The good, the bad, and well.. the ugly…. (bron: www.crossfitftf.com)
Did you just say “What the fuck was that?” I would imagine if you read this website often enough or are familiar with CrossFit or bodybuilding, or any other “technically sound” movement pattern, you probably did…. and as I was perusing through facebook the other day, when I saw a post on this video saying “This is the epitome of irresponsible coaching and a huge WTF! I was never a fan of crossfit and this is an example why.” It was a video that as a fitness enthusiast and a promoter of MANY different methodologies, I understood was DIFFERENT than everything I knew. It was based on STRONGMAN movements which to me.. are foreign, but to the strongman world.. are very much NORMAL. In fact, here is the disclaimer underneath the video:
“Taken from an event with veteran CrossFit athletes. Hitting axle clean and jerks. Supervised by Strongman Certified Coaches. Axle weight is about 10-15lbs. This lift is not a standard Clean and Jerk.”
(Look Familiar from the FIRST video??)
OK… NOW let me just assert that first of all, to assert that there is bad coaching going on to me is unfortunately a misunderstanding from this individual. There are those of us, who yes we have taken time to study MANY different methodologies, from Triathlon to bodybuilding, to strongman, to CrossFit. And to blame CrossFit as a community for “irresponsible coaching is unfortunately a misnomer in statement. In fact, i think it is a fallacy if I have ever heard one. Here is the underlying message I want to get across today.
There are many different methodologies out there. Along with the different methodologies that are out there, there are good coaches and bad coaches.
So here is what I have learned in our very Politically Correct world. First, I have learned as a coach that I DON’T know everything. After 20 years of studying, learning, picking people’s brains and especially within the last 10 years with the internet, the growth of the CrossFit Community, the bringing together of many different philosophies, there is HUGE amount of information coming out every day.
There is GOOD information and BAD information. There are GOOD videos, BAD videos, and I’ll even go as so far to say Shitty videos out there. There is some stuff I would NEVER condone to ANYONE for the sheer fact it is just poor movement patterns, and there is some that I would like to learn (like this movement)
Now, what do I want YOU to do as an athlete and as a coach? research… do your f***ing research. Before we open our mouths about something, we need to educate ourselves on what it is we are trying to accomplish or comment about. I know for a fact that my filter is broken (in other words, shit comes flying out of my mouth without thought) BUT I DO choose to research things before I make a judgement call. I have to admit when I first saw this video I had to stop it, look at the grip, understand what was being done and then…. look up the movement in another world… on YouTube.
It doesn’t matter WHAT your background is, we are quick to judge people based on how they move. We are quick to say it’s the coaches fault. We are quick to say they are doing that wrong. But it is SO HARD to look in the mirror and say.. maybe i DON’T understand what they are trying to achieve. Maybe I should stop and look at what is trying to be accomplished. Not ONE SINGLE SPORT, NOT ONE is EASY ON THE BODY.. I don’t care what anyone says. ( I take that back.. sitting on chair for hours on end… oh wait.. not even that is easy on the body.. never mind) Our bodies were designed to be used.. but when you push them to the limits in ANY type of exercise there is risk..
So let’s get back to the issue at hand, since I am on a soap box apparently. Your responsibility as an athlete or potential member is to do your research on your coach, your gym, your new sport and look for the best of the best. There is a reason those whom are good at what they do are there. It takes time to hone your skills as an athlete and looking for the best guidance out there should be a goal of yours. You ALSO need to find what WORKS FOR YOU. You see, not every coach and not every personality style will suit you. I have found through my rough around the edges personality that there are certain types of people who can NOT stand me and that’s fine. That’s why there are 8 other coaches at our facility to choose from.
Now.. let me caution you on this….. It may NOT be the person with the most paper wins… (because I have seen this as well) Just because you have a piece of paper doesn’t mean you know wha the fuck you are talking about. In fact, sometimes it could be QUITE the opposite. There are several factors that go into coaching- Personal skills, technical skills, studying, Open-mindedness (most of us are guilty of having a closed mind at SOME point) meaning looking into new techniques or sports, Ability to motivate others, attentiveness, ability to listen, ability to talk. You see, some of the best coaches out there may only have personal experience and studying from a book and only one piece of paper and I have seen the contrary where the person with the most papers has the worst coaching style and may be un-approachable.
Something I have been VERY careful of lately is bad mouthing other sports BEFORE i open my unfiltered mouth. I am VERY aware there are a LOT of sports out there I am unfamiliar with… I mean how would you train for curling.. i have NO idea… BUT a good coach will look at the athlete, look at the goal of the sport and taylor the program as needed. Again, scalable to ALL fitness levels… CrossFit right?
What’s the point here, because it seems like I am rambling now (and I probably am). The point is.. instead of bad mouthing the coaching when you see a video, do some research. Before you choose a coach, or a CrossFit facility, dig around a bit, go in for a visit, check out a free workout and see what it’s like there. If it works for you… AWESOME… if it DOESN’T , then change it. The bottom line is, you have to be comfortable in YOUR own skin wherever you train AND you have to do what is FUN for you.. REGARDLESS OF THE METHODOLOGY!!!!!
Be SLOW TO JUDGE and QUICK TO LEARN! – Go Out and Be GREAT!
(Bron: www.crossfitftf.com)
