*We’re not far from releasing a date for Clash on the Coast 2017. Start planning your MM/FF teams!
10 Rounds for time of:
10 Knees to Elbows
Run 50m
10 Ball Slams 12/9kg
Run 50m
*Reduce the Knees to Elbows by 1 rep per round.
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World Class Fitness in 100 words- In October 2002, Greg Glassman famously defined fitness in exactly 100 words—a definition that laid the cornerstone of CrossFit as we know it today. “World-Class Fitness in 100 Words.” laid out a clear, holistic blueprint embracing what to eat, how to train, and how to live actively and creatively. This foundational message, first published in The CrossFit Journal: simple, eloquent, and all-encompassing, it’s a prescription suited to both novices and advanced athletes alike. What It Teaches Us: This approach isn’t about perfection—it’s about embracing balance, mastering movement, maintaining intensity, and relentlessly cultivating adaptability. Final Words: A Call to Action Let this concise prescription serve as more than guidance—it’s your call to action. Whether you’re just starting your journey or already pushing your limits, remember: Every great journey begins with one thoughtful decision: to show up!!!Follow this prescription, apply it consistently, and watch your fitness—and life—flourish!
Virtuosity in CrossFit: Mastering the Basics for Lifelong Fitness The term “virtuosity” refers to “performing the common uncommonly well” Greg Glassman. In CrossFit this principle emphasizes the importance of mastering fundamental movements with precision and consistency before advancing to more complex exercises. The ideal squat, push-up, and pull-up are benchmarks we should all strive for. Virtuous movement is unmistakable—it commands attention. The Essence of VirtuosityAt its core, virtuosity in CrossFit is about executing basic movements—such as squats, push-ups, and deadlifts—with impeccable form and control. It’s not about performing flashy or advanced techniques; it’s about doing the everyday movements exceptionally well. This approach leads to greater efficiency, reduced risk of injury, and a solid foundation for tackling more challenging workouts. The Interconnectedness of Movements“Everything is everything” – At first glance, it might seem that perfecting a push-up has little to do with executing a snatch. However, CrossFit teaches that all movements are interconnected. Mastering the push-up, with its emphasis on core stability, shoulder alignment, and body control, lays the groundwork for more complex movements like the snatch. The discipline and attention to detail required in a push-up translate to improved technique and efficiency in advanced lifts. A common pitfall for many athletes is the “novice’s curse”—the tendency to rush past foundational skills in favour of more advanced, impressive movements (e.g. kipping pull-ups before strict pull-ups). While complex exercises like muscle-ups or handstand walks can be exciting, neglecting the basics can lead to poor mechanics and increased injury risk. By focusing on virtuosity, athletes ensure that their foundational movements are robust, making advanced techniques more accessible and sustainable. The Path to MasteryAchieving virtuosity involves a progression and discipline: This progression ensures that athletes build strength and skill safely, leading to long-term success in CrossFit. (Check out article 2 Mechanics – Consistency – Intensity) Virtuosity Beyond the GymThe principles of virtuosity extend beyond CrossFit. Whether it’s playing a musical instrument, cooking, or any other skill, performing common tasks with exceptional skill leads to mastery and satisfaction. Constantly seek virtuosity in the fundamental movements, knowing that excellence in the basics leads to success in all aspects of fitness. So here’s your call to action:Fall in love with the fundamentals. Let mastery begin where most people don’t pay attention—sink into your squats, drive your push-ups, and pull with control. When you commit to this, every action becomes an opportunity for excellence.
