CFK Weekly: April 23, 2023

Murph Prep Challenge!

This year we are celebrating and prepping for Murph all month.  Starting Monday May 1st we are running a daily challenge / competition leading up to completing Murph on Memorial Day Monday May 29th.

Here is how to participate…

  • Log running at least 1 mile every day, it will be loaded in Wodify to complete, but not a race for time.
  • Complete the daily Murph prep exercise, sets, reps, etc.  Also will be in Wodify and not necessarily for time.
  • Consume a minimum of 100oz of water daily, again tracked in Wodify.
  • Bonus, post a photo, with proof it’s you, of a healthy food choice made that day.  It can be a meal, food swap, no judgements made…do your best. (Tag CFK & post to our FB Group)
  • One point will be awarded for each of these completed, they will be calculated daily, no back tracking and adding later.

The person with the most points at the end of the month wins!  Wins what you ask???

A weight vest from 5.11 Tactical!

In the case of a tie, all will be placed in a hat and pulled at random

Programming Sneak Peek!

Monday:

6 x Complex (Push + Split Jerk). Then we have 4 Rounds for Time with where we are putting weight up overhead under fatigue.

Tuesday:

5 Sets to build to… 1 RM FRONT SQUAT! Then we have 3 Rounds for time that will have your legs and arms on fire! This is one that you have to keep yourself moving!

Wednesday:

3-3-2-2-2-1-1-1-1 Snatch. We follow up with a simple chipper that will challenge your ability to keep yourself at Threshold.

Thursday:

You and a Partner are working on a 25 Min AMRAP time to accumulate some Cals!

Friday:

Weighted Chin Ups! Then our 12 Min AMRAP has a Pull, Push, & a DB Movement. The rounds can add up here if you keep working!

Saturday:

Manion Hero WOD! Join us to take on this Hero WOD, if it looks intimating, grab a friend and go after it together!

Manion Hero WOD

Saturday April 29th

7 Rounds For Time

400 meter Run

29 Back Squats (135/95 lb)

Look intimidating? Grab a Friend a do “you go, I go!”

USAW Weightlifting Meet ALERT!!

CFK will be hosting a USAW Meet 5/20/23!!

Info & Registration HERE!

Check below for other events coming up!

New Class Alert!!!

Monday Night Weightlifting @ West! 7:00PM

With our newest Coach Keith

Looking to add Accessory Strength or Get your Cardio up?

 

Coach Stephen has a program option for you!

CFK Build is 3 day a week Strength and Hypertrophy work designed around our weekly CrossFit programming.

CFK Endurance is a 3 day a week Running Program to build a better engine and get ready for you next 5k – 10k.

Each program is $15 a month added on to your monthly membership contact Coach Stephen for more details. [email protected]

CFK Weekly: January 29, 2023

The 2023 CrossFit Open!

  • February 16th it all kicks off!
  • This isn’t just a competition that decides who moves on to the next level on the way to the CrossFit Games. This is a chance to challenge yourself and challenge your friends, push yourself for that extra rep, challenge yourself with a little bit more weight than you may use.
  • Follow this link for information and registration.
  • What to expect?
    • CFK is doing Friday Night Lights this year! It’ll be time to get together and have some fun as a community!
    • Coaches will be making teams with Registered Athletes!
      • This means teams will be going head to head on Friday Nights!

Programming Sneak Peek!

Monday:

Let start the week getting comfortable with some Single Arm KB Swings! Then our Metcon is going to continue the theme of Iso-Lateral by working each side.

Tuesday:

Core & Shoulder Isometrics to build strength. Then we have multiple rounds of alternating EMOMs where we work gymnastics pressing/pushing skills.

Wednesday:

7×5 Building Front Squats. Then our Metcon will involve a sprint like effort with sit-ups to recover.

Thursday:

You and a Partner are hanging out today… this a fun Partner WOD for time. Then after we are going to Hit a heavy 3 Bench and some pull to balance it out!

