Blog Archive

When the CrossFit Games were launched in 2007, few thought it would be the spectacle it is now 7 years later. Most of us have heard the story of how it all started in Dave Castros backyard in Aromas California. Ask Andy, Kermit or TBear and they will tell you about the grass roots days of the Games.

I came into CrossFit as the Games were taking a turn from cult fitness weekend gathering to legitimate worldwide competition. In 2011 the Games were a whole new spectacle. More event, events that were new and different, some might even say gimmicky, but they were cool and fun. Fast forward to today and The Games are a full time job. Anyone with a desire to compete invests anywhere from 15-40 hours a week in training. Even getting to the Regional level anymore is a feat in itself.

There is now a new kid in town. That kid is the National Professional Fitness League or NPFL. The NPFL is in its inaugural season. It is a league that consists of five professional fitness teams. These teams will perform weekly races with events looking similar to that of CrossFit team events. Don’t get confused here though, they are not doing CrossFit.

When I first heard of this start up I laughed a little. I thought the idea of a prolonged “CrossFit” season was going to scare people away. Folks who aspired to be at the Games would’t want to disrupt training to do a race every week for 5 months. Would they?

It appears legit, and by that I mean legit Games athletes are signing contracts with NPFL teams. This week Sam Briggs, 2013 CrossFit Games champ signed with the L.A. Reign. Not just Sam, but other elite athletes are signing with teams. Which makes me start to wonder if this once giggle fest idea has become a legitimate summer sport.

The season is set to start August 2014. Rumours are it will be nationally televised.

What I want to know is

1. Would you follow a pro fitness team the same way you follow the Canucks or Seahawks?

2. Do you think having athletes of Games caliber competing in non CrossFit sanctioned teams is going to tarnish the CrossFit Open, Regionals and Games season?

3. Do you give a shit at all?

Share your opinion and let me know your thoughts on a professional exercise team.

Tom

P.S. Heats for the comp this weekend are the following. Slight Heat changes. We will be collecting the $20.00 entry fee throughout the day, please bring cash.

Heat 1: Event 1: 8:45 Event 2: 12:45 Event 3: 1:45

13. Robert-Caitlin-Laura

12. Janel-Kim-Jane

11. Jennine-Sarah-Morgan

10. Sean-Chrsiti-Steph

9. Marylyn-Wendy-Leanne

8. Fabi-Gabriel-Alex

7. Stephen-Connor-Marco

Heat 2: Event 1: 9:15 Event 2: 1:00 Event 3: 2:15

6. Geoff-Fernando-Rebar

5. Darren-Adam-Mike

4. Landon-Bill-Richy

3. Noah-Sean Ang-Cam

2. Meagan-Woodchuck-Kermit

1. Colter-Dan-Ryan

Friday:

W/U:

Coach’s Choice

Skill/Str:
Take 15 min to work up to a Heavy Squat Clean Thruster

W/O:
30 Squat Clean Thrusters (135/95)

Saturday: 

W/U:
Coach’s Choice

Skill/Str:
40 sec As, Ts, and Ys
20 sec Rest
40 Wall Angel
20 sec Rest
40 sec Ring Bat Wing
20 sec Rest
3 Rounds

W/O:
In Teams of 2, trading off rounds:
10 Goblet squats
10 Box Jump w/ Step down
10 HR Push Up
Rounds in 20 min

Sorry for the late post guys, my bad. 

Emile and I were joking today about how some workouts we see programmed around the world wide web are often pretty ridiculous. We laugh and joke but the truth is there a ton of pretty “bad” workouts out there. I put bad in quotations because it is a subjective thing. What I see as a bad workout many might feel is a good one. 

My criteria for a “good” workout is the following.

1. less than 300 reps

2. there is a push, pull or hinge 

3. there is a skill element of some degree, lifting or gymnastics

4. shorter than 20 mins

Not to say I am right, this is simply my opinion.

The reason I make this point is workouts can be tough and challenging without making you feel like a truck hit you. If I took you out to the parking lot and beat you with a baseball bat, you may feel sore but that doesn’t mean you had a good workout. The saying “But it didn’t feel like a workout” bothers me as coach a little bit. Strength and skill workouts should leave you feeling mentally tired or fatigued in different places than a hard met con would. 

Just saying, a workout doesn’t have to be gut wrenching to have an effect. 

Tom

W/U:
Coach’s Choice

Skill/Str:
Deadlift 3 X 3

W/O:
Row 30 sec
Rest 2:30
5 rounds
Coaches budget approx 20 min

Compare with Oct 25th

If you would like to compete, sign up by Thursday night, April 24th!  $20/person 

If you aren’t competing, come out and support our athletes.

CrossFit Vancouver will be sending a team to the Canada West Regionals. The event runs all weekend May 9-10-11. 

The event will have our very own Emily Beers competing as an individual athlete, she qualified in 14th overall. We also have a team competing who qualified in 27th overall. 

If folks are around that weekend then come on out and cheer on everyone competing. There are events running all weekend but there will be a more informative schedule released in the next week or so. The top athletes from all over western Canada will be throwing down with a shot to the Games on the line. 

If you are super keen, they are always looking for volunteers as well to help move equipment, set up signs and take concession. More info on the Games site. 

If you are attending and CFV or Em are warming up for a workout keep eyes pealed on Lucas Parker and Tyson Takasaki who both represented our region last year at the Games. Also watching The Centaurs of Hybrid Athletics is always pretty cool too. 

I hope to see a sea of blue and white cheering our crew on. 

See you there guys. 

Tom

Today’s Workout :

1 Mile Run

‘Rest’ 20 min.  Work on the skill aspect of one of your goats.

1 Mile Run

Total Run time for your leaderboard score

So Charlie’s rally to keep Easy E in B.C. was to no avail. This long-time, five year CrossFit Vancouver veteran, has been offered a great job as a respiratory therapist in Calgary, so she’s officially leaving us at the end of this month.

We want to send her off in style, so we’re having a potluck for her in our lounge this Friday, April 25th.

Bring a dish to eat and BYOB, have some laughs, and likely shed some tears with us, as we wish Easy E well on her new journey. She has given so much to our community in the last five years, so it’s our chance to give her a little love.

Easy: We’ll miss your energy, your smile, your giant-ass heart that has more to give than anyone I know, and, of course, your long-winded stories that add to your charm and make you who you are.

Tuesday’s Workout:

W/U:
8-12 Prone Snow Angels
8-12 Push Back Push Up
8-12 Hand Cuff Press
8-12 Ring Rows
10m

Skill:
Bench Press, quickly build up to 85% of workout weight

Strength:
A1. Lean and Loiter, 45 sec, 4 sets
A2. Alt Rope Pull Up (L1,2,3,4, or 5) 4 reps, 4 sets
A3. No Money (w/4 sec pause) 6 reps,4 sets
A4. Bench Press, 3 reps, 4 sets