Article 2:Your Choices Make the Athlete: Mechanics → Consistency → Intensity In CrossFit, athletes are shaped not by shortcuts, but by deliberate progression—beginning with mechanics, advancing through consistency, and culminating in intensity. This sequence establishes a foundation for safe, sustainable, and high-performing fitness. Mechanics — Build the Foundation Why it matters:Mechanics refers to movement efficiency and safety—moving correctly, not just moving. Proper technique makes movements easier, safer, and more sustainable. It sets the stage for long-term progress and protects against injury. How to train mechanics effectively: Consistency — Repeat with Discipline What consistency means:Consistency is the ability to perform movements correctly, repeatedly—both within a workout and across sessions. It’s about ingraining muscle memory and ensuring reliable form under varying conditions. Why it matters:Regular repetition of sound mechanics builds resilience and adaptability. It prepares the body to maintain form under stress or fatigue—making progression possible. Intensity — Apply Power Wisely What intensity is:Intensity elevates training through increased speed, load, or complexity—doing more work in less time. It’s the spark that drives adaptation and fitness gains. Why timing matters:Applying intensity too soon leads to breakdowns in form and raises injury risk. Instead, patience ensures gains are built on mastery and consistency. The Real-World Test: Fran Fran—21-15-9 thrusters and pull-ups for time—is a benchmark CrossFit workout that epitomizes this progression. The other athlete, whose knees cave or form collapses under fatigue, struggles and suffers the consequences. Which athlete are you? If you find yourself in the latter category, now is the moment to reset your priorities—focus first on mechanics, then on consistency, and only then let intensity follow. What may feel like a step backward could actually be the springboard that propels you forward. Final Thought The progression—Mechanics → Consistency → Intensity—is more than a guideline; it’s the foundation of sustainable progress in CrossFit. By choosing discipline over shortcuts, you build not just a fitter body, but a better, longer-lasting athlete.Your daily choices define your journey. Happy training!!!
After over 16 years in the CrossFit community, we’ve found that returning to the fundamentals is often the most effective way to reignite inspiration and realign our focus. In this series, we’ll delve into the foundational principles that have sustained our journey and continue to drive our progress. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or just beginning, revisiting these core concepts can provide clarity and motivation. Join us as we explore the essence of CrossFit and uncover how these timeless principles can enhance your fitness journey. Enjoy the journey ahead… Series 1: CrossFit’s Theoretical Hierarchy of Athletic Development When progress stalls in the gym the instinct is often to complicate the approach. However, CrossFit offers a straightforward blueprint that returns to the fundamentals. By focusing on the foundational elements, athletes can unlock new levels of performance. This hierarchy serves as a practical guide, emphasizing the importance of mastering each layer to build a robust and sustainable fitness journey. CrossFit Hierarchy of Development CrossFit’s model frames fitness development as a five-tiered pyramid, progressing from foundational essentials to athletic application. Recognizing the importance of what lies beneath and identifying your own weaknesses enables you to make meaningful improvements and advance in your athletic journey. Progress in one layer fuels improvement in the layers above it. Let’s explore the pyramid: 1. Nutrition – The Foundation The phrase “the foundation of all fitness” aligns with CrossFit’s emphasis that nutrition underpins every other component of athletic development.Nutrition underpins every other layer: it fuels your workouts, aids recovery, and supports muscle, bone, and nerve health.Think of nutrition as the soil in which a garden grows. If the soil (nutrition) is poor, no matter how well you water (train), your plants (performance) won’t flourish. 2. Metabolic Conditioning – The Engine Enhances cardiovascular and respiratory efficiency, forming the “engine” that powers sustained effort. Fatigue will limit strength and skill gains without this foundation Without cardiovascular and respiratory endurance, you’ll tire out before you can effectively build strength or skill. 3. Gymnastics – Body Control Gymnastics develops essential physical skills such as spatial awareness, coordination, flexibility, balance, and body control. Mastery of one’s own body is crucial before progressing to the control of external objects. This foundational level encompasses strict movements such as pull-ups, push-ups, L-sits, and muscle-ups, which establish a base of strength and control. As proficiency in these movements increases, athletes advance to dynamic movements, including kipping variations, which further enhance coordination and body control. 4. Weightlifting & Throwing – Object Mastery This level emphasizes the ability to move external loads—such as barbells, kettlebells, or medicine balls—through powerful, functional movements. Building upon the foundations of metabolic conditioning and gymnastics, it teaches athletes to transfer force efficiently from the core to the extremities, enhancing strength and motor control. Mastery of this stage enables individuals to handle external objects with precision and power, laying the groundwork for athletic performance in various sports. 5. Sport – Putting It All Together Engaging in sport allows us to apply the foundational elements of fitness—nutrition, conditioning, gymnastics, and weightlifting—to real-world scenarios. Whether trained specifically for the sport or not, it provides the opportunity to test our abilities, adapt, and grow. Mastery of these foundational components instills the confidence and capability to perform, demonstrating the effectiveness of our training and preparation. With a solid base, there are no limits to what can be achieved in sport. Final Takeaway: The CrossFit Hierarchy of Athletic Development serves as a structured blueprint for building fitness. By consistently strengthening each foundational layer—from nutrition to sport—you pave the way for continuous improvement. Embrace this approach, and you’ll uncover the full potential of your athletic journey. I recommend you assess where you sit for each of the layers. Working from the base up will provide greatest rewards. Identify your weaknesses and take sustainable steps in the right direction. Remember we are here to help on step at a time…
WINTER ATTENDANCE CHALLENGE Fight off the WINTER blues and stay on track through the colder months! Staying consistent now sets you up to feel strong, lean, and energised as we head into the warmer months. Training through winter builds not just physical fitness, but mental toughness – and your summer self will thank you for it! CHALLENGE DATES: 11 July – 31 August 3 sessions per week = You’re in the game! 5 sessions per week = 100% Attendance & bragging rights! We’ll be tracking weekly (be sure to book in via Mindbody), keeping it fun and motivating – and yes, there’ll be some awesome prizes up for grabs along the way Let’s lift the energy and keep the fire burning this winter. Who’s in?! Grab a motivation buddy and let’s keep each other moving forward — together we rise!