Friday:

5×3 Deadlifts! Then we are going to continue moving the Barbell with more pulling to finish your Friday off! (This will get grippy)

Saturday:

7 ROUNDS?!? These rounds will go pretty quick, can you maintain a relative consistent pace the whole time?

North Weightlifting Schedule Changes

We have a few awesome changes that give you an opportunity to get in front of our newest Coach Wes Kitts!

  • New Class: Tuesday Nights 5:30PM – 7:00PM Weightlifting w/ Wes
  • Wednesday No Weightlifting- Moved to Tuesday w/ Wes
  • Saturday Weightlifting w/ Wes Starts at 10AM

The West Schedule remains unchanged. We cannot wait to see you out there!!

Save the Date!

Dr. Kim’s Restorative Core Class

When: 2/11/23 @11:00AM     Location: North

This class will focus on core activation and stabilization education. We will learn to breathe and brace for task specific intra-abdominal pressure management. As well as using targeted breath and accessory work to hit all of our sling systems that stabilize our core and pelvis. These techniques can be carried out into daily life and gym life to help us with our lifts and overall pelvic floor and core health.

The core system is the same for males or females, so this is definitely NOT a women’s only class. Our goal is to diagnose deficiencies and strengthen the core as a unit.

Free CFK Injury Screening w/ PT Coach Blake

15 Min Injury Screening Limited Spots Available. By Reservation only – reserve your screening today.

West: Jan 31st 4:30-6:30PM Register Here!

North: Feb 1st 4:30-6:30PM Register Here!

Introducing CFK’s… 225 Club

What is 225 Club?

  • It’s no secret that with consistency comes results & we know that our program will deliver results! 225 Club is just that, celebrating consistency. In order to become part of the 225 Club athletes must attend 225 in-person Coached Classes in the 2023 Calendar Year (Jan 1 – Dec 31).

For those athletes who make the 225 Club, we are going to kick off 2024 with a live video drawing where we are going to give away One: 1-Year Membership! We will have a tracker available in the Wodify App so you can monitor your progress! (Official tallying of 225 Members will be verified before drawing.)

CFK is Introducing Membership add on option(s) for those look to make the most of their training & lifestyles!

Introducing: CFK Nutrition Support Center

The phrase “abs are made in the kitchen” is a bit of a cliché, but holds some truth.

We are in the gym for an hour or so per day. Everyone works very hard, but the other cliché “you can’t out train a bad diet” holds true as well.

The word “diet” itself means many things to many people and often carries a pretty negative connotation. We prefer to call it a “healthy lifestyle” or “eating clean”. Those terms may also be a little vague and that’s where we want to help.

We want to provide an opportunity, a space to start getting guidance on your nutrition. Somewhere to get a level of accountability, feedback, meal ideas, even help at the grocery store.

We want all your hard work in the gym each day to be as beneficial as possible. But also to do it in a healthy and sustainable way.

This group isn’t meant to be one-on-one nutrition coaching, but that option is available as well. Inquire to [email protected] or [email protected]

For those looking for 1-on-1 Nutrition Coaching: Coach Jody is here for you!

Introducing: CFK Build

What is CFK Build

  • Build is a membership add-on option for those who are looking to add a layer of Hypertrophy (Body Building) to their training. This program is designed to be complimentary to your Programming in CrossFit.
  • So what does that mean and how do this work?
    • CFK Build is a program that takes into account what we do in class. Each week this program will consist of 3 Workouts (4-6 Exercises) and a recommended day that these lifts will compliment and work with CrossFit’s programming not obstruct your week.
  • How much is it?
    • You can add this Program to your monthly membership for $15 a month billed on the same day as your current membership!

Any Questions for the Build Program?

Email ([email protected]) or speak with me after class.

Introducing: CFK Endurance

What is CFK Endurance?

  • 3 Days a Week of Structured Running Programming from 5k to Marathon
  • Over the winter we will focus on building the engine aiming at peaking for…
    • Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon which has a number of distance options. 5k to Marathon. We have some teams coming together for the Marathon Relay!
  • This program is a add-on option and is $15 a Month billed on the same day as your current membership! Workouts will be loaded into WODIFY for you to see weekly!

