Sorry for the huge gap in posts recently, loads of small and not so small reasons for that, but hopefully back on track for regular posts now.
Where do I begin, with all the updates from my Crossfit journey ??
Well, firstly, my training is still ongoing, still getting tougher, but still surviving, so that's all good.
I won't post all the sessions, I have done since last post, but I will share the fact I am now lucky enough, that some of my programming means doing sessions with Steph Dekker, who competed at the European Crossfit Regionals this year. These are sessions, when I don't get too upset if a girl beats me ha ha.
But seriously, looking forward to a bit of added pressure and trying to step up again.
Away from my own personal training, I have also been busy on the educational front, attended two Crossfit Courses - Level 1 Crossfit Trainer and Crossfit Strongman Trainer.
First up, was the Level 1 Crossfit Trainer course, which meant two days down in Stockport.
I have been on loads of 'fitness' industry courses, some the highest quality from the leading experts in the world and some very poor courses too, my expectations were for the first option.
Thankfully, this was the case and I have to say the Level 1 Trainer course, was up there in my top 5 courses, that I have attended.
From the moment we got there on Saturday morning, till leaving at the end of Sunday, everything was ran with a exceptional level of professionalism, timekeeping and packed with awesome coaching points.
A lot of courses i have attended miss these points out, they teach you how to do 'stuff', but don't teach you how to coach others to do it.
This was an excellent example of how courses should be run and how coaching coaches, should be taught.
Led by Karl Steadman, with Denise Thomas, Danny Watson, Dafyyd Dennis, Simon Jones and Hamish Meddings.
All the aspects of Crossfit they covered, were done in an easily digestible manner, with demos of all the exerciases, reasoning for doing them, where they fit into programs, programming itself, an aspect overlooked by non crosssfit people, when speaking of Crossfit, they don't seem to realise, done properly Crossfit has a highly effective programming structure.
Taking us through, various exercises, Squats (front, back, overhead), pressing, cleans, snatches, medicine ball cleans, coaching the group, while also teaching cueing points, coaching points and remedial drills to help us, with our clients, classes etc.
Even though for the most part, we were practising with a plastic pipe, instead of weights, my body was feeling it on the Sunday and Monday, from holding proper positions.
As I said, a brilliant course and even if you don't 'do Crossfit' but coach, I guarantee you would take a lot from this weekend.
Thanks to the team for that weekend.
Having to wait a week for my exam results was a little nerve racking, but thankfully I received the good news, that I had passed, now all I need is the actual Certificate, for my wall :-)
This great news led to, Iain at Reebok Crossfit Glasgow, asking me if I would like to program and run a full day of WOD's in CFG, based round kettlebells.
Now there are some things I am not confident to coach, kettlebells are definitely not one of those things. I would happily teach kettlebells to as many people as you put in front of me.
I can spot technique errors and usually correct them quite quickly, so I obviously agreed straight away.
Although they don't do a lot of kettlebells at CFG, everyone seemed keen and took onboard my advice and most people 'got it' and liked the sessions, so another step on my journey complete.
One of my next tasks is to get this confident with more of the 'usual' Crossfit exercises, be able to spot bad technique and fix it, like every coach should do, I guess ?!?
Then, just as I had got over these two steps, I was faced with the Crossfit Strongman cert, ran by the stupidly strong Rob Orlando (look for some of his videos)
So, this was a one day event going through Atlas Stones, Yoke walks, Farmers walks, kegs, Tyre flipping and log work (these may mean absolutely nothing to you, but look them up).
Again (I'm noticing a theme here) with this Crossfit course, it was ran to the highest of standards.
Going through each exercise and piece of equipment, in great depth and clarity. Explaining why, where, who should use it (everyone) and where it fits in Crossfit and general programming.
This, as you can imagine was a tough day on the body, the best, if not the only way to learn strongman exercises is to do it, which we definitely did, we flipped, carried, held, hugged, pressed, all day - Awesome :-)
And I was lucky enough to get this at the end of it
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I also have to say a massive thank you to Iain and Gavin from Reebok CrossFit Glasgow for bringing Rob and his team to Glasgow, to bring and hopefully continue to bring top seminars and coaches to CFG, is one of the reasons it is growing everyday, I look forward to being a part of, something which is truly special.
Well, I think that is enough of my updates for now, but I have a feeling more are coming along very soon.
Back to training updates in next few days too.
Thanks
Craig
P.S It's good to be back
