The Games
CrossFit is an ever-evolving sport. The ’08 Games were a test of brute strength, 4 workouts over 2 days of classic CrossFit movements and workouts. The movements were simple: thruster, pullup (C2B), Deadlifts, Burpees, a short run, and clean and jerks (or thruster again). The ’09 Games became an even bigger test of brute strength, but tested that athlete’s will even further. A long grueling run, deadlifts (again), and a hodgepodge of different CrossFit movements again, but this time over 8 workouts over 2 days. There weren’t many skilled movements besides the snatch, that was more of a ground to overhead sort, and the muscle-up of the chipper. Then came the 2010 Games, these again were a test of brute strength and will, but became a great test of skill based movements (ring HSPU, rope climbs, muscle-ups and a stricter snatch standard). So what will 2011 provide? We don’t know!
How to Train
Always a question, how does one train for the unknown and the unknowable. Does one do the CF mainsite workouts? Possibly. Does one follow CFFB workouts? Sure, why not! What about just following your local box workouts? That’s a good idea sometimes. In the end, there is an optimal way to train for each individual. Each individual needs training that is catered to his or her needs. What are these needs? Well this is a gross description, but essentially the more individualized the program, the greater the possibility that your imbalances will be reversed thus creating a better overall athlete. I’ve found my greatest success coming off of training with Wes. Individual numbers since training with Wes? PR’s through the roof.
Training begins with laying the foundation
Some of my PR’s
Snatch from 135-195 lbs
Clean&Jerk from 205-265 lbs
Fran: 3:24 to 2:26 (58 seconds shaved)
5k roughly 21 minutes to a PR of 19 minutes
’09 Regionals finish of 22nd, ’10 Regionals finish of 16th
Press from 175-195 lbs
These are some of the numbers that I can remember; the best thing though is that Wes understands athletes.
The Secret
The secret is Awesome-ness and finding one’s own inner awesome-ness. The How?
Training with Wes
I’m not saying that Wes is YOUR go to guy, but I do recommend you get a coach, that understands energy systems/pathways, overtraining, peaking, offseason training, and protecting YOU the CrossFit Athlete. He’ll make you a better athlete. Will this make you a better CrossFitter, HELL YEA! As I explained above, the CrossFit Games are “unknown”, we don’t know what will come next. You have two choices, (1)kill yourself learning every skill or (2)train smart and become the most prepared athlete possible. It is these prepared athletes that I see prevailing.
