Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Getting Deep!!!

Since attending the Level 1 Cert my quads have been pretty dang sore...they didn't supply chairs, because they required that we sit in the squat position the whole day while trying to both balance and take notes! That was actually a little bit of a lie, but they did have us on more than one occasion practice our squat for for long durations...and it helped. Lets try to cover the importance of safe but adequate squat tech and depth.

A common cause of injuries associated with squatting is failure to maintain proper tension as you descend into and rise out of the hole. I see people at my current big box all the time squatting half ass and if the 1person out of 100 does get the desired depth, they are extremely loose. This is probably because they were told to go as low as humanly possible but forgot to burn in their brain the importance of tension throughout.

Try this: With no weight, relax into as deep a bodyweight squat as you are able; use a pvc like a barbell back squat. While in the bottom position, shift gravity to your heels, tighten up your upper back and abs, rotate the legs out at the hip by shoving the knees outward and engage the glutes and hamstrings. If you do this correctly, you should involuntarily rise out of your deepest position by an inch or two. This is the depth you should strive for with your squats, and no deeper to help avoid being to loose and "Butt Wink"

Notice how tension has spread the load, shifting stress away from the lumbar, knees, and ankles to the hips, hamstrings, and the entire posterior chain. If you don't get the desired depth you well never get the benefits of hamstrings at all either.

If you're having trouble with this on you own, be sure to grab someone that can either help you or set up a camera and record you ROM to review yourself.

04/27 Tuesday (MY Birthday) WOD

Strength
Bench Press 5x5x5
Weighted Dips 8x8x8

WOD
7 Rounds
7 Squat Cleans (95#)
7 Push Press (95#)
7 Burpees

Burpees
22

Monday, April 26, 2010

Rest Day

A bit off schedule, but needed an Active Rest Day after the long weekend.

WOD
2K Row at slow and easy pace, work on form and breathing pattern

Burpees
21

Level 1 Cert Down!!!


I finally, after much anticipation (procrastinated like a year) completed the Level 1 Cert in Saint Paul, MN this past weekend. An abolute phenomenal weeked spent with amamzing people whether athletes or trainers.

This would not have been possible without the rad HQ staff that was there to facilitate our learing/training. Todd, EC, Rudy, Dennis, Joe, and Robb were amazing to work with for those two days and I hope they know how much inspiration they are to each and every person who attended. Their presence, approachability, and uncanny knowledge on the subject matter helped each of us through the weekend to become 100% better/faster/stronger as athletes/trainers/humans!
As I strive towards the dream of opening an affiliate very soon, I can only aspire to one day posses a portion of the knowledge that each trainer brought to the table. I can’t thank them enough for all that they do!!!

***If you're even cinsidering going to the Level 1 Cert, do so ASAP!!! This won't just help you dramitcally as an Athlete but as an overall human being during your lifespan.

Level 1 Weekedend WOD's:

04/24 Saturday WOD

Tabata Squats

Team WOD (4-Person)
200 Thrusters (#95)
200 Pushups

04/25 Sunday WOD

Team WOD (5 Person)
12 min for total Reps
Med Ball Cleans
AbMat Situps
Pullups
Run

I was super bummed that we didn't have the space to perform "Fran" over the weekend though!

Almost forgot...

Burpees
19 Sat
20 Sun

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Rest Day

Burpees
17

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Hump Day

04/21 Wednesday WOD

Strength
OverHead Squat 5x5x3x3x1

WOD
3 Rounds
200m Run + 400m Run + 600m Run
*Rest the exact time it takes to complete each run before continuing to the next

Finisher
150 Double Unders (had to break in the the rope)

Burpees
16

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Coming along...

It's amazing how little things can make a big difference and that was quite evident when we got some stuff today! We got some speed ropes and lock-jaw collars from Rogue and then we also made 6 PVC training bars...Plyo Boxes are next on my agenda! Slowly but surely we're putting together the artillery!!!

04/20 Tuesday WOD

Strength
Shoulder Press 5x5x5
Power Clean 5x5x5
Weighted Pullups 8x8x8

WOD
"Jackie"
1000m Row
50 Thrusters @ 45lbs
30 Pullups

Burpees
15

Monday, April 19, 2010

Rest Day

Burpees
14