5 Reasons to make getting stronger one of your New Year’s resolutions:
It all starts with strength… and some other stuff.
Strength is one of the 10 foundations of fitness as taught by CrossFit and developed by Jim Cawley and Bruce Evans of Dyanamax (they make our medicine balls.) Developing a good base level of strength is critical for everyone not just for CrossFit folks.
Check out http://library.crossfit.com/free/pdf/CFJ-trial.pdf for more info on the 10 aspects of fitness.
Strength training takes time
Gaining strength, like so many other things in life, takes time – usually more time then you want it to take. Start now. Small efforts over time add up. As you will find out, consistency is king.
Being strong doesn’t just mean lifting more weight.
While strength training focuses around lifting heavy things there are numerous side benefits to getting under big weight. Your body mass changes, your bones can get stronger, your balance and stability improve and you become more resilient. Those are just the physical benefits – the mental aspects of lifting heavy are significant as well. Strength training is more than just moving your muscles, it requires focus, the right attitude and mental fortitude to repeatedly lift heavy stuff.
You will look better
This is an obvious one and not something that everyone wants to admit is one of their goals, but you will certainly look better. If you haven’t made training for strength a priority then hitting it hard for three months will give your body something to adjust to. It isn’t uncommon for people to get really, really hungry after they start lifting hard.
Strength is for life
Building a good base of strength is a long term investment. As we age we start to lose muscle whether we like it or not, so learning to strength train now is the perfect hedge against that. Want to be able to do awesome stuff when you’re 70? Be strong (and flexible) now.
BONUS REASON in case 5 just isn’t enough…
Strength is one of the biggest indicators of competitive success
Looking to up your competitive game? Whether you are competing in CrossFit competitions or some other sport, level of overall strength is one of the biggest indicators of success. This is from the CrossFit Games Website:
The Olympic lifts—snatch and clean and jerk—have been increasing steadily by about 10 to 20 lb. each year, with no end in sight. If this continues, in just a few years the average regional competitor is going to snatch 300 lb. on the men’s side and 200 lb. on the women’s. This is crazy.
http://games.crossfit.com/article/evolution-regional-athlete
Average bodyweights are 190/140 lbs for reference. The numbers speak for themselves – you need to be strong to do well in competitions. Playing another sport? Just look at the training regimes from years ago vs today, they all include heavy weights without exception.
The good news is that you have a great opportunity right here at CFH to start building strength. You get the power of our great community, individualized coaching and all kinds of knowledge to start getting strong.
Still have questions? Come join us this Saturday January 9. Already registered for the class? – come join us on the 9th as well! We will be talking about the class, deciding on meeting times and getting strength work in. Sign up below!
-Coach John P.
SIGN UP HERE for the FREE January 9th Course
Skill WOD
20 Second Hollow Hold with PVC Pipe
5-8 Ring Push ups with a 5 second decent
15 Second Super man hold with PVC Pipe
3 Rounds
WOD
Buy in: 50 Cal Row
18 KB Swings
18 Burpees
4 Rounds
Cash out: 50 Cal Row
Fitness: 35/26
RX: 53/35
RX+: 70/53
