Original article re-posted from Beastmodal Domains (with some language editing!)
You Rx’d that WOD? BEASTMODE! … wait. Should you have even done it as prescribed? Back it up.
CrossFit is intensity, and intensity is relative to our individual physical abilities. I saw you work at a snail pace through the WOD, and you had no business doing push jerks with 155 pounds on the bar. Congrats on writing Rx’d on the whiteboard, but no one got to see it because you took so long that you’re the only one left in the gym, Rip Van WODKilla.
Intensity is probably the most recognizable of CrossFit’s charter which includes mechanics and consistency. Since intensity is relative to what you are capable of, don’t get ahead of yourself and try to do something that is going to slow you down to the point of not bringing the ruckus. According to Pat Sherwood in the CrossFit Journal:
“Intensity, as we define it, is exactly equal to average power (force x distance / time). In other words, how much real work did you do and in what time period? The greater the average power, the greater the intensity. This makes it a measurable fact, not a debatable opinion. Intensity and average power are the variable most commonly associated with optimizing favorable results. Whatever you want from exercise comes faster with intensity. It’s not volume or duration or heart rate or even discomfort. Do more work in less time (without overdoing it), and you’ll get fitter faster.”
So why are YOU resistant to scaling? Pride and ego. Those two things are the downfall of many. Ask yourself this: “Who am I competing against everyday in the box? The monsters that finish everything Rx’d faster than those who scale? If that isn’t you, don’t be ridiculous and try to use loads that will slow you down and impede your progression. You are competing against you. Intensity is a truth only you will know, based upon your output.
First of all, there is nothing wrong with scaling. Everyone needs to check their egos. We could sit here and talk about BEASTMODE, and truly try to inspire you to flip your Firebreather switch. But if that means you bite off more than you can chew and take too long to finish the WOD, you are missing the point. You’re not elite because your T-shirt says so. You are elite because you bust your butt.
Intensity demands you identify the ranged time domain based upon your coach’s intentions in the programmed WOD. Knowing your capabilities (with guidance from your coach), select loads that will allow you to complete the WOD at full intensity relative to the intent. That’s why coaches like WODs with time caps. If it takes you 3 hours to complete “Eva”, stop.
This stuff goes both ways. There are athletes who, when a coach suggests they should go heavier on a WOD, choose to do it Rx’d instead. You may want to do it as Rx’d so you can compete on a level playing field with everyone else in the box. Unless it’s an actual competition, that is dumb. Listen to your coach. You can do a metcon anywhere, but you can only get CrossFit coaching at a CrossFit affiliate. I pay for the coaching, not for the workout.
Either way, when a coach suggests you scale and you don’t like it (because you want to do it Rx’d): do what they say anyway. They know what they are talking about and they know your capabilities. If you want to prove them wrong, pound out that WOD at the weight they told you to use, and do it with a level of intensity that will make the coach say, “Damn. I should’ve let them do it Rxd.”
Today’s Workout:
Buy In – 3 rounds of 10 pvc dislocates, 5 box jumps, 3 inchworms, 3 man makers
WOD – “Gymnastique”
This wod is not for time, focus on the development of technical skill and specific strength in several gymnastics moves. Take your time and work quality as opposed to quantity. Over the course of 30 minutes, work through the following stations switching as needed:
- Wall walk/HSPU/Handstands accumulate 20-30 reps of hspu (scaled as needed) or 2-3 minutes of wall walk/ handstand practice
- Parallette L Sits/ Tuck Holds accumulate 2-3 minutes of various holds
- Pistol Squats 20-30 reps per leg (scaled as needed)
- Ring Dip/Ring Support/Muscle up accumulate 20-30 reps or 2-3 minutes of various supports
Cash Out – MWOD 49 – Coach review of MWOD, then spend some time on the shoulders as well!
Test: Run a few 100?s
Mwod: Hit the psoas, couch, and calves. Try and nail 2-3 minutes on each side/each thing. If something isn’t giving you grief, move on.
Retest: How was your forward lean on the next few 100?s? Better I’d bet
[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxBXYhBB8Bc&feature=player_embedded’]
Agreed. I notice this in the Zone Games (coming soon!). Where for past games I wasn't sure if I could do the advanced category, so I went intermediate. Then ended up doing weights less than I would normally do, but you get just as good of a workout because you just go faster. I think it was 14 lb wallballs… I'd never done them before and thought they'd be a joke, but 40 later at top speed and they hit you pretty hard.
I feel like the buy in is a better time to push the weights up as high as you can, and get that strength base.
Amen! Thanks for adding this post Bones. I find it is harder to say no to RX and scale when you need to then bust through a wod where it is too heavy.
There is also the extreme where people are afraid to go up a level. If you are finishing the workout in Zone 1 or 2 and completing it at the same time or faster than someone that is usually high up on the leaderboard, add some weight to the bar (if your technique is virtuous)
Don't be afraid to ask the coach what you should do for the workout and what the anticipated time is for the workout if scaled properly.
Great post. It really does pay to keep yourself accountable for your ability. Sometimes taking a step back and realizing that orient the end of the world if you don't do RX'd. Your mental wellbeing and your body will thank you.
I think this article poses some good questions for people to ask themselves before they load up to do a WOD. Stay present in your workouts, and make sure you're being true to your ACTUAL and POTENTIAL ability each day. Be honest with yourself, scale properly, and you'll see great results!
Thanks very much for posting this Shannon! I admit I have been a primary offender of always feeling I have to "do it Rx'd," and now that I've been at this a couple of years, I sure wish I had scaled a LOT more in many cases in the past. I have had an opportunity lately to scale everything and my body IS thanking me. I'm finding that a lot of rest and working on technique is having some wonderful benefits. I really appreciate all the coaches efforts in keeping us accountable and discussing our weights with us – thank you!
Thanks for posting this Bones! One of my goals for the new year is to scale everything to an appropriate level in an attempt to adopt a "train smart" mentality and overcome the constant plague of injuries I seem to be nursing. This post really hit home for me….. Also, I do believe that the coaches can recommend appropriate weights for certain individuals but no one knows your body better than you…..so listen to it and train accordingly!
Word. I think there's a mentality that everyone is working up to Rx, so once you get there, anything else is a step in the wrong direction. But the best of the best at anything are always looking to the future, and not just what is happening that day. I'm sure dropping the weight a little and fucusing on form is the best for your long-term progress most of the time.
I too have been trying to step back and look at the big picture of my training when deciding what weight to use. The reality is that lasting fitness improvements happen over weeks and months, not overnight. Injury, however, can happen in an instant. Good post. Think big picture, not big ego.
"The reality is that lasting fitness improvements happen over weeks and months, not overnight. Injury, however, can happen in an instant. Good post. Think big picture, not big ego. " – Hit the nail on the head with that one Adam.
I love what you guys tend to be up too. This kind of clever work
and exposure! Keep up the terrific works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll.