Yesterday, someone asked me after I had left the gym, “What is the benefit of a workout like that?”  They were referring to Jacket of Pain.  When you look at a long-winded, shoulder wrenching workout such as it was, it’s hard to figure if there even is a point to such a workout.  Let’s see what we can figure out, shall we.

Systemically, there are much better ways to develop both cardiovascular endurance and muscular endurance (stamina).  There really are.  250 Push Press is indeed a touch excessive.  Workouts that involve less than 90 reps for a given movement or muscle groups are certainly a good choice for the stamina, and using sprint intervals along with moderate lifting do a fine job of eliciting a cardiovascular response.  So why the huge overload on push press?

From a mechanical standpoint, technique will breakdown with this type of workout very quickly.  VERY.  It is in this regard that such a workout finds its purpose.  Even with the frequent rest taken in between reps of push press, maintaining correct technique is a challenge to say the least.  However, the fitter athlete will be able to maintain this technique and move the bar more efficiently.  Through that efficiency, the athlete will finish faster.

Training to the point of mechanical breakdown is not a popular topic and often a source of criticism in and of CrossFit.  However, it is an important concept to train to a point where each attempt at a movement is a concentrated effort to perform correctly.  Being able to push back the point at which such mechanical error occurs is a strong indication of effort and practice.  Being able to perform a given movement correctly under extreme fatigue and duress is strong indicator of a trainee who has put in the time needed to become as proficient and efficient as possible.

Town Hall Meeting Coming Up
We will be holding another Town Hall Meeting for all our members.  We’ve moved the date to February 26th.  The Town Hall Meeting will begin at 12pm and go as long as is necessary.  We’re also looking at having everyone who comes in for the Town Hall get together for a late lunch/early dinner somewhere near the gym.  Stayed tuned for details on that.

For those of you who are new to the gym, we like to hold these a few times a year to get feedback from all of.  We also are looking for you all to bring any questions and/or concerns you have to the table!  Save the date and meet us at the gym at 1pm!

WOD
Deadlift
3-3-3-3-3

For 12min:
1min to get 6 Squat Cleans
1min Rest

Penalty for each missed rep is 5 Burpees