Foundations - What They Are and Why We Require Them
Most movements used in
CrossFit require a bit more attention to technique than you may be used to if
your training background has been limited to the multitude of shiny machines
you see at “normal” gyms. CrossFit believes that no machine in existence can
match a properly executed squat, muscle-up, kettlebell swing, or clean and jerk
when it comes to developing strength, power, and all-around fitness. Since
these types of movements are more complex than simply adjusting the position of
a pin in a Cybex or HammerStrength machine, you’ll benefit greatly from
receiving some one on one or small group training to learn the fundamentals.
Here are a few of the main
reasons we think our Foundations programs are vital for new clients:
- You’ll have the opportunity to learn in a
low-stress environment with one on one or small group attention from a trainer.
If you’re part of a small group, you’ll be with others at a similar
fitness level so you don’t have to worry about being intimidated by being
thrown right into a group WOD (Workout of the Day for those of you new to CrossFit) with our “firebreathers.” You’ll have a much
easier time learning the movements when there’s no music blasting or clock
ticking.
- Your trainer will be able to identify any
pre-existing injuries or mobility problems prior to you beginning group WODs, and will assist you in
improving your flexibility or working around any limitations you have.
- You’ll learn all the movements necessary to complete
the WODs we do on a daily basis. This is beneficial both to you and to
other clients. During group WODs the trainer will have time to refine
technique on that day’s movements but will not have enough time to teach
movements from scratch. If all clients possess a similar baseline of
proficiency, the trainer will be able to move throughout the class and
make corrections as necessary, as opposed to focusing strictly on one
client.
- You’ll learn how to do the movements properly
from the beginning. That way you won’t have to go back later on and
un-learn bad habits. By learning proper form and range of motion, you’ll
maximize the results you get from your workouts while minimizing the risk
of injury.
During your Foundations
sessions you will receive instruction and hands-on technique work in the
following areas:
- What is CrossFit? What is fitness? You’ll learn
about the methodology behind CrossFit, what its goals are, and how to
adjust CrossFit-style training to meet your personal health or performance
goals.
- The basics of nutrition. We simply cannot
overstate the importance of nutrition when it comes to improving your
health and performance. If you eat poor quality food (or eat in poor
proportions) you’ll undermine your efforts to perform during workouts, build
muscle, burn fat, have more energy and mental clarity, improve your
cholesterol and other bloodwork, and recover from your efforts in the gym.
You’ll learn how to fuel your body for peak performance and to improve
body composition.
- The “essential” movements of CrossFit—you’ll
learn how to properly perform the squat, front squat, overhead squat,
press, push press, push jerk, deadlift, sumo deadlift high pull, medicine
ball clean, bench press, GHD sit-ups, snatch, clean and jerk, handstand
push-ups, kettlebell swing, pull-up, box jump, double-under, thruster, rowing on the C2, and many
others.
- How and when to scale WODs to your fitness level
so you get the maximum benefit out of each workout.
Will you need 5 or 12
sessions of Foundations? That’s really up to the individual. Twelve sessions
will obviously give you much more attention from our trainer and is the
preferred way to go if you have little or no previous exposure to CrossFit. If
you’ve done most of the movements before and just need a refresher on some of
the fundamentals, 5 sessions may be enough.
Questions? Talk to any of our
trainers and they can clarify things for you.
