Friday, June 24, 2011
Why do we program strength so much?
This video to me is the definition of strong. Rob Orlando is one of the worlds fittest athletes, he can do some amazing body-weight feats as well. However, his fitness is glorified through how brutally strong he is, as I chose to show via this youtube video.
Strength is probably the most sought after ability of all of the 10 physical skills of fitness.
Some people say its because it makes everything else easier in a crossfit wod if you are stronger. But stronger in what sense? get an olympic weightlifter to do "Grace" or "Fran", they will be sucking wind after 30 seconds. Get a power lifter to do "Linda" they will die!
Some people say that it's because strength is appealing to the masses, its the glory event of CrossFit. Is that why hot yoga is one of the most popular fitness trends right now and zumba dancing (if you can call that fitness)? strength is not appealing it's grueling, maybe that's why crossfitters love it.
Here's why I love it: It's my weakness, it is sometimes demoralizing that one of the most important aspects to crossfit is my weakness but thats the deal. So thats why I target strength in my training (rob orlando strength, not andy bolton strength) if gymnastics and/or endurance was my weakness that's what I would target. However, with smart CrossFit programing you cannot leave anything out. And when I say anything I'm not talking movement wise, there are core movements in crossfit and thats all you need, they will make you fitter. Trust the movements. You can't leave anything out with regards to: Endurance, Stamina, Strength, Speed, Power; as well as, each of the three metabolic pathways, and the core movements: Running/rowing, major barbell lifts, and basic gymnastic moves. If you think about these things when programing for yourself, in my humble opinion, you will be on your way to great improvements. Beware, the more advanced an athlete the least improvements you will see, the more you will have to fight for them, and the more you will have to complicate your programming.
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I love the way you think Kev. Consistency is the biggest weapon in my mind a CF athlete has. Staying healthy and training for not a week, not a month but consistently for a couple years is what it takes to get to the level of the top dogs. Damn law of diminishing returns!
ReplyDeleteHey jeff,
ReplyDeleteThat's it for sure. My old triathlon coach used to say you have to stick to your training for 10 years before you can truely master a sport. Which will make crossfitters scary, as most of us have only been doing it 3-5 years.