Should We Shout More About Strict Strength?

Should We Shout More About Strict Strength?

It's a common criticism thrown at CrossFitters, that kipping pull ups, handstand push ups, Toes to bar, etc are things that lead to injury. You know what... there is an element of that which is correct, high volume in those elements without first building the your bodies ability to deal with that can lead to injury. However, with the right foundation, good mobility, good strength and good technique these movements are no more dangerous that say a Snatch, a Clean and Jerk or a badly performed stroke on a Ski erg.

It's very clear from the CrossFit Charter that our aim should be firstly to establish the mechanics, secondly the consistency around that and then after that the intensity (future blog around that and if we abandon the CrossFit charter too freely)… so do we shout about that enough? Let's look shall we...

Do we shout about that enough?

On a global scale, If your algorithm on Social Media is giving you certain videos then I think it is very possible that you would say yes. There is also the potential that it is telling you the opposite and telling you that a lot! Then there are those who won't really see a lot about it at all and it will then depend on who they talk to and when. What I do know is that fear about safety is one of the blockers that prevents people from participating CrossFit (however misguided this may be). So no I don't think we shout about it enough… But why?

Well I think there was maybe a time where we did (before I joined the sport as a coach), dare I say it but before CrossFits spotlight started to decline slightly… When there was loud shouts about this type of safety from different corners and that then allowed and gave the platform for CrossFit and its methodologies advocates to shout back just as loudly. As the spotlight diminishes slightly, so do the opportunities to shout back and for that noise to be heard. As funny as it sounds, that negativity, the fact people were so passionate both ways about CrossFit was so important. I think we can get back there, but I think it will take a little bit of time.

Why do I think it will take a little bit of time? Well last years CrossFit games got people to ask a different question. Is CrossFit legitimately dangerous? Once CrossFit gets over that hurdle (those events should not be forgotten but CrossFit needs to show that the Sport side has fully learned from it's mistakes). Once it has and those people who were advocates but have turned into sceptics, not necessarily of the methodology but if CrossFit the company and it's direction as a whole, have returned. The sport has had time to heal and unity has been restored across the community (yes I think we can get there) then maybe it will be time for those shouts, in both directions, to become louder again.

Until then it's up to us, as coaches and CrossFit advocates at a local level to make sure that we look after our communities and to make sure that we keep everyone who we coach safe and enjoying our sport. Next weeks blog will be around exactly that... how we keep to the CrossFit charter and the challenges of doing so whilst managing peoples want to progress, develop and sometimes run before they can walk.

Andy