“You can find peace amidst the storms that threaten you.”- Joseph B. Wirthlin
INDUSTRY
OPINION: Does CrossFit Need a Villain?
It’s tough not to want to compare the trajectory of CrossFit with that of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Although the UFC first started in 1993, it didn’t really get going until it was bought by two casino executives along with now president Dana White in 2001. The three pulled the company from the ashes, financially and culturally, building what is now a multi-billion dollar empire.
CrossFit first kicked off in 2000 in Greg Glassman’s personal training business, and while it might seem like apples and oranges to most, CrossFit and mixed martial arts are part of a new breed of sport that came around the time that both the internet and cable television rose to prominence.
Out of the technological dark ages, we now have everything at our fingertips, but for those who are old enough to remember, when cable TV went digital in the early 2000s, it kicked off a revolution and new era of content.
The UFC has obviously established itself as a legitimate sporting company, operating just outside of the mainstream, where it will most likely sit given its violent content is tough to get the average sports fan to buy into, and it’s not already woven into American culture like football is.
CrossFit has similarities here, fitness as a sport is nothing new, but there is only ever going to be a certain amount of people willing to sit down, watch it and most importantly, open their wallets for it.
In case you missed it: Lauren Kalil, the host of The Bottom Line, spoke to analyst Brian Friend about the fact that Tia-Clair Toomey will not compete at the 2022 Rogue Invitational and how the event is wide open now on the women’s side.
How cool is this?: CrossFit Games athlete Steph Chung working out with none other than basketball superstar LeBron James? Very, very cool. 🏀
Yay or nay?: Brent Fikowski channels his inner tattooed rockstar for a new look, so what’s the verdict?
Eat your veggies: New research led by the University of Kent and University of Reading has found that fruit and vegetable consumption and exercise can increase levels of happiness.
CROSSFIT GAMES
MEMBER EXCLUSIVE
Jeffrey Adler and Lazar Djukic: 2022 CrossFit Games Athlete Studies (And a History Lesson)
This is part four of a series in which we focus on two athletes and dissect their performances from the 2022 CrossFit Games.
When Rich Froning Jr retired from individual competition following the 2014 CrossFit Games, it began a changing of the guard so to speak in the men’s individual division. Perennial top ten athletes and podium contenders like Froning, Jason Khalipa, Tommy Hackenbruck, Dan Bailey, Spencer Hendel, Graham Holmberg, and Neal Maddox one by one stopped competing. Josh Bridges tried to extend his career, but despite qualifying a couple more times, was never able to threaten for a top ten position again.
There was a new crop of American men who were eager and ready to take the places of these great competitors from a previous era: names like Mat Fraser, Noah Ohlsen, Cole Sager, Travis Mayer, and Will Moorad entered the scene (and many are still a big part of it). Ben Smith and Scott Panchik were the best at straddling these two generations of top level Games athletes.
Strength or Endurance? Which is More Important in the Off Season?
Whether you’re a CrossFit Games athlete or someone with specific Open or Quarterfinal goals — training during the off season is the time to dial in on some of those weaknesses. But prioritizing movements or even modalities can be tricky, especially when we’re trying to have a healthy season. Morning Chalk Up’s Lauren Kalil sits down with Chris Hinshaw, the founder of Aerobic Capacity and Strongman Rob Kearney, programmer of the STRONG track for HWPO, to break down how athletes can be working on both endurance and strength in the off season.
Devyn Kim Squeezed in a Final College Project During the 2022 NOBULL CrossFit Games
When Devyn Kim’s CrossFit Invictus teammates were getting massages and hitting the ice baths to recover between events at the 2022 NOBULL CrossFit Games, she was hitting the books and finishing a final sociology project.
“My class ended the Tuesday following the Games, so I had a couple homework assignments I needed to do and then a final project,” said the 20-year-old kinesiology college student.
“I tried to get ahead before, but it didn’t work,” she added, laughing.
So from Wednesday to Sunday during the week of the Games, Kim spent her nights focused on her schooling in lieu of devoting her time to rest and recovery for the next day’s grueling events.
Clearly Kim’s commitment to her college degree amidst the biggest competition in her sport didn’t affect her or her team’s performance. They went on to finish third in the world.
Jumping rope is simple. But once we add that second rotation- all hell breaks loose. Try this tip to stop overcomplicating your double unders and get rid of those dub lashes.
Have you ever caught yourself worrying about your breathing during a tough workout? Some WODs leave us gasping for air (Fran anyone?). But what if we told you, there's a tool to help open up your airway by up to 25% to help you breathe during workouts? Yeah, Rich Froning thinks it's pretty cool too.
If you feel pain during or after squats, you’ll want to try these exercises and start incorporating them into your regular routine. Getting to the route of the problem can help you avoid any future pain as well.
WHOOP measures your body's data over 100 times a second to provide personalized feedback on your recovery, strain, and sleep. Morning Chalk Up readers can get a free strap and an extra month's membership when you sign up at the link below.
Do you have lower back pain? Do you feel stiff and take a long time to warm up your back for your workouts? Sounds like you should try unlocking your back with these exercises.
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