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Scott Paltos

(Q) How long have you been training and how many shows have you done?

(A) I was born in Brooklyn Heights, NY…but we moved to Ramsey, NJ where I spent most of my life growing up. Small town appeal and a great town to grow up in.

(Q) How long have you been a coach?

(A) I have been coaching for over 11 years. I had a great opportunity to coach at a well-known athletic performance center to start my career. Some of the people I helped learn from and with are the best around. It gave me the confidence to know that what I do is legit. I keep growing still, which is the best part of this business.

(Q) What certs do you hold?

(A) Too many to list…NSCA, NASM, CFit Lv1, USAW….it’s not about the certs or the paper, it is about how many people you work with and the experiences you gain from each and every one of them.

(Q) What facilities have you worked for in the past?

(A) I’ll give you may favorites…St. Peter’s Prep HS in Jersey City, the Parisi Speed School (Home base in Fair Lawn, NJ), and Club H in Hoboken/JC.

(Q) What is PUMP? When did you form this company? And why?

(A) PUMP CrossFit & Performance is my training center. It is everything I ever wanted to have and be able to use to get the people I work with to their goals. It’s my little training Utopia…haha. It was officially formed December 20, 2010…almost one year. The 'why' is a little more in depth, but the main reason…it was time to do it by myself, no influence from others, no other voices, no other lectures, no other crap…its decorated my way, and it’s training the way I believe it should be.

(Q) What is CrossFit?

(A) It’s a community…that moves large loads for time and distance, without sacrificing avenues of fitness…my definition…you do a lot of stuff that incorporates strength, power, speed, mobility, flexibility, skill sets, athletic prowess, sweat, hard work, etc. There is a lot more to it than just this, but it gives you a taste.

(Q) How does CrossFit differ from other genres of exercise (body building, plyometrics, pilates, etc.)?

(A) It really doesn’t differ much. Plyos, Olympic Lifting, Powerlifting, Speed Training, Mobility work…all of it is incorporated and used. The best coaches know how to incorporate these and program them wisely. It is the same for a bodybuilder who has to program for their show…it’s the same for a pilates instructor who has to know how to work with all different skill levels at one time. It is in the preparation of programming that allows you to get it right.

(Q) How popular is it with women or is it really mostly a male sport?

(A) HUGE with women, HUGE! It is really making a push to show how empowered a woman can be and what she can do. Yes it is very popular as well for men, and now with different levels of Masters Divisions, it appeals to all ages and ranges.

(Q) How big is the CrossFit community and what city (country) is it most prevalent?

(A) Community is getting bigger and bigger by the day. There are over 400 affiliates in the world now…could be more. It all stemmed from the west coast, but with the variables of training, the weather out west is conducive. Us east coasters, we like to stay inside and just move weight in the winter. Haha!

(Q) Tell me about national meets and competitions? How often and where are they held?

(A) CrossFit holds the “Open.” A series of WODs (workouts of the day) for Five-Week period. Each week the WOD is released and people all over the world compete at an affiliate or film and send if for judgment. Last year was the first year they did the Open format. Needless to say it was a great success, and I am assuming this year it will be a very similar format. The dates have already been released for 2012…OPEN Season starts Feb 22nd- March 27th. The best of each Region are taken from the Open and go to “Regional's.” (Northeast, Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, etc.). The top 3 from each Regional is then invited to The Games. Now remember this is a World Event…so there are people from China, Europe, Canada, Australia, etc. CrossFit is touching every continent nowadays.

As far as other competitions…they go on ALL the time. Whether it be a local Throwdown between Boxes (what CrossFits call their gyms), a regional competition like Beast of the East, or Garage Games Events…they are scheduled throughout the year and all over the place. For a CrossFit competitive athlete, there is no real off-season.

Even more so lately, online competitions have been popping up more consistently. It’s a simple format, video your WOD, send it, it gets judged, and then bang you are an internet winner/hero. It’s a great idea, because you get a ton of people involved, whom may not be able to travel or pay expenses that way. It also makes the individual be held accountable, because they are filmed and judged. Some great comps are going on to prep for the CrossFit OPEN season.

(Q) Who are the "superstars" of this sport (nationally) and how long did it take them to become pros?

(A) Rich Froning and Annie Thorisdottir were the 2011 Games Winners. Both are incredible athletes with super intense work ethics. A good friend of mine Rob Orlando is one of the more well known as well. He is like me, the older generation, even getting me by a year or so. He’s a good dude and a great athlete. Another close friend is Daniel Tyminski…from CrossFit Lindy in Long Island. He qualified for the 2011 Games, and represented well. His story is even more impressive. If you have time, people should read about it. The kid has been through a lot, and CrossFit has been a big help for him. Spealler, LeBlanc-Bazinet, Clever, Voight, Lipson, and Holmberg are just a few others to name. The sport is growing and names, endorsements, sponsorships, and economic factors are making it more and more popular to compete in.

(Q) What does it entail to become a pro in the sport (logistically and physically)?

