Video and Media – Page 237 – SNORIDGE CROSSFIT

Deadlift, Rest, Repeat 10 Times

Strength WOD:

Resting 60 Seconds Between Sets

Deadlift 2/2/2/2/2/2/2/2/2/2

Check Out WOD Immediately After:

“Ab-Dominator”

2 Rounds for Time:
20 Toes-to-Bar
20 AbMat Sit-ups
20 Overhead Sit-ups (35#/15#)

Results

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Today I thought I would write about workout programming for the box and how I go about it. This was something I thought about after watching a recent video on the main site. Programming is tons of fun as well as tons of work. It may seem like it’s as simple as throwing stuff together and then writing it on the whiteboard, and while that can produce a good workout now and then it isn’t the recipe for long term success or effectiveness. Purpose is important and periodization can play a role. Identifying, training and improving weaknesses while building on strengths is vital. Changing workout formats and introducing new skills and challenges keeps it fun and raises the bar. Making it fun is the overall goal (in a sick CrossFit kind of way), because it has to be fun or leave you with a sense of being challenged to make you feel like the WOD was a worthy accomplishment on your path to fitness.

Each week I sit down on Sunday evenings and fully plan out the WOD’s for the next week. This cycle usually means I throw several extra WOD’s into the hopper that carry over to roughly 2 weeks worth of programming at a time. Looking at the past month to see what we have been training, and keeping an eye on the month(s) ahead; my goals are to keep it constantly varied with a constant swing between push/pull, squat/overhead, as well as across both time and modal domains. I look to balance weightlifting, gymnastics, and cardio-respiratory endurance activities across short, medium, and long time-frame WOD’s. I search out gym-wide weaknesses and formulate a plan to address them, or begin teaching and practicing movements that are building blocks to more advanced movements. Another area to consider is building strength as it is vital to getting fitter. Increased strength and muscle mass are key to avoiding the old folks home and essential to living as we were meant to, which is ready and able to tackle the unknown. Putting in Benchmark and Hero WOD’s or ones that we have done previously are important as tests and make it “CrossFit”. On top of all that I consider how we keep a balance across the basic fundamentals and advanced skills while also working on ways to ensure individual progress is being made across all of you athletes who have different fitness levels and goals.

Michelle helps me as my sounding board every week (and as the voice of reason) and I also get inputs from some of our fellow coaches, other boxes or look through the archives of CrossFit.com. The WOD’s from .com are always hard. Usually they are deceiving and the simplest ones are the ones that either catch my eye, or make me want to try them to see why they must be so challenging. For the WOD’s we program in our gym I try to at least either have done them in the past, recently done them a few days prior with myself or other coaches, or trust that they are good because of the source (like CrossFit.com or another box we respect – which are many). Michelle regularly follows our programming. For me, it is my personal policy to do or have previously done at least 3 out of every 5 WOD’s each week (not counting a rest day, we program six). This leaves me a couple days to fit in other new or different WOD’s to add to the mix, address my own weaknesses or learn new skills.

This is one of the most challenging yet fun parts of it (besides coaching of course). The immense pride and satisfaction Michelle and I get from seeing all of you splayed out on the floor in sweaty heaps unable to talk after a WOD lets us know we did our job! Just kidding. The real satisfaction is seeing each of you hit new PR’s, learn new movements, get a heavier lift, or nail the form and technique of something that has been building on itself week after week. Most importantly watching each of you realize your goals, lose weight, run races or fit in new clothes is the icing on the cake. Seeing the community we have built in the gym jump in and teach one another something as simple as a pass through to explaining the age-old question “What’s a thruster?” means WOD after WOD that it’s working. Is it perfect? No. Can it be? Probably not. Will we try to make it better each and every week with sound and solid programming? Yes. That is because as in the WOD itself where each day the question is “what do I have to give?”, so it is when I sit down at the computer on Sunday and ask “what do I have in store to get our people fitter?”.

Insights into how programming is done for the main site from CrossFit.com: Tony Budding reviews the last WOD cycle – video [wmv] [mov]

Notes:

Who’s interested in a 0830 class either 1 or 2 times per week? So far we have one vote for it and a possible 2nd. We want to offer the class time with Mark if it works for you. Post to comments.

