Certifications

I'm not a big fan of certifications. In my previous post, I said if you're not learning, then you're not getting better. So how can I not like certifications? Let me explain.

I obtained my CSCS in 1998. I studied for the test, did very well and got certified. I then managed to use this credential to help me get a job as a strength coach at UCLA. Great school, great staff. I learned a ton from these coaches and my knowledge about strength and conditioning grew quickly. I also learned a ton from Mike Burgener. He taught me stuff that works in the real world and isn't taught in any NSCA certification courses.

The NSCA does a decent job of providing information. But it is a political organization that wants to make money. It basically provides dumbed down info and "faddish" trends to its members...charging them through the nose for the info and for memberships. A couple years ago, I had to renew my CSCS. I sent in my money and form and showed them what I had been doing to maintain my education as a coach. I listed my CrossFit certification as something I had done to enhance my knowledge. The NSCA told me they could not recognize (and give me credit for) the CrossFit certification. They do not recognize CrossFit and since I had obtained a certification at the event, the NSCA would not accept it as continuing education.

Hmmmm. This coming from an organization that has never gone past the 3x10, 4 exercises per muscle group, target heart rate is 220-age standard garbage you read in any beginner's textbook. They do some good basic stuff...but that is it. It's like AT&T calling it quits with the telegraph but still considering itself a leader in the telecommunications industry. And the arrogance to not accept LEARNING, regardless of whether a certification is obtained, is ridiculous. I guarantee you 80%+ of those who work for the NSCA are candidates for rhabdo.

So where do you learn? Read. Try things out for yourself. Talk to your workout partners and to the guys you meet at CrossFit events. But doing is the best way to learn.

An NSCA course is usually a talking head giving mumbo jumbo in a classroom. CrossFit certs kick your ass and let you know where you stand. Burgener's USAW course makes you sore from lifting a 2lb piece of PVC....a thousand times. That's where you need to be to learn. The NSCA believed CrossFit is not good enough for them. They were wrong...the NSCA isn't good enough for anyone who wants to go out and learn and borrow from all sorts of fitness philosphies. To me the NSCA is like my son's diapers: They are good to have at first, but you find out they're full of shit and you can't wait till you don't need them anymore. Out.

SUPER FRAN

After a few weeks of solitary training due to work schedules, family commitments and chasing women (for some of our luckier, younger members), CrossFit SurfCity got a group together for a nice workout.

This was a workout posted a little while ago o the CrossFit site, and I'd been saving it for the right opportunity. We dubbed it Super Fran: 1200m run/9 95lb Thrusters/9 pullups/800m run/15 Thrusters/15 pullups/400m run/21 Thrusters/21 pullups.

I have to say we approached this workout cautiously at first and increased our tempo as we went along. And it hurt pretty bad. This workout fried the legs and left us all pretty sore.

BM, a newcomer did all the reps and lightened the load...very wise and he did great. HUGE improvement observed in ES who has been diligently hitting CrossFit workouts on his own. And the typical stellar performances turned in by JP, JM and AC. It was great fun to hammer out this tough one on a beautiful day with some good friends.

Then SW showed us some other stuff that we will be integrating in the near future. We keep learning to keep getting better. If you're not moving forward, you're not getting better.

Times: (approx)
SR: 20:05
JM: 25:05
AC: 26:53
JP: 22:00
ES: 28:00
BM: 26:00

Great Day.

G-Love Workout

A good friend of mine, and recent CrossFit convert, invited me over to his place for a workout at the park near his crib. He calls himself G-Love ( yeah he's weird. I call him Glove 'cause his face reminds me of an old catcher's mit) so it was the G-Love WOD. Very basic...and effective. It incorporated running, pullups, pushups, squats, stairs (and he often adds box jumps.) 24 minutes of constant movement led to a high heart rate and great workout. Very innovative, my man. I'll be back to hit that workout again. Out.

Checking In

I have been rather busy lately with family visiting and other things so I have been negligent in posting on my blog. That doesn't mean we haven't had some good training going on here. Guys are learning the Olympic lifts, deadlift technique and rings. It's such a great hobby. I have been concentrating on a couple of lifting goals as well as the WOD. I will record the results and, if they are good, I will write a little article on the blog. If not, back to the drawing board.

A thought I had recently listening to people talk about equipment, facilities....:
All you need to workout is a) a few basic exercises b) desire to work hard. Guys in prison do handstand pushups, burpees, chins, squats and pushups in their tiny cells. We have no excuse for not getting it done. Try this: Go stand in the middle of a field. Start your watch and for the next 20 minutes see how good a workout you can get. You'll be amazed what you can come up with. You'll discover you can get a good workout anywhere, anytime. That said, I definitely agree it is fun to dream up your ultimate CrossFit facility...just don't wait for that to start working out!!! Later