Well this video had two 5 yr olds in stitches last night and by the looks of things a few guys and gals in the video may have been in stitches too!
A brief conversation in the gym yesterday got me thinking about who makes up these magic routines and numbers we all believe are gospel in the gym.
I'm not taking a swipe at Crossfit in general because that's where I started and I believe they genuinely have something positive to offer.
But when you think about it Olympic Weightlifting is just something that someone, once upon a time long ago made up!
The correct form and technique brigade make you feel stupid for doing a Turkish Get Up incorrectly. Or heaven forbid you muck up a Clean and Jerk.
We need to get a grip!
It's all just made up.
Perhaps you remember the furore that the Fosbury Flop caused way back when.
I'm pretty sure he didn't read about his technique in a text book before he went out "invented" it.
So it's about time I get to the point I suppose.
I had a conversation with Darren in the gym yesterday and he spoke of how he injured his calf muscle doing Crossfit Double Unders. This was part of the Crossfit Open series.
There's nothing inherently wrong with this exercise but it may just be wrong for Darren. It may not have always been this way but right now it is.
This kind of thing happens way too frequently in the gym and I'm not blaming Darren for being foolhardy. I'm just the same if it's written down then by god it has to get done!
Who cares if I can't walk properly tomorrow. Hard won battle scars to be proudly displayed.
We all seem to get a little caught up with prescriptive programmes believing that they're the Holy Grail of improved performance or a better looking naked body.
20 Rep Squat Routine, 5 x 5 for Strength, Accentuated Slow Smooth Training. The Crossfit Open etc...
But to be honest.
It's all just made up!
Yes the caveat to this is that if you're lucky it's made up by someone with experience, a modicum of intelligence and common sense but don't take that for granted.
Despite what many would have you believe it is still largely unclear what exactly stimulates muscles to grow.
There are three primary methods that "might" be involved see here>>
But the science is not conclusive at this stage.
And the biggest cop out in history? the perfect workout routine is the one that you can make injury free progress with.
How do we achieve this? The recipe involves the art and science of mixing the appropriate ingredients of calculated experimentation followed by feedback then stepping back occasionally to asses the results.
Phew, I just knew I'd feel better getting all of that off my chest....