For some great Gymnastic Rings Drills and Skills, check this out: Drills and Skills
Gymnastic Rings Drills and Skills
September 17, 2010 | Posted by lkoller | Comments OffPost WOD Stretching & Myofascial Release
March 9, 2010 | Posted by Ben Davis | Comments Offfrom John “Mac” McGriff
My Peeps,
If you have seen the different lengths of PVC & foam around the gym & you thought we were building some bizarre church organ you were…wrong.
Pre & Post WOD we will become more strict with our “myofascial release” & Post WOD stretching.
This will help with most surface aches & pains, improve recovery, & improve performance. These two areas are generally neglected the most & both have huge impacts on our goals.
If you haven’t “MYO’d rolled” before now is the time to start. The blue foam is great for beginners & most folks can try the PVC on the LOWER BODY fairly quickly as well. Be careful with the PVC as you advance to back & upper body therapy…it’s intense!!!
http://www.owresource.com/recovery/smr.php (http://www NULL.owresource NULL.com/recovery/smr NULL.php)
As for stretching, we need to focus on this primarly POST WOD. I know we do the “samson” PRE-WOD & it plays an important role there as well. The Samson stretch when done correctly is a quick, deep, dynamic lunge “stretch” combined with a good upper back and shoulder “stretch”. Make sure your front foot is far enough forward that it isn’t riding out over your foot. Your front knee should be at a 90 degree angle. Sink down onto your back knee and place that leg as far back as you can comfortably get it. Sink down at the hips and feel a great stretch in the front hamstrings and glutes and the back quadriceps. Interlace your fingers and push your palms to the sky. Really work the stretch in the upper back and shoulders.
The Samson serves mainly to prepare our posterior chain for the WOD by “firing” all the muscles, tendons, ligaments, arteries, nerves, veins that are utilized on our “back side”
POST WOD (even at home) PNF stretching has made a huge difference for me in several areas. As a firefighter we wear 60lbs of gear, a 30lb air pack, & a helmet sometimes for hours. Over the years this has caused “wear & tear” on my lower back & neck. I found PNF a couple years ago & am now a huge believer. Here are a few links you you to review:
http://www.thestretchinghandbook.com/archives/pnf-stretching.php (http://www NULL.thestretchinghandbook NULL.com/archives/pnf-stretching NULL.php)
http://www.sport-fitness-advisor.com/pnfstretching.html (http://www NULL.sport-fitness-advisor NULL.com/pnfstretching NULL.html)
Your homework will be to do your own research & we will do a “I’ll show you mine if you show me yours” session (no Sanjeeda it’s not what you think). Come tell or show me what MYO and/or PNF movement you have found & I’ll “trade” one of mine with you as well.
Gym Rules
December 10, 2009 | Posted by Ben Davis | Comments OffGYM RULES
(excerpted from CrossFit Los Angeles)
1. Arrive early and stay late. Cheer, clap, and encourage others. Anything less is to cheat yourself of the experience, and to rob others of the gift of your presence and support as part of the community. Besides, if you’re late, it’s 10 burpees per minute.
2. If you forget to sign in, it’s 50 burpees. And regarding any burpee incentives… you may cry and whine all you want, as long as we can hear you counting.
3. Accidents and injuries happen and usually come as a result of impatience. Don’t be greedy. Slow down. Ask questions. Ask for help. Check your ego at the door.
4. EMPTY barbells were not designed to be dropped (neither were dumbbells or kettlebells). We don’t want our toys, our rubber flooring, you, or someone else broken unnecessarily.
5. Chalk is useful, even necessary. It is also messy. Use as much as you need, but keep the excess inside the chalk bucket because all the extra dust keeps breaking our vacuum cleaner and it is difficult to clean up!
6. Clean up and put away all equipment after each workout. Clean up sweat, spit, blood, chalk, dirt, vomit, handprints, and whatever else you’ve left behind.