Any Questions for the Endurance Program?

Email ([email protected]) or speak with me after class!

COmmunity WOD Saturdays

Fitness is always more fun with friends! Our community WOD happens every Saturday at both locations at 9am. Bring friends and family! These workouts will be both beginner and veteran-friendly — challenging enough to get a good workout, but simple enough for anyone to join!

PLEASE have friends sign a waiver beforehand!

Waiver Link

Love CFK?! Write us a Review!

CFK North – Yelp

CFK West – Yelp

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CFK Weekly: November 6, 2022

Good Morning CFK!!

 

   We wanted to reach out regarding some changes to our class schedule.  It is always our goal to encourage as many current members as possible to be together in class.  The level of energy and enthusiasm goes proportionally as does the class size.

   That said there has also been multiple requests to make modifications to the existing class schedule.  We don’t always want to be reactive to those type of requests, but the members that currently attend would prefer the change as well.
   Also with part of the morning schedules matching at both locations and having a time gap available we will be launching a new “Mommy & Me” class in December.  The class will be tailored to moms with young children that either aren’t quite school age yet and aren’t able to be left unattended.  More info to come regarding that program.
Please see me with any questions or concerns.
Thank you!
  Dave

New Schedule Starting 11/7/2022

Programming Sneak Peek!

Monday:

Bench Press! Let’s Start the Week out with some Strength! Following up we are going to hit a 5k Row with a Buddy! Y’all are going to be switching often so focus on powerful pulls and get after it!

Tuesday:

Weighted Lunges for Strength! Then we are going to get leggy in the Metcon and see how well you can move your legs when they are tired.

Wednesday:

We are adding a bit of a twist to Diane today, this on should be fun!

Thursday:

DB Snatches! Then we are going to test your grip and stamina with some carries and rowing.

Friday:

Front Squat for a Heavy 5! Then it’s time to see how fast you can knock out 7 rounds of Body Weight movements that’ll spike your HR.

Saturday:

10k Row Time!!!

Save the Date: Battle Cancer Team Event

November 19th @ CrossFit Mayhem

  • Battle cancer is taking over CrossFit Mayhem on 11/19 and we would love to sent some teams of 4 to the event to help support the cause! If you and any friends are interested in signing up, we’d love to help get teams together.
  • We ask that all interest athletes interested athletes E-Mail Dave L ( [email protected] ) so we can help facilitate building your team and make sure you get signed up with our discount codes!
  • More information on the event can be found by following this link.

November is….. ROW-VEMBER!

Let’s get ready for some rowing in November! This is a great opportunity to log some meter compete over the whole month and gain some cardiovascular fitness!

Save The Date:

November 26th – 1/2 Marathon Row

Save the Date:

Dr. Kim is Back with another Core and Floor Workshop. November 19th, 2022

Calling all Runners!

Hot to Trot 5k/10k is 8 Weeks away!

CFK has been a sponsor of the event since it’s inception handing out water to thousands of runners & for many of you this has been a way to show off your fitness/test yourself with thousands of others on Thanksgiving morning! We are inviting each of you to come join the tradition Thanksgiving Morning with many others!

  • CFK & Coach Stephen have put together a FREE 8-Week Training Program that will help you get ready to complete your first 5k or go after a PR! This program is free to members and is also on Wodify for you to follow along (Under CFK Endurance).
  • We are in Week 4 but it isn’t to late to JOIN!!!
  • 3 Days of running a week building your base and speed.
    • Weeks run Friday – Thursday. Complete runs on days that work best for you!

Follow this Link for all information on signing up for the race or volunteering. Full training program and Q&A viewable through attached link.

COmmunity WOD Saturdays

Fitness is always more fun with friends! Our community WOD happens every Saturday at both locations at 9am. Bring friends and family! These workouts will be both beginner and veteran-friendly — challenging enough to get a good workout, but simple enough for anyone to join!

PLEASE have friends sign a waiver beforehand!

Waiver Link

Love CFK?! Write us a Review!