General: I did a few quick calculations when 14.5 was announced to work out the theoretical fastest time. I allowed 2 seconds per thruster (84 x 2 = 168 seconds) and 3 seconds per burpee (84 x 3 = 252 seconds) – this equates to 420 seconds or 7 minutes. This of course doesn’t take into account transition times or breaks in sets but it works well to estimate a fast theoretical time and furthermore proves how outstanding these top athletes are. Why does this matter for you? 2 seconds per Thruster and 3 seconds per burpee is not unachievable, but where I think a lot of people will go wrong in this workout is that they will try to get a fast time by speeding up the movements rather than resting less. I’m sure you’ve all seen videos of a fast Fran – the athletes never look to be moving fast – they just don’t rest or break sets. If you try to speed up these movements even by a small margin they will bight you and you will lose any advantage of fast reps many times over in forced rest breaks. Pull back on the effort in the movements by 10-20% to rest less. It’s a tried and proven plan. Thrusters: The goal with the thrusters is steady and unbroken. You don’t need to slow your thrusters down too much to make a really big difference with energy expenditure. This will make a big difference over this volume of work and could save a few unnecessary dumps and allow you to chip through the burpees more consistently. Remember this is not Fran and you have a lot more work to do after the first set of 21, so don’t get caught up in the excitement and try to set the fastest time for 21 thrusters only to find yourself in a hole that you can’t climb out of. Personally, whenever I am doing thrusters in a workout I like to warm up to a weight that is a good chunk heavier than what is prescribed, even for just a few reps. I also like to spend a few seconds in the critical positions (bottom of the squat and overhead) with the extra weight on board. This helps to achieve efficient positions and loosen up any areas that might hamper your performance during the workout. Shoes are a personal choice here – I would suggest weightlifting shoes for people who find this load heavy (for this many reps) as well as athletes who have a lot of forward inclination in the squat. Doing bar facing burpees in weightlifting shoes sucks but they will still represent a bigger advantage in the thrusters for people with strength/mobility issues, than they are a disadvantage in the burpee. Finally, take a leaf out of Froning’s book and pause momentarily at the top of the thrusters. The correct overhead position allows you to support the weight on the skeletal structure and takes some of the work off the muscular and cardiovascular systems. Granted this deload is only for a moment but multiplied over each rep of the workout it certainly adds up. Check out our Thruster tutorial video at the end of the post. Burpees: I would avoid going out hard in the burpees – try to save a bit of gas for the second half of the workout. If you go out too hard it’s either going to result in forced breaks in the thrusters and/or rest breaks during the burpees. Once again you don’t have to slow your pace too much to make a considerable difference to the sustainability of this movement which should allow you to keep moving. To be more specific I suggest that you drop from the standing position and rebound quickly from the ground in the burpee but then break the step to and jump over the bar into a bit more of a mechanical action to allow a few good breaths of air during each rep. Save the big, turning the air style jumps for the last few rounds if and when you have the energy to do them. Check out our Burpee tutorial video below.
