Tag: Plank

Packed House

Biggest class I’ve attended, but Tuesday is usually pretty big because there is only a 5:30pm and a 7pm at night. I think we had 18 or 20 people there. It’s cool to see the box growing especially in the new space.

Warm-up

3 Rounds:

  • 200m Run
  • 50 Jumping Jacks
  • 50 High Knees
  • 50 Butt Kicks

Pretty easy warm-up, but it did its job and got the blood flowing.

WOD

15:00 AMRAP

  • 5 Box Jumps
  • 10 Wall Balls

I used a 28 inch box and a 20# MB. Started out strong going rep for rep with the fittest guy in the gym, but I couldn’t keep up and fell 2 rounds behind him by the end. I completed 15 rounds + 4 box jumps, so that’s an entire Karen in there.

AB WOD

5 Rounds:

  • 1m Russian Twists
  • 30s Side Plank on each side
  • 1m Ab Crunch
  • 1m Hand Plank
  • 1m Scissor Kicks
  • 1m Rest

I used a 30# KB for the Russian twists which was plenty with all of the other stuff in there. The ab crunches were probably the hardest but nothing was easy I guess. Had to take breaks during most everything except the side planks and only one short break during the hand planks.

Great workout today and probably the most I’ve sweated during a CrossFit workout since I started. I feel like I lost 5 pounds. It’s not even 60 degrees out, so I can’t imagine what it’s going to be like when it gets in the 80s or 90s with high humidity.

Making the Most of Machines

This morning I headed over to the fitness center in Seaside, FL, which we get access to. Pretty nice facility with a lot of nice machines, an assortment of DBs, and some other equipment.

Warm-up

  • .58 mile run
  • 3 rounds
    • 15 Hip Extensions
    • 15 Sit-ups
    • 30s Plank
    • 10 One-arm KBS (each arm) using a 30# DB
    • 20 Band Walk Steps L
    • 10 Band Presses
    • 20 Band Walk Steps R
    • 10 Band Presses

Strength

4 sets

  • 10 seated row (100#, 115#, 130#, 160#)
  • 10 rotary chest (100#, 130#, 160#, 175#)

WOD

3 rounds

  • 10 Dips
  • 10 Pull-ups
  • 10 Squat Clean and Press using 40# DBs

My total time was 10:55. The squat cleans and presses were really draining on me.

Cool-down

0.34 mile run

Overlooking the Beach

Yesterday I took a well-deserved rest day after the race. Flew out to Seaside, FL and will be here all week for a meetup with some people from work. This morning I headed out for a run and a WOD on the beach. I ended up doing my WOD on the flat part of this stairway with a view.

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Not a bad way to start the day!

I ran a 1.1 mile warm-up.

WOD

8 Tabata Rounds:

  • Plank (on hands)
  • Push-ups
  • Sit-ups
  • Air Squats

Then I ran back the 1.1 miles again at a faster pace.

Quad AMRAPs

Went to a night class since the only morning class is 5:45am on Tuesday. It was kind of nice, even though I really like how I feel throughout the day when I workout in the morning.

Warm-up

5 rounds

  • 1m Russian Twists
  • 1m Plank

I used a 20# KB for the twists and got a total of 292 (counting each side) through the 5 minutes.

WODs

4 different 3:00 AMRAPs

At each station perform the buy-in exercise and reps. Then do max reps of another movement for the remaining time of the 3 minutes. Keep track of max reps for each station. Rest 2 minutes between stations.

  1. 20 Box Jumps
    -MAX DB power cleans
  2. 20 Burpees
    -MAX Push-ups
  3. 300m Run
    -MAX Ring Rows
  4. 20 KBS
    -MAX Wallballs

I used a 24 inch box for box jumps, 35# DBs for power cleans, a 53# KB for Russian swings, and a 20# MB for wallballs. I think my reps for the MAXs were 31, 41, 37, 35, but I might be off by a few on some of those.

Strength

Find 1 rep MAX for clean + thruster. We broke into groups by strength and formed lines to each take a shot at a weight before moving up. I think we went 65#, 85#, 105#, 125#, 145#, 165#. Those all went up pretty well for me. I was the only one left, so Matt pushed me to go for my body weight of 180#. I got the weight up with a power clean without too much trouble. I normally would do a full clean as it gets this heavy, but I knew I needed to squat for the thruster. The clean was a 15# PR. I went for the thruster and got it about half way over my head. I think if we had done this before the WOD I could have gotten it, but I was pretty fried. I’m thrilled about the clean PR especially since it was a power clean. 165# is a lot more than I’ve ever attempted with a thruster as well.

Carry the Medicine Ball

Got another solid night of sleep last night. It’s great to be home sleeping in my own bed again.

Warm-up

  • 600m Run
  • Power Skipping
  • Walking Zombie Kicks
  • But Kicks

WOD

A religious CrossFit box somewhere came up with this partner WOD. It’s supposed to be based on the 14 stations of the cross. I’ll hold off on any comments about the religious nature.

  • 400m Run (both partners)
  • 50 Pull-ups
  • 40 Burpees (both partners)
  • 80 KBS (Russian)
  • 60 MB Thrusters
  • 100 1-arm Push Presses
  • 100 Lunges (both partners)
  • 60 MB Cleans
  • 200 Sit-ups/Plank
  • 60 K2E
  • 50 Pull-ups
  • 100 Lateral Hops
  • 100 HR Push-ups
  • 800m Run (both partners)

One partner holds a medicine ball at all times except when doing burpees, lunges, and sit-ups/plank. I partnered up with Matt, the owner, since we had an odd number of people in class. We used a 20# MB for the workout. When performing burpees and lunges each partner completes the prescribed number of reps. During the runs, we handed off the MB at the half-way point. As an example, we split up the pull-ups into several sets, each doing a total of 25 pull-ups. Then we each performed 40 burpees on our own. For the push presses, each partner should end up doing 25 with each arm. When you get to 200 sit-ups/plank, one partner is doing sit-ups while the other is holding a plank.

It took us 42 or 44 minutes to finish, I don’t remember the time. The last half of the 800m run was straight into a strong wind. Absolutely brutal holding the MB. I highlight for me was getting kipping K2E for the first time. I wish I had figured this out a couple of weeks ago for all of the T2B.

Partner WODs are always fun on weekends. Now it’s time to enjoy Masters Sunday.

Buh Bye CrossFit Full Strength

Today was my last workout at CrossFit Full Strength in Phoenix, AZ. I’m starting the drive back to Saginaw, MI later today after I pack and clean the apartment. I’m going to miss everyone here. It’s been a lot of fun making new friends and hanging out with the crew from the box. I’ve learned a ton of new movements and techniques. My strength has progressed more than I could have imagined over 3 months. Hopefully I’ll be back soon.

My hands are beat up from the last few days of pull-ups, T2B, and death by deadlifts. Oh look, more pull-ups today! Two off days are going to feel great.

Yesterday I went in for one last session at the chiropractor. He was able to get in and adjust my neck so much easier than even last Friday.

Warm-up

  • 90s-60s-30s
    • Sit-ups
    • Plank
  • 20 Supermans

Strength

4 Sets

  • 3-5 Shoulder Presses, 2-0-X-1 tempo
  • 90s Rest
  • 2-3 Weighted Pull-ups, 2-1-X-0 tempo
  • 90s Rest

I did a couple of warm-up sets today, starting with the bar for 8 reps and then 75# for 5 reps. Started with 95# for the working sets and moved up to 105#, 115#, and 125# for the full 5 reps each time. Last time we did this I was only able to get 125# up 3 times, so good progress there. I used an 18# KB for the first set of weighted pull-ups and did 5 reps because that’s what we usually do. I should pay more attention sometimes. Switched to a 25# KB the rest of the way and was able to stay in the 2-3 reps.

WOD

3 Rounds

  • 10 Pull-ups
  • 30s Rest
  • 15 KBS
  • 30s Rest
  • 20 DUs
  • 30s Rest

Not a timed WOD today, other than the rest periods, which was weird. I used a 62# KB for the swings and did well on pull-ups and DUs. No new tears on my hands and I did all 10 kipping pull-ups in a row on the last round.

I’ll be back in a few days. Hopefully I’ll be able to make it in to Survival Fitness on Saturday if I get home at a decent hour on Friday night. I know I’ll need the workout after 3 days of driving.

Always Something New

I’ve been working out at CrossFit Full Strength for two and a half months now and I still end up doing some movement or new stretch I’ve never done at least once or twice a week. “Constantly varied” is exactly right when it comes to CrossFit. My legs are sore from back squats and particularly my inner thighs. Feels so good though!

Last night I did a bit of DU practice and I’m able to string together streaks consistently now. I don’t even start with singles first, which I think has helped. Start spinning that rope, but don’t jump for the first time until the rope is about to reach your feet and then start the fast wrist action and get right into doubles. Once again though, the headache came on while doing them. I’ve been doing some neck mobility a couple of times a day to try and loosen things up.

Warm-up

  • 2x
    • PVC Shoulder Mobility
    • 10 PVC OHS
    • 3 Groiners (each leg)
  • 400m Run

Strength

5 Sets

  • 8-10 DB Russian Step-ups (each leg)
  • 15s Rest
  • 30-45s Side Planks (each side)
  • 45s Rest

Russian step-ups are something new to me. I used a 24 inch box and 30# DBs, while doing 10 per leg in each set. I’m going to be feeling those for a few days. For the side planks I went a full 45 seconds on each side. You wouldn’t think it, but this work got me dripping with sweat.

Update: An hour and a half later I can barely walk. The Russian step-ups really worked the hamstrings.

WOD

12m AMRAP

  • 6 HSPUs
  • 9 Ring Dips
  • 12 HR Push-ups

Push, push, and push some more. This WOD was all about fatigue in the push motion. After the first round there wasn’t much left in the tank. More time was spending resting than working, but I was still out of breath at the end. For the HSPU sI used 2 AbMats because I die quickly using 1 and I knew it was going to be an issue with 2. The ring dips and HR push-ups were Rx. After round 1 I had to do a lot of kipping on the HSPUs. At the end I managed to get through 3 rounds plus 3 HSPUs.

Open workout 12.4 gets announced later today and I’m going to do it tomorrow morning because I’m driving up to Las Vegas for the weekend right after. My prediction is that we’ll see deadlifts, DUs, and a body weight movement such as HSPUs, HR Push-ups, or muscle-ups. But… I’m hoping I’m wrong on those last 3 because of today’s WOD.

Speaking of muscle-ups… I’ve been toying around with them a bit before and after classes this week. Today we set a rack with a band around the dip bars right under the rings. I stood on the band, got my false grip on the rings and completed an assisted muscle-up on my second attempt! I was done there though because of how dead my shoulders were from the WOD. I’m going to have these down before I head back to Michigan.

Deadlift Soreness

My legs and back are really sore from RDLs on Sunday and deadlifts yesterday. I used the foam roller for the first time today. Wow it really brings everything out in those sore areas.

Warm-up

  • 600m Run
  • 3 rounds
    • 10 PVC Shoulder Pass-thrus w/ shrug
    • 15s Dead Hang
    • 30s Plank (on hands)

First time doing a dead hang during class. Focus for them is on keeping the shoulder engaged. I think it was also the first time I had done planks on my hands.

Strength

4 Sets

  • 2-3 Weighted Pull-ups, 2-1-X-0 tempo
  • 20s Rest
  • MAX Strict Pull-ups, 2-0-X-0 tempo
  • 20s Rest
  • 30-45s L-Sit (cumulative)
  • 2m Rest

I really struggled with the strength work today. I used an 18# KB for the weighted pull-ups and was able to get 2 or 3 each round. But that completely knocked me out for doing strict pull-ups. It was an adventure trying to get 2 or 3 of those with such a short rest. I did the L-Sits on PVC parallettes with my knees slightly bent and tried to get 10-15 seconds at a time.

WOD

In teams of 2, complete the reps however you want, but you must run together.
4 Rounds

  • 12 DB Renegade Rows
  • 400m Run

I paired up with Dominic, who I hadn’t met before. We split up the renegade rows by each doing 6 in each round. I used 25# DBs but should have used 30s. We finished first in 11:43. My endurance is improving a lot lately. I really pushed my pace in the 3rd and 4th rounds.