7. Grunting, screaming, cussing and otherwise making noise are all welcome and encouraged during a workout. There is such a thing as gentle, quiet strength, although most of us haven’t mastered that yet. Also remember that there can be such a thing as too loud, crass, gross, or rude – please be respectful.
In what way will CrossFit make me more fit?
December 10, 2009 | Posted by Ben Davis | Comments OffCrossFit is designed to have you improve in all aspects of fitness. They are:
cardiovascular and respiratory endurance
stamina
strength
flexibility
power
speed
coordination
agility
balance
accuracy
What can I do if I go out of town?
December 10, 2009 | Posted by Ben Davis | Comments OffThere are several things that you can do when you go out of town. Body weight exercises are perfect for a hotel room. A jump rope is easy to pack and is great for cardio, especially if you can learn to do double unders.
Tabata workouts are a great travel workout. You can put a Tabata workout together in many different ways, and can even do one using a treadmill, rowing machine or pool (often found in your hotel gym). Tabata workouts are done doing each exercise for a total of 4 minutes, with a pattern of 20 seconds work and 10 seconds rest. For example, here is a 12 minute hotel workout:
Do pull ups for 20 seconds, rest 10 seconds, pull ups for 20 seconds, rest 10 seconds…and so on for the full 4 minutes before going on to Squats during the final 10 seconds of rest; continue this pattern for the squats for 4 minutes, then go on to sit ups.
Push ups
Squats
Sit ups
A treadmill Tabata workout would be done similarly, while having the incline as high as it will go and running close to your 5K race pace (within 5-30 seconds).
Some other great Tabata exercises are:
jump rope
pull ups
hand stand push ups off the edge of the bed
dips using a chair or coffee table
burpees
supermans
lunges
planks
plank twists
dead bugs
hollow rocks
and more….
Click HERE for a list of Travel WODs.
Should I skip a WOD if I am sore?
December 10, 2009 | Posted by Ben Davis | Comments OffIt depends. There is a difference between a sore muscle and an injured muscle. Sore muscles will often feel better once you start to warm up and begin exercising. An injured muscle will continue to hurt and will cause actual pain, rather than just discomfort. If you are in pain, it is probably best to skip a workout and give your body a day of rest to see if the pain will go away quickly. If it doesn’t, consider seeing a doctor.
Keep in mind, that when you workout very hard, especially in the beginning, you will likely have very sore muscles. You will often be more sore the 2nd day after a workout than you were on the day of or the day immediately after your workout. This is normal. Consider doing some active recovery consisting of exercises done at a lower intensity. This can sometimes speed the recovery process.
Always incorporate rest days into your workout program. Your body needs rest days to heal. Recovery is why you get better!
Should I get in better shape before I start CrossFit?
December 10, 2009 | Posted by Ben Davis | Comments OffNo! You do not need to get in “better shape” before beginning CrossFit. Because we scale the workouts to each person’s level there is no need to try to achieve a specific level of fitness before you start doing CrossFit. Chances are you will improve very quickly regardless of what level you begin at. Your progress is dependent on your dedication and effort.
What you put in is what you get out.
Is everyone else going to be stronger and faster than me?
December 10, 2009 | Posted by Ben Davis | Comments OffIt is possible that in a particular class everyone else might be (or seem) stronger and faster than you. But, every class is different every day because attendance varies from day to day. Regardless, everyone is very encouraging of each other. No one judges you for what you can’t do – everyone just encourages you to do more of what you can and wants to see you improve. We are not a judgmental group – we are like a very supportive family. We cheer each other’s successes, regardless of strength, speed, and times.
Why is the workout different every day?
December 10, 2009 | Posted by Ben Davis | Comments OffThe workouts (WODs) are different each day because that is part of the “magic” of CrossFit. Constantly varying what you do keeps your body guessing, unable to adapt and plateau like it would with a structured, regimented workout program that works body parts on scheduled days and does not vary much week to week. When you consistently follow the same running route, work each body part on the same day each week, do the same exercises on the same day each week, etc. then your body will get used to what you do. When that happens, progress slows and you fail to see the progress that you once saw.