(A) There is no pro-status yet. Not to say it is not going to happen. The “Open” mentioned before has started to separate the levels of athlete in the sport. Again, the sport allows for everybody to compete or scale at some level. That does not mean, that anyone can compete at the National Level or World, but it still breeds a competitive feel. Physically…it’s very impressive what people can do. It takes every bit of fitness to compete at a high level. Your biggest weakness, even if very small, can cost an individual a win or high standing. It takes a ton to be good at it.

(Q) Where can someone find information about CrossFit and the community? What are the best and most frequently used sources?

(A) Go to www.crossfit.com. It is the main site and it has a ton of information. I mean a TON. CrossFit posts their daily WOD, plus videos, pics, articles, etc. They do a great job of getting information out there for people to see and review.

(Q) How many competitions/meets have you participated in and how many "titles/wins" have you gotten?

(A) This past year was my first year competing in CrossFit. I did the Open, finishing 7th in the Northeast and 75th in the World. It got me qualified for Regional's, but unfortunately a reoccurring injury made me step out in the middle of the competition. I was disappointed, but need to have priorities, and stepping out was smarter than pushing it that day.

I have done a few other events like the Garage Games, FGB6, local Throwdowns…all of which I have placed very high in. Nothing to brag about, but my strength always seems to help me out. My weakness is distance running, and it certainly has shown in a few events. BUT we are working on that. The ironic part of the competitions are the athletes are usually 10-12 years younger than I am, and anywhere from 30-80lbs less in bodyweight. I keep pleading HQ for a Heavyweight division, but it goes on deaf ears. LOL

(Q) What is the biggest misperception of this sport?

(A) That people “can’t do it.” If you have a good coach, and you have someone who knows what they are doing, anyone can compete. People have to remember, it’s not always against others, but it’s the fight against what they can do against themselves. What I mean is, challenge yourself to get better. Set personal records, work to beat those records, not just others.

(Q) Why do you love it so much? How does it drive/fuel you?

(A) I love it, because it keeps me involved with something I love…which is training. I have been an athlete for my WHOLE life. I would like to keep it that way too. ☺ This gives me a chance to continue to train hard for something. Whether it is a personal record, a trophy, prize, whatever, it gives me a chance to challenge myself physically, mentally, and wholeheartedly. Also, I can have PUMPsters do it with me. Seeing them succeed is 10times better than my personal success. I just explained to some PUMPsters the other day when I see them reach certain goals, or numbers, I really feel so damn happy for them. I know how much it has taken for them to accomplish that goal…and I am proud to call them a PUMPster, and in return I am proud to be their coach too.

(Q) Is it a requirement to wear knee high socks and bandanas to participate?

(A) Lol HAHAHAHAH…I do not always wear knee highs! Sometimes I go long compression gear. Haha. The bandana is another story…I never train without it now. Kinda strange, but true. I know for a fact I have not trained this year without one. Now we are talking probably over 300 workouts…maybe a few more if I had my journal in front of me. The ritual is a hoot…PUMPsters watch me get ready, and it’s, gear on, bandana on, pee like 3 or 4 times then 3,2,1 GO! Dan “BoomSauce” Tyminski (I mentioned him earlier as a top competitor and close friend) and I call it “getting gangster!” Haha….Dana always makes sure I leave the house ready to get “gangster.” She and I laugh at the amount of bandanas, shorts, t-shirts, compression, and socks I have been given this year to rock during training. Last summer I got hooked up with 2Pood Apparel…they outfit me in all my shorts now. So I got to give them some props too.

(Q) What can we look for from Scott (the athlete) and PUMP (the company) in 2012?

(A) 2012 is going to be a great year. 2011 had some ups and downs, but in the end it has all come together for the best. 2012 is another story…there is a lot on the table to get done. All of which is GREAT STUFF! Our PUMP Kids Program is coming aboard and starting in January. PUMP has some other stuff on the table, that I cannot discuss, but when it hits, it will be cool as hell.

PUMP is going to grow regardless of how well or how much I compete. We have PUMPster Nation helping it grow. Its members talk, and sell the place better than anything I could do. We grow every day. With some help from CrossFit HQ, I have been used a number of times in articles, videos, and pics…this is great national attention. When I mention PUMPster Nation, it’s true…we have a lot of followers of the website and facebook WODs and information I post. PUMP will grow no doubt.

As for me…2012 CrossFit Open starts in February…I will do it again. Without sounding too confident, as long as I stay healthy, I will make a return to the Northeast Regional's in May/June. I am excited about that. I will undoubtedly do my best to get fitter and work on those flaws I have in my training. I know what they are, I hate them, but I need to get better at them. I will compete in other National Competitions as well. A lot will depend on the travel time, as it keeps me away from PUMP, which I do not like.

Lastly, BUT most importantly…I want to watch my family of Grady, Hailey, and Dana grow. They all mean the world to me, and I know that without them, I would not be the same. They are what keep me being me. They are the ones who give me the strength everyday to do what I do. They are what I am most thankful for.

Liz, thanks a ton for these questions, and giving me an opportunity to express what I do personally and with PUMP. You are one of my favorites, and I greatly appreciate this opportunity. Good Stuff!