Happy Thanksgiving!

Gym Dog

Enjoy this day and give thanks for everything positive in your lives. Hug a loved one, your family pet, and each other.

What are we thankful for?

Michelle and I are thankful that you choose to be a part of our gym and train here. We are thankful to all of our coaches for their personal sacrifice, passion and devotion to all of us simply for the joy of training others and helping them get fitter. We are thankful that you as athletes, friends, clients and fellow CrossFitters show up day after day to make yourselves and each other better and for all of the little squatchers who watch and learn and want to be like their parents. We are thankful for the strong community that has been built in this box that won’t hesitate to cheer one another on or tell you to get up, push harder and work for it but at the end still give you a high five.

Having the opportunity to work together and own our own business that is based on sharing our passion for CrossFit to anyone willing to walk in the door is amazing and gratifying. Most importantly we are thankful for another year as a gym surviving, growing, helping and impacting so many lives. Thank YOU.

Happy Thanksgiving! Eat clean (or not) but eat well, rest up and get ready for an ass kicking on Friday.

Mothanks

Smoker

3 Rounds for time:

15 Overhead Squat (95#/65#)
15 Pull-ups
15 Split Jerk (95#/65#)
15 Toes-to-Bar
15 Hang Squat Clean (95#/65#)
15 Weighted Sit-up (45#/25# Plate)

Results 

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Forged

This WOD was a smoker. Limiting this to one bar and tying it to the limit of your overhead squat with good technique kept the scaling and time ranges where they should have been. Watching several classes today I saw a lot of improvement and great form with overhead squats. It was also a great opportunity for good development with the split jerk and hang clean (which the loads were relatively light for a jerk since they were limited by the OHS). 

Weighted Sit-ups Amy_Split Jerk

Jerks and Pull-ups

Notes: 

Grow Your Mo by Hilary Achauer – CrossFit Journal 

Closed tomorrow for Turkey Day and we will have one class Friday at 1030am. Saturday will be on the normal schedule. 

If you haven’t heard about the SRCF Paleo Potluck/Ugly Christmas Sweater Party on Dec. 10 then ask us in the gym! Details are on our FB Group and it’s being hosted by Amanda and Mike L. Be there and look ugly!

Bump and Grind

For Time:

50 Plate Ground to Overhead (45#/25#)
75 Hand Release Push-ups
100 Squats
1250m Row

Results

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Bumper GTO

HR Pushups

New movement and a gasser WOD for the win! This shoulder killer became a lower body whammy by the end. I tweaked this workout from one I found from MBS CrossFit and it worked as intended. The feedback was good so the bumper plate GTO is an exercise we will see again.

Cooking With Massie: Prime Rib and Creamy Horseradish Sauce“,CrossFit Journal preview video [wmv] [mov]

The World's Fastest Lift

For time:

50 Double-Unders
5 Snatch (Squat) – Choose Your Load
40 Double-Unders
4 Snatch
30 Double-Unders
3 Snatch
20 Double-Unders
2 Snatch
10 Double-Unders
1 Snatch

Results 

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Spencer exploding and hitting extension of the ankles, knees and hips (not bad for his first time with these!):

Spencer_Extension

Last week was the dumbbell power snatch, then the overhead squat. Today we combined those movements and worked on the full snatch. This is the fastest and most technical of all the lifts. There are a ton of cues and areas to always fix. The heavier you go the faster you need to be at extending and pulling under the bar. That said it blew me away to watch Spencer learn the movement, make some adjustments and hit the WOD at 95# with no issue. Afterward he practiced and worked up to hit 170# with great technique. I think it’s all in the coaching. 😉

Congrats also to Rhonda who got her first double-under, and Amy who kipped three handstand push-ups with one AbMat today! Jana got her first kipping HSPU the other day too. Practice pays off!

Coaching Tips on the Snatch (also known as Squat or Full Snatch):

Snatch setup_Spencer Snatch Finish_Spencer

  • Set up in a deeper squat than your deadlift, with feet right under your hips
  • Grip bar at your overhead squat grip
  • Utilize the hook grip to avoid pulling with your arms early and to lift more
  • Grip the bar and pull down into a squat, pushing the knees out with the chest up and weight on your heels
  • Take a deep breath and contract your back and ab muscles
  • Lift the barbell off the floor while pushing the weight through your heels into the ground
  • Keeping the bar close to the shins and ensuring that the hips and shoulders rise together
  • Accelerate the bar past the knees and gently pull the bar up and back as you explosively shrug and push your hips forward
  • At the top of the upward shrug simultaneously pull under the bar fast into the overhead squat position
  • Keep the bar overhead in line with your shoulders, hips, and heels while in the overhead squat
  • Look straight ahead and not down at the floor or ground
  • Push your armpits forward while arms are locked overhead as you stand up with the bar
  • Complete the rep by ensuring the hips open fully at the top before lowering the bar

For even more in depth training tips on the snatch see this article from Mike’s Gym.