Where are all the gym machines?
December 10, 2009 | Posted by Ben Davis | Comments OffCrossFit does not use the typical single body part exercise machines that you find at a standard gym. There is a good reason for this. Those machines limit you to exercising one body part – single joint movements. When you lift a bag of groceries is there only one body part (such as bicep) involved? No, you use your legs to bend, and your biceps to lift. If the bag is heavy, you might even be engaging your back during the lift.
CrossFit’s intention is to train you for living. We want to train you the way your body moves – in multi-joint movements. We want you prepared for anything – lifting boxes up onto a high shelf in a closet, lifting a child or groceries, helping a disabled spouse out of bed, and so much more. Regular gym machines are effective for building bigger, stronger muscles, but they do not work your body the way it works in everyday living.
Why spend an entire hour working maybe 4 body parts and doing nothing aerobic, when you can spend just 10-20 minutes working your entire body including your lungs and heart?
What is a Foundations Class, and why do I need it?
December 10, 2009 | Posted by Ben Davis | Comments Off
Foundations Classes are just that – they are classes where you will learn the 9 essential movements of CrossFit, along with several other common exercises performed in CrossFit workouts. We will go in-depth and work with you to ensure you know what proper form is. This will allow you to participate in regular CrossFit classes feeling confident in yourself and your abilities. It will also help prevent injuries caused by poor form.
These classes are most definitely an important aspect to getting a successful start with CrossFit.
Top 10 Reasons Why Women Should CrossFit
December 10, 2009 | Posted by lkoller | Comments Off10. weak and feminine are NOT the same.
9. you fear no challenge.
8. you should train like an athlete not a hamster
7. you refuse to be a damsel in distress.
6. you don’t need machines…you are the machine.
5. you have yet to realize your full physical potential.
4. aerobics is SO 1980’s.
3. that which does not kill you will only make you stronger.
2. you’re willing to sweat, not just “glisten”.
1. there’s just nothing cooler than a strong woman!
Will CrossFit give women “manly” muscles?
December 10, 2009 | Posted by lkoller | Comments Off
An emphatic NO!
Women tend to think that they shouldn’t lift heavy weights because they’ve always been taught not to. CrossFit, nor lifting weights, will give women “manly” muscles. The women who have really large, manly looking bodies have to work incredibly hard at it and often take Steroids. Women do not naturally build large muscles. Also, how much muscle definition that you see will also depend on a woman’s percentage of body fat. The lower the body fat, the more muscle definition will be seen.
Women need to have muscles and be strong because women lift babies and small children, grocery bags, move furniture, do yard work and so much more. Think how much easier these things would be if you were strong.
Travel WODs
December 2, 2009 | Posted by lkoller | Comments OffBelow are some WODs you can do while travelling, when you can’t make it to the gym, or when you just want to stay home (remember, there are NO EXCUSES!):
◦ 3 rounds:
Run 1/2 mile
50 air squats
◦ 10 rounds:
10 push-ups
10 sit ups
10 squats
◦ For time: 200 air squats
◦ “Susan” – 5 rounds
Run 200m
10 squats
10 push ups
◦ 3 rounds for time:
Sprint 200m
25 push ups
◦ 3 rounds for time:
10 Handstand push ups
200m run
◦ Tabata – 4 minutes each exercise – 20 seconds work, 10 seconds rest for 8 rounds
Squats
Push ups
◦ 20 rounds for time:
5 push ups
5 squats
5 sit ups
◦ For time: Walk 100 meters on your hands, even if it is 2 meters at a time.
◦ For time:
10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 sets of
sit-ups
100 meter sprint
◦ For time:
“Invisible Fran” – 21-15-9 of:
Air squats
Push ups
◦ Handstand/Headstand:
Spend a total of 5 minutes in a handstand, or headstand. If you are using the headstand do not stay over a minute at a time.
