How many times do we let our egos get in the way of progress? Whether its fitness, our relationships or even jobs/promotions.
I have a favorite saying, "Just because you CAN do something, doesn't mean you SHOULD".
Being smart about proper training is knowing when to do things and when not to! And if you are not a good, trustworthy assessor of that, then rely on the people who are! I love the linked article, because although its focus is Oly Lifting, we can take the principles inherent and apply them to anything we do at CrossFit.
The first question to ask is....
What is my goal for doing CrossFit?
The second questions then should be...
Is that a good goal?
Maybe...most likely, your goals will evolve as you understand better what CrossFit really is about.
How to Train Smart!
1. Know your limits...Accept your limits...I mean really accept them. Dont try to do things you really are not ready to take on..
I know what you are thinking...but if I never try then I'll never get better... To that I say, BS! That is where unless you understand a lot about training and preparing athletes, you are speaking from a place of ignorance. Playing organized sports is not an automatic pass on expertise of appropriate training.
Any sport, especially those requiring a high level of skill and technique, would never suggest their athletes just go execute the highest level movement without first drilling it down and using more basic fundamental movement patterns to establish a more complex movement pattern with precision and reproducibility.
All that said means, create GOOD muscle memory that will serve you when the going gets tough!
2. You need to establish good overall maintenance of your tools...in our case our body! What surgeon would ever go into surgery with a blunt knife?
This means...fuel your body with the best stuff, hydrate well...learn how to stretch and improve your range of motion and definitely take care of your muscle with proper rest and maybe some massage. But more importantly, understand that everytime you work out...YOU DO NOT HAVE TO DRILL YOURSELF INTO THE GROUND. Even as a CrossFitter! Doing days throughout the month or week that are 1RM days or 3RM days or just mini wods with some lifting strength stuff is not only necessary but OK! It makes you better overall. There is a thing called overtraining! And if you continue to push the envelope just because you think you are getting away with it...sooner or later your body will put your ego in CHECK and you will get hurt. If you are nursing a nagging injury...It might not be because you just did that "Thing" to it...maybe its because you abuse your body and are not being smart about how you train.
3. Every REP Counts!
Yes indeed it does...but not like you are thinking.
How many times do I see athletes during a wod "going thru the motions" and executing sloppy! Take a little pride in what you do. Set up every rep, whether its a box jump or pushup or snatch or C&J. If you pay more attention to how you move vs how much you move you will glean so much more from your workout! If you are sloppy in your reps, friends you are leaving power, speed, fitness on the table. Think of the potential you have if you would just take the extra second to set things up into a good starting position. And ultimately, a safe, controlled movement means less risk of injury.
Read Chad Vaughn's article.. Its a good one.
Wod ON.
http://library.crossfit.com/free/pdf/05_2013_Coach_Vaughn_FINAL2.pdf
