Constantly Varied

Life doesn't care what you're good at. It just puts you to the test and you get a pass/fail grade right on the spot. If you're good at running but aren't strong at your lifts, then you may find yourself in a position where strength, and not speed, is required to save your life or someone else. If you're strong "like bull" but slow as an otter, then life may put you in a situation where sprinting may determine how fast you or a loved one gets help or away from danger.

As this video shows life is full of unexpected curve balls. Because of this, Crossfit aims to makes sure its workout are "constantly varied". This means you will never do the same work out daily. Every day something different will be thrown at you; we may drill a certain exercise every day during the week, for example squats, but spin it in a more unique but equally torturous way. This is because we believe it's important to train our clients to be adaptable to any type of activity. We aren't out to make perfect Oly-lifters, or sprinters. Crossfit is geared towards making athletes who can lift, sprint, jump, push, and pull equally well.

"Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity."-Gen. Patton. This philosophy ties into what our training philosophy is and why we are successful in what we do. We don't tell you to lift 3-5 sets, 8-12 reps then do cardio 3 times a week for half hour. We throw a hopper workout together and give you the tools to attack it. Whether you do your 21 Fran pullups straight (and god bless you if you can) or break them up into 3 sets of 7, at the end, 21 pullups have been done. Each day you get a workout that forces you to put your thinking cap on and forces your body to recruit the same muscles over and over, or you make new muscles work for the first time.

In a hazardous situation involving zombies or any minions of the undead, you're going to need every tool your body has to offer at your disposal. Train your entire body to be a functional machine capable of adapting to constant threats because in the apocalypse, this is definitely a case of use it or lose it.

Sorcerous Ways!

Pick your cliché. There are numerous ones out there. But there is no substitute for hard work. Quick fixes are just that. Quick, and pretty much useless as tits on a hog. The only thing you can do is go out there and bust your ass. Sweat, tears, blood, and iron. There is no magic pill, no super secret formula. Work ethic and common sense will win the majority of the time. Add in a little good advice, some sound teaching, and an extra push from your training partners, and you have a deadly recipe for success.

I always get people who ask me, “ooh, tell me some tips to workout and lose weight.” I usually tell them that I am probably not the one to ask because you wont like what I have to say. Then when they push, I just tell them to stop eating junk and work hard, it’s that simple. They then walk away either pissed off or thinking I’m an asshole (of course they are probably correct with that assumption). Sure I could go into more specifics, but let’s be honest, they don’t want that. They want me to tell them something from a fantasy world that will get them in great shape with minimal effort, and the fact is that does not exist. Sure some people are blessed with better genes than others, but there is no gene out there strong enough to over shadow a strong work ethic.

So no matter what it is, trying to get that extra few pounds on your squat, getting that chest to the bar in a pull-up, finish those last few hours needed to for your internship, or surviving the nuclear winter, a little luck is good, busting your ass with hard work has no substitutes. Have faith, there is no force greater!

Hold on! I'm coming to get you!!!!

From the clip it would seem that grip strength is very crucial skill on the part of mountain climbers but what about us mere mortals that have to climb the daily ladders of success? Is it useful to us? Damn skippy!

"Grip strength is the force applied by the hand to pull on or suspend from objects and is a specific part of hand strength...Grip strength is a general term also used by strength athletes, referring to the muscular power and force that they can generate with their hands. In athletics, it is critical for rock climbers and in competitions such as the World's Strongest Man. Grip strength training is also a major feature in martial arts, and can be useful in various professions where people must work with their hands." -Wikipedia.

Grip strength tends to be the limiting factor on deadlifts when the weight gets heavier and the reason why pull-ups suck so much after doing so many repetitions. Improving your grip allows you to work longer and increase your overall work capacity. It also has applications in your daily life. Nothing sends a strong message like a firm handshake. Thus, grip strength even helps make a good impression on Wall Street!

Some great simply tips to improving your grip: towel pull-ups, using a wider bar when doing presses or deadlifts, Captains of Crush grip strengtheners are just a few.

When the shit hits the fan, you want to be able to pull yourself up over a ledge with a 30lbs ruck sack on your back, or more importantly be able to hold on the to the hand of that loved one dangling for dear life. Dropping weights is one on thing-letting go of someone into a horde of flesh-eating zombies is another. Get to work now. You never know who may depend on that grip of yours.