Snatches, Cleans and Jerks

I spent this past weekend at CrossFit Queens with one of my fellow coaches taking the USA Weightlifting Level 1 Sports Performance Course with Artie Dreschler.  The class is intended to teach people how to train others on the two Olympic lifts: the snatch and the clean and jerk.  At CrossFit Metropolis, we're coming to the end of our strength cycle, and next up is an Olympic lifting cycle where we'll spend a lot of time on these lifts, so the timing was perfect.  

The USAW way of thinking about these lifts differs somewhat from the CrossFit way.  The biggest difference that I noticed was that, after the bar passes the knee during the snatch, the hips rock forward while the knees remain bent; this gives you something to spring from on the second pull.  I haven't been able to figure yet out if the difference is simply conceptual, of if what the USAW coaches were advocating would recruit the muscles differently.  I'll need some time to play with this.

The course lacked the polish of the CrossFit certifications I've done, and the written exam was replete with typos (that kind of thing drives me nuts), but one thing that I absolutely loved about it was how much time we got to spend actually coaching.  I had the opportunity to teach each progression of each lift at least once, and was critiqued on my style each time.  For a new coach, this is huge.  You really can only learn so much by watching videos, sitting through lectures and reading articles; at some point, you just need to start trying things out.  It was great to be able to practice in a controlled environment.

When we weren't coaching, we were being coached, so I learned a lot about myself, too.  I never knew that I had a tendency to rock forward ever-so-slightly before I jerk.  We also learned some awesome stretches that CFMers can expect to see soon.

All in all, it was a great weekend, and now I'm looking forward to some home-cooked paleo goodness courtesy of my friend Sara.  Yum.

#occupystrength

-Gym Belle-

It's Complicated

On Friday, Lisbeth Darsh posted a link on Facebook to this blog post by Ines Subashka entitled A Guide To A Successful Relationship With Girls Who Lift Weights.  While I don't always agree with everything she writes, I'm a big fan of Lisbeth, and I was intrigued by the title of the post.  I clicked.

I started out nodding along.  Guys who find my weightlifting intimidating aren't worth my time.  Yep.  And yes, we do eat quite a bit.  But then, the post started losing me.

Do not expect her to walk around with clothes from Victoria Bekcham’s last collection.Women who lift weights, dress in sporty clothes, but they always look sexy! These beautiful curves, would look attractive no matter what she dresses with! (sic)

Hang on, there.  That's not me.  I mean, yes, I do love my sweats, but not always.  The post continues in