◦ 6 rounds for time:
10 push ups
10 air squats
10 sit ups
◦ 5 rounds for time:
3 vertical jumps
3 squats
3 long jumps
◦ 8 rounds for time:
Handstand 30 seconds
10 squats
◦ 10 rounds for time:
10 push-ups
100M dash
◦ 5 rounds, each for time: 400M sprints
◦ 10 rounds, each for time: 100 m dash
◦ For time: Run 1 mile, lunging 30 steps every 1 minute
◦ 5 rounds for time:
Handstand 30 seconds
20 air squats
◦ For time:
10 handstand jackknife to vertical jump
10 handstand jackknife to tuck jump
10 handstand jackknife to straddle jump
◦ 4 rounds, each for time: 25 jumping squats
◦ 4 rounds for time:
10 vertical jumps
10 push ups
10 sit ups
◦ For time: 10 air squats every 1 minute of your 1 mile run
◦ For time: 100 burpies
◦ For time: Run 1 mile
◦ 10 rounds for time:
10 push-ups
10 squats
10 sit ups
10 rounds
◦ 5 rounds for time:
10 vertical jumps
run 400 meters
◦ Handstand: spend a total of 3 minutes in a handstand
◦ For time: 100 air squats
◦ 5 rounds:
Handstand 1 minute
Hold bottom of the squat for 1 minute
◦ 10 rounds, for time:
Sprint 100 meters
Walk 100 meters
◦ For time: 100 push ups
◦ For time:
10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1
Burpies
Sit ups
◦ 3 rounds for time:
50 sit-ups
400 meter run or sprint or walk
◦ 10 rounds for time:
10 walking lunges
10 push-ups
◦ For time: 50 split jumps
◦ 4 rounds for time:
Handstand for 30 seconds or 5 handstand push ups
400 meter run
◦ 10 rounds for time:
10 burpies
100meter sprint
◦ L Sit:
“L” sit off the floor. 10 rounds of 10 seconds
(if you can’t do it sit with your legs straight out and try to lift your heels of the ground for 10 seconds instead!!!)
◦ 4 rounds for time:
run 400 meters
50 air squats
◦ 10 rounds:
Handstand 30 seconds
Squat hold 30 seconds
◦ 5 rounds for time:
Ten vertical jumps ( jump as high as you can, land and do it again)
10 push-ups
◦ 20 rounds for time:
1 burpee
10 air squats
◦ 3 rounds for time:
Run 1/2 mile
50 air squats
◦ For time: Run 1 mile with 100 air squats at midpoint
◦ 7 round for time:
7 squats
7 burpies
◦ 5 rounds for time:
Burpee to the push up position,
Do 10 push ups
Burpie out
◦ For time: Run 1 mile, plus 50 squats
◦ 10 rounds – 30 seconds each:
Plebs plank
Bottom of squat
Hollow rock hold
Use the transition times as your rest periods…they should be as brief as possible.
◦ 10 rounds – 5 push ups with a 30 second plebs plank (a hold at the top of the push up, arms extended and body tight like a plank!) at the end of each 5 reps, 10 rounds. Then 3x 100m dash @ 80%.
◦ Handstand practice: 25 tries at free handstands, then a 1 mile run at 80%.
◦ 25 reps for time: Handstand 10 seconds jack-knife to vertical jump
◦ Mime 4x 25 sumo deadlift high pulls, make them perfect. Be sure
the hips extend before the arms bend!
