The Irreplaceable Handstand

For some reason or another, the handstand has be mostly abandoned and almost forgotten in all of training. There is no good reason for why this has happened and every athlete should begin to incorporate the handstand back into their training. Obvious reasons for this would be to increase shoulder and arm strength, but really the most important reasons are core stabilization and becoming accustomed to being inverted for increase blood and oxygen circulation to the brain.

The Wayfit Kids

WayFit is a program that is done twice a week at West Austin Youth Assosiation (WAYA) for children between the ages or 10 and 13. Just like all other Crossfit programs, this one is meant to challenge each one of these youngsters to their individual levels of Fitness. Through this program, we also offer up an opportunity for these children to learn leadership, teamwork, self-developement as well as hard work. Working with children is what inspired me to become a professional trainer, and will always be the times I enjoy the most in all my training opportunities. New session starts tomorrow. Click the Wayfit link above for more info.

One Hard Worker

Eric Ditmer has been attending Crossfit Central's Bootcamp programs for about a year now. He is one the the stronger runners that I know and is over all in great shape. In the last couple months, he has takin interest in our indoor programs as well. As most of the clients that come indoors, Eric was very unfamiliar with a majority of what we do. None the less he has stepped up and been ready to take in all he could about becoming a better all around athlete. I am honored to work with such hard working and highly committed individuals such as this man. It's easy to see why he has achieved great levels of success in his career. With continued effort against the physically demanding challenges CrossFit brings, he will surely be right up with the best of them in this new sport.

Eric is pictured here performing the Olympic style Split Jerk at 100% effort. In my opinion... pretty damn good!

How do you know when you are Fit?

Large scale Crossfit events are a great opportunity to compare yourself to others who are about as fit or more fit than yourself. These workouts have always made me realize how much I am lacking in my training, or how much more I can push myself to raise my abilities. There is truly something powerful about seeing somebody who should by no means be able to out perform you, do it anyways. This past weekend, we put on the Fight Gone Bad workout at the gym. This is one of the more physically challenging workouts that we do in Crossfit. The competitiveness that this workout drives in individuals is obvious. Participants who do the workout are almost always concerned with their performance and very motivated to improve on the exercises the workout entails in attempt to better their scores. For me, I am forced with the challenge that Jeremy Thiel and the CrossFit A&M crew are all able to out perform me in this workout. I am saying now that these are the people who I am looking to chase down on the 29th when we do our Fight Gone Bad/ Athletes for a Cure/ CrossFit Prostate Cancer Fundraiser. Beyond all that, the events that we do that have up 40+ people show up are always a great time for everyone. Again, I am looking forward to seeing and meeting all who decide to come out for the workout on the 29th. Crossfit Journal - How Fit are you?

Complex

I've noticed several times that when people are introduced to Olympic style weightlifting, they become concerned that they cannot get the hang of it. I can't stress enough that only through practice that accuracy, coordination, balance and agility can be maintained. Uncomfortable movements are directly tied to the fact that your body is simply not used to the movement itself. It isn't that you physically cannot perform the movement, but that you need to first learn it, then practice it over and over again. Eventually what will happen is the feeling will become more natural. I especially love the times when I'm working with somebody who will say, "I used to do this when I was a kid! Why can't I do it now." Your body was created to be able to move specifically the way in which Crossfitters train. Most of the time, we are merely reteaching our bodies how to do things that they have been capable of since we were children. Don't ever say you can't. Just keep trying until you can!

Don't quit! Ever!

Sometimes the weather doesn't always cooperate with us during the workouts. Last week the rain began to come down hard in the last round of rowing during the evening class. This causes the seats and foot hooks to get slippery and hard to stay on. Rather than calling a stop or making adjustments to the workout to keep from getting wet, everyone stayed outside for the finish. Once again Crossfit Central is representing what it means to be a Crossfitter!

Friday Night Lights

I had an awesome opportunity to go check out Austin Westlake play Lake Travis this past Friday night. I prefer to watch these games from the sideline and thats exactly where what I did for this game. Working with athletes in this age group is something that I am very passionate about. Their eagerness to get better and learn more is extraordinarily higher than any other group of individuals I've work with.PowerPlant Athletics has recently signed on to do a strength and conditioning program for the Westlake's female basketball program. This is the first opportunity for us to get involved in the high school communities in Austin, and we are looking forward to more of this to come. Congrats to Westlake High for holding on to win this one as it came down to the last play. Westlake 28 - Lake Travis 21.

Fitness Program or Sport?

I was speaking to my class at 6 PM on Thursday explaining the revolution that is occurring in the fitness industry. Crossfit is not only about getting in better shape. I know several trainers who can help any individual get in better shape. Our program is about performance. We strive on being able to get the most work done in the short amount of time we train. Crossfitters are fierce competitors. We don't want to be people who just look the part, but people who can flat out get it done and be ready for more. We don't just do a fitness program... we dominate the fitness arena? Anyone who thinks their program is better... Prove it!

Women who Crossfit!

There is a really interesting phenomenon that occurs any time people hear anything about fitness programs. Men seem to discard them and women get involved in them. This is common all over and in my opinion, is very humorous to think about. Before CrossFit, I never would've considered joining a group program. In fact, I thought it was ridiculous to do any workout with a female. Males are stronger, faster and just down right better athletes than women are right? Well about 2 years ago I was at my computer and I got a email from a friend with a video link attached to it. Not really expecting anything I clicked on it only to have my mind blown by what I saw. 3 women doing a workout unlike anything I've ever seen by far nothing I've even considered attempting. My jaw was literally dropped open. This was my first experience of CrossFit. I new that I had to implement these workouts to my training. The 3 Sic Fit women inspired me so much, that I dropped my way of training to convert to the CrossFit way.
5 days ago I finally developed the ability to do more than one muscle up in a day. 3 days ago, I attempted the workout I saw 2 years ago. Today, my whole body is still trying to cure itself from it. This workout is without a question, one of the toughest ever put together and I give many props to all the females who come into CrossFit. This is a program surely designed for men, but being conquered my women all over the country. To all the men out there, it is time to change the way you think about a group fitness program. If you need a challenge... step up so these women can teach you a thing or two. Nicki Hall from CrossFit Central is just beginning her journey to Elite Fitness. So far, so good girl. Keep it up!


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