Month: September 2019

  • October 1, 2019

    Skill

    Tabata Toe-to-bar or kipping swings

    For our skill work spend your time practicing one set of kipping toe-to-bar in every twenty second work period. If you are new to the movement practice connecting kipping swings and getting your knees or toes as high as possible while maintaining a fluid hollow-to-arch swing.

    WOD

    5 Rounds with one minute at each station

    Two arm dumbbell burpee power clean 50/35 lb
    Rest
    Air assault bike for calories
    Rest

    Workout notes

    Today’s workout is a five round interval workout with four minutes allotted for each round.  You will have a minute to rest and transition after working for a minute at both stations.  With a 1:1 work rest ratio you have the opportunity to test a little bit higher intensity than you might in a workout without prescribed rest.  Both of the movements in our workout today require a high level of strength so you will want to moderate your pace somewhat.   If you can, start at a sustainable effort and increase intensity in each round so you are able to complete the same amount of work for all five rounds.  The two arm burpee dumbbell power clean is most likely a new movement for you work through a few reps in warm up so you can move efficiently during the workout.   Each rep starts with the dumbbells on the floor while you are standing tall. Drop down into a burpee and then step or spring up into a good starting position before bringing the dumbbells to your shoulders.

     

  • September 30, 2019

    Skill

    Deadlift
    1-1-1-1-1

    Work up to a heavy single deadlift today.  This doesn’t necessarily mean you go up to max effort, but work up in weight as you feel comfortable. Judge your effort by the strain it takes you to achieve each lift.  New lifters should keep the load light and work on proper body mechanics as they increase in weight.  Start with a light weight and make sure that you have established a straight back and an  appropriate setup as you address the bar.  Be sure to maintain your posture as you increase in weight.  Warm up with multiple reps as you build in weight and when the bar starts to feel heavy drop to singles until you’ve hit your max for the day

    WOD

    AMRAP in 12 Minutes

    21 Air squats
    12 Kettlebell swings 32/24 kg

    Workout notes

    Today’s workout is a  twelve minute couplet of a small set of bodyweight squats and kettlebell swings. Your score be the total number of rounds and reps you complete after twelve minutes are complete.  For the air squats, establish what your full range of motion is and maintain that movement standard for the entire workout.  Do your best to get your hip crease below parallel and finish each rep by standing tall with your knees and hips fully extended.  Twelve kettlebell swings is a relatively small set so this would be a great opportunity to test a heavier kettlebell if that is something you have been considering.  If you do choose a heavier load pick a weight that you can complete all twelve swings in at most 2-3 sets.

  • September 29, 2019

    WOD

    2 Rounds for time

    1000M Run
    25 Pull-ups
    25 Box Jumps 24/20″

    Workout notes

    Today’s workout is a two round triplet with three bodyweight movements. You will start each round with a 1000M run and then move into the the gym to tackle large sets of pull-ups and box jumps.  For the pull-ups you will want to use a scaling option that allows you to work through each round in small sustainable sets.  Pace the box jumps by establishing a cadence that allows you to work through all twenty-five reps in a continuous sustained effort.  That might mean resting momentarily at the top of your rep or as you restart from the floor.

  • September 28, 2019

    WOD

    AMRAP in 25 Minutes

    10-20-30-40-50 … *
    Burpees

    * 200M uneven farmer carry before every round

    Workout notes

    This workout will start with an uneven farmer carry down to the cage and back before starting into a small set of ten burpees. After you finish those ten burpees set out on another carry before you tackle another set of burpees.  We’ll increase the burpee number by ten reps every round.  The workout is heavily loaded  with farmer carries early on when the burpee rounds are quicker.  In the end your score will be the number of burpees in the last round you completed plus any additional reps in your final incomplete round. For example, if you finished round of forty and did another farmer carry and 49 burpees your score would be 40 +249.

  • September 27, 2019

    Skill

    Every 90 seconds for 8 rounds

    20 Double unders then 1 squat clean

    Today we have an alternate timing and a different challenge for our barbell work.  We’ll use a ninety second interval timer and you will have eight opportunities to work up to a strong effort squat clean.  Start each round with an easy set on the jump rope.  If you are proficient at the double unders complete twenty and then move to the barbell for one lift.  If you are still working on double unders scale the volume to a number you can complete in about twenty to thirty seconds.  If double unders are new to you complete twenty single unders but attempt at least one double under in every round. Give yourself a thirty second cap so you have plenty of time to attempt a clean regardless of how the double unders go.

    WOD

    for time

    21-15-9

    power cleans 115/85 lb
    front squats 115/85 lb

    Workout notes

    Yesterday’s workout was fairly long one with an emphasis on bodyweight skills.  This couplet differs in that both movements feature the barbell and should have a much shorter sprint type feel to it.  The benchmark load on the bar is intended to be light.  You should be able to tackle each round by starting with a few touch and go reps or by knocking out quick singles with very little rest between reps.  Remember to adequately test both barbell skills and scale the load based on which one is more difficult.

  • September 26, 2019

    Skill

    10×1 Lunge Kick to Freestanding handstand OR Handstand Walk practice

    If you are new to this skill start by gently kicking up to a wall or practice wall walks to build the upper body strength and midline positioning that this skill requires. If you are comfortable in a handstand start by gently rocking up onto your hands and increase the height of your legs with each attempt.  Save yourself from a crash and burn by being conservative and trying to find a vertical balance point before you start barreling across the gym.  You will need to be able to hang out upside down with locked out arms so make sure to have a bail out plan or partner assist in place if this is new to you.  If you are comfortable kicking in to a freestanding handstand on your own spend today practicing walking on your hands or try tackling an obstacle or two!

    WOD

    for time *

    400M Run
    100 Push-ups
    400M Run
    100 Sit-ups
    400M Run
    100 Kettlebell swings 32/24 kg
    400M Run

    * 30 minute time cap

    Workout notes

    This workout is going to fall into a fairly long time domain. We’re going to add a 30 minute cap but ideally most of us are finishing well below that.  We have a total of 100 reps each of push-ups, sit-ups and kettlebell swings as well as a mile of running.  The first way to scale this workout is going to be by adjusting the volume so you are able to keep a high level of intensity during each part.  The runs can be scaled to 300 or 200M runs and each of the movements in the gym can be reduced in volume as well to 75 or 50 reps.   If a 400M run takes you well over two minutes you should be looking at scaling the distance so you can maintain a quick pace.  The same goes for the the high rep sets done in the gym.   100 push-ups in a row can be difficult as most of us will hit a wall early on.  Break early and often so you can maintain a sustainable pace.  If you are in between weights on the kettlebell today is NOT the day to try a heavier weight.  Use a weight you know you can start the round by knocking out a large set and chipping away with moderate sets.  If you are new to CrossFit or thinking you might need a good scaling option consider the following.

    300M Run
    50 Push-ups
    300M Run
    50 Sit-ups
    300M Run
    50 Kettlebell swings
    300M Run

  • September 25, 2019

    Skill

    EMOM for 10 Minutes
    3 Power Snatch

    Perform three power snatches every minute for a total of 10 rounds. You can choose to link your reps together or perform three singles, but make sure you’re able to get all 3 reps done within each minute.  The weight you choose should be in the  moderate effort range.  An appropriate weight would likely be 65-70% or less for newer lifters. Consider starting with a weight you are very familiar with and increasing by small increments if  the lifts are going well.  Even though we are not squatting in this version of the snatch, make sure to drop underneath the bar slightly as you catch it with your hips behind you.  If mobility is an issue for you, talk to your coach about practicing a split snatch!