◦ 5 rounds, each for time: 50 air squats x 5. Rest equal amounts as it took to do each 50
◦ Run 1 mile and do 10 push-ups every 1 minute
◦ 8 rounds for time:
Sprint 100m
30 squats
◦ 3 rounds, for time:
30 push ups
30 second handstand or Plebs Plank
◦ 10 rounds for time:
10 sit ups
10 burpies
◦ 10 rounds:
Handstand hold, 30 seconds,
Squat hold 30 seconds
◦ For time:
250 jumping jacks
◦ For time:
100 jumping jacks
75 air squats
50 push ups
25 burpies
◦ 5 rounds:
30 second handstand against a wall
30 second static hold at the bottom of the squat
◦ 5 rounds for time:
10 air squats with eyes closed
open eyes
10 push ups eyes closed
◦ 5 rounds:
Run 1 minute
Squat 1 minute
◦ 5 rounds for time:
10 push-ups
10 hollow rocks
Run 200 meters
◦ Do Tabata Squats with eyes closed
◦ Bottom to bottom Tabata Squats ( rest at the bottom of the squat instead of standing….without support on your hands or butt and make the bottom good, straight back, butt back)
◦ 4 rounds for time:
20 sit ups with support under the lumbar spine
20 push ups
Run 400m
◦ 8 rounds:
Handstands, 30 second hold
30 second static squat
30 second rest
◦ 10 rounds for time:
Sprint 50 meters
10 push ups
◦ 4 rounds:
50 air squats
rest for 2 minutes between rounds
◦ 3 rounds:
20 tuck jumps
30 second handstands
◦ 3 rounds for time:
400m run/sprint
30 air squats
◦ 3 rounds for time:
20 jumping jacks
20 burpies
20 air squats
◦ Handstand 5x 30 seconds.
Run: 2x 800 meters for time. Do the
handstands first. Rest and recover and do the runs with a rest in
between that is as long as it took you to run your first 800.
◦ 10 rounds: 50 meter sprint
◦ Test yourself on a max set of push ups…tight body chest to the
floor…full extension! If you cannot do “mens style” do your pushups from the knees. After that do 100 air squats for time
◦ Tabata – 4 minutes at each exercise – 20 seconds on 10 second rest for 8 rounds of:
Tuck jumps
Sit ups
◦ 3 rounds for time:
Run 400m
Air squat
30 hand stand
30 seconds
◦ 5 rounds for time:
30 second handstand
60 second squat hold ( at the bottom of the squat)
◦ 3 rounds for time:
Run 200 meters
50 squats
◦ 3 rounds for time:
20 Air squats
20 Burpies
20 Push-Ups
◦ For time:
10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1
Air squat
Push up
◦ 5 rounds for time:
100M dash
10 air squats
Rest 2 minutes between rounds
◦ For time:
1 mile run
20 lunges at every minute
◦ 5 rounds:
run 200 meters
20 air squats
◦ 20 rounds:
1 burpee
10 air squats
◦ 21-15-9:
Push ups
Hollow rocks
Jump squats
◦ For time:
50 push ups
50 squats
50 hollow rocks
◦ For time:
10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1:
push up
jumping squat
◦ 5 rounds for time:
30 second handstand
30 air squats
◦ 5 rounds for time:
run 800 meters
30 squats
30 push-ups
◦ 5 rounds for time:
10 push ups
10 squats
run 200 meters
◦ 10 rounds for time:
10 push ups
10 sit ups
10 squats
◦ 4 rounds for time:
Run 400 meters
20 burpies
◦ For time:
100 air squats
50 push ups
1 mile run
◦ 21-15-9 for time:
Jump squats
Handstand push ups
◦ For time:
100 air squats
1 mile run
◦ 5 rounds for time:
20 squats
20 push-ups
20 sit ups
◦ 21-15-9 for time:
Sit ups
Push ups
Air squats
◦ 10 Minute WOD: Run for 10 minutes stopping to do 20 air squats each minute
◦ 4 rounds for time:
20 pull ups
20 push ups
◦ “PR DAY”:
Pick any two metabolic or gymnastic events and go for a personal record!
◦ 5 rounds for time:
5 handstand push ups
10 burpees
◦ 5 rounds for time – while wearing 15# weight vest:
Run up Hill (230m long, 22m rise, 9 degree incline)
5 push ups
Run down Hill
5 push ups
Technique Discussions
September 30, 2009 | Posted by Ben Davis | Comments OffTechnique discussions
Eva shows the kipping pull-ups…
Steve Maxwell, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu blackbelt and conditioning coach, discusses his training at 54 years old!!