I took out the jump rope after a rest and knocked out a couple of good DU streaks. Didn’t try more than a minute. I’ll do a longer practice session on them tonight. Last night while looking for tips on DUs, I found a great video for progressing through DUs, from Again Faster. Check it out.

http://vimeo.com/2969537

Fully Rested

I didn’t do any workouts Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. I did walk 18 holes of golf yesterday, but other than that, I rested. My body needed it.

Workout 12.1 of the 2012 Open is in the books. I’m just shy of the middle of the pack in the region and in the world. My goal is to finish the Open ahead of 10%, so I’m well on my way. I wonder what workout 12.2 will be. I hope they don’t bring DUs in yet. I could use some more practice time.

Warm-up

  • World’s Greatest Stretch (3 each leg)
  • 400m Run
  • 2 Sets
    • 10-15 KBS
    • 10-15 GHD
    • 10-15 Hip Extensions
    • 60s Plank

I used a 53# KB for the swings and did 15 reps of everything.

Strength

5 Sets

  • 10-12 Goblet Squat, 2-1-1-1 tempo
  • 45s Rest
  • 10-20 Push Ups, 1-0-1-0 tempo
  • 45s Rest
  • 8-10 Ring Rows, 2-1-1-1 tempo
  • 45s Rest

Looks easy right? Not so much! The focus was on tempo and stamina for this strength session. I used a 44# KB for goblet squats, but probably should have used a 53#. In each set I achieved the high rep count except for push-ups. In sets 3, 4, and 5 I was only able to get 16 push-ups. I could have squeezed out some more, but not by keeping the correct tempo. Ring rows were really tough with the 2 second lowering phase.

WOD

2 Sets

  • 350m Row
  • 3m Rest

This was a great quick cardio killer to finish the class. I did the rows in 1:10 and 1:11. I had the damper setting on 5 for the first one, which is what I usually use, but tried 7 for the 2nd, and was able to get just about the same time, when most people lost at least a 4-5 seconds. Might be something to try more often.

Partner Up

I ate kind of shitty the last couple of days and my body is letting me know by not getting quality sleep, having less energy, craving more junk, etc. Ugh!

On Thursday I ended up going out and walking 11 holes of twilight golf and spent a good hour+ at the range yesterday working on my swing. Tee times were later today so I was able to make it in for a WOD. The weekends usually have some type of team or partner WOD, which is fun.

Warm-up

  • 150 Sit-up variation reps (switch as you want)
  • Plank competition
  • 3 Sets of 2 Turkish Get-ups (each side)

Since we had 15 people in class, we went across the room, each person counting to 10. I tried to do regular sit-ups most of the time, but switched to some bicycles and flutter kicks. I think I made it to the final 5 in the plank competition at just shy of 2 minutes and 50 seconds. My core was shaking so bad at the end. For the Turkish Get-ups I used a 35# KB for the first 2 sets and then a 40# DB for the last set. Bumping up 5# really makes you concentrate on that shoulder stability.

WOD

Form teams of 2, switch each exercise
10 rounds

  • 10 Thrusters
  • 10 Burpees
  • 400m Run

It’s a little confusing when you look at it. This helps:
Partner A performs 10 thrusters; Partner B performs 10 burpees; Partner A runs 400 Meters; Partner B performs 10 thrusters; etc…
Each person is doing each exercise a total of 5 times over the course of the workout. In 2 rounds, each partner ends up doing everything once.

I partnered up with a couple of guys (team of 3 since there was an add number of people in class) that are new to the gym, but in really good shape. We used 95# for the thrusters which was absolutely brutal in rounds 3-5 so I had to split up the set into 6 and 4 reps. I was hating the choice of weight during the WOD, but after it’s done I’m glad I used it. I think we finished 3rd out of all the teams in a time of 31:03.

50 thrusters, 50 burpees, and 1.25 miles of running is a pretty good way to start the weekend! Time to rush and get out to the golf course.