A PERSONAL APPROACH TO FITNESS
Sunday, April 28, 2013 at 2:37PM | by Crossfit Collective As our program at CrossFit Collective continues to evolve, the remaining bottom line priority is to prove your fitness in a demanding world. For some of us, it is imperative to be as functional as possible for the responsibilities we have undertaken: as parents, as professionals, or living a healthy life by warding off disease, and remaining as independent as possible as we age.
There are also other perspectives as to why one would give so much energy, time, and passion on our training floor. Whatever the personal excitement that comes from each session, there are those who want to develop their capacity for sport, or simply to get as strong as possible in as many skill sets as possible.
Beyond this, there is the competitor. She is the athlete who lives and breaths her pursuit of excellence in the competition realm. Focus could be on CrossFit-style competitions, a specific skill such as weightlifting, or on an endurance event.
There is much demand on every one of our members, whether it is self-administered by pursuits, or brought on by everyday responsibilities which demand undivided attention. Our needs as individuals do not change. However, the degree to which we need to develop physical skills in fitness does vary.
We present to you, a three-point approach to the target of fitness. To help give certain understanding to these approaches, I've given a word or term to name the approach. Following that, is a general definition to help you decide (with our help) which approach will be best for you from day-to-day, and month-to-month within our overall programming.
Each day, you will see at least (2) scales of a workout. The named approach, and then the workout under it. In addition, there will be a supplemental workload posted, for those who want to pursue a highly competitive capacity within CrossFit. For all other styles of competition, Jon Zajac and myself, will program on a personally contracted basis.
You will, of course, recieve the utmost of our trainers' time and expertise, for all the time you commit here at CFC. This modification to our daily presentation of the WOD, is only an improvement to help you make the most of your time and energy.
Here are some general definitions to help you understand each of these approaches:
LIFE...This approach is both a safe starting point to your fitness development, as well as a constant challenge to own basic skills in calesthenics (gymnastics), conditioning (cardio/respiratory endurance), and weight-bearing strength. You will be exposed to variation and intensity, yet be held accountable to owning the most functional movements to improve your life outside of the box.
SPORT...The individual who really wants to be challenged to higher level movements, intensity, and volume of work. This person can do just about anything, at a moments notice. They are in pursuit of virtuosity. Training, however, must serve a life of demands outside of the gym. We have to recover quickly, and serve at a moments notice. There is much to be gained. There is also much that needs to be balanced.
COMPETITOR...Your life revolves around the sport of CrossFit style competitions. What demands are being made on the would-be CrossFit Games winner, are generally what you are preparing for from day-to-day. There are no days off. You are a competitor 24/7. You train, eat, sleep, and recover based on where you are headed in pursuit of high level CrossFit competition skills. In this approach, there will be more volume then you could reasonably do in an hour class. You will have to make adjustments.
With each of these approaches, Jon and I in particular, will be very glad to offer counsel on setting goals and finding the best path to fitness for you. Our volunteer leaders also have good experience, solid knowledge base, and diverse expertise to keep you on track toward those goals. Do not hesitate to call on any of us for assistance. Expect us to ask you how we can help from day to day.
I hope this is the best summer of training, and exploring your fitness...EVER!!
~Jeremiah