Athlete of the MonthSeptember

Bob Schoonmaker

Career: Senior VP and Regional Director, Huntington Private Bank

Years at CrossFit Crowned: 8

"We were hooked right away by the intensity of the workouts and the comradery"

Bob Schoonmaker
Bob Schoonmaker
Bob Schoonmaker
Bob Schoonmaker

We are proud to recognize Bob Schoonmaker as September’s Athlete of the Month.  Bob is truly dedicated to this sport and proof that CrossFit is a lifestyle one can sustain for years!  Beginning with that first WOD back in 2009, Bob’s focus on continuous progression has paid off.  He is an amazing athlete and teammate here at CrossFit Crowned, along with his equally impressive wife, Laurie.  They come to class several days a week, taking at least one day to rest.  They also plan an active recovery day on the weekend, knowing the importance of recovery after intense activity.  Locals often see this power couple early each morning, as they WALK to and from the gym daily in rain, sun, sleet or snow!!!  Bob is an inspiration both in and out of the gym and a role model for anyone seeking optimal health. 

Give Us Your Story:
I am a Senior Vice President and Regional Director with Huntington Private Bank. Laurie and I started CrossFit in 2009 in Naples, Florida. We really didn’t know anything about CrossFit at the time, but we noticed a new gym (box in CrossFit lingo) opening near our house and were drawn to the kettlebells in the front window. We were hooked right away by the intensity of the workouts and the comradery we quickly built with other athletes and coaches. Laurie and I both became CrossFit Level II certified (Laurie still is and I let mine go) and enjoy coaching as well as working out.
What CrossFit Means To You:
CrossFit allows me to physically and mentally challenge myself and start the day with a feeling of accomplishment.
Advice For Someone New Or Considering Trying CrossFit:
1) I love that CrossFit is infinitely scalable. Don’t ever be intimidated by a workout, just work with the coach to scale it so it is challenging for you. 2) Be realistic about your early fitness level and goals. I was in pretty good shape when I started CrossFit, but it took me about a year to complete ANY workouts Rx. I hit most of my PRs in 2014 and 2015, 5+ years after I started CrossFit. 3) Be sure to log your benchmark workouts (even if you do them scaled) and your lifts so you can see your progress over time.
What is your favorite movement in CrossFit:
My favorite CrossFit movements are the Russian kettlebell swing and the deadlift.

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