Do you have a 'Repping' problem?
No-Repper’s are becoming more present in our society. Excessive no-repping can elicit many bad habits and lead to unsavoury lifestyles: lying to family members, missing work to no-rep, bouncing cheques at the casino. Immediate affects can be seen in losses of integrity, respect from others, and premature celebration. The long term affects are far more serious; we see poor movement patterns leading to movement amnesia, isolation from loving communities, and decreases in fitness levels coupled with increased injury rates. The condition is here, know the who’s who.
Pathological Reppers
These people are uncoachable, blackout during workouts, and are in dire need of an intervention. You can find them half squatting, bent arm swinging, clapping overhead, and overloading the barbell beyond their capacity. Maintenance of good form in just about anything can be difficult due the amount of exposure they have had to ‘that’ll do’. They see failure to achieve full range as a “near miss”; these near misses are seen as near wins and now overload the brain with endorphins that reestablish their sense of good. The repper feeds on this like an opiate, looking to reach wod orgasm again and again. This contant cycle makes it very difficult for the body to know what good form feels like; in the end, a vicious cycle ensues and without appropriate help the repper injures and may disappear for a few weeks.
Non Pathological Reppers
These people socially no rep but don’t exhibit any problematic behaviour. You will usually find these folk scattered amongst the crowds, missing the occasional rep and sharing the comment with a fellow repper. They engage with coaches and are often aware that form or range is being compromised. In movements, you’ll find every third or twelfth rep missed. They will attempt all load vectors with average to acceptable form and attentively push beyond. Neurologically the need to win can be quite unexcited and, in many situations, the repper may even correct his/her own fault. You will usually find these people making consistent gains across the board and only suffering injuries by neglecting quality. Unfortunately there are no reps present and awareness to them can lie dormant for years.
The 2 reppers react differently to missed repetitions. Pathological reppers get a mental high from the no reps; they promptly put down another no rep. Non pathological reppers exhibit different behaviour: the near miss or no rep triggers feelings of apprehension and prompts them to stop before it gets worse. It is unclear if the pathological reppers are born this way or if they have been exposed to PSN (Postural Structural Neurological) faults. This directly impacts their neurochemistry, so can we really hold them accountable for their reps? Absolutely!
Stop committing repetition suicide, it affects more than yourself. We all have a responsibility to look after one another and promote a healthy way of life. Life is movement. Movement requires fitness. Fitness is increased work capacity. Health is sustainable fitness over your life. Life is movement.
Repetition is the father of learning,
Chesty
Tuesday:
Tech:
5 sets of 2 Squat Cleans (they don’t have to be touch and go, but do 2 heavy squat cleans within 10 seconds of each other)
Alternate with
5 sets of 5 weighted ring dips (scale accordingly)
Workout: Regional 2013 Individual Event 7
4 Rounds:
2 Rope Climbs
Sprint (out to Nutts Finish Line and Back)
4 Squat Cleans (185/115)
12 minute time cap
The Regional weight was 225 lbs for men and 135 lbs. for women, so if you’re up to the challenge try that weight, but I’d rather see good quality squat cleans at a slightly lower weight.
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By Wendy 24 Jun 2013
There is a related condition amongst the coaching community called the Anti-No-Repper.
Counterintuitively, this condition is the aversion to pointing out and calling “NO REP, MUTHA F*CKA!!!” when a student is performing the aforementioned atrocities, leading said student to either:
a) believe their movements are satisfactory (hurtling towards movement amnesia),
or b) believe they’ve gotten away with a sh*tty rep (leading towards loss of integrity).
Personally, I think it’d be great to see more coaches making the difficult, and ever-so-unpopular call, rather than allow more and more students to tumble down the rabbit hole. I would love to make the call (and I have, on occasion)
but being as I am not a certified ‘coach’, it really isn’t my place
….. OR IS IT!??!?!?!
By Panda 24 Jun 2013
Great post Chesty!! This is an issue near and dear to my heart. I totally agree that no-repping has become more common around the gym. 1 no-rep is 1 no-rep too many! I’m taking your comments to heart and will be more vigilant to stomp out no-repping everywhere I see it. I welcome the scrutiny from others too!
By Squad 24 Jun 2013
“Unfortunately there are no reps present and awareness to them can lie dormant for years.”
I literally snorted with laughter.
I was a member of this crowd… unbeknownst to me… until the open where I was humbled.
Thanks for the call-out Chesty.
No-rep = Love
honesty….
By king 25 Jun 2013
You’re so ridiculous Wendy… I love it
By Mike F 25 Jun 2013
‘premature celebration’, ya I get that all the time from the wife…wait a minute, that’s something else.
By Casper 25 Jun 2013
Just like The Chest to create such an artful and elaborate description of the no-rep phenomenon.
@ Chesty – I knew it was your post well before I got to the bottom
By Richy 25 Jun 2013
How dare you throw post-burpie “clapping” in there!
By Lars 25 Jun 2013
I no repped the post and only read half of it.
By wendy 26 Jun 2013
…the half with all of the comments.