Prototype of the Month: Jeff Kaplan

Mike Collette • February 10, 2021
A prototype of the month certificate for jeff kaplan

Our Prototype of the month is a member that is voted on by the coaching staff at Prototype. Each month the coaches get together to nominate and vote (which is super hard to do!) a member of the community that has been represented the values and what it means to be part of the Prototype community!

Share your Prototype experience and fitness journey

 

I have always been a person who enjoyed physical activity. As a kid, I played soccer, baseball, basketball, hockey, skied, ran track, and played football all the way through high school. It was not until college that I really discovered weight training. As most people do in their 20’s, I concentrated mostly on the “show me” muscles – biceps, triceps, shoulders, chest, and back. I played pick-up and men’s league basketball for my cardio. I first discovered CrossFit when Mike opened the gym. When I saw the concept, I was immediately drawn to it. For those who know me, I am extremely competitive. The idea of a whiteboard with daily rankings at the time seemed like an awesome concept. Except when you are extremely competitive. I found myself getting hurt fairly often. I took a break from Prototype and did more cardio-based with traditional strength training and personal training. After pretty serious triceps surgery I was referred to Andy Vassor. He was very helpful in getting me back to full strength. Then I started taking his HIIT classes at AV Fitness. Unfortunately, Covid hit and he was not able to continue. I really enjoyed the class environment and wanted to find something similar and came across Leah’s THRIVE class. Which I also refer to as Leah’s House of Pain.

 

What is your favorite part about being at Prototype? 

 

The coaches and the community are by far the best part and what separates this from any gym experience I have ever had. I am fortunate to have a basement gym with the equipment I have acquired over the years, but it just is not the same. One of the most rewarding things has been having my family participate. My sons Sam and Max were both taking classes during their winter break and recently my wife Cheryl has been training with Brian.

 

What are your hobbies and activities?

 

I still play basketball and can often be found on the golf course. At home, I love spending time with our two dogs, Shana and Maddie. I don’t know if I would call trying to feed twin 18-year-olds a hobby. It is more like a full-time job but I am often grilling obscene amounts of meat on the deck.

 

How has (if it has) Prototype helped you outside the gym (in sports etc)?

 

It has been a huge help to my golf game. That is not saying much because almost anything would be but I have seen a big difference with my flexibility and balance. Unfortunately, I have not seen how it will contribute to my basketball game but can’t wait to see it once I start playing again.

 

What are your continuing fitness goals to this point?

 

To live until I die. I am someone that wants to stay active long into my life. In the short term, I would like to go to a beach and not get laughed at when I take off my shirt. In the long term, I have a great uncle that is still playing 9 holes of golf a couple of days a week at 99. I would take that.

 

What is your favorite quote? 

“Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.”

Previous Blogs

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By Mike Collette December 30, 2025
Greg is an amazing part of our community — consistent, encouraging, and ready to get after it. He truly represents what the PTS community is all about. Prototype of the Month is well deserved! Below, he answers a few questions about his time at PTS. Share your experience at Prototype—favorite memories, moments, or stories or what’s your favorite part/what do you look forward to? I definitely look forward to that feeling of clarity after finishing up a workout. I feel ready to tackle the rest of the day. Sometimes I have trouble getting mentally ready for a tough looking metcon, but I always feel better afterwards. Who at Prototype has made the biggest impact on you and why? All the coaches and members are great, I look forward to seeing everyone when I am there, but the person who has made the biggest impact is Bridget Owens. She is my motivation and always pushes me to keep going and push myself to get better. What are your hobbies and activities outside the gym? I love cycling and mountain biking, the workouts at prototype have definitely helped improve my fitness so that I can do better on the bike even though I don’t get out as often as I would like. Also spending time with my family, grilling and BBQing when the weather is nice and getting to the beach in the summer. How has Prototype helped you or solved a problem for you? Prototype has helped enormously with my level of anxiety, I was really struggling when we first moved into town, the community and workouts at Prototype have been a life saver for my mental health. What are your current fitness goals? I want to get better at gymnastics, maybe get some toes to the bar. Favorite Quote Two Quotes: “Bone on bone, stack it” -Jon “Activate the lower half” -Brian
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