CFK North – Yelp

CFK West – Yelp

CFK North – Google

CFK West – Google

CFK Weekly: August 28, 2022

Programming Sneak Peek!

Monday:

Let’s get some weight over head today, and get yourself under the Bar. Snatch Complex with OH Squats! The Metcon is going to keep the bar Over Head and let you accumulate reps over a box.

Tuesday:

This is Chipper is almost guaranteed to have something you like and something you want/need to work on! Pacing this one well will keep you moving today!

Wednesday:

Wave Loading Deadlifts. We introduced working on percentages last week and we are keeping that rolling with deadlifts today. Check your Wodify history for this one. The Metcon after will have us accumulating some big sets and working on a gymnastics skill.

Thursday:

Start with Accessories that compliment our work today. Row, Row, Row your “Boat”. Can you hit some consistent or negative splits? maybe you’ll hit a new personal best!

Friday:

We have multiple rounds for time today! Get ready for some Wall Balls. This Sprinty Threshold Metcon will test your legs ability to flush lactate. So attack the rounds and don’t stop moving.

Saturday:

Clean and Jerks on a Saturday in teams of 3. This may seem like a load of reps to get done but that’s what friends are for!

North Scheduling Shift: Effective 8/29/22

Due to popular demand: 7:30Am Crossfit is being moved back to 8:00Am Crossfit.

Saturdays 10:15Am Crossfit at North only will be canceled moving forward. We look forward to seeing y’all in the 8Am Crossfit.

Like OLY Lifting? Want to Test yourself?

CFK will be forming an OFFICAL USAW Team!

Save the Date: October 8th! We will be heading to the USAW 2022 Tennessee-Kentucky Meet in Johnson City!

More details and sign ups will be coming in the following weeks! We are extremely excited to announce this and have this opportunity available for all of you lifters out there. Any questions can be directed to [email protected]

Speaking of lifting…

Save the Date: September 17th, 2022 @ CFK West

Squat Seminar w/ Coach Blake

More details will follow so be on the lookout for those!

Save The Date: Restore Core & Floor Workshop!

October 1st @ West w/ Dr. Kim Givelechian

Dr. Kim is back with another Restore Core workshop! More details will follow.

Bristol Burnout Header

Saturday, September 24, 2022
Bristol Motor Speedway Infield

Join fellow CFK Athletes and form four-person teams (2 male, 2 female) for the chance at victory, all while helping raise money to support SCC Bristol’s mission of helping local children in need. The event will be held in the infield at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Click here for all the details!

Not looking to compete? Come out & support your friends!

COmmunity WOD Saturdays

Fitness is always more fun with friends! Our community WOD happens every Saturday at both locations at 9am. Bring friends and family! These workouts will be both beginner and veteran-friendly — challenging enough to get a good workout, but simple enough for anyone to join!

PLEASE have friends sign a waiver beforehand!

Waiver Link

Love CFK?! Write us a Review!

CFK North – Yelp

CFK West – Yelp

CFK North – Google

CFK West – Google

CFK Weekly: August 21, 2022

Programming Sneak Peek!

Monday:

Wave Loading Front Squats! We are going to work off percentages today; so make sure to look up your history in Wodify to help guide you here. Then you and a friend are going to see how many rounds your legs get you through. This is a awesome WOD for training Lactate Shuttling!

Tuesday:

Starting off with midline and shoulder stability. The accessory work will get you prepared for this PACER, where finding your pace will be key to not blowing up with rounds to go. Think RPE 7 in the first few rounds here.

Wednesday:

We have a fun one today with Power Snatches. Your “accuracy” will help decide how much work you do today!

Thursday:

Quality is the goal in this EMOM! We are doing push and pull today. Let’s work on your pull/muscle ups today. If you want to sting a little today you’ll get that too.

Friday:

Strength Complex working on getting that barbell overhead and getting yourself under the bar. Now that we got some strength and technique work done, lets test your shoulders endurance in rounds of an AMRAP.

Saturday:

We rocked shoulders on Friday so let’s get after your legs today with “Kelly” to cap your week of training!

