From China to CrossFit: Alice Piccioni’s Evolution At Iconic Fitness, we’re thrilled to share the story of a woman whose life is a testament to passion, discipline, and ongoing evolution. Alice Piccioni, formerly a standout Italian soccer player on a local team in China, has always led a life marked by activity and challenge. Her transition from the soccer fields to intense hybrid/functional training sessions was already impressive, but it was her encounter with CrossFit that marked the beginning of a new era in her life. Alice wasn’t just looking to stay active; she craved something that woul ..read more

We have all heard about it. Heck, most of us have tried it, some have stacked it, Mukty even uses it to sweeten his coffee (it’s disgusting; don’t do it, kids). But what exactly is this wonder dru… uhh…,  -supplement that athletes are using? How does it work? Will it make me chunky? And how will it affect my daily CrossFit workouts and my life? Have a seat, children (and veterans). Let Uncle Marnus tell you the beautiful story of the (other) magic white powder and how it saved the kingdom of CrossFit. WHAT IS THIS CREATINE STUFF? Creatine is an organic compound that is naturally found in ..read more

We all know the importance of a good night’s sleep, but how many of us actually get it on a regular basis? As I’ve gotten older (and I’m sure many of you will resonate with this), I’ve found it more and more difficult to either drift off to dreamland, or stay there long enough to wake up feeling rested. Whether it’s thinking about all the things I didn’t do that day, everything that needs to be done tomorrow, or the sound of my hamster running on her wheel, there’s never a shortage of barriers between me and some decent shut eye! But the fact still remains, a good night’s sleep is absolutely e ..read more

For the past 20 years, I’ve hardly met anyone who lives and trains well and suffers from back pain. A healthy and strong body usually has a healthy back. If you want to keep your back safe, live safe. Preventing back pain is not about wrapping yourself up in cotton wool and not participating in movements or any kind of training. In fact, non-activity will lead to back pain quicker than someone who trains often. Even if its under what’s regarded as a ‘bad’ program method or just eating healthy, you have to check all the boxes to go through life pain-free. Back injuries are possible with any typ ..read more

The Crossfit Open is in full swing and those of us who have done the first workout will know just how big of a dent it leaves on your body, your weekend and your training for the next few days. To help get you back on track, with whatever your daily lives require, we have compiled a short, but detailed list of techniques and tricks you can (and should) follow post-CrossFit workout, especially the ones during the worldwide Open. HYDRATION and NUTRITION Everyone always preaches about how valuable and necessary hydration is. Although none of us are doing the Marathon des Sables, ­what you put ba ..read more

WW’s are awful, almost as bad as World Wars. BUT, with a few insights, you can move them further down your blacklist. Read on to find out what Coach Marnus recommends in order to be more efficient. “Shoulder strength and mobility is absolutely crucial when it comes to managing big weights overhead. Ensure that your shoulders have the mobility and range to allow your arms to go straight overhead (your Triceps in line with your ears at the very least) whilst keeping your back straight. Once this box is ticked, making sure your shoulders are primed and warm is the next step. The shoulder has a nu ..read more

The more like-minded professionals you have on your side, the better the chances are for success in all training, health, and rehab-related issues. ‘Hannes! You need to be careful when buying a car. Cars depreciate in value; in fact, everything in life depreciates faster than a car, except ice cream. Ice cream is the only thing in this world that depreciates in value faster than a car, so if you don’t need a car in Dubai, please don’t buy one; buy an ice cream instead; it’s much cheaper’. These are very wise words from Thomas, a sophisticated elderly gentleman that has been training with me tw ..read more

Hey there! So, we all know Ramadan brings its own set of challenges, especially when it comes to keeping up with our fitness goals. But guess what? At Iconic Fitness, your go-to CrossFit spot in Dubai Marina, we’ve got your back! We totally get the significance of this holy month, and we’re here to make sure you can still rock your fitness journey while observing Ramadan. Let’s dive into why Iconic Fitness is your go-to spot for CrossFit during this special time. So, What’s Ramadan All About? Okay, quick recap: Ramadan’s a month where Muslims worldwide fast from dawn to sunset to honor the fir ..read more

The essence of CrossFit lies in the relentless pursuit of enhancing performance through a blend of diverse functional movements, all executed at a heightened level of intensity. This dynamic approach forms the bedrock of every trial witnessed in the unfolding stages of the CrossFit Games season, mirroring the very essence of your daily WOD. Any CrossFit athlete knows, however, that the ultimate peak of competition in the CF community is in fact the CrossFit Open — possibly the most thrilling and ambitious worldwide (and online) event that takes place every year. It tests the courage of athlete ..read more

I’ve been involved in the coaching and educational side of coaching for 15 years now. And as I’ve come to realize as a coach time and time again as in any industry one needs to ask yourself why you wake up in the mornings and why you do what you do. The Japanese take it a step further and don’t just ask why you wake up, but what is your reason for being each and every moment, your ‘Ikigai’. Simply waking up in the morning with a smile isn’t enough, doing what you do, to the best of your ability because you believe in your own cause goes so much deeper.  I’m able to combine my purpose and ..read more