Getting Prepped. . . . err. . .Pumped

There is a direct correlation between CrossFit, Olympic Lifting and Sumo wrestling - trust me, this isn't much of a stretch if you've watched a Sumo match recently. . .


Alright, let's figure out where we are going with this one.

In CrossFit, just before your workout, you have your ritual - that thing you do (pretty much every time) prior to the clock starting or prior to your lifts.

In Olympic Lifting, it's relatively similar - each athlete performs something prior to their lift.  Coach B stated that there is the static start or the dynamic start when Oly lifting - each one allows the athlete to perform their particular "ritual" before their lift - whether it's a moment of focus or a moment of clarity that they must attain prior to their lift.

In Sumo - Once the actual bouts begin, the two rikishi (sumo wrestler) spend several minutes before their match lifting their legs high in the air and stomping them down, a practice said to scare away any demons. They also throw several handfuls of salt into the ring, which is said to purify the ring.

Ever see CrossFitters or Oly lifters put chalk in their hands and then clap their hands?  That's one way to get rid of one of the most powerful demons in life - fear.  Somewhere inside each of us lies an ability to focus on the task at hand and forget everything else.  Fear, doubt, disbelief and pessimism are replaced once the prep ritual is complete.

Toward the end of workouts; the grunts and groans get past dry lips and sweaty faces.  Those said faces become contorted to meet the demands of the work left - people will do whatever they have to do just to finish.

Because safety is of the utmost concern - we need to think about that last piece, "people will do whatever they have to do just to finish", keep in the back of your mind that you don't want to put yourself at risk of injury just to finish. . . which doesn't mean stop - it means slow down, collect yourself, focus on each rep, don't focus on what you have left (it can potentially be extremely daunting).

Prep is in regards to what you do when you practice, but you have to get a little pumped when you prep - cause at some point, all that prep work will pay off when you take it to the competition - or the next workout.

So, next time you get ready for your workout, don't throw chalk on the ground to scare away CrossFit or Oly Lifting demons - but do your thing, get it done, and feel what Kevin Daigle mentions May the Force Be With You

-Coach Tony

"Before anything else, preparation is the key to success."
Alexander Graham Bell