71118 Your second best fitness tool! Coaches!
MetCon//
Run 1k x3 - rest as needed between efforts. Slowest time is your score!
Ok so what is your #1 best fitness tool? I hope you're like "duhh, nutrition."
And the second is... Coaching! I would say that's obvious to most of you, but believe it or not, some athletes aren't so willing to be coached or don't take coaching well.
Being coached is awesome for the first reason, it's hard to know what our own bodies are doing. We don't really have the time to film you and have you watch your own movement to make your own changes so having a coach critique your movement is a really special resource. We can watch you move, give quick feedback, have you change something, and say yay or nay all in the window of a couple seconds. Here's some things to know about coaching and coaches.
1. Coaching is hard- there is a lot of stuff going on and the movements we do are complex. In any class there is a lot of diversity- fitness levels, ages, personalities etc. As hard as coaching is though, we have good coaches. Harvest is mine and Mac's baby and passion. We've chosen coaches we trust and who work hard and continually learn and practice CrossFit and coaching CrossFit.
2. Coaching is relational- humans working with humans. I've learned a lot over the past 4 years of coaching athletes who are also paying clients and not just school kids or players. Here is a funny experience that might shed some light on this dynamic. Athlete is dead lifting with a back that looks like a fishing pole or a noodle. Coach thinks, "uhh ohh, looks like they might hurt themselves, I want them to not be injured so they can train more and get better. better say something." Says something. Athlete responds with eye roll and F-you written on their face....
3. Coaching is a balancing act between safety, the stimulus, and performance- Just because a coach isn't critiquing you, doesn't mean you couldn't be doing something better. Especially during the WOD, your coaches #1 concern is your safety. They will certainly say something if your movement doesn't look safe. You can certainly be moving safely, but not optimally (optimally is certainly the safest). So you're moving safely, and going hard, the intensity is good, expect the coach to let you do your thing, but don't think you couldn't be doing things like trying to squat more upright or stand all the way up in your burpee or extend your arms all the way at the top of your push-up etc.
4. Don't worry about being a coach when you're training- A tip here and there is fine if you ask first to be in that space "can I give you a tip? can I tell you what I think?" Once you take on the role of coach, whether it be formal or informal, you're also taking on a lot of responsibility for the well being of the person you just coached. You're here to work out! Enjoy that experience and don't set yourself up for the eye roll or F-you face, that's why Mac and I get paid the big bucks!
5. Coaching works- It's a common thread in a lot of success in general. You see great business people with mentors and coaches. High level athletes have coaches. The student- teacher relationship is seen throughout humanity and in every culture. The lone-wolf approach to anything can only get you as far as, well, you.