intensity

Messing with Fran : An argument for scaling

By Coach Raul
Crossfit was designed to apply “constantly varied, high intensity, functional movements,” across multiple domains. Its purpose is to develop general fitness, and one way of doing that is through short, high-intensity workouts. One way to ensure high intensity is to scale certain loads to a more manageable weight, allowing you to do more work in less time. I decided to test this theory by scaling Fran (today’s workout: 21-15-9 rep rounds of thrusters and pull ups) from the Rx (written, or prescribed) weight of 95-pound thrusters, down to a 65 pounds.
Here’s what I looked at:
Pullup distance (from bottom to chin over bar): 20in
Body weight (Force): 150 lbs
Squat distance (from bottom of squat to upright): 23 in
Barbell distance (from bottom of squat to full extension): 40 in
# of Total Reps = 45
Work = Force X Distance (ft.lbs)
POWER = [(# of Reps) X (Sum of the Work)] / time (sec)

Movement	Force	Distance	Work
Pullup	150lbs	20 in	250 ft. lbs
Thruster	150lbs	23 in	287 ft. lbs
Thruster	95 lbs	40 in	316 ft. lbs

Time: 304 sec		POWER	126 ft.lbs/sec

Pullup	150lbs	20 in	250 ft. lbs
Thruster	150lbs	23 in	287 ft. lbs
Thruster	65lbs	40 in	216 ft. lbs

Time: 210 sec		POWER	161 ft.lbs/sec

The results described in the chart define a comparison of power output for a 95-pound Fran at my old completion time of 5:04min (304 sec) and a 65lb Fran completed in 3:30min (210 sec). The results prove a reduction of the thruster load by almost 30% resulted in an increased power output (Higher intensity!).
My personal experience with completing Fran in 3 minutes and 30 seconds was one word : INTENSE!!!
The same workout I’d done several times completely changed once I moved into a shorter time domain. Had I not scaled down the weight, I wouldn’t be able to reach this intensity level or reap its benefits.
Today when you do Fran, consider scaling the thrusters and/or pull ups to complete it in a shorter time. It may totally change your workout!
Justin R rockin’ push ups

Today’s schedule

6a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
7a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
8a: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
12n: All Levels CrossFit- Beka
4p: All Levels CrossFit- Amy
5p: All Levels CrossFit- Amy
6p: All Levels CrossFit- Amy

Workout of the Day (WOD):

A. Single-leg step ups (to a knee-high box): 4 sets of 8 work-ups
B. “Fran”:
21-15-9 reps for time:
Thrusters 95/65
Pull ups

And coming tomorrow…TEAM WOD SATURDAY

In teams of 2-4 people, complete 3 rounds for time:
Run 400m (all team members together)
50 bear complex 95/65
60 toes to bar
Farmers carry – down and back in parking lot (each person) 2 pood/1.5 pood

FRI 10.11.13 Messing with Fran Read More »

Approaching Your WODs

by Uran
As CrossFit beginners, we’ve all been there. You’re hitting the gym regularly, and feeling pretty damn good about yourself. You SHOULD be! Making good on your commitment to train consistently is great, and it’s something even the most elite athletes struggle with from time to time.
But now that you’ve got your training schedule in place, and you’re showing up for your WODs on a regular basis, it’s time to start drilling down into what’s going on during your workouts. Once you’ve learned the movements, safe technique, and the proper range of motion, you can really begin to think about your intensity.
Learning to make the most of your workouts is something that takes practice if you’re new to CrossFit, so start thinking about it early.
Are you scaling appropriately to reach the desired level of intensity for that particular workout?
If the workout is designed to be done at a sprint, choose weights/modifications that can accommodate that kind of pace.
If the programming calls for a heavy weightlifting day, challenge yourself there as well.
And if you don’t know the purpose of the workout, you can always ask a coach. All of the CFM coaches can help you figure out how to approach a workout, so don’t be afraid to ask.
It took me years of trial and error to figure out how to approach WODs with the right level of intensity on my own because I didn’t know how to ask for guidance. It will always be a bit of a learning process as you continue to progress and get stronger, but thinking about it early and taking the advice of your coaches will get you there much more quickly!

The Mardi Gras WOD crew

Workout of the Day (WOD)… for real this time

A. As many rounds & reps as possible in 20min:
10 handstand push ups
2 rope climbs
20 walking lunges
B. accumulate 3min each of L side plank & R side plank

And coming tomorrow…BENCHMARK FRIDAY

A. Close-grip bench press: 15min to find 1 rep max
B. “Cindy”:
As many rounds & reps as possible in 20 min of:
5 pull ups
10 push ups
15 squats

02.14.13 Happy Valentine’s Day! Read More »