SIGN UP FOR THE INTRAMURAL CROSSFIT OPEN ENDS TOMORROW

By: 0

You guys are the best! We currently have 30 in our CrossFit Open /Intramural Open Team, lets try to get 10 more people so we can have teams of 10! Lets try to make our team the largest in the area. I need everyone to get signed up by tomorrow by 5:00pm so I can start to get the teams organized. We will be sorting the teams early next week into the smaller intramural teams. I will be picking validation times based off of the people that are signed up as of tomorrow. So get your shit together! Click here to check out our team! Click here to sign up for details on how to sign up for the open

CrossFit Open Movements – No one is safe!

By: 0

[cs_section id="" class=" center-text " style="margin: 0px; padding: 45px 0px; border-style: inset; border-width: 1px; " visibility="" bg_image="http://crossfitsouthbend.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/11109183_901059779958523_8450358426513158572_o.jpg" bg_color="" parallax="true"][cs_row id="" class=" " style="margin: 0px auto; padding: 0px; " visibility="" inner_container="true" marginless_columns="false" bg_color=""][cs_column id="" class="" style="padding: 0px; " bg_color="" fade="false" fade_animation="in" fade_animation_offset="45px" fade_duration="750" type="1/1"][x_text_type prefix="" strings="What movements can I expect this year?" suffix="" tag="h1" type_speed="50" start_delay="0" back_speed="50" back_delay="3000" loop="false" show_cursor="true" cursor="|" looks_like="h2" style="color:white"][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section id="" class=" " style="margin: 0px; padding: 45px 0px; " visibility="" bg_color="#ffffff" parallax="false"][cs_row id="" class=" " style="margin: 0px auto 30px; padding: 0px; " visibility="" inner_container="true" marginless_columns="false" bg_color=""][cs_column id="" class="" style="padding: 0px; " bg_color="" fade="false" fade_animation="in" fade_animation_offset="45px" fade_duration="750" element_info="" type="1/1"][x_custom_headline level="h2" looks_like="h3" accent="true" class="center-text man"]Choose the year[/x_custom_headline][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row id="" class=" " style="margin: 0px auto; padding: 0px; " visibility="" inner_container="true" marginless_columns="false" bg_color=""][cs_column id="" class="" style="padding: 0px; " bg_color="" fade="false" fade_animation="in" fade_animation_offset="45px" fade_duration="750" element_info="" type="1/2"][x_card animation="flip-from-top" center_vertically="true" front_style="border-width: 8px 8px 8px 8px; border-style: solid; border-color: #a7300b; color: #ffffff; background-color: #f1592a;" front_image="" front_image_width="100px" front_title="2011 " front_text="In 2011, The only year they had 6 wods. The limiting factor for a lot of people were the double unders, muscle ups at the END of a workout, moderately heavy power cleans, chest to bar pull ups, and toes to bar at the beginning of a workout. they didn't have a scaled division this year, so if you couldn't do it, you were SOL. Hover or click for this years movement " back_style="border-width: 8px 8px 8px 8px; border-style: solid; border-color: #a7300b; color: #ffffff; background-color: #f1592a;" back_title="The Movements" back_text="Double Unders Power Snatches Deadlifts Push Ups Box Jumps Squat Clean and Jerks Bar Facing Burpees Overhead Squats Muscle Ups Power Cleans Toes to Bar Wall Balls Thrusters Chest to Bar Pull Ups" back_button_text="Click here to details on how to sign up for the open" back_button_link="http://crossfitsouthbend.com/2016open/" back_button_color="#ffffff" back_button_bg_color="#a7300b" padding="10% 10% 10% 10%"][x_card animation="flip-from-top" center_vertically="true" front_style="border-width: 8px 8px 8px 8px; border-style: solid; border-color: hsl(0, 0%, 0%); color: #ffffff; background-color: rgb(51, 158, 97);" front_image="" front_image_width="100px" front_title="2013" front_text="2013, they put burpees in with the Snatch ladder, making the demand for a bigger endurance engine that much greater ALONG with the demand for a heavy snatch. Muscle ups, still at the end of a workout, along with doubles, so you had to cut through 150 wall balls to get there. This was definitely a year where you had to cut through some work capacity with the Wall Ball wod for most people. Again, they repeated a workout from the prior year. Hover or click for this years movement" back_style="border-width: 8px 8px 8px 8px; border-style: solid; border-color: hsl(0, 0%, 0%); color: #ffffff; background-color: rgb(51, 158, 97);" back_title="The Movements" back_text="Burpees Snatch Shoulder to Overhead Deadlifts Box Jumps Wall Balls Double Unders Muscle Ups Clean and Jerks Toes to Bar Thrusters Chest to bar Pull Ups" back_button_text="Click here to details on how to sign up for the open" back_button_link="http://crossfitsouthbend.com/2016open/" back_button_color="#ffffff" back_button_bg_color="hsl(0, 0%, 0%)" padding="10% 10% 10% 10%"][x_card animation="flip-from-top" center_vertically="true" front_style="border-width: 8px 8px 8px 8px; border-style: solid; border-color: hsl(0, 0%, 0%); color: #ffffff; background-color: rgb(135, 7, 7);" front_image="" front_image_width="100px" front_title="2015" front_text="In 2015 they had decided they wanted to really separate the playing field, making an Rx'd and Scaled division. With the threat of that at the beginning, you knew they were going to up the ante with the Rx'd division workouts. This year, they moved muscle ups to the beginning, and threw in handstand push ups at the beginning of a workout with some heavy cleans out of the gate. This year had all of the traits of the past opens combined, and then some. They repeated a workout, they kept the rower in there, they did a workout for time instead of with a ca, they had some heavy technical movements, a fatigued 1RM clean and jerk, and some longer work capacity workouts - this was also the first year they didn't have burpees in the open though, so thats nice, right? Hover or click for this years movement " back_style="border-width: 8px 8px 8px 8px; border-style: solid; border-color: hsl(0, 0%, 0%); color: #ffffff; background-color: rgb(135, 7, 7);" back_title="The Movements" back_text="Row Thrusters Cleans Handstand Push Ups Muscle Ups Wall Balls Double Unders Overhead Squats Chest to Bar Pull Ups Toes to Bar Deadlift Snatches Clean and Jerk SCALED DIVISION: Hanging knee raise, Single Unders, Push Presses. " back_button_text="Click here to details on how to sign up for the open" back_button_link="http://crossfitsouthbend.com/2016open/" back_button_color="#ffffff" back_button_bg_color="hsl(0, 0%, 0%)" padding="10% 10% 10% 10%"][/cs_column][cs_column id="" class="" style="padding: 0px; " bg_color="" fade="false" fade_animation="in" fade_animation_offset="45px" fade_duration="750" element_info="" type="1/2"][x_card animation="flip-from-top" center_vertically="true" front_style="border-width: 8px 8px 8px 8px; border-style: solid; border-color: #222222; color: #ffffff; background-color: #3d3d3d;" front_image="" front_image_width="100px" front_title="2012" front_text="In 2012, they introduced a ladder of Snatches that got heavier and heavier, rewarding those that had a good Snatch, and a big enough engine to get to those heavy snatches. They still had muscle ups, toes to bar, double unders, chest to bar, etc. No scaled division this year either, so again, couldn't do it? SOL. Also, they repeated a workout this year. Hover or click for this years movement" back_style="border-width: 8px 8px 8px 8px; border-style: solid; border-color: #222222; color: #ffffff; background-color: #3d3d3d;" back_title="The movements" back_text="Burpees Snatch Box Jumps Push Press Toes to Bar Wall Balls Double Unders Muscle Ups Thrusters Chest to Bar" back_button_text="Click here for details on how to sign up for the open" back_button_link="http://crossfitsouthbend.com/2016open/" back_button_color="#ffffff" back_button_bg_color="#222222" padding="10% 10% 10% 10%"][x_card animation="flip-from-top" center_vertically="true" front_style="border-width: 8px 8px 8px 8px; border-style: solid; border-color: #222222; color: #ffffff; background-color: rgb(4, 7, 108);" front_image="" front_image_width="100px" front_title="2014" front_text="2014, This year they evened the playing field with some heavy deadlifts -, this was also the first year they did a workout to finish - no time cap, just get after it. Also, the first year a rower was involved. No Scaled division this year either, and they repeated a workout. Hover or click for this years movement" back_style="border-width: 8px 8px 8px 8px; border-style: solid; border-color: #222222; color: #ffffff; background-color: rgb(4, 7, 108);" back_title="The movements" back_text="Snatches Double Unders Overhead Squat Chest to Bar Deadlifts Box Jumps Calorie Row Toes to Bar Wall Balls Cleans Muscle Ups Thrusters Bar Facing Burpees" back_button_text="Click here for details on how to sign up for the open" back_button_link="http://crossfitsouthbend.com/2016open/" back_button_color="#ffffff" back_button_bg_color="hsl(0, 0%, 0%)" padding="10% 10% 10% 10%"][x_card animation="flip-from-top" center_vertically="true" front_style="border-width: 8px 8px 8px 8px; border-style: solid; border-color: #222222; color: #ffffff; background-color: rgb(33, 139, 167);" front_image="" front_image_width="100px" front_title="2016" front_text="2016 Guess what is going to be in the open this year? Everything. Be prepared for everything. Not only is the judges course incredibly vague (the last few years were long and filled with at least 50 movements) You can expect the possibility of: Movements at the start of a workout with a higher relative technical ability, heavy movements, max effort lifts, workouts to finish, EMOM workouts, repeated workouts. Just be ready for everything. In the prior years when they had something hard you couldn't do, you'd get in, try to do one rep, and that was the end of it - But the cool thing about it is with last year and this year, there is a scaled division, which is awesome, and you can bounce back and forth between Rx'd and Scaled. Like I said in an earlier post - Rx'd is something that has to be earned, and the open each year is more than just a competition, its a test to tell you what you should be practicing for the entire next year. So sign up, work your ass off, then get back to it for the next year. Hover or click for this years movement" back_style="border-width: 8px 8px 8px 8px; border-style: solid; border-color: #222222; color: #ffffff; background-color: rgb(33, 139, 167);" back_title="The movements" back_text="Backflips Air Punching Fighting a bear Blindfolded knife juggling Standing for time awkward screaming Fish throwing Strobe light workouts " back_button_text="just sign up already!" back_button_link="http://crossfitsouthbend.com/2016open/" back_button_color="#ffffff" back_button_bg_color="hsl(0, 0%, 0%)" padding="10% 10% 10% 10%"][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section]

Beast Women and Pull Ups – Kat C’s Story

By: 0

[vc_row padding_top="0px" padding_bottom="0px"][vc_column fade_animation_offset="45px" width="1/2"][text_output]After driving past CrossFit South Bend a few times and seeing the classes outside, I wanted to know more.  I have seen gymnastics classes down the street and I wanted to do a hard workout without the embarrassment of being the old one in a kids class.  I have tried other classes with other studios but they were all little soft.  I wanted something that could take me to another place (you know a place where the little voices in your head are chocked out cause they are struggling to breath too!!) I thought maybe Crossfit could do it.  I heard from some friends that Crossfit is no joke, almost a year later they were right, but I love it! My first impression of the gym, I don’t think the gym scared me, it was the beast women (I say that with all admiration and envy to them) that freaked me out.  I mean how could I ever hang with them!!!!  My first Saturday in fundamentals was full of beast masters and they were doing pull ups, kipping pulls ups at that which I have never seen (something I still can’t do but I’m trying).  Robbie talked me off the cliff and convinced me to give it all a try but seriously that scared me huge!  After letting my guard down and seeing that I could do more than I thought possible, I really grew to love it.  I haven’t been this committed to a workout program since I was in high school (and damn it, I better get those pull ups down this year!!) My first accomplishment at CFSB - this sounds silly - but it was a hand stand (on the wall of course) but after my back surgery I was terrified to even try it (I was seriously almost in tears – not sure if you saw that Brandon) but I didn’t think I would ever be able to do something like that again.  My doctor told me that it was okay not to do a handstand again and I am sure he was right, but by giving into that meant part of my life was behind me and I wasn’t ready to admit that.  So when I did it and it didn’t hurt, it meant so much to me…life wasn’t over like I thought it was but just a little different. Right now, what I am working toward, if I don’t get that damn pull up this year (kipping is fine, really any version!!) I am going to be pissed!!!! Why do I want to compete in the CrossFit Open this year? Because I am literally crazy!  I don’t know how I will feel after but hopefully it will be a sense of accomplishment. [/text_output][/vc_column][vc_column fade_animation_offset="45px" width="1/2"][image src="13971" alt="" href="" title="" info_content="" lightbox_caption="" id="" class="" style=""][/vc_column][/vc_row]

What is Inflammation?

By: 0

What is inflammation?-CFSB Wellness Wednesday In this video we answer the following three questions.
  1. What is inflammation (at a very basic and intuitive level)?
  2. What are the two main types of inflammation?
  3. What are the things you can do right now to minimize chronic and systemic inflammation?
Running short on time? Check out the 90-second preview by clicking the link below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5u7LVlkhecc&feature=youtu.be  

4 Days left to sign up for the CrossFit Open!

By: 0

Hey all, for those of you interested in signing up for the CrossFit Open If you'd like to participate in the CrossFit Intramural Open, you have to be signed up by the Saturday the 20th of February by 5:00pm so we can get you sorted onto teams! Click the link here for all of our details, and how to sign up!  As soon as I get the full list of people on the 20th, I will be setting validation times through the week based off of the people who are signed up on that date.    

March Fundamentals Details and Registration

By: 0

[vc_row padding_top="0px" padding_bottom="0px"][vc_column fade_animation_offset="45px" width="1/1"][text_output]Interested in our Fundamentals Course? Our  Fundamentals Course is always right around the corner. Interested in signing up for TWO FREE WEEKS?  Click here to do it. Want some Details? Scroll down to check out the schedule or any other details you may want to know about.[/text_output][accordion][accordion_item title="What is the monthly Fundamentals schedule?" parent_id="" id="" class="" style=""]2015 - 2016 Fundamentals Start Dates:  Our Fundamentals program begins on a Tuesday each month, and runs 12 classes in succession. The start date for each month is listed below.
March Fundamentals: Tuesday March 1
April Fundamentals: Tuesday April 5th
May Fundamentals: Tuesday May 3rd
June Fundamentals: Tuesday May 31st
July Fundamentals: Tuesday July 5th
August Fundamentals: Tuesday August 2nd
September Fundamentals: Tuesday August 30th
October Fundamentals: Tuesday September 27th (to avoid Thanksgiving)
November Fundamentals: Tuesday Oct. 25th (to avoid Thanksgiving)
December: Tuesday Nov. 29th (exception: 3 weeks long due to holidays)
Class Times:
Tuesday 8:30am OR 7:00pm Thursday 8:30am OR 7:00pm Saturday 9:00am THAT SCHEDULE DOESN'T WORK FOR ME! You may want to check out our Accelerated Fundamentals Course then!​ Which you can check out by clicking right here![/accordion_item][accordion_item title="I don't want to wait, I want to start tomorrow!"]If you don't want to wait to start until our next scheduled Fundamentals, and you'd like to start the Fundamentals RIGHT NOW! We also offer an Accelerated Fundamentals, which you can check out by clicking right here! With that you get 6 personal training session to get you ready for class, along with 3 free weeks of CrossFit afterwards! The sessions are scheduled at your convenience.[/accordion_item][accordion_item title="I'd like to sit down and chat with you a bit first, I have questions! "]Want to sit down and discuss your goals and how we plan to meet them? Easy, click here to schedule a Free No Sweat intro During the No Sweat Intro we will meet for a private 20 minute chat about your goals, and what CrossFit South Bend can do to help you achieve those goals. No pressure, no obligation. Just a chance to see if CrossFit South Bend is a good fit for you.[/accordion_item][accordion_item title="But I'll be missing a few classes"]If you will be missing a Fundamentals class, no worries, we can do some make up work to catch you up. Try not to miss as many as you can though because each one builds on the prior class. But if you have to, just email Brandon@crossfitsouthbend.com and we will get it organized for a makeup during the Fundamentals. We usually allow up to 2 missed sessions, if you are going to be missing 3 or more, you may want to consider an Accelerated Fundamentals here.[/accordion_item][accordion_item title="Signing Up for a membership"]The first two weeks of each month are free! We want people to give CrossFit a good honest try before they decide whether or not it is for them. After that first two weeks if you decide CrossFit is for you, you can sign up and continue out the rest of the month. You can find out prices right here[/accordion_item][accordion_item title="Want to sign up and already know how to perform CrossFit?"]
Already well versed in the Olympic lifts, power lifts, gymnastics, and CrossFit movements?
[/accordion_item][accordion_item title="Questions about anything"]If you have questions, don't be afraid to ask any of us! Our office and inboxes are always open! You can also check out our website for more info about our programs, prices, programming, and schedule at www.crossfitsouthbend.com  Other than that, we will expect to see you in here on your start date! Click here to email us if you have any other questions. [/accordion_item][/accordion][/vc_column][/vc_row]

CrossFit Wods 2.15.16 – 2.21.16 **Week 2 of 9**

By: 0

[vc_row padding_top="0px" padding_bottom="0px"][vc_column fade_animation_offset="45px" width="1/1"][accordion][accordion_item title="Things coming soon at CrossFit South Bend" parent_id="" id="" class="" style=""]CFSB NEWS – EVENTS – UPDATES THE CROSSFIT OPEN- Announcing the 2016 CrossFit Intramural Open CROSSFIT OPEN UPDATE: Want to do the CrossFit Open Wods? Read here BLOG POST - Being late to class BLOG POST - Seven things to know/do before this years open IMPORTANT: The Future of CrossFit South Bend NUTRITION: Amy's Treat Corner - Gluten free chocolate chip bacon cookies MOBILITY SERIES – 4 WEEKS TO LESS LOWER BODY PAIN SCHEDULE NEW CLASS TIME THURSDAY – Click here to read about it – LOOK FOR POSSIBLE NEW CLASSES OPENING UP OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS! NEW CLASS TIME(S) TUE/THU Another Set of New Classes Added![/accordion_item][accordion_item title="Monday 2.15.16" parent_id="" id="" class="" style=""]Monday 2.15.16 A. Snatch Skill Work B. 7 Rounds 2 minutes to perform 5 Snatches 135/95 10 Lateral Burpees Over Bar Max Chest to Bar Pull Ups Rest 2 minutes Score is total reps performed. Each round is 5 + 10 + However many pull ups you performed.
Notes: Snatch Skill Work: Coaches choice, but this should have some concepts of barbell cycling involved in it. Wod: If we have a huge class you will be sharing a bar with someone else, so you'll be paired up with someone who has a similar strength, and if not, look alive and when they get off the lateral burpees over bar, get your plates changed out. Scale so that you have enough time to get to the bar and bang out a few reps (perhaps with around 20-30 seconds left) Scaling for pull ups can be anything again, regular pull ups, banded, ring rows. Whatever you feel most technically proficient at. You don't have to open your hips all the way on the burpees over bar [/accordion_item][accordion_item title="Tuesday 2.16.17" parent_id="" id="" class="" style=""]Tuesday 2.16.17 A. 15-20 minutes to work to a heavy set of the complex Pause Squat + Back Squat  (4+1) ***3 second pause at the bottom for the first 4 squats, the last squat is normal, work speed out of the bottom on that last one. B. Teams of 3 100 Floor Press 165/105 200 Kettlebell Swings 55/35 American 300 Double Unders Score is time
Notes: Squats: Just like the description says, the first 4 are a tempo, the last squat is working speed out of the bottom normal tempo down and up. Wod: Again, paired with people of your similar strength if possible, if not, separate bars. The work can be broken up however you'd like Only one person works a time Scaling for doubles is coaches choice. [/accordion_item][accordion_item title="Wednesday 2.17.16" parent_id="" id="" class="" style=""]Wednesday 2.17.16 A. 3 Rounds 30 yard plate push rest :30 seconds 30 yard plate push rest :30 seconds 30 yard plate push rest :30 seconds 30 yard plate push rest :30 seconds 10 strict toes to bar 20 cal row :45 second goblet squat 55/35 rest 3:00 between rounds
  Notes: Plate push is at 45# The distance will be broken up to two separate 10 yard segments on the turf, of which, we will be running 3 people on a line at the time (6 total per heat) You are responsible for tracking your own time, so pay attention Coaches choice for scaling on strict toes to bar, try to keep it to a strict variation though. 20 Cal row is all out! Goblet squat is 55/35, don't touch your elbows to your knees.[/accordion_item][accordion_item title="Thursday 2.18.16" parent_id="" id="" class="" style=""]Thursday 2.18.16 A. 7 Rounds 3 minutes to perform 3 position Power Clean mid thigh, below knee, floor max unbroken set of strict chin ups B. 7 minute amrap Teams of two Max Ball Slams 40/30 **These ball slams must be done in sets of 10 at a time
  Notes: 3 position power clean: must be performed without disconnecting from the bar This means there is a clean at each position Chin Ups: Unbroken set, and strict - meaning when you come off the bar, you are done. Amrap: Simple, fast, these have to be done in sets of 10, no more, no less. So... Joe hits 10 ball slams Jeff hits 10 ball slams Joe hits 10 ball slams Jeff hits 10 ball slams Joe hits 10 ball slams Jeff hits 10 ball slams Joe hits 10 ball slams Jeff hits 6 ball slams BEEP, time is up Score is 76 ball slams Catching on the bounce is mandatory for Rx'd, even on the last rep.[/accordion_item][accordion_item title="Friday 2.19.16" parent_id="" id="" class="" style=""]Friday 2.19.16 A. 20 minutes to establish Push Press + Push Jerk + Split Jerk B. Front Squat Religion Max at bodyweight (thats the amount you weight, on the bar) 5 burpee box jumps 24/20 not for time, for reps
  Notes: Complex: If you are new and not technically savvy at these movements, you will perform a push press 3rm unless the coach feels as though your technical ability allows for a push jerk. In which case the coach can customize your complex. example: Push Press, Push Press, Push Jerk. Front Squat Religion: Not for time, for reps. Rx'd is your bodyweight, on the bar, I weight 220, so I would put 220lbs on the bar, and that is Rx'd. If "Yennifer" weighs 160, 160 on the bar is Rx'd for her. We have two scales, so this shouldn't be an issue. If you are extremely sensitive to your weight, make something up. I don't want any emotional breakdowns today. You weigh what you weigh and we love you guys all the same. Just say Rx'd or Scaled.[/accordion_item][accordion_item title="Saturday 2.20.16" parent_id="" id="" class="" style=""]Saturday 2.20.16 Teams of 2 For time: 2k Row 50 Power Cleans 155/105 75 Toes to Bar 100 Burpees over Bar
  Notes: This must be performed in the order written however the work can be broken up back and forth however you see fit. Burpees can be lateral or facing Don't tear your hands on the TTB! Goal time is 22 minutes.[/accordion_item][accordion_item title="Sunday 2.21.16" parent_id="" id="" class="" style=""]Sunday 2.21.16 A. Every 30 seconds for 15 minutes Thruster x 1 B. 10 Rounds 20 seconds max muscle ups 40 seconds rest 20 seconds max handstand push ups 40 seconds rest
  Notes: Start with a weight that you think you can keep technically sound throughout the 15 minutes. Start at whatever weight you’d like You can take weight off during the 15 minutes, but you can’t add it back on. If it looks sloppy, strip the weight back If you no rep more than twice, strip that weight down Yes, it's pulled from the floor.[/accordion_item][/accordion][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Seven Things to Know/Do Before the Open

By: 0

[vc_row padding_top="0px" padding_bottom="0px"][vc_column fade_animation_offset="45px" width="1/1"][text_output]Seven Things to Know/Do Before the Open Written by Brandon, Fixed by Jess (And every day, really.) The open is right around the corner, and it’s time to start becoming more aware. Aware of your goals, your body, the clock, the reps you have left, the plan you are sticking to, what your are telling yourself in your head. It’s normal to not be terribly aware of your surroundings in a workout when you’ve been training less than a year and it takes a while, so don’t worry - it comes with practice. Even with practice, it’s important to be aware of negative habits that can slip into your training sessions and your mind.   7. The coaches see it all, the shaved reps intentional and unintentional Keeping count of your reps when extremely fatigued is hard. You may not notice missing a rep or two (and let’s be honest, there are times when you do) but the Open is when you’ll regret getting into the bad habit of bad reps. So start paying attention and start now. Count out loud if you have to, if you have a hard time keeping count - use a marker board to track them. Grab your phone, and record yourself so you can see if you’re hitting the standards. Judges won’t turn a blind eye to bad reps. Bad reps don’t count in the Open and one rep can make a big difference.   6. Know the difference between Scaled, Modified, and RX The difference is not that Carl is better than Brandon in all of life because Carl just did that workout RX and Brandon did not. The difference is in the form, the mechanics and consistency. Our goal first and foremost (and what yours should be too) is to avoid recipes for injuries. The RX score is something to be earned. It means you did every rep to the RX standard of that movement, and the full amount of repetitions in that workout. It’s okay to scale a workout to preserve the stimulus we are trying to accomplish with that workout - even in the Open. If you can’t get a muscle up, those chest-to-bar pull ups are going to feel just as nasty. Don’t leave anything to chance. We will (in any workout - not just the Open) tell you if you weren’t touching your toes to the bar or hitting the wall ball targets and your workout is, therefore, scaled.   5. Know your goal, know your goal, know your goal We aren’t talking life goals, or full on yearly athletic goals, that’s a talk for another time. Let’s talk smaller. Goals for the WOD at hand. Be Specific: Give yourself a range of what success would look like to you in each WOD. Adjust them for each workout. Bad Goal: I want to win the open / crush everyone in this workout Good Goal: I want to try to perform a 1 round per every 2 minutes during this workout. Be Realistic: Base this goal off of prior data and knowledge. Know your  numbers, what you can squat, how many pull ups you can do unbroken. You will often shoot too low with your goal, but more often you’ll shoot far too high. This is why numbers are important, know how your rep schemes and how to thingk them up. Pay attention to that stuff and write it down.   4. Get Some … Motivation Set your goals too far out of reach and your plan will go to shit, making it hard to stay motivated through the WOD, and the rest of the Open. The words you are speaking to yourself should be positive, affirming, and instructive. Research has found certain forms of self-talk is most useful for movements that require fine motor skills such as Olympic weightlifting or Challenging Gymnastics movements. What you say to yourself can improve focus, mental readiness, self confidence, and help you cope with difficult circumstances. Psych yourself up and find what helps you maintain your drive to succeed. Motivational self talk can also reduce the rate of perceived exertion in athletes, for improved performance during strength and endurance events. Get a mantra, sing a song, whatever. Need some suggestions? Here: Focused self talk: “Chest Up,” “Knees out,” “Extend” Motivational self talk: “Light weight!” “All day!” “Just one more rep...”   3. Lose the Attitude It’s not just about the words you say, it’s the attitude you have. Understand where it’s coming from. There is no time for negativity when the clock is running. Identify what is going on in your head so that when you hear it, you can overcome it. If this negativity is happening while you are not in the middle of a workout, take some time to meditate. Imagine that you sitting down, and your mind is a television. Now imagine you can see the negativity drift in front of you. Be aware of it, but allow it to pass in front of you and continue on its way, separating yourself from it. Quiet Down: Imagine you are turning the volume down on your t.v. so all that shit is silenced. Replace it with the positive self talk above, repeat.  2.5  Control Yo’ Self: Ever see someone who trains great but chokes in competition? It’s about controlling your anxiety. Side Note: Learn how to control your breathing (click here and follow this gif to control your breathing rate). The app “Headspace” is a fantastic app for that. Avoid postures of defeat: Pick your chest up and fuckin’ smile! Fake it until you make it. Slumped shoulders, frowning, hands on knees, will start to play into your psyche and in turn bleed into your performance. Click here to check out a really good TED talk on your body language. Don’t focus on how much it hurts, focus on small chunks of the workout, and how you can overcome each as its own individual obstacle.   2. Be Confident Don’t make excuses for yourself: I’m too short, too old, too weak, I’m not good enough. These are all a means to justify you to not take action. They become ingrained in your mind as self limiting beliefs. Don’t show off, don’t whine, don’t complain just to seek external validation. Confidence comes when you stop seeking approval of others and learn to validate yourself. Face your fears. Fear is part of the human conditioning, allowing it to control you is not. Challenges and setbacks are inevitable. You have the choice to view them as positive or negative. As obstacles to success or opportunities to learn and grow. Visualize your success and make that a part of your daily routine.   1. Develop a growth mindset, not a fixed one In a fixed mindset intelligence is static, this leads to a desire to look smart and therefore a tendency to… Avoid challenges / Gives up easily / See efforts as fruitless or worse / Ignore useful negative feedback / Feel threatened by the success of others / Lie about results With a fixed mindset you’ll plateau early and achieve less than your full potential. In a growth mindset, intelligence can be developed, fueling a desire to learn and therefore a tendency to... Embrace and seek out new challenges / Persist in the face of setbacks / See effort as a path to mastery / Learn from constructive criticism / Find lessons and inspiration in the success of others As a result, you will reach higher levels of achievement giving you a greater sense of free will and a will to give your all in every WOD and everything you do.[/text_output][/vc_column][/vc_row]