"Double the Fun"

4 Rounds of 3 Minutes Each Round to Complete:

500m Row
Max Reps of Double-Unders in remaining time
* Rest 3 minutes before next round

Score total number of Double-Unders

Results

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Nan Rows 500:

We have been meaning to get a Rowing Clinic on the books with Lucy (a former competitive rower for those who don’t know) for all of you. Rest assured it’s coming and likely will need to wait until we are in the new space – which will be soon!

Until then focus on these tips from Lucy that you can incorporate into your warm-up:

1. Hands only (fast hands, keeping them straight/cog level)
2. Hands and lean only (no break in legs)
3. All of the above and quarter slide (small crack in knees)
4. All of the above and half slide
5. All of the above and three quarter slide
6. Full slide
7. Work your way back down to hands only to finish

“Also, doing 500m with feet ‘not’ strapped in. This gets you to focus on core stability and you can’t rush the slide at all or you will fall off! Great for those slide rushers!”

In addition to those tips, go to the Concept 2 site and watch “what right looks like” in the Proper Rowing Technique video. This breaks down very clearly and quickly the two phases of “Drive” and “Recovery” and the two positions of “Catch” and “Finish”.

Donny Double-Under:

Notes:

Don’t forget Saturday is the Stop the Slop Nutrition and Performance Challenge Kick-off at 9am! Following that the Sat. WOD will start at 10:15am.

Nutrition Discussion with Todd Widman (from CrossFit Headquarters Training and Certification Staff): This highly informative and valuable discussion on nutrition will be open to all at Imperial CrossFit on Jan. 25. A few of us are planning to go so let your coaches know if you are interested. I have heard him give this talk twice and plan to make it a third time. I always learn something new and come away motivated to dial it in a little more.

Where: Imperial CrossFit
When: 1/25 at 5:30pm
Cost: 10 bones

"Death by Wall Ball"

With a continuously running clock perform 2 Wall Balls the first minute, 4 Wall Balls the second minute, 6 the third minute, and so on, continuing to add 2 each minute until you cannot complete the required number of reps in the given minute.

Score total rounds and reps in the last round completed.

Results

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Today’s emphasis on “Above the Line” clearly in play:

Yesterday we announced the Nutrition and Performance “Stop the Slop” Challenge. Sign up this week prior to the kick off on Saturday at 9am. If you are jumping in and need some insights into how to revamp your habits at the “Gro-Sto” for food shopping check out Whole9‘s tips in their latest blog post. “Paleo Poor: Your Guide to the Grocery Store“

Random:

Announcing some new ways to pay:

We are introducing a discount for those who want to pre-pay their dues either 6 months (15% off) or 12 months (20% off) in advance!
We are in the process of starting EFT as well for an easier month-to-month billing solution, expect to see it up and running next week

Classes:

Starting this Friday we will add a weekly 6pm class on Fridays with Jeremy D. This will not change Moe’s regular 5pm schedule.

Wed. 8am class this week: Post to comments if you are planning to come otherwise it is cancelled.

Notes:

Congrats to Rona who got her first kipping handstand push-up today! Also welcome to Josh, Mollie, Amy, and Penny who just started or are about to complete Elements. Be sure to introduce yourself when you see them for the WOD.

Video highlights from the Mt. Rainier Strongest Man and Woman 5 at Rainier CrossFit back in November (Mark put this video together from Pat’s footage):

"Bottom to Bottom Tabata"

Tabata Squat: Perform max reps of air squats for 8 consecutive intervals of: 20 seconds of work followed by 10 seconds of rest.

The Tabata “Bottom to Bottom Squat” is a Tabata Squat but each rep begins at the bottom and ends at the bottom. The turn around at the top is immediate – no pause. The ten-second rest for each interval is also held at the bottom of the squat as opposed to the top. Interestingly, this squat, in contrast to the “normal” Tabata squat, motivates full hip extension. Also, the ten second rests don’t seem as short with this protocol!

5 Minute Rest then Complete:

Max Effort 500m Row

4 minute Rest then Complete:

2 Minutes L Sit Hold – Count number of times you touch the ground

Results

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Quote of the Day: “I would curse at you right now but I don’t have the energy.” ~ Jorge to me after the WOD

Quote of the Day 2: “Ahhhhhhhhh! Owwwwww! Sh*t! My legs!” ~ randomly repeated class after class

New Year’s Eve WOD means time to ring in the New Year with some hard work and then some partying before the resolutions kick in. Get ready to kick off 2011 yet and set some goals that are specific and measurable and worth going after. Make plenty of small goals you will accomplish that will lead to a larger end goal. Think about focusing them on personal, family, career, nutrition and fitness for starters.