CFK TOTAL: 2 Weeks and LOTS of PRs Later!

Thank you so much to everyone for coming out and participating and/or cheering on your fellow athletes! As we wrapped up our strength cycle we could not have thought of a better way test the work you put in! Congratulations to our Winners from this past Friday!

Like OLY Lifting? Want to Test yourself?

CFK will be forming an OFFICAL USAW Team!

Save the Date: October 8th! We will be heading to the USAW 2022 Tennessee-Kentucky Meet in Johnson City!

More details and sign ups will be coming in the following weeks! We are extremely excited to announce this and have this opportunity available for all of you lifters out there. Any questions can be directed to [email protected]

Speaking of lifting…

Save the Date: September 17th, 2022 @ CFK West

Squat Seminar w/ Coach Blake

More details will follow so be on the lookout for those!

Bristol Burnout Header

Saturday, September 24, 2022
Bristol Motor Speedway Infield

Join fellow CFK Athletes and form four-person teams (2 male, 2 female) for the chance at victory, all while helping raise money to support SCC Bristol’s mission of helping local children in need. The event will be held in the infield at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Click here for all the details!

Not looking to compete? Come out & support your friends!

COmmunity WOD Saturdays

Fitness is always more fun with friends! Our community WOD happens every Saturday at both locations at 9am. Bring friends and family! These workouts will be both beginner and veteran-friendly — challenging enough to get a good workout, but simple enough for anyone to join!

PLEASE have friends sign a waiver beforehand!

Waiver Link

Love CFK?! Write us a Review!

CFK North – Yelp

CFK West – Yelp

CFK North – Google

CFK West – Google

Mechanics, Consistency, Intensity.

Why MCI?

Mechanics, Consistency, and Intensity. It’s the way we teach all movements, not only for technique purposes but for safety too, as well as longevity of training. When sticking to the MCI of training you are able to learn the proper way to do your movements, how to do them consistently well, and able to slowly increase difficulty over time so as to not overtrain or increase the risk of injury. When an athlete is brand new to this style of training their body will take on a fair amount of shock at first before it learns how to recover and adapt. Sticking to the MCI allows time for the new athlete to get in great workouts while increasing their ability over time.

 

What Is MCI?

As stated above, MCI stands for Mechanics, Consistency, and Intensity. When these three things are integrated into training the risk of injury goes down, the body’s ability to recover goes up, and gains/improvements can still be made at a steady pace. Aside from the obvious, reducing the risk of injury is crucial to achieving goals because it reduces the number of setbacks you may encounter. This goes hand in hand with MCI because of the “C” being consistency. So we have mechanics being your technique, consistency being frequency of good technique, but also how frequently you train, and intensity being what makes your workouts more difficult.

Mechanics

Mechanics are your technique. Every exercise, every movement, has certain mechanics that allow your body to perform said movement. This can be described as holding/achieving certain postures throughout a range of motion. For example, an air squat: chest up, knees out, feet flat, hips pass below the knees, and then stand to a full hip/knee extension. The chest up, knees out, and feet flat would be our posture. Passing below parallel and then standing to a full hip and knee extension is our range of motion.

Consistency

Air squat mechanics have been established. Now we need consistent mechanics throughout our workout. Consistently achieving the proper mechanics of the movements is crucial to longevity and reducing injury. This consistency is not just to the end of a workout, but also to the end of a week of workouts. Alongside consistency of mechanics, we need consistency of activity. The more consistently you are active, the faster your body learns and increases its ability to recover; recovery-ability is key in making gains and improvements.

Intensity

Intensity is any variation that increases the difficulty of a movement or workout. This could be a tougher movement, more weight, more reps, less rest time, etc. Continuing with the air squat example, the mechanics have been established and consistent, now to increase the intensity, so back squat will be the example. Starting with an empty bar, the mechanics are still going to need to be the same: chest up, knees out, feet flat, hips pass below the knees, and then stand to a full hip/knee extension. The difference now is there has been the added intensity of a load being a barbell. If able to maintain the proper mechanics under the empty bar, then begin to add weight. Only increase the weight if the mechanics can remain consistent to keep injury risk low, refine the movements patterns, and still make increases in performance/strength over time.

Barbells For Beginners

Barbells Can Be Daunting

It’s no question that a barbell can be daunting for first time users. While it’s very well balanced by design, it is also quite awkward until you figure out the things it can be used for. It’s one thing to know the exercises possible through using the barbell, but its another thing to feel confident enough to do them, and do them well. The purpose of this article is to help any of you who are timid about using a barbell for the first time feel more confident about trying it out!

Start With The Basics

Begin with the easy stuff, basic movement patterns: squatting, hinging, pressing, and lunging. It is first important to know how to move your body on its own through space before trying to add weight.

Learn how to properly perform…

Air Squat: Feet shoulder width or slightly wider, toes turned slightly out, core engaged, chest up, eyes up; begin with the hips breaking slightly back and then descending down while driving the knees out over the toes, cue yourself to keep your chest up with flat feet until below parallel, then stand.

Hinge: feet no wider than shoulder width, core engaged; begin with a slight bend in the knees and then drive the hips back while bending forward at the waist with a flat back (cue yourself the keep your chest up while simultaneously bending over at the hips), reach down to the floor while maintaining the flat back until you reach the object you are trying to pick up, specifically, the barbell.

Press: using a PVC pipe, hands just wider than the shoulders, PVC pip touching your collar bones, core tight with ribs pinned down, glutes squeezed, quads squeezed; pull your chin back and press straight up into the air to a full lockout of the elbows with the biceps by the ears and your head then pushed back in between your arms, maintain the ribs pinned down to keep the spine neutral.

Lunge: take a step forward, keep your full foot flat on the floor as to keep from being only on the toes, cue yourself to “be on train tracks” so that you don’t sleep your feet too narrow; once stepping forward, keep your torso tall and bend the back knee straight down to the floor, lightly tap your knee to the floor then stand back up bringing the back foot forward to meet with the forward foot, repeat on the other foot to alternate legs.

Time For The Barbell

Once you have been introduced to and understand the mechanics of the movements above, it’s time to begin introducing the barbell.

Squats: front squats, back squats, and overhead squats

  • Back Squats: the barbell will rest across the back of your neck/shoulders. Tips For Back Squats: keep your wrists straight, cue yourself to pull your elbows together behind your back, and keep your eyes forward.
  • Front Squats: the barbell will rest on the front of your shoulders. Tips For Front Squats: focus on keeping your elbows up, whether they stay up or not, the consistent self cue’ing will help make that happen over time.
  • Overhead Squats: the barbell will be locked out over head with a wide grip. Tips For Overhead Squats: always practice with a PVC pipe before using the bar, cue yourself to consistently “press up” into the barbell throughout the entire squat to lock your shoulders into place and remain steady.

Hinging: excluding the olympic lifts: deadlifts, RDLs.

  • Deadlifts: this is the “object” as stated above that you will pick up off the floor. Tips For Deadlifts: keep your whole foot flat by not lifting your toes off the floor, this will keep you balanced and allow for more muscle activation. If your toes rise up and you set too far back on the heels, it is likely your hips will rise too fast when really we want the hips and torso to move at the same time.
  • RDLs: picking the bar up off the floor, the reps begin at the hips. Tips For RDLs: these should NOT touch the floor each rep, cue yourself to “arch” your back as you lower the bar toward the floor with a slight knee bend. By the time you reach the knees, if you have kept enough tension in your back, and chest up, then you should feel a stretch in the hamstrings at which point you will stand back up, squeezing your glutes at the top.

Pressing: strict press, and push press.

  • Strict Press: the bar will begin on the front of the shoulder like the front squat and finish locked out overhead. Tips For Strict Press: keep the bar close to your center of gravity by pushing it as straight up and down as possible, essentially, not pushing it around your head.
  • Push Press: the bar will begin on the front of the shoulder, and finish locked out overhead, but it will be aided by a slight dip and extension in the knees and hips. Tips For Push Press: keep the elbows high and cue yourself to “drive through the bar” at the top of your extension each rep.

Lunging: front rack lunges, back rack lunges.

  • Front Rack Lunges: the barbell will rest on the front of the shoulders, just as it does for presses and front squats. Tips For Front Rack Lunges: maintain core tension when you touch your knee to the floor, because if you “bounce” on the floor and lose tension and the elbows drop, you will be in a far less stable position and you’re likely to drop the bar.
  • Back Rack Lunges:  the barbell will rest on the back of the shoulder/neck just like back squats. Tips For Back Rack Lunges: don’t let your elbow flare way up, this will roll the barbell up the neck and make it increasingly difficult to maintain and upright torso which will also make the reps even more challenging.

Don’t let the barbell be what keeps you back from reaching your goals. When used properly it becomes an amazing training tool and can help make you stronger than ever. If you ever want more details, or have questions, never hesitate to ask for help or advice from a qualified coach or athlete.

Track System

Does the way you workout and train each day you’re in the gym reflect what your goals are?

With the new Track System, the goal is for you to be able to train in a way that more easily reflects your goals and your “why” for working out. Each day all three tracks (Sweat, Train, Compete) will follow the same workout, only on some of the days there will be some slight changes. Sweat will have some lighter weights and kipping movements. Train will have some heavier weights with a focus on strict movements. Compete will have the same heavier weights as train, but will also include higher skill gymnastics movements for those who want to do competitions. Sound simple right? Well, lets talk more in depth about the differences.

SWEAT

Sweat, as stated above, is going to have lighter weights and kipping movements. The goal here is to increase maximal power, AKA, work. With lighter weights and kipping movements, the hope is to be able to move as much as possible during each workout with less time spent resting, therefor getting the absolute most amount of time spent moving as possible. What happens when you move for longer? Your work capacity increases, conditioning increases, and best of all, if you can only workout a few days a week, its the best bang for your buck. Sweat is perfect for those who just want to get a great workout, sweat a lot, increase their fitness and functionality, build some muscle, increase their conditioning, and are not worried about high skill gymnastics movements.

TRAIN

Train has more of a focus on strength. Train will have heavier weights than sweat, but with greatly reduced kipping movements. The reason for this is that the goal with Train is to increase strength with both external objects and bodyweight. This track is perfect for those using CrossFit as a means of training for something outside of the gym, such as a sport or job (football, softball, rugby, LEO, military, etc.), or even someone more concerned about getting strong. This can almost be thought of as a strength and conditioning style focus.

COMPETE

Compete is fairly straight forward. This track will have the same weights as Train, but will also include high skill gymnastics rather than strict movements. With an emphasis on the higher skill gymnastics come a slightly increased injury risk, however the trade off is increased ability to perform in competitions/the CrossFit Open. This track is for those who want to compete, or even those who just want to work on those higher skills in a MetCon. Now, an important thing to make a note of, Compete is not necessarily going to teach you how to get your first muscle up or handstand push up, or any other high skill gymnastics movement. Instead, it will make you more capable of doing them at higher volume in MetCons.

 

At the end of the day, some movement is better than no movements, however, what is suggested to do is figure out what your goal is and then follow the track every day accordingly. For example, if your goal fits the Sweat track the best, then you follow Sweat every day rather than switching around. Every tack is still able to be modified and tapered to each individual every day, but being consistent with one track at a time is going to help you achieve your goals the most efficiently.

 

Lets get an example of a workout that would have three different variations for each of the tracks, shall we?

“AMANDA”

9-7-5

Ring Muscle Ups

Squat Snatches (135/95)

SWEAT: Lets change it to 15-12-9 reps, but do Burpee Kipping Pull Ups and (95/65) for the Squat Snatches. Lighter weight, simplified gymnastics, increased volume, however it should be able to be completed in the same time domain, but with less rest.

TRAIN: Keep 9-7-5, keep (135/96), but do Burpee Strict Pull Ups, or even Strict Chest To Bar Pull Ups.

COMPETE: Exactly as written.

