Programming

First and foremost before we get started I just want to say that I absolutely LOVE Olympic Lifting and Power Lifting always have and just because I am now doing CrossFit doesn’t mean that passion is going to change anytime soon. OK having gotten that out of the way lets get started. The aim of CrossFit has been to forge a broad, general and inclusive fitness. CrossFit is a dynamic exercise regiment and takes from cardiovascular endurance, gymnastics and Olympic Weightlifting. It’s my belief that without Olympic Weightlifting CrossFit would just be a glorified boot camp. At CFThump I emphasize the Olympic Weightlifting in the weekly programming. It is my opinion that this facet of CrossFit is the most important one to develop. It leads to strength gains and helps you achieve the change that you want to visibly see in your physique. These lifts are very technical and require constant practice and work. You must learn how to lift properly and safely. These movements are used in CF W.O.D’s, which are designed for speed. The CrossFit prescription is “constantly varied, high intensity, functional movement.” Therefore at CFThump we really emphasize correct lifting technique. We want you to learn the proper form and use the proper form on EVERY lift no matter the WOD.  Olympic lifts are functional movements. Functional movements are universal recruitment patterns performed in a wave of contraction from core to extremity and they are compound movements or multi-joint movements. They lead to very explosive speed, power and strength. They are mechanically sound and safe.

Practicing the Olympic lifts teaches one to apply force to muscle groups in proper sequence (core to extremity). Numerous studies have demonstrated the Olympic lifts unique capacity to develop strength, muscle, power, speed, coordination, vertical leap, muscular endurance, bone strength, and the physical capacity to withstand stress. It is also worth mentioning that the Olympic lifts are the only lifts shown to increase maximum oxygen uptake, the most important marker for cardiovascular fitness. As functional movements the Olympic Lifts tap into the neuro endocrine response system and elicit a high neuro endocrine response. So what? Why should you care? Well, among the hormonal responses vital to athletic development are substantial increases in testosterone, insulin-like growth factor, and human growth hormone. The only other thing on the planet that does this is an illegal steroid. Think about that buddy, ether juice and put your health at risk or get the same results from doing Olympic Weightlifting. That is an easy choice in my opinion. For you bodybuilder types (I used to be one, I’m a gold medal winning body-builder) sorry those isolation movements you do barely scratch the surface of the neuro endocrine response system. You want muscle you have to do the Olympic lifts you want to be a great CrossFitter you MUST excel at the Olympic lifts. Here at CrossFit Thump we emphasize the Olympic lifts in our programming. We make use of A.S. Prilepin’s Chart for loading, use and adapt among others from Westside Barbells Dynamic Method and Conjugate System as well as take from the Bulgarian Weightlifting Method and incorporate periodization for all programs. We mix and match and hybrid from these principles to adapt it to CrossFit. We also offer a separate USAW class to help you be the best CrossFitter you can be, whether you just love to WOD or you are trying to qualify for regionals and the Games our programming can help you get where you want to be. Quite honestly why wouldn’t you want to be stronger?