Danielle Rabkin Danielle Rabkin

thursday, september 18

A.

6 sets:

hang power clean + squat clean

B.

5 rounds for time:

12 box jump overs 

9 power cleans (155/105)

6 front squats

Read More
Danielle Rabkin Danielle Rabkin

CrossFit vs. Personal Training in San Francisco: Which Should You Choose?

If you’re looking to get fit in San Francisco, you might be wondering: Should I sign up for CrossFit classes or work with a personal trainer? The truth is, both are excellent options — and the right choice depends on your goals, personality, and preferences. At CrossFit Golden Gate, we offer both group CrossFit classes and personalized training so you don’t have to choose one or the other.

The Benefits of CrossFit

CrossFit is a high-energy, community-driven fitness program designed to build strength, conditioning, and endurance.

  • Every workout is scalable for all levels.

  • The group setting keeps you motivated and accountable.

  • You’ll never get bored — workouts are constantly varied.

  • It’s a fun way to get fitter, faster, and stronger.

CrossFit is great if you thrive on community, love variety, and want a challenging but rewarding workout environment.

The Benefits of Personal Training

Personal training is all about individualized attention.

  • Work one-on-one with a coach focused solely on you.

  • Sessions are designed around your goals, fitness level, and lifestyle.

  • Great for beginners, people returning from injury, or anyone who wants focused results.

  • Accountability is built in — your coach keeps you on track every step of the way.

Personal training is ideal if you want flexibility, tailored programming, or extra support as you build confidence in the gym.

When to Choose CrossFit

  • You’re motivated by group energy.

  • You like competition and variety.

  • You want to improve overall fitness in a supportive environment.

When to Choose Personal Training

  • You’re new to fitness or intimidated by groups.

  • You’re training for something specific (like HYROX, weight loss, or strength goals).

  • You want undivided attention from your coach.

Best of Both Worlds

At CrossFit Golden Gate, you don’t have to pick one. Many of our members combine personal training with group classes — using personal training to build skills and confidence, and CrossFit to stay motivated and connected to the community.


Whether you’re searching for CrossFit in San Francisco or a personal trainer in San Francisco, CrossFit Golden Gate offers both under one roof. Reach out today to schedule your first personal training session or try a class — and take the first step toward your goals.

Read More
Danielle Rabkin Danielle Rabkin

Wednesday, September 17

A.

4 sets of 5 reps strict pull-ups 

B.

6 sets: 

1:45 to complete:

45 DUs

8 CTB pull-ups (Rx+ 3 BMUs)

max cal echo bike or ski or row

2:15 rest between sets

score = total cals

Read More
Danielle Rabkin Danielle Rabkin

tuesday, september 16

A.

5 sets:

split jerk x 3 reps 

B.

for time:

300m run

25 TTB

20 burpees over the bar

30 Shoulder to Overhead (115/75)

300m run

30 Shoulder to Overhead (115/75)

20 burpees over the bar

25 TTB

300m run

Read More
Danielle Rabkin Danielle Rabkin

monday, september 15

A.

front squat 3-2-1-3-2-1*

B.

for time:

40-30-20-10

Russian KBS (53/70) (eye level)

front rack lunge steps (95/65)

*This rep scheme is known as a wave load. As the reps descend you increase your weight. The second time you perform a particular rep set, be sure to increase the load.

Example 
3 @ 100 
2 @ 110 
1 @ 120 
3 @ 105 
2 @ 115 
1 @ 125

Read More
Danielle Rabkin Danielle Rabkin

Why CrossFit is Ideal for Womenm 35 and up

If you’re a woman in your late 30s, 40s, or 50s (potentially navigating perimenopause or menopause), you may have noticed that your body responds differently to exercise than it used to. Hormonal changes affect metabolism, muscle mass, recovery, and even how your body handles stress. This is why the right training approach matters more than ever.

Long steady-state cardio is NOT the most effective choice for women during this stage of life. Instead, the focus should be on strength training for women in midlife and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) — the exact combination you’ll find in CrossFit and the private training programs at CrossFit Golden Gate.

Why not steady-state cardio?

As estrogen and progesterone decline, women are more prone to muscle loss, bone density reduction, and changes in body composition. Spending hours doing endurance cardio can backfire — raising stress hormones, slowing recovery, and making it harder to maintain lean muscle.

Why strength training is essential for women 35 and up

Strength training for women over 35 is the single most important investment in long-term health. Lifting heavy helps:

  • Maintain and build lean muscle mass

  • Strengthen bones and protect against osteoporosis

  • Support metabolism and make weight management easier

  • Improve confidence, energy, and quality of life

Why high-intensity interval training works

Short, intense workouts give women in their late 30s, 40s and 50s the metabolic and cardiovascular boost they need without the downsides of long cardio sessions. HIIT improves:

  • Cardiovascular health

  • Fat metabolism and insulin sensitivity

  • Energy levels and resilience

  • Training efficiency — a full-body workout in less time

Why CrossFit and private training are the perfect fit

CrossFit combines exactly what midlife women need most:

  • Strength training for menopause (lifting, pulling, pushing)

  • HIIT workouts for perimenopausal women (bursts of effort with recovery)

  • A strong sense of community and accountability

For those looking for more guidance here in San Francisco, we offer private training for women in their 40s and 50s as a great option to learn safe lifting technique, customize workouts to fit individual needs, and stay consistent.