Learning How to Do Full Snatches” by Bill Starr, CrossFit Journal

“Specializing In Power” with Coach Mike Burgener – video [wmv] [mov]

Thanksgiving Week Schedule

Reebok CrossFit 3D Sidewalk Art Sets Guinness World Record

CrossFit 3D Sidewalk

Today was a long day spent switching out all the lighting fixtures in the box. It was a day well spent. You’ll “see” the difference tomorrow! No more blurry pics at night!

Notes:

Later this week will be a limited schedule to allow for everyone to be thankful for stuffing their faces. Please read below and plan accordingly.

  • Thursday 11/24 we are CLOSED for Thanksgiving
  • Friday 11/25 we will have one class at 1030. All other classes are cancelled. Come burn off the turkey, stuffing, gravy and pumpkin pie.
  • Saturday 11/26 we will have our regular 0930 Main Class and 1045 Advanced RX Class

 Debra and Jim taking vacation pics CrossFit style:

Debra HS Jim Mc HS

Here’s video of the record breaking sidewalk art:

    

2 Minute Warning

Choose a minimum of 5 of the following 2 Minute challenges:

2 Minutes Max Reps Challenge List:
Chest to Bar Pull-ups
Deadlift (225#/155#)
Box Jumps (24″/20″)
Shoulder to Overhead (115#/75#)
Double-Unders
Overhead Squats (45#/35#)
Crab Walk (10m)
Toes to Bar  

Burpees 
Bar Muscle-Ups
Ring Muscle-Ups

* Rest 2 Minutes between challenges 

** Advanced RX Class choose minimum 6 Challenges

Results

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Introducing the “MoSistas”: 

MoSistas

This make me Mo proud! Solidarity among mustaches.

Not a team WOD but hopefully fun nonetheless. This mash-up of multiple 2 minute challenges was something I have been wanting to try for a little while now to see how it would work out. Having tried most of these individually, putting these together make for a good workout and also a fun way to test yourself in several movements. 

Always a Competitor: Cheryl Brost ~ CrossFit Games

Rich Froning does “Grace” at 225 pounds in 4:49 – video [wmv] [mov]

Jana_2 Min Mustached Crab Walks M and Rona Stached
Spencer_2 Min DL

Rope-a-dope

For Time:

10 Front Squat (135#/95#)
1 Rope Climb (15′)
9 Front Squat  
1 Rope Climb
8 Front Squat 
1 Rope Climb
7 Front Squat 
1 Rope Climb
6 Front Squat  
1 Rope Climb
5 Front Squat 
1 Rope Climb
4 Front Squat  
1 Rope Climb
3 Front Squat  
1 Rope Climb
2 Front Squat  
1 Rope Climb
1 Front Squat  
1 Rope Climb

* Sub 2 Supine Rope Climbs or 5 Supine Ring Rows per Rope Climb

Results

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WOD Demo with Chris Spealler – video [wmv] [mov]

Question of the day: What could make this WOD any cooler? 

Answer: A mustache

Trapper aka “Man of Action” doing Movember and MoBros everywhere proud:

Man of Action

Scaled. It’s not a bad word. It’s essential. It’s smart. It’s also how you stay safe and avoid injury while learning technique, body position, build up strength, and get to “RX” faster. While everyone chases the sexy RX for a WOD, it’s important to know when and why to scale. In our box I think we do a very good job of scaling, self-scaling, and moving well. I also think we foster an environment where scaling is encouraged and essential for all CrossFitters at some point. This afternoon I was able to observe some examples of different types of scaling and situations that needed it. Coach Mark and I talked about programming the WOD for Saturday that allows the objective I had in mind but still allows for scaling options. I also heard some questions that led me to reflect on the subject of scaling in a workout. 

Consider some of the reasons to scale.

  1. Are you hurt? Scale it, substitute something else, or rest and recover. 
  2. Are you pushing a load or weight that is at your limit; as in your 1 Rep Max limit? Then today is not the WOD to attempt 45 to 100 reps of them. Drop the weight and go with something that is in line with what you can do safely. 
  3. Are you new? Scale it, build up the experience and work capacity. Be patient.
  4. Are you attempting multiple exercises in a workout that when combined will be sure to reduce you to either a heap on the floor by round 2 or have you moving at what feels like an underwater marathon? This is when you need to realize that getting your first pull-up or handstand push-up before the WOD doesn’t mean you will suddenly be able to knock out 100. 
  5. Are you just not “feeling it” today? No prob, lighten it and do your best. Then eat well, roll out and rest.