    WOD

    5 Rounds with one minute on each station

    Wall ball shots 20/14 lb 10/9′
    Power snatch 75/55 lb

    Workout notes

    Today’s workout is a five round interval workout with no rest between movements.  We are alternating between wall ball shots and power snatches and your score will be the total number of repetitions you complete after ten minutes.  The wall ball shot is largely a pressing movement and the power snatch would be considered a pulling movement but both full range of motion lifting exercises so don’t expect too much recovery as you switch back and forth.  Plan on tackling this by breaking up the minute into large sustainable sets with short rest rather than going all out early on and hitting failure.  You will also want to build in some time to rest and transition between stations.  For larger classes we’ll pair up with partners agreeing on a medicine ball and barbell weight.  Both loads should be light enough that you could start each round with a large set.  If you are stuck performing singles on either movement you have gone too heavy.

     

  • September 24, 2019

    Skill

    Tabata pull-ups or kipping swings

    Today’s skill work can be approached in a number of ways. If you are experienced with kipping pull-ups use this opportunity to work on holding straight sets in each round using traditional Tabata scoring.  Keep in mind that we often see the kipping pull-up skill work on the minute and this effort will essentially be twice as hard as that format!  If you are new to the skill, work on linking together the hollow and arch position in each interval.

    WOD

    AMRAP in 20 Minutes

    4 left arm dumbbell hang clean & jerk 50/35 lb
    4 right arm dumbbell hang clean & jerk 50/35 lb
    4 jumping alternating lunges
    20 Double unders

    Workout notes

    Today’s workout is a long duration triplet with a lifting movement and two bodyweight movements.  Start each round with a set of four dumbbell hang clean and jerks on each arm. You will then set the dumbbell down before knocking out four jumping lunges and a small set of double unders.  The set sizes are small and rounds for this workout are meant to go fairly quickly with quick transitions.  Use a dumbbell weight that you can easily sustain unbroken sets of four deep into the workout.  The double unders will be tough coming off of the lunges so first scale by choosing a number that takes you about thirty seconds to complete or switch to single unders but make at least one attempt in every round.

     

  • September 23, 2019

    Skill

    Back Squat

    7-7-7

    Today we’re performing 3 sets of 7 Squats working up to a moderate set of squats. This rep range may be unfamiliar territory so spend some time thinking about how you would perform a large set of heavy squats. The best strategy is to take a moment to take a few slow and deep breaths at the top of every rep to allow some recovery before you start your next rep.  This will help you to avoid hitting failure. A weight that is in the 70% range would be appropriate for more experienced lifters.  Start light with an an empty bar and make sure you are performing all of your reps to your full range of motion.  We do this not only to warm each joint through it’s entire range but to reinforce proper mechanics.  Maintain an upright and rigid torso through each rep.   You should NOT be hitting failure on this but just in case be sure to review how to ditch a back squat and use spotters when needed. Please respect other lifters during their sets by waiting rather than walking in front or behind them during their sets.

    WOD

    AMRAP in 7 Minutes*

    Thrusters 95/65 lb

    4 Burpees EMOM

    Workout notes

    This two element workout is in a classic format.   You will have a four burpee buy in at 0:00 and perform four more burpees every minute for the rest of the workout. Use a weight light enough that you can start each round with a big set and then rest momentarily before the next round or if you have time knock out another small set.   With the workout potentially being a little shorter than we usually encounter you can push the pace somewhat in the beginning and try to hang on in the last few rounds.

     

  • September 22, 2019

    WOD

    3 Rounds for time
    20 Power Snatch 75/55 lb
    400M
    20 Overhead walking lunge steps 75/55 lb
    400M Run

    Workout notes

    Today’s workout is a three round triplet with two weightlifting movements separated by a monostructural run. The benchmark load is on the lighter side and we have a long of running so this workout falls into the oxidative time domain. Even though you can treat those runs as a bit of recovery from the barbell be sure not to go so heavy that you are working at max effort and find yourself totally depleted on the runs. Your load should be light enough you can complete each round on the barbell in 2-4 sets.  The OHWL steps will be done in place with the barbell. Be sure to full test out the load overhead and make sure you can maintain an upright torso and locked out arms. If overhead mobility is an issue for you switch to front rack lunges.