, planned workouts and constantly learning something new made me feel like I was having little wins every day. I had never done any Olympic lifts prior to CrossFit, I never lifted weights in high school or college and learning how to move a barbell made me feel strong and confident. It was exciting to be learning something new in my 30's and accomplishing things I had never done before in my life. I never would have imagined being able to do a pull up ever in my life and there are so many milestones like that in CrossFit that keep it fun and exciting.

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What made you decide to become a coach?
I took the Level 1 as a way to learn more about CrossFit and become a better athlete myself, but taking that class made me realize that I could help other people meet their health and fitness goals and feel how I do about CrossFit.

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What do you enjoy most about coaching?
I love seeing people accomplish something new. Watching them work hard to learn a new skill, and then accomplish it is a great feeling. When people decide to start CrossFit, and are making a choice to do something for themselves - to spend an hour a day working on their health and fitness, I think it's one of the best decisions they can make in their life, so I love being able to help them succeed and find value in the time they are spending in the gym.

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What is your favorite movement to teach?
Clean and jerk, probably because it's my favorite movement to do and I want everyone to love it.

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How would you describe your coaching style?
If I think you are holding back I will encourage you to do more than you think you can (could be going faster, adding weight or trying the more advanced movement). I believe sometimes people need someone else to give them the confidence they need to try the next thing so as long as I know the athlete and their skill level I will always ask for them to give it their best. I will also meet you where you are at so if it's a day where your win for the day is walking in the gym doors - I will get behind that as well.

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What can members expect when they take one of your classes?
They will get a great workout in - at whatever skill/strength level they are at.

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What is the most important thing you want athletes to learn from you?
Challenge yourself, challenge the people in your class and support each other because we can all improve and we are all there for the same reasons.

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What is one piece of advice you would give someone who is nervous about starting CrossFit?
Just try it. Everyone has a first day and everyone had to learn CrossFit at some point so we all understand how it feels...and we all LOVE it so we want you to love it too.

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What is a common mistake you see athletes make, and how do you help them improve it?
Judging themselves based on other people in the class. This can lead to all kinds of things: not wanting to do certain movements, scaling more than they need to, or being hard on themselves. To overcome this we discuss the stimulus of the workout in each class, we help people find the weight/rep count, etc. that helps them meet the stimulus and helps them accomplish what the real goal is for the workout. I encourage people to track their own accomplishments so they can see how they are improving against themselves instead of against other people. As much as it is a group class, I want them to understand this is their own fitness journey so they should only judge how they are doing based on how hard they are trying and what they are able to accomplish.

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What is your favorite lift or movement?
Clean and Jerk

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What is your least favorite lift, movement, or workout?
DT. It humbled me the first time I did it and it continues to every time I do it.

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What is your favorite CrossFit workout, benchmark workout, or type of workout?
I love Annie. Sit-ups and Double-Unders are my jam.

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What fitness accomplishment are you most proud of?
I think starting so late - never having worked out or done any kind of weightlifting until my 30s and now being someone who hates to miss a day. I'm proud of every day I want to be in the gym and every movement I've learned.

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What fitness goal are you currently working toward?
Hand stand walks

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What do you enjoy doing when you are not at the gym?
I love being at the beach with Joe and the dogs. Reading, napping, shopping

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What is your favorite food, restaurant, music, and movie?
Cheese - it's my favorite although I try not to eat it so my favorite food I do eat is coffee: I love lattes. The flavor favorite rotates, currently it's a latte with coconut milk and 1 pump coconut syrup. Yum. Restaurant: Rocca, Movie: Old School, music: Laid Back Beach music channel on pandora

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How long have you been part of Train Harder CrossFit?
Since the beginning in our garage

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What do you like most about the Train Harder community?
Everyone is genuinely happy to be there and supportive of everyone else. I love that they greet new people and make them feel welcome. They work hard, they make friends and they push each other to be better.

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Why should someone come take one of your classes?

They will have fun and get a great workout.

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