Read: “The Whole9 Healthy/F-Off Scale, Version 2.0” then make your own scale.

Notes:

Squatch captured on film getting ready to hit his WOD. Or is it Curtis?

Power Hour

Strength WOD:

Power Clean

3/3/3

Checkout:

AMRAP (As Many Rounds As Possible) in 15 minutes:

2 Power Cleans (Bodyweight)
4 Handstand Push-ups
8 Wall Balls (20#/14#)

Results

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“If at first you don’t succeed, you obviously aren’t Chuck Norris.”

~ from Chuck Norris Cannot Be Stopped

One hour of total power! Power Cleans are looking better and better. Think jump, shrug, hips open and fast elbows. Getting up to cleaning your bodyweight may be strong stuff but technique and speed over strength will get you there faster.

Assisting the Banded Handstand Push-up:

Are you making your New Year’s Resolutions? If so then why not put them in writing. Make them count and go after achieving them. Try the Goal Setting website from lululemon athletica: goaltender

Notes:

New Year’s Schedule:

Friday 12/31 we will have classes at 9am, 10am, 11am by sign-up in the box on the whiteboard! (11am time will be used for overflow)
We will take 10 per WOD for sign-ups (please write on the whiteboard only) and if we get too crowded don’t worry we will find a way to fit you in
Saturday 1/1 we will be closed for the Holiday

"Pushing Annie"

Quote of the day post-WOD: “I felt like crying, but I decided to get mad instead.” ~ Rona

50/40/30/20/10 reps each of for time:

Double-Unders
AbMat Sit-ups
Push-ups

Results

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Couples CrossFit:

Read: “Six Keys to being Excellent at Anything” by Tony Schwartz – Harvard Business Review

According to Jorge we made this horrible WOD even more horrible. In truth though we didn’t make this version. I just found it. Adding push-ups to “Annie” makes it a new challenge and a full body workout. It also makes it a reason to hate push-ups almost as much as double-unders.

Notes:

New Year’s Schedule:

Friday 12/31 we will have classes at 9am, 10am, 11am by sign-up in the box on the whiteboard! (11am time will be used for overflow)
We will take 10 per WOD for sign-ups (please write on the whiteboard only) and if we get too crowded don’t worry we will find a way to fit you in
Saturday 1/1 we will be closed for the Holiday

"DT"

“DT“

In honor of USAF SSgt Timothy P. Davis, 28, who was killed on Feburary, 20 2009 supporting operations in OEF when his vehicle was struck by an IED.

5 Rounds for time:
12 Deadlift (155#/105#)
9 Hang Power Clean (155#/105#)
6 Push Jerk (155#/105#)

Results

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Compare to previous results

The movements of DT:

“Iceland” Annie Thorisdottir (Women’s 2nd Place Overall: 2010 CF Games) completes “DT” in 4:49 RX’d [wmv] [mov]

Great effort today by all and judging by the results the scaling was appropriate to allow better focus on technique, movement and intensity over going too heavy and slogging through a brutal WOD!

Notes:

No 6am class this week on Tuesday/Thursday. 6am classes will be back to normal next week. Stay tuned for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day WOD Schedule.

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes!

Merry Christmas to everyone at SnoRidge CrossFit! Santa brought us a NEW box!

2011 means new things for SnoRidge CrossFit. We are taking a leap and hoping to go big or go home. Quite literally. We are super stoked to announce that we have bought a bigger space right here on the Ridge! If it doesn’t work then we will either go home or move in. (That means please stick with us!)

Hopefully by February we will be opening SRCF version 3.0 (1.0 was the garage, 2.0 is our current location). We have secured an agreement for a building that is more than twice our current size within the same Venture Commerce Center we all run around almost everyday, only this building is located in the long building along Center St. (same building as the All State office) that our 400m run route goes past.

