By Shaina Hayutin, Coach at CrossFit Newtown Community. We hear this word thrown around all the time in the CrossFit space. Owners proclaim theirs to be the best, and long-term members seem to stick around because of it.  But what does it really mean? Is it truly a powerful force, or is it simply an overused term?  Human beings were made to live in tribes, to connect with others in a way that bonds folks best: struggling together. In the beginning, this mostly looked like survival. That meant, working together with the people who happened to also be living on the same plot of land in order to provide food and shelter. Turns out, foraging, hunting, and building are all made easier when you collaborate with others.  As society evolved since the beginning of time, and here in first world countries like America, it has become much easier to get...Read more

By Matt Giordano, Owner of CrossFit Newtown After 25 years in the fitness industry and holding a Master’s Degree in Exercise Science, I’ve witnessed countless dedicated athletes plateau, burn out, or suffer injuries—not because their training was inadequate, but because they neglected the most crucial component of fitness development: recovery. At CrossFit Newtown, we pride ourselves on delivering challenging, effective workouts that push our members toward their goals. But what happens between those sessions is equally important for long-term success. The athletes who see the most dramatic improvements aren’t necessarily those who train the hardest—they’re the ones who recover the smartest. Understanding Recovery: More Than Just Rest When most people think about recovery, they picture lying on the couch watching Netflix. While complete rest certainly has its place, true recovery is an active, intentional process that optimizes your body’s adaptation to training stress. During intense CrossFit sessions, we create controlled...Read more

By Matt Giordano, Owner of CrossFit Newtown In today’s youth sports landscape, early specialization often overshadows the development of foundational athletic skills. Recognizing this gap, CrossFit Newtown established the Newtown Youth Academy—a program dedicated to cultivating well-rounded, resilient young athletes. A Holistic Approach to Youth Fitness The Newtown Youth Academy offers a dynamic environment where children aged 5 to 12 engage in age-appropriate exercises that enhance strength, endurance, and coordination. Beyond physical development, the program emphasizes teamwork, confidence-building, and a lifelong appreciation for fitness. By integrating elements of high-intensity interval training, weightlifting, and gymnastics, participants gain a comprehensive athletic foundation that supports both general health and sport-specific performance. Expert Leadership and Personalized Coaching Under the guidance of several coaches with over 30 years of coaching experience, certified in youth training, USA Weightlifting, and CrossFit, the academy ensures each child receives individualized attention tailored to their unique abilities and goals. This...Read more

By Matt Giordano, Owner of CrossFit Newtown When people ask what makes CrossFit Newtown special, they often expect me to talk about our programming, our facility, or our coaching credentials. While I’m certainly proud of all those elements, the truth is simpler and more profound: it’s our community that truly sets us apart. In my 25 years in the fitness industry and my experience as an athlete, coach, and gym owner, I’ve come to understand that lasting transformation rarely happens in isolation. The most powerful change occurs within supportive communities where people feel both challenged and valued. This understanding has shaped how we’ve built CrossFit Newtown from day one—not just as a place to work out, but as a genuine community hub that extends its impact far beyond our four walls. The Heart of CrossFit Newtown Walk into any class at CrossFit Newtown, and you’ll immediately notice something different from...Read more

By Matt Giordano, Owner of CrossFit Newtown From Pull-ups to Clean and Jerks to Deadlifts and Wall Balls, CrossFitters perform a variety of movements. At times I find it difficult to improve on everything and I know that many of you feel the same way. To compound that difficulty, we have many “experts” telling us many different things will work, which can confuse and frustrate. For simplicity, I wish we had one movement that would make us better at all the other movements. Fortunately, we do; The Back Squat. I consider the back squat the king of all movements because it engages all of the muscles in your body. Greg Glassman, CEO and Founder of CrossFit Inc, once said in an interview, “Regardless of the problem, just squat.” I remember working out in high school and college thinking that the gym had a lot  guys and gals in some serious...Read more