Month: January 2014

A fellow CrossFit-er and someone I have learned a great deal from wrote a nice article about another unique aspect of CrossFit. There is no “velvet rope” separating the super stars from the average Joe’s (and the below average Joe’s like me for that matter). We get to train right next to legit Games level athletes all the time.  Like today, I was banging away at my 65# PSN’s right next to guys doing 50% more weight and 100% more faster… and it’s all good.

Check out his article here:

http://wannabegamesathlete.wordpress.com/2014/01/06/january-games-camp/

Imagine you’re at the driving range, working on your golf swing.  You’re just an average day chopper, hoping for the off-chance you’ll catch one flush at the 150 yard marker.  Someone comes up next to you, lays down a basket of balls.  You look up…it’s Tiger Woods.

A scenario like this is close to impossible.  But in Crossfit, the possibility of encountering the world’s best is high.

I must also say, I was enjoying the Rich Froning interview on the Wodcast Podcast today (more on their fantastic podcast later), and Rich mentioned that he is not at his box much these days and has handed over the day to day training to his cousin.  That aside, I still want to drop in at CrossFit Mayhem!

 

 

What an experience.  I completed the Level I CrossFit Trainer Certificate course just before the holidays at 810 CrossFit.  I really don’t know where to begin.  It was awesome.  I have been running a Fit Club at work since last spring, and I thought it would be a good idea to get some real training.  When I saw the Level 1 class come up locally, I jumped at it.

First off, I learned a ton just by going through the 150 pages of pre-read material (Training Guide & Handbook).  That is no joke, and you really should plan on reading that if you want to pass the written exam.  The material covered everything I was hoping to get and way more.

The actual seminar was outstanding.  I’ve been very lucky to have attended many professional development workshops, conferences, courses and training, and I can say that the CrossFit Level 1 course ranks among the top in how professional and well run it is.  The CrossFit Level 1 trainers clearly have all had tons of training.  Their presentation skills were fantastic. They were super engaging, and entertaining, and very attentive to the needs of the class.  They also knew their shit. Everything they said seemed very well coordinated, and consistent.  They were very buttoned up.  The course is $1,000, and after going through it, that seems very cheap.

Aside from learning how to coach the 9 foundational movements, muscle ups and pull ups, I learned a lot about how to be a better CrossFitter.  The top 3 things I got are:

1. Have fun with CrossFit, but take this seriously.
2. Focus on form, then add weight.  I’ve personally cut 30-40% off all my lifts coming out of this class, so I can make sure my form is damn near perfect.  I’ve been doing reduced weights for a few weeks now, and I could not be happier.  It’s a big ego check at the door, but this is the only way to really get done what matters.
3. The Medicine Ball Clean is awesome.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-NAsMR5pPU

One quick note about the written test.  I found it to be really hard. I read, I studied, and I pride myself on being a pretty good test taker, but this was tough.  Study up for it.  The week between taking the test and getting the results was kinda stressful.  I’m definitely very proud to be able to know say that I’m an official (not certified, because CrossFit does not certify anyone) Level I CrossFit Trainer.