The takeaway

Approaching 40 doesn’t need to mean slowing down but it does require training smarter. With the right balance of strength training and HIIT, women can protect muscle, boost bone density, target unwanted belly fat, improve energy, and feel stronger than ever.

CrossFit and the private training we offer are the most effective, empowering ways for women to thrive through perimenopause, menopause, and beyond.

Read More
Danielle Rabkin Danielle Rabkin

friday, september 12

A.

5-6 sets:

snatch pull + power snatch + OHS

B.

for time:

30-20-10

burpees over the bar

OHS (95/65)

TTB

Read More
Danielle Rabkin Danielle Rabkin

thursday, september 11

A.

4 sets:

single arm DB push press 8/side (30X2)

single arm bent over DB or KB row x 10-12 reps (30X2)

B.

18 min amrap:

300m run

12 DB Bench Press (50/35, Rx+ 60/40)

12 CTB pull-ups (Rx+ 6 BMUs)

Read More
Danielle Rabkin Danielle Rabkin

Wednesday, September 10

A.

6x2 front squat

B.

5 sets: 

2 mins to complete:
50 DUs + **WBS + max cal echo bike or row or ski in time remaining

2 mins rest between sets

score = total cals each set

**

scaled = 15 WBS

Rx = 20 WBS

Rx+ = 27 WBS

Read More
Danielle Rabkin Danielle Rabkin

tuesday, september 9

A.

clean deadlift 6 sets of 2 reps

B.

For time:

15-12-9-6-3 

power cleans**

burpee box jumps

**power cleans at…

15 @ (95/65) (Rx+115/75) 

12 @  (115/75) (Rx+ 135/95)

9 @  (135/95), (165/115)

6 @ (155/105) (185/125) 

3 @  (185/125) (205/145)

Read More
Danielle Rabkin Danielle Rabkin

monday, september 8

A.

18 mins to find a 1RM push jerk

B.

1 set of max reps push press at 65-70% of part A weight

C.

5 sets, each for time, one set every 3 mins:

200m run (Rx+ 300m)

12 DB STO (50/35)

12 TTB

Read More
Danielle Rabkin Danielle Rabkin

friday, september 5

A.

5-6 sets
1 clean deadlift + 1 hang clean pull + 1 hang power clean

B.

18 min amrap:

300m run

10 power snatches (95/65)

300m run

20 hang C&J

300m run

30 power cleans

Read More
Danielle Rabkin Danielle Rabkin

thursday, september 4

A.

4 sets:

single arm DB push press (30X2):  2 sets of 10/side, 2 sets of 8/side

single arm bent over DB row (30X2): 4 sets of 10 reps/side

B.

5 sets:

In 2 mins, complete: 

3 Wall Walks (Rx+ 5 WWs)

12 CTB pull-ups (Rx+ 6 BMUs)

Max DUs in the remaining time.

rest 2 mins between sets

score = total reps DUs

Read More
Danielle Rabkin Danielle Rabkin

wednesday, september 3

A.

4-3-3-2-2 front squat

B.

for time:

20 overhead lunges (95/65)

20 Russian KBS (62/44)

20 TTB

20 front squats

20 KBS

20 TTB

40 front rack lunges

20 KBS

20 TTB

40 front squats

20 KBS

20 TTB

scaled

for time:

16 overhead lunges (95/65)

20 American KBS (53/35)

15 TTB

16 front squats

20 KBS

15 TTB

30 front rack lunges

20 KBS

15 TTB

30 front squats

20 KBS

15 TTB

Read More
Danielle Rabkin Danielle Rabkin

tuesday, september 2

A.

clean deadlift

2 sets of 3 reps

3 sets of 2 reps

B.

12 mins to complete:

  15/12 cal row

  9 burpees over the erg

  15 power cleans (135/95, scaled 95/65)

  15/12 cal row

  9 burpees over the bar

  13 power cleans (185/125, 115/75)

  15/12 cal row

  9 burpees over the bar

  max reps power cleans (205/145, 135/95)

score = total reps at final weight

Read More
Danielle Rabkin Danielle Rabkin

monday, September 1

Bull”-ish

with a partner:

two rounds for time:

200 DUs

60 overhead squats (115/75)

60 pull-ups

1 mile run (run together)

Read More
Danielle Rabkin Danielle Rabkin

friday, august 29

A.

snatch skills & drills

B.

14.1

10 min amrap:

30 DUs

15 power snatches (75/55)

Read More
Danielle Rabkin Danielle Rabkin

thursday, august 28

A.

4 sets:

10/side single arm DB push press (30X2)

10/side single arm bent over DB or KB row (30X2)

B.

18 min amrap:

12 single arm DB hang C&J (35/50) (6/side)

12 DB bench press 

24/18 cal row

Read More
Danielle Rabkin Danielle Rabkin

wednesday, august 27

A.

5-4-4-3-3- front squat

B.

EMOM for 10 mins

odd mins: 12 front rack lunge steps (135/95)

even mins: 20 Russian KBS (71/53)

Read More
Danielle Rabkin Danielle Rabkin

tuesday, august 26

A.

5x3 clean deadlift

B.

For time:
30 burpees over the bar
15 Power Cleans (135/95, Rx+ 155/105)
40 CTB Pull-Ups (Rx+ 20 BMUs)
15 Power Cleans
30 burpees over the bar

Read More