 

The athlete who is less worried about strength and just wants killer workout will complete the Sweat version. Tom Brady needs strength, but shouldn’t risk messing up his shoulder with kipping, so he does the Train version. Rich Froning competes, so obviously he does the compete version. All athletes finish within the same time frame, but follow the workout as it best suits their goal.

What is your goal? What is your track? Stick with it, be consistent, crush your workouts, and smash your goals.

Week In Preview, Nov. 1st, 2021

“Life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you respond to it.”

– Lou Holtz

 

Thought of the Week:

There are three main reason one chooses to do CrossFit:
  1. They want to sweat, burn some calories, feel good, and have a good time.
  2. They want to push the envelope a bit, using CrossFit as a means of training for what they do outside of the gym such as a sport, hiking, first responder, military, etc.
  3. They want to compete in CrossFit, treating it as their sport.

What are you here to do? What is your main goal?  Does your workout intention every day reflect your main goal?

Weekly WODs: 

Monday

Crossfit  – International Chest Day.
Bench Press deload day! 7-5-3 reps, nothing crazy, prepping to hit that 3RM next week. Our MetCon will have Rowing, Tuck Ups, and Burpees.
Burn – 

AMRAP x 10:00

2-4-6-8-10…

Sit Ups

4-8-12-16-20…

Slam Balls/Plate Ground to Overhead

1-2-3-4-5…

10m Shuttle Run

Tuesday

Crossfit  –  Squat Day.
Deloading our Back Squats today with reps of 7-5-3, getting us ready to squat a house next week. The MetCon will have Single Dumbbell Front Squats coupled with Up Downs Over the Dumbbell, its going to be a fast burner!
Burn 

Every 2:00 x 4 Sets

200m Run

Immediately Into Max Reps of –

Set 1: Dumbbell Strict Press

Set 2: Dumbbell Burpees

Set 3: Dumbbell Front Squats

Set 4: Devils Press

1:00 Rest Between Sets

Wednesday

Crossfit – Push Jerks.
Deloading our Shoulder to Overhead today. The MetCon is simple, yet effective: running and more push jerks!
Burn 

5 Rounds For Time

20 Alternating Lunges

15 Ring Rows

10 Calorie Bike/Row

12:00 Cap

Thursday

Crossfit – Aerobic Capacity Day
MetCon today will have Rowing, Wall Sits, and some special skill work: Hand Stand Walking! And of course, we will have scaling options available to get everyone doing something upside down today. Following the MetCon we will have some Body Armor: Banded PVC Lat Pull Downs, Banded Overhead Tricep Extensions, and Curls.
Burn

For Time

500m Row

Rest 1:00

EMOM x 6:00

MIN 1: 6 Push Ups + 15 Sit Ups

MIN 2: 6 Burpees + 20 Kettlebell Sumo Deadlift High Pull

Rest 1:00

AMRAP x 2:00

Max Effort Row For Meters

Friday

Crossfit  – “THE INFERNO”
Today begins with some Sumo Deadlift waves for strength. Following the Sumo Deadlift, we have benchmark workout “THE INFERNO”, which consists of: Double Unders, Air Squats, and regular conventional Deadlifts.
Burn

AMRAP x 12:00

12 Alternating Kettlebell Push Press

100m Run

12 Alternating Kettlebell Suitcase Step Ups

Saturday 

Crossfit – Partner Workout Saturday (8AM); “ROCKY HORROR” (10:15AM, Level 2)
We will begin with a strength piece for both classes today which is building in weight for a complex of hang power cleans plus a hang squat clean. The 8AM class has a partner MetCon of Box Jumps, Dumbbell Thrusters, Dumbbell Snatches, and Pull Ups. The Level 2 class will also have the same strength piece followed by “ROCKY HORROR”, a MetCon with the same movements as the 8AM class, just with less volume as it is not a partner version. Level 2 will then finish the day with some Pistol Squat skill work.
Burn

In Teams of 2

AMRAP x 14:00

60 Calorie Bike

60 Russian Kettlebell Swings

60 Wall Balls