The cool features:

Warehouse space will have more space than our current box (should handle 13-14 barbells comfortably)
30′ fully exposed ceilings and rafters to hang more ropes and rings
2 toilets to allow for twice the capacity of pre-WOD nervous pee-ers!
Front entry area that will have it’s own new Squatch Cave, office space, and a seating area
Storage cubbies and lockers so you can lose more of your shit at the box!
Huge roll-up garage door on the back to the alley (this alone makes it CrossFit)
More wall space for wall ball and handstand push-up torture
No change to the run routes
Still has alley access so we can WOD outside
Ample room for an all new pull-up structure to hold more people
An upstairs area for Elements and Kids programs, as well as warm-ups and skills work
Front door entrance that won’t also be the WOD entry/exit
Overall size is around 2600 square feet
General all around badass-ness!!!

A few other things to announce:

New weekly Friday 6pm class with Jeremy D. starts January 7th
CF Kids will kick off in the New Year with Michelle and Moe (Class details TBA)
Discount pricing for those wishing to pay their dues 6 and 12 months in advance will be announced January 1st.
Plenty more epic things to come.

Video Tour:

"The 12 Days of Christmas WOD"

Like the song the “12 Days of Christmas”, complete each exercise in ascending order then work back down, adding one exercise per round.

Ex. On the 1st day of Christmas, my coaches gave to me, one Sumo Deadlift High Pull; on the 2nd day of Christmas my coaches gave to me, 2 Thrusters and 1 SDHP; on the 3rd day of Christmas, my coaches gave to me, 3 Push Press, 2 Thrusters, and 1 SDHP; continue with 4 Power Cleans, 3, 2, 1 etc. up the ladder and down

For Time:

1 Sumo Deadlift High Pull (75#/55#)
2 Thrusters (75#/55#)
3 Push Press (75#/55#)
4 Power Cleans (75#/55#)
5 Power Snatches (75#/55#)
6 Kettlebell Swings (53#/35#)
7 Pull-ups
8 Knees-to-Elbows
9 Box Jumps (24″/20″)
10 Double Unders
11 Burpees
12 Overhead Walking Lunge Steps (45#/25# Plate)

Results

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Previous Results

Today was a record single class turnout! We had 37 Squatches turn out for the Christmas Eve WOD which made a packed box! For all who had to wait a few waves and put up with the multi-tasking I am sorry for that, but we really focused to get people moving and through the WOD to get back to your holiday plans. I’m also stoked with the energy and community everyone showed. Seeing so many people show up with holiday attire and good cheer means we must be collectively doing something right. Good games and chest bumps go to Moe and Jeremy for running a couple waves outside in the drizzle to push more people through.

This WOD is a long one and for sure a tough workout; however from a coaching perspective what I like about it is the loads are relatively light (or you should scale it to be light) which allow you to keep moving and to learn movements through repetition. The barbell complex at first can confuse some (I admit I even messed up when I finally went even after briefing it so many times), but after several rounds it drives muscle memory and links certain movements together that can make it “click”. At a minimum all of you should never ask “what’s a thruster” again. As I compared this to last year’s results I realized that today we did the WOD slightly different from what we ran last year (I honestly don’t remember why I pulled out power snatches but my guess is due to deadlifts being easier to coach and transition to cleans). Last year in round 5 we did 5 deadlifts each time. This time we had 5 power snatches, which are tougher, slower and more technical. We also did burpees in the 11th round and lunges in the 12th round this year. Last year they were flipped and we did lunges in the 11th and burpees only once in the 12th round. I am pretty sure doubling the burpees takes a little more time than doubling the lunges. Yay burpees!

From your coaches at SnoRidge CrossFit, we want to wish everyone and their families a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays and hope you are safe and warm with your loved ones. See you Monday!

Flickr album:

Row, Run, Jump

For Time:

1000m Row
1 Mile Run
50 Double-Unders

Results

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From the book “Chuck Norris Cannot Be Stopped”:

“When Arnold says the line “I’ll be back” in the first Terminator movie, it is implied that he is going to ask Chuck Norris for help.”

Tomorrow is the “12 Days of Christmas WOD”!

Wear something red and green, a bad Christmas sweater, or a santa hat, or bring your festivus pole. We will sing a carol, spread the yuletide cheer then start at 10am and send the first wave as soon as 8 are ready. If you can make 10:45am as well feel free to show up, begin warming up, and get ready for the next wave.

Also did you know every time a kettlebell swings an angel earns it’s wings?

Notes:

CrossFit vs. Zumba: