Wednesday, May 6th, 2026 WOD

🎉 May Member of the Month: Niraj Joshi 🎉

We’re excited to recognize Niraj Joshi as our May Member of the Month at Kendall Square CrossFit.

Niraj has been working toward this recognition for quite some time, and it’s been great to watch him earn it. His consistency, determination, and extra effort outside of class to improve his lifting and gymnastics have led to real progress and some impressive PRs.

In class, Niraj brings a positive, upbeat energy that lifts those around him and helps create the environment we value at KSCF. He recently stepped into his first FaceOff and showed true grit, while also continuing to bring new faces into the community and share what we’re all about.

Well earned and well deserved. Congratulations, Niraj! 💪

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Growing up, I was more of a STEM nerd than an athlete. I didn’t have much structured athletic activity beyond climbing trees in Bombay and later running track during my undergrad in Canada. In my 20s, I got into long distance running, which became my main fitness focus. I found CrossFit during COVID when a friend and I started doing kettlebell workouts and running loops around a pond. My friends eventually joined a CrossFit gym, and I decided to sign up as well. It was incredibly humbling at first. I couldn’t press a barbell overhead, didn’t understand how to count reps or track weights, and found the structure of WODs intimidating. I was even hesitant to ask questions. Over time, that changed. After joining KSCF, I became more comfortable lifting and gained confidence thanks to the support and guidance of the coaches, especially Meaghan Shea, who played a huge role in my gymnastics progress, as well as Jared, Stavi, and Nery. The entire community has been instrumental in my growth, and I’m deeply appreciative of everyone.

My favorite WODs are anything with HSPUs, rope climbs, hang power snatches, and rowing, while thrusters are definitely my least favorite movement. For recovery, I usually keep it simple with whey protein and half a banana after workouts. Outside of CrossFit, I love to travel. I visited seven countries in 2025, and I enjoy cooking, training for long distance runs, and sharing good meals with friends. I also enjoy hiking and would love to organize one with the KSCF community in 2026. If anyone recognizes where my picture was taken, absolutely hit me up, especially if you’re into hiking. Looking ahead, one of my main goals is to break the 3:30 mark in my upcoming Berlin Marathon.

1 RM Testing Schedule

• 4/28: Snatch

• 4/29: Front Squat

• 5/4: Press

• 5/5 Back Squat

• 5/8: Push Press

• 5/11: Power Clean

• 5/12: Deadlift & Bench Press

• 5/14: Jerk

• 5/19: Clean

This Week of Programming

• Thu: Sumo DL/ Front Rack Carries, Ren. Rows, Shuttle Runs

• Fri:  Push Press 1 RM/ Rope Climbs, Burpees, Lunges

KSCF Notes

• Murph 2026 is happening a week early this year! Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 16th starting at 9:15 am. Time for all those Push-Ups!! 💪

• Refining our diet as a core principle to your daily life is important. FitAF IS GIVING A 20% DISCOUNT OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER AND FREE DELIVERY TO KSCF with this link.

• Track your health and recovery with our KSCF WHOOP team here

• Shoe Donations. Bring in your used shoes to drop-off outside our box.

• Follow our FB group or our handle @kendallsquarecf

WOD

"Near-Murph Prep"

Run 1 mile

75 Pull-Ups

150 Push-Ups

225 Squats

Run 1 Mile

*w/20/14lb vest

Rx: w/vest and volume partitioned or unpartitioned

L3: No vest or reduced total volume for any movement

L2: scaling any movements

L1: Not completing any reps in the workout