One of the reasons I fell in love with CrossFit training was its multi-demsional approach to training. Meaning that CrossFit doesn’t have a goal of running a marathon, lifting the heaviest weight or sprinting fast, it’s goals are quite different. The goal of CrossFit is to become the best multi-disciplined athlete possible. Basically CrossFit specializes in nothing and strives for virtuosity in everything.
Even though I was an elite Track and Field athlete in college one of my biggest fears was not graduating because my degree required a 1 hour activity course in Gymnastics (I put this off until my last semester by the way). But once was drug into the course screaming and kicking (not kipping) I found my performance as a discus thrower improving rapidly. What gymnastic training was teaching me was to be more of the things a great athlete needs to be. Specifically as Greg Glassman states in the CrossFitJournal, ”Our use of the term “gymnastics” not only includes the traditional competitive sport that we’veseen on TV but all activities like climbing, yoga, calisthenics, and dance where the aim is body control. It is within this realm of activities that we can develop extraordinary strength (especially upper body and trunk), flexibility, coordination, balance, agility, and accuracy.” Frankly I can’t think of any athletes performance wouldn’t improve by learning such skills.
So if in addition to ring work and pullups you find us doing handstands and cartwheels in CrossFit you know why. We want you to be the best overall athlete possible.
For more information on Gymnastic skills in the context of CrossFit visit CrossFitGymnastics.com for more information and demonstrations.
Scott
Follow Us!