Somers Man Competes for Fittest Man on Earth Title

SOMERS, N.Y. – Somers resident Daniel Agostino, 25, has reached the distinctive athletic goal of qualifying for the Reebok CrossFit Games Northeast Regionals, which will be Friday through Sunday in Canton, Mass. 

Agostino, who played football for Somers High School and the University of Colorado, is only the second Westchester County resident ever to reach this level. Roughly 65,000 athletes across five continents compete annually. There were 12,000 entrants in the USA Northeast Region this year. Sixty qualified. Agostino placed 37th among them.

CrossFit is a method of athletic training comprising functional exercise and conditioning, strength training, kettle-bell and dumbbell training, weightlifting, medicine ball, gymnastics, rowing and running. It focuses on optimizing physical competence in 10 recognized fitness domains: cardio-respiratory endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, speed, coordination, agility, balance and accuracy.

“Anyone can try it, no matter their age, fitness level or athletic background,” says CrossFit zealot Chris Jones. “All kinds of people do it: athletes, obese people, expectant mothers, all in the same room right here in Somers.”

To prepare for the upcoming trials, Agostino works out twice a day, four or five times a week, usually in the early morning and late evening. In addition, he does stretching exercises and has massages.

“I’m 6’3” and I weight 225 pounds,” said Agostino. “Someone my size is usually not best suited for this type of workout, but I can make up for it in strength. I’m built for strength movement.”

“Competing for the CrossFit regionals really tests your determination and your willingness to go beyond what you normally do. You've got to be very committed and disciplined. And a lot depends on the quality of your coaches.

“My coach, Steve McNamara, has been great. CrossFit has changed my life. Everyone walks into CrossFit with baggage and everyone walks out with a better quality of life."

Winners of the Regionals will go to the July finals of the Reebok CrossFit Games in Los Angeles. The ultimate winner can claim the title Fittest Man on Earth and walk away with a $250,000 prize.

For more information about CrossFit training, see the website.

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