Crossfit/USA Weightlifting Hybrid Contest

[Kevin Perry]

I guess this explains why my coach mentioned a group of @Fitter's from Spartantown that want to come down to byrnes and learn to lift soon. uhg

[Geoffrey Thompson]

Kevin - Don't worry, they're probably not prepping for this event. Quite fortunately, CF does encourage a lot of people to go out and learn to lift right.

[Patrick Donnelly]

Originally Posted by Geoffrey Thompson

Kevin - Don't worry, they're probably not prepping for this event. Quite fortunately, CF does encourage a lot of people to go out and learn to lift right.

No, they don't: 20% slop.


I also do a bit of weightlifting coaching myself, just to help newbies get into the sport, but half of the people I've had come to me have been CrossFitters who only want to learn the Olympic lifts to improve their cardio workout times. They never come for more than 3-4hrs of coaching, because that's about how long it takes them to realize that they aren't going to learn the lifts properly unless they actually become weightlifters.

[Shane Skowron]

Originally Posted by Patrick Donnelly

They never come for more than 3-4hrs of coaching, because that's about how long it takes them to realize that they aren't going to learn the lifts properly unless they actually become weightlifters.

You need to become a weightlifter to learn how to lift properly?
When does one "become" a weightlifter?

[James Evans]

Originally Posted by Patrick Donnelly

No, they don't: 20% slop.


I also do a bit of weightlifting coaching myself, just to help newbies get into the sport, but half of the people I've had come to me have been CrossFitters who only want to learn the Olympic lifts to improve their cardio workout times. They never come for more than 3-4hrs of coaching, because that's about how long it takes them to realize that they aren't going to learn the lifts properly unless they actually become weightlifters.

Ok, the meet is absolutely retarded.

BUT how many people on this forum alone developed an interest in weightlifting through their exposure to CrossFit?

I'm no apologist for the Couch but let's take a step back here.

[Geoffrey Thompson]

Originally Posted by Patrick Donnelly

No, they don't: 20% slop.

Well, yes and no. A lot of CrossFit Coaches (TM) do want people to learn right and have definitely fostered an interest in proper OL form. But, yes, you are right, they encourage a lot of crap form. Take, for instance, the official rules of their max snatch events in competition. Basically, the only thing you can't do is rest it on your shoulders and do another dip and drive... Then again, it's not a good idea for me to disagree with you, as you have actual experience coaching CrossFitters on their OL form.

Ugh, improving OL form so you can get a better result on conditioning workouts. That's sick. And wrong. The way to rock Isabel is to have a >100kg snatch. In fact, you shouldn't even consider doing it unless you have a >100kg snatch.

But, I agree with James. Though I've never been an @Fitter, I did discover the barbell lifts through @Fit. Since OL is one of my interests, though I'm not good at it, they are definitely to blame for my interest in proper OL form. The Burgener videos on their site were the first instruction I had on the snatch and clean and jerk.

[Garrett Smith]

Originally Posted by Shane Skowron

You need to become a weightlifter to learn how to lift properly?
When does one "become" a weightlifter?

A weightlifter would do the OLs regularly...and do them properly--as in, low reps while focusing on form, because crap form creates a nearly impenetrable ceiling to increasing their max.

One would become a weightlifter about the time they become an insect...when their program is planned out and has a good portion devoted to the OLs on a weekly basis.

JMO.

I also teach OLs to CFers. I was asked to do this because the "OLs" showing up in timed WODs, according to the affiliate, doesn't give people any opportunity to improve their form. I've been told that my six hours of instruction have made noticeable differences in both form and time in high-rep OL-based metcons. FWIW.

[Patrick Donnelly]

Originally Posted by Garrett Smith

A weightlifter would do the OLs regularly...and do them properly--as in, low reps while focusing on form, because crap form creates a nearly impenetrable ceiling to increasing their max.

One would become a weightlifter about the time they become an insect...when their program is planned out and has a good portion devoted to the OLs on a weekly basis.

JMO.

This. And competing is definitely a bonus.

[Shane Skowron]

Originally Posted by Garrett Smith

A weightlifter would do the OLs regularly...and do them properly--as in, low reps while focusing on form, because crap form creates a nearly impenetrable ceiling to increasing their max.

One would become a weightlifter about the time they become an insect...when their program is planned out and has a good portion devoted to the OLs on a weekly basis.

JMO.

I also teach OLs to CFers. I was asked to do this because the "OLs" showing up in timed WODs, according to the affiliate, doesn't give people any opportunity to improve their form. I've been told that my six hours of instruction have made noticeable differences in both form and time in high-rep OL-based metcons. FWIW.

So what about sprinters, jumpers, and other athletes who use Oly lifts to train for their sport? Does this mean they can't learn the lifts properly unless they start becoming weightlifters?

[Stephen Flamm]

I own a CrossFit affiliate, and we regularly include low-rep Oly work (not ground-to-overhead)) in our programming. Both my partner and I have followed Catalyst training cycles for anywhere from 3-6 months at a time to great gains. We have entered Oly competitions and will continue to do so.

This is a good opportunity for members of CrossFit gyms to get a taste of a real Oly competition with real judging and standards, even if that competition is one part of a greater event. I would bring my whole gym if this was closer to home.

On a side note, I have never personally met anyone though CF who would not thoroughly enjoy watching an elite Oly lifter out-lift the field and proceed to crush the "Triplet".