Fact: Whether you are trying to be a competitive athlete or you’re just doing CrossFit in order to stay healthy and fit, redlining every single workout is not the way to get there.
In fact, the pursuit of competitiveness day in and day out can lead to counterproductive outcomes for those aspiring to become competitive CrossFit athletes. Today we’re going to talk about why!
Why every workout shouldn’t feel like you’re redlining:
- Risk of Burnout and Overtraining: Constantly pushing to compete in every workout can increase the risk of burnout and overtraining. CrossFit workouts are designed to be intense and taxing on the body, requiring adequate recovery periods to prevent fatigue, injury, and diminished performance over time. This includes respecting our periods of de-loading!
- Neglect of Skill Development and Technique: Skill and technique are as important as intensity. Prioritizing competition over technique and skill development can lead to sloppy form, inefficient movement patterns, and increased susceptibility to injury. Practicing skill does not have to always have an intensity component to it, and if you’re never taking time to practice you are missing out on big opportunities to improve.
- Inconsistent Performance: The body cannot sustain peak performance in every workout, especially without sufficient rest and periodization. You can think of breaking your workouts in to two categories: training days and compete days. Training days prepare us for compete days, but not every day is a competition.
- Diminished Focus on Weaknesses: Effective CrossFit training involves identifying and addressing weaknesses to achieve a well-rounded skill set and balanced fitness level. Constant competition may overshadow the importance of targeted skill work and addressing areas of improvement… ie, you show up on the days that target your strengths, or shorting your reps in order to “win”.
- Not respecting the stimulus of the workout. Every day at the whiteboard we discuss the stimulus: how the workout should feel, what kind of intensity we’re looking to bring to the table, if the barbell should feel light over heavy etc. If you’re ignoring the stimulus in order to hit the RX button and often find yourself falling behind on the time cap or feeling like you got hit by a bus after every workout, you are going to have much slower progress overall.
- Increased Risk of Injury: Pushing beyond limits in every workout without proper regard for recovery and injury prevention can elevate the risk of acute injuries and chronic overuse issues. Recovery is as important as training. If you want to be competitive, having a recovery protocol is a necessary piece of the puzzle.
The Path to Effective CrossFit Training:
- Strategic Training Programming: Effective CrossFit training involves structured programming that balances intensity, volume, and recovery. Periodization, varied training modalities, and strategic deloading phases are essential for optimizing performance, preventing burnout, and fostering long-term progress.
- Focus on Technique and Skill Mastery: Prioritize quality movement patterns, technique refinement, and skill mastery over sheer intensity. Consistent practice, targeted skill drills, and feedback from coaches are critical for developing proficiency in fundamental and advanced CrossFit movements.
- Mindful Intensity Management: Embrace intensity selectively, focusing on pushing boundaries strategically in designated workouts or training cycles while prioritizing controlled, sustainable efforts in others. Listen to your body, adjust intensity based on recovery status, and avoid the temptation to redline every day.
- Recovery and Regeneration: Recognize the importance of adequate rest, recovery, and regeneration in optimizing performance and preventing injury. Prioritize sleep, nutrition, mobility work, and recovery modalities to support training adaptations, promote tissue repair, and enhance overall well-being.
- Long-Term Perspective and Patience: Cultivate a long-term perspective on your CrossFit journey, understanding that progress takes time, consistency, and patience. Celebrate small victories, stay committed to the process, and trust in the incremental gains accumulated over time to propel you toward your competitive aspirations.
While the competitive spirit is a driving force in CrossFit, attempting to compete in every single workout is not the answer to effective training. By prioritizing strategic training programming, mastering your technique, intensity management, recovery, and patience, you can navigate the complexities of CrossFit training with purpose, resilience, and a clear pathway toward realizing your goals. Remember, it’s not about winning every workout; it’s about winning the long game and achieving sustainable success in the competitive arena of CrossFit.