For all of these scenarios, find a range that you know you can do or may be slightly more than the last time you did it but where you can still maintain proper form, range of motion, and intensity that is ideal for the workout.  If the workout is designed to be 10-15 minutes on average, then scale to keep it that way. A lighter barbell for example to make up for a slower rope climb technique is not only smart training, it’s ideal if it prevents you from zombie-walking through the WOD. Every workout of the day has an ideal time duration in mind. Even if you can lift something or do a few solid reps of an exercise, if you end up in a range far outside of the intended target realize your intensity is lower and your power output is muted. This impacts your progress. A perfect example would be “Fran”. This workout of 45 total reps of Thrusters and Pull-ups should be sub ten minutes and ideally 5-8 minutes. If you finish far over it, note for next time to drop the weight, grab a band and move faster. 

As the athlete I know it’s tough to have to scale mid-workout. I also know how hungry a goal can make you such that wanting to do that workout with the weight or movement at any cost can fire you up. Balance that with the potential for injuring yourself and ending up taking off several days, weeks, or months from training and ask yourself is it worth it? Consider setting up a strategy for a new movement in advance of the WOD. For example, if you just got RX handstand push-ups, then start each round in a workout with a RX rep or two and then move to the scaled movement. Over the course of the workout you’ll squeeze in several reps at various states of fatigue and build on that skill. Or if it’s a barbell, use the PR plates to add something sensible.

Lastly, when your coach suggests you scale or change something, weigh that input with why they are asking it. Especially when it is during the WOD. We have your best interest at heart, believe me we want to see you smoke the WOD but we also don’t want you taking unneccessary risks and getting hurt. Our job is to help you move correctly and efficiently, so when a cue is being offered it means you need to make an adjustment. Don’t beat yourself up, embrace it and watch how quickly you get stronger, fitter and faster. Rock on Squatches!

Josh_FS M_Rope Climb

Jason_Rope Climb Michelle_FS

Notes:

Normal class times Saturday (0930 Main Class / 1045 Advanced RX Class)

Heavy Overhead

Strength WOD:

5/5/4/3/2/1/1/1
Overhead Squat

Checkout WOD:

Partner up and complete 3 Rounds for time of:

250m Row
Max Reps Ring Push-ups 
* One partner rows 250m while the other completes ring push-ups, then swap. Score reps per round.

Results

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Caryn hits a new 1 Rep Max:

Caryn_1RM OHS

OHS Coaching Tip:

  • A properly executed Rack Jerk is a skill that is REQUIRED to achieve a true max overhead squat load (learn how to take the bar out of a rack and get it overhead safely)
  • Proper shoulder position is vital in the overhead squat, maintain the armpits forward with an “active” shoulder
  • To help ensure that position, focus on knuckles to the sky and “pull” the bar apart in your hands
  • Keep a tight core with tight abs and spinal erectors, holding your breath during the descent of the squat
  • Hips go back and knees stay out as you squat
  • Don’t rush out of the bottom or “hole”
  • Drive up from the bottom of the squat by pushing through your heels and powering up through your lumbar region/hips (or your lower back/butt)
  • Stand all the way up and fully open your hips before lowering the bar

Jan driving up out of the hole with good overhead and shoulder positioning:

Jan_OHS

The Med Ball Progression with Erik Preston and Dave Lipson – video [wmv] [mov]

Snatch then Squat not Squat Snatch

3 Rounds for time:
Run 400m
10 Dumbbell Hang Power Snatch (each arm) (40#/25#)
50 Squats

Results

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DB Power Snatch_Michelle DB Power Snatch_Rona

Coach Rona got her first muscle-up today! That’s both her and Meghann in the same week.  Our first two women to get muscle-ups ever in the box!

Rona and Meghann have done something this past week that is a hey-uge milestone. And I missed it both times. FML… I know they are both stoked and proud but I honestly am probably more so than either of them. I may not have run jumping into Rona’s arms for a chest bump (like she did tonight after getting it as I walked into the box) but after all the time watching the hard work, practice and determination it’s an exciting payoff to see them both get it.

Every PR is important. Some get more attention than others, but something like a muscle-up honestly deserves that attention. Rona finally did it; her fellow coaches, husband and all of her SRCF friends just tried different ways to explain it, motivate, or encourage. In the end though it came down to Rona’s efforts and belief that she WOULD do it. And she DID. Bam! The journey continues.

Now ring that damn PR Bell. 

Notes:

SRCF Movember T-shirts. Because every man deserves a little luxury.

Mockupmovember

For use liberally every year during the stache-tastic month of November. Front will say “Du hast mustache?” and the back will have the “SnoRidge CrossFit Movember” logo.

  • Men: Order yours now if you want one. Order goes in this Thursday evening
  • RULES: You must have a stache and participated in Movember!
  • Cost: $20 each
  • Shirts are American Apparel 50/50 in this weather heather/olive color with black ink.