CrossFit Human Evolution Labs

Adversity

    Unless you have been on vacation (or only train at 6:30AM), you have probably noticed a few changes that have occurred.  Specifically I am talking about the elimination of the scores from the whiteboard of the previous workouts.  Feedback on this change has been both positive and critical.  I want to explain to everyone why the change has been made.  First, a little information. . .

    CrossFit Human Evolution Labs is not a 'CrossFit gym'.  While we are devoted to the CrossFit training methodology to forge our bodies and minds into finely-tuned, highly able machines, that is only a part of our mission.  Our true purpose is to evolve the human organism through discipline, training, and adversity.  Discipline is the denial of momentary pleasures that weaken the self so that the being can grow.  Our training is CrossFit - with all the methodology and philosophy that it advocates.  Adversity is the quest.  When I say adversity, I mean first the search for any weakness, deficiency, hardship, dislike, or inability you have, and then, in an aggressive and sudden manner, attacking that weakness with ferocity and indignation. 

    So why the change in protocol?  Why did I decide to take the times off the whiteboard from the current days previous workouts?  Adversity.

    Many of our athlete rely on external motivators, i.e. other peoples scores/times.  This is a good and powerful skill.  It is the root of competition and has value in society.  In fact, without competition society will fail.  The deficiency is the sole reliance on external motivators.  If you are aware of a decline in performance due to the lack of the knowledge of the work of others, you are dependant on others for your own performance.  Dependency is the weakness.

All Equipment Has Arrived!

The last bit of the equipment order has arrived.  If you have ordered anything through me, I have your gear.  The last of the shipment was the Dynamax Med Balls - so if those were a part of your order then they are here.  Please make arrangements with me to pick-up your equipment!  Train hard!

Track Day Tomorrow

The Track Day for this week is tomorrow, Tuesday.  Meet at Fernhill Track.  This will be the last time we meet at Fernhill Track on 42nd, between Ainsworth and Killingsworth.  he next Track Day will be at a track closer to the Lab.

Boot Camp Postponed

    The Boot Camp scheduled to begin on Monday, June 23rd will be postponed until Monday, July 7th.  This decision was reached due to Independence Day being on the second Friday of the course.  Many of the member candidates who have signed up for Boot Camp will be out of town over that weekend - too many to begin this next Monday.  Everyone who is signed up for this Boot Camp will retain their spot and we still have 3 slots left for anyone who has yet to register.

Olympic Weightlifting Clinic This Saturday.

    Nick Temple will host an Olympic Weightlifting Clinic on Saturday, June 21st from 12:00PM until 4:00PM.  If you haven't been to one of Nick's clinics you should definitely check it out.  Several other Team members have been and have seen amazing results in the Clean, Snatch, and Jerk.  If you are going for Advanced you must be able to properly Clean and Snatch, so a little extra specialized coaching would be a great addition to your skills.  Talk to Nick for more details.

The Mission

    Remember the Theoretical Hierarchy for the Development of Athletes?  It is found in CrossFit Journal #1 and has been taught in every Boot Camp.  The pyramid diagram used to illustrate the Hierarchy has five levels.  At the bottom (most crucial) is nutrition - proper feeding for hormone control.  The second level is metabolic conditioning.  Metabolic conditioning is training to increase the storage and delivery of energy which directly relates to cardiovascular sufficiency.  This can be summed by saying breath control.  Remember the next level in the development of athletes?  Gymnastics - body control.
    CrossFit's magic is in the movements.  Will you see the same results in doing non-functional movements or even functional movements with a reduced range of motion?  Of course not - we know because people have tried!  What about movements that reveal some muscular deviation (knees caving in, body weight shift into the balls of the feet, rounded back), but are still full range of motion?  These are even more dangerous because they produce and reinforce bad movement patterns that over time will lead to injury and when loaded will cause immediate injury.  This is why on Boot Camp Day 1 I define Virtuosity.  Remember that word?  To perform the common uncommonly well. 
    The standard is Virtuosity.

    Welcome to the Evolution!

Have A Great Trip Ingrid!

    Ingrid Johnson is leaving us to spend a year abroad - Brazil and Ecuador.  Ingrid left last summer too to go to California and train horses, but we knew she would be back for the start of the Fall Term at PSU.  This time she is going for an entire year!  On Tuesday, June 17th at 7:00PM, after the 6:00PM WoD, everyone is invited to join us for a Going Away Party for Ingrid.  Bring a vegetarian-style potluck and your choice of beverage to the Lab and wish Ingrid safe travels.  (After-party TBA.)

Several Things

    First off, congratulations to Coach Josh Stein who completed his Basic Qualifications (Josh declined a picture).  Nice work man!
    Second, Track Day this week is on Thursday.  Plan to meet at Fernhill for the Thursday WoD.
    Finally, 15 rope ascents On Monday (tomorrow).  Wear long pants or long socks.  Or plan on leaving pounds of flesh on the ropes and earning a permanent rope scar! :)

    See you all on Monday!