Posts Tagged ‘Smashby Training’

Smashby Speaks: The CrossFit Games Open 2016

Posted: February 25, 2016 in CrossFit, Training
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As some of you know, I started this blog a years ago, and have given my thoughts on a lot of topics in that time. When the video below from four years ago popped up in my feed today, I took a few minutes to watch it.

First of all, yes, I’ve always been a huge nerd and watching this video made me laugh. Second, aside from the gym where I work, not much has changed in regards to my feelings on the integrity of athletes who compete in this event. So, instead of writing a huge post on it, I’ll be brief, and then just share my thoughts from 2012 with you guys once again.

My friends and I always joke with each other about how one’s ranking or placement in “The Open” really has no impact on any aspect of practically anyone’s lives (unless you make it to the next level.. then, you’re a better exercise racer than other people… congrats). So, to be 682nd in the Region, and to do so by cheating even though your squats weren’t low enough, or you didn’t lock out your arms, is honestly just kind of sad.

Most people, nearly all in fact, who compete in The Open do so honestly and fairly. Most of us simply enjoy the spirit of competition and the excitement of being pushed out of your comfort zone for a few weeks. Most of us think it’s fun. However, as the next five weeks come and go, and you start seeing names you’ve never heard of before, and scores from people you DO know that jusssst don’t seem right…. my advice is simple:

Don’t worry about it. Smile. Have fun. And enjoy the competition and sense of community that this event brings to the CrossFit world.

Good luck. Have fun. I believe in you guys!

Smashby Training Presents: Swim Better Now

Posted: August 7, 2015 in Training
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SwimBetterNowTeaser   Friends!

I’m back on the blog today to share some exciting news! Next month, I am going to host 3 weeks worth of Swim Lessons. They will aim from teaching someone HOW to swim, all the way through trying to make someone faster and more efficient for any aquatic competition, be it a swim meet or a triathlon.

In my own experience in the water, I have taught swim lessons at all levels for the past 17+ years, was a 6-time NCAA National Champion swimmer in college, have competed in several traithlons, and as recently as this summer raced in Denver’s local “Aquaman” duathlon series (swim and run).

The goals of these small group training sessions will be to provide a one-hour “practice” with appropriate “skills and drills” to make anyone feel more comfortable moving themselves through the water. These will include activities as simple as learning how to breathe, timing of breath, and how to safely tread water, to movements as advanced as flip turns in the pool or learning how to “spot sight” for Open Water swimming. Based on the interest of the group, attention can also be paid to improving efficiency in strokes other than freestyle.

I’m excited to work with you all, and help the water become a more fun place for you to play and race! In order to express interest in attending one or more of the sessions, please comment on this post and let me know!

-Smashby

Smashby’s CF Games Open Strategy – 14.1

Posted: February 28, 2014 in CrossFit, Training
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THE OPEN IS HERE!!

Here are my initial thoughts on workout 14.1, which is a repeat of the first ever Open workout, 11.1.

14.1

What do you think of my advice? Let’s talk.

Thought of the Day: 1.23.14

Posted: January 23, 2014 in CrossFit, Training
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One of my friends owns the CrossFit gym, Glenwood Springs CrossFit. This post he made yesterday really rang true to me as an athlete, and a coach, and I wanted to share it with you guys.

The post is called “The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy“, and discusses a concept that I LOVE to preach often. Frequently, as a coach, we’ll hear athletes say negative things. Believing in yourself and being positive is so important, and we should all practice more of it!

I have a few “canned responses” that a lot of people know I say… and I’m sure they love hearing it every time. Here’s two examples:

1:

Athlete- “I can’t do that!”

Me- “Not with that attitude, you can’t!”

2:

Athlete- “I HATE burpees!”
Me- “What was that?”
Athlete- (usually after an eye roll and sigh of frustration) “I mean, I’m excited to have the opportunity to improve my burpees.”

EyeRoll

(image courtesy of crushable.com)

The point of the post is this, as humans, we have the ability to CHOOSE how we approach, and react to, what life gives us. If you remember this little guy in the video below, he probably has the greatest attitude of any person ever. Imagine if we ALL approached every situation with this attitude. We’d be unstoppable!

So, read the article, figure out if you’re one of those people who walks into the gym (or any other place in life, for that matter) with a negative attitude like Debbie Downer…

DebbieDowner

and if you are…… STOP BEING THAT PERSON.

My challenge to you is to take ONE DAY next week, and approach absolutely everything that life gives you with a positive attitude. One day.

Try it, and let me know how it goes. My prediction, you, and everyone around you will be happier. And who doesn’t want that!?

(Author’s note: In the interest of full discolure, as an athlete, I’m working on this very concept, myself. But I’m getting better!)

Happy Thursday!

The post again: The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

Beastmode of the Day: 1.23.14

Posted: January 23, 2014 in CrossFit, Training
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Well, we tried, guys. Thanks for coming out!

Yes, I am one of those CrossFit athletes who has had a serious mancrush on Dmitry Klokov for some time. However, a 418lb. (190kg) THRUSTER!?!
Get out of town.

 

Smashby Speaks: 2014 CF Games- Team Qualifying

Posted: January 17, 2014 in CrossFit, Training
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It finally happened, everyone! CrossFit HQ has made a change to the rules that states if and when an individual qualifies for Regionals and goes as an individual, their point totals will be REMOVED from their gym’s team total, and the team will be reranked accordingly.

Here is the official post from the CF Games site:

“Athletes who accept the invitation to compete as Individuals at their Regional will have their contributing Open scores removed from their respective Teams. The Team Leaderboard will then be re-sorted and the top 30 teams will be invited to compete at their respective Regional competition.”

This addresses an issue that many CrossFit athletes felt was unfair in the past. Example, sorry to use Froning as the example, but it’s the easiest way for most of us to understand!

If he qualifies #1 in the world, that would obviously give his gym a HUGE boost in the TEAM rankings as well. If he chooses to go individual, his point totals would NOT have been removed from his gym’s Team ranking…. until now! Now, once the athlete declares that they would like to go individual, their points would then be reevaluated MINUS the totals earned from Froning.

My opinion: That is much more fair, and will open the door to several more of those “bubble” teams who missed qualifying their gym by only a few spots.

Important additional details to note (also from the CF Games article):
“Those athletes who choose to compete individually at Regionals will not be barred from returning to their team for the Games (if the do not qualify as individuals). Additionally, team competitors who sit out of the Regional to recover from injury, etc., may compete on their team at the Games.”

All in all, I say GREAT JOB, HQ! Moving in the right direction to try and make this selection and qualifying process even more fair.

 

Moment of Awesomeness: 1/10/14

Posted: January 10, 2014 in CrossFit, Training
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My family is from Brazil, so soccer was my first love as a sport. I remember going to visit family growing up, and being floored at how good one of my cousins was at “juggling” a soccer ball.

After today, I’ve seen the most impressive footwork to date with a soccer ball. Check out Séan Garnier just doing WORK.

So cool.

p.s.- You don’t have to like soccer to enjoy this video. Just awesomeness.

CrossFit WOD Tips: 1/8/14

Posted: January 8, 2014 in CrossFit, Training
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In college I was a psychology major, so when it comes to the mind of an athlete, I think I’ve got a good ability to relate to people from all walks of life and with any kind of fitness goals. The part of this whole coaching thing that has been the area of the most growth for me, however, is my knowledge of human anatomy and physiology.

I constantly try to learn more about the body, how it works, and WHY certain things work to help myself and my athletes move more safely, and more efficiently. As the topic of shoulder mobility becomes more and more prevalent, I will try to share helpful resources with you all for your own help.

Today’s article is from the website BreakingMuscle.com and is called: “Why Do I Keep Jacking Up My Shoulder? A CrossFitter’s Dilemma”

I shared this piece because in a pretty short post it gives a basic description of the musculature of the shoulder, lists some common injuries, and then some basic resources and ideas for shoulder rehab/prehab. What I like most about it, though, is that author Meghan Rovig briefly mentions several other scenarios and impacted areas of the body (such as thoracic spine mobility and the labrum) which potentially impact shoulder health.

By bringing awareness to these factors, athletes can become more aware of how to take care of their bodies, and instead of just pointing to one part of their body when something hurts, they could potentially self-diagnose more effectively and get better faster!

Anyways, check out this post, and let me know what you think, please!

Moment of Awesomeness: 1/8/14

Posted: January 8, 2014 in CrossFit, Training
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Happy Hump Day, everyone!

I am a HUGE fan of trick shots. The guys at Dude Perfect are the best at it.

The shots they make, mostly with basketballs, are pretty darn fun to watch!

This time, however, they did their own “Gym Stereotypes” video, and it actually left me laughing out loud for most of it.

This is my favorite one of these types of videos out for sure. Which is your favorite? Which one are you?

Check it out, and pass it on!

CrossFit WOD Tips: 1/4/14

Posted: January 4, 2014 in CrossFit, Training
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If I had to pick, I’d say the Clean is my favorite lift. There’s something about trying to pick up a HEAVY weight off the ground, and somehow stand with it on your shoulders… that is really fun for me!

For a great video on how to learn to Clean CORRECTLY 🙂 check out Glenn Pendlay of California Strength breaking it down.

 

Anyways, back to me being a nerd for Cleans. At one of the Seminars I’ve attended to try and become a better competitive exerciser, I got to meet Spencer Arnold.

Spencer is an Olympic Weight lifter who lifts in the 69 kilo weight class. That means he weighs NO MORE THAN 152 pounds on the day of his competitions. 152 pounds. That said, here he is Cleaning 332.898 pounds at the American Open this year. I did not type that wrong. Almost 333 pounds. At a body weight of less than 152 pounds. Cool.

 

Ok, so now you know he can lift.

On his blog, he shared an article with a great exercise for stabilizing the standing portion of the Front Squat half of the Clean. It’s called the “Front Squat Recovery Exercise”. Basically, it helps to ensure that the core is strong at the bottom, and that the torso is vertical (stacked over the hips) in order to provide a stable column to stand with the bar. Read his description, and then check out the video at the bottom of the post.

Looking for supplemental drills to improve your Olympic Weightlifting? (I’m hope the answer to that is YES, by the way!) Well, there’s one.

Link to his post with the Front Squat Recovery Exercise

Keep tuned into Spencer’s blog, too. He posts tons of great content, and definitely knows his stuff.

Thoughts on the drill? Let me hear it, people!

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