What’s Next???
So the Open is over. If you didn’t read my recap, you can find it here.
And now the question is, where do we go from here?
Although a majority of you don’t participate in the Open or don’t have any aspirations of competition, we do typically plan our training year around the event. It provides a nice annual structure, and allows for goals to align with the seasons (our Spring, get-ready-for-Summer goals are very similar in nature to Post Open, give-the-body-a-rest goals.)
In years past, I’ve had the whole gym go to a very Function-like program. It’s a great way to turn down the intensity and get back to basics. We typically reduce the amount of Weightlifting (Snatch/Clean and Jerk), increase our Time Under Tension (slower lifts), and somewhat eliminate kipping and gymnastic work from the Performance and Sport programs.
This year, we’ll be doing it a little differently.
The opportunities for competition and tests of fitness coming this Spring and Summer are plentiful. There’s usually 4-5 local CrossFit competitions, a Weightlifting Competition, a Spartan Race or two and I’m hoping to run a local, inter-gym competition here in the later part of Summer. I’ll update the group to these as they come up.
With all of that in mind, I want to make sure that if you want to compete this summer you’re ready for it.
So, for the upcoming season, Function is going to stay Function, Performance will be Performance, and Sport will be Sport. All three will feel very similar (with a few variations) to the way they have been programmed for the last few months.
However, Performance and Sport will have more Tempos assigned to their lifts and Time Under Tension type days interspersed throughout the week. This way, we can still assign some focus to getting back to basics, but not completely ignore the things you’ll find in competition. Training in this fashion—with a constant variation of lifts, reps, sets and tempos—allows for a dramatic reduction in the amount of de-loading necessary for your body to stay out of exhaustion. It is always getting a stimulus, but that stimulus is always changing, so you’re not constantly trying to adapt to the same thing with more and more intensity.
I’m looking forward to this, and by the sounds of it, most of you are excited about it too.
On a related note, this is a great time to explore your goals and aspirations to see how they align with your training and nutrition program. If you’re feeling like the work you’re doing in the gym isn’t getting you the results you’d like, please come chat with me about it. Or, if you’re not sure where you want to go, I’m happy to help you explore that too.
Within these walls are countless resources to help you achieve whatever goals you’re after. You have access to some of the best and most knowledgeable coaches in the Northwest, if not the world. And that’s not just limited to CrossFit. We have insight, experience and resources on almost everything fitness and nutrition related.
If you need help getting your nutrition dialed in, we’ll have a group starting in late April or early May.
If you need help perfecting a skill, we have 30 min personal training sessions with the coach of your choice.
If you want to get better at Weightlifting, Bill will be hosting a 1 hour clinic on Wednesdays and Saturdays starting on April 11th.
If you are looking preparing for a specific competition or event, we have individualized program design.
If you’re looking to improve your endurance or prepare for the upcoming fall hunting season, we’ll have endurance programming available in the early part of Summer.
Don’t be shy about seeking help where you need it or taking advantage of our resources here.
Don’t wonder “what if”, just do it.