Today we’re talking to Dave Durante, a former member of the U.S. National Gymnastics Team and one of the masterminds behind Power Monkey Fitness. Dave talks about discovering CrossFit after a storied gymnastics career, and how he and his partners came to build the annual Power Monkey weekend into what can only be described as fitness summer camp for adults. We also discuss gymnastics elements he’d most like to see in CrossFit competition, and why elite gymnasts might not be as great at freestanding handstands as many people think.
On this episode of The BarBend Podcast, host David Thomas Tao talks to Dave Durante about:
- Being a “fitness technician” or why Dave and his team are “the Avengers of fitness” (2:05)
- What it’s like being a Power Monkey camper (6:28)
- The origin of the name “Power Monkey” (9:37)
- The Power Monkey coaches Dave found most impactful (14:30)
- When things get a little rowdy at Power Monkey camp (17:38)
- Dave’s own athletic resume and time as an elite gymnast (20:00)
- Free-standing handstand holds and the 2020 CrossFit Games (24:00)
- Gymnastics skills Dave would like to see incorporated into high-level CrossFit competition (30:30)
Relevant links and further reading:
