Catchup...

So I guess it has been awhile since I've posted anything...

Where have I been you ask? Studying and writing exams...and trying to get caught up at work before the holidays...

Here is an update on things that have been going on.

I have been diving into Crossfit, loving it more every day. Right now I am still trying to find my SRM (Single Rep Max) for each of the basic lifts that I described in my posts about my onboarding. I am surprising myself with how strong I actually am. Here are some of my personal records so far...

• Overhead Press - 75lbs
• Bench Bress - 105lbs
• Deadlift - 175lbs
• Clean - 120lbs
• Double Unders (skipping) - have worked up to 12 in a row!

I also brought my brother this past week to try out a Crossfit class. It was fun to watch him learn the technique and have him watch me lift more weight than he thought I could!

Over and out for now,

-Sarah

Crossfit - Getting Started - Training Session #3

This past Friday I had my final, and most challenging Crossfit session. In this session I learned the Deadlift, the Snatch and the Clean.

The Deadlift was definitely the easiest of the three to learn, but it was also a far cry technique wise from what I have been taught in fitness classes.

The Snatch was the most challenging move for me to grasp. It uses a wide grip and the starting position of a deadlift, but then also a jump and pull action and the movement of getting under the bar, similar to the split jerk, but into a squat position. This work is going to take me alot of work to perfect I imagine.

The Clean was a move that I had a bit of experience with from my first two drop in classes that I took, so we spent less time working on this.

So now I am finished all of my private sessions and tonight I am heading to my first actual class as a member of crossfit!! Here goes nothing!

Crossfit - Getting Started - Training Session #2

Yesterday morning I had another session at Crossfit. This was my second of 2 sessions. During this session I learned the series of presses (Overhead Press and Push Press) used in Crossfit as well as the Split Jerk.

Here is a link to a pretty good explanation article of the Push Press on the Crossfit Journal http://www.crossfit.com/journal/library/PushpressJan03.pdf

Also here is a demo of the split Jerk.

What I leaned in this session, these movements use so many more parts of the body that I every imagined they would. I am now learning to be more body aware and using my core muscles in every movement. What I also learned...these three presses are each more powerful easier to use move heavier weight than the next, the press being the least and the split jerk being the most. I have to say, I felt extremely strong and powerful being able to press a 75lb bar over my head multiple times in all positions :)

Overall great session, I'm learning so much. I have my third and final session on Friday. More to come!

Crossfit - Getting Started - Training Session #1

This morning I had my very first into to the various basics of lifting in Crossfit. I have to say that I am pleasantly surprised with myself, but also slightly disappointed in myself that I couldn't do more.

Overall, I was told I had good posture, strength and flexibility....but also have room for of improvement. One area that I am going to need to focus on is core strength....and pull ups...

After 2 decent runs and teaching 3 spin classes in the last week, I was unfortunately feeling the effects in my hip flexers/quads which made it difficult to fully perform when learning the squat techniques. Today I learned to do the front squat, back squat and overhead squat. After years of doing squats in group fitness classes, I realize that I have been lacking some technique that is sometimes hard to focus on in the fast pace of a fitness class. I feel like this will be something I am going to have to focus on from now on in Crossfit classes. (I also feel like I am going to be hurting a bit tomorrow, which is why I am hitting up a yoga class tonight to recover.)

Session two will be next week where I will learn some basic lifts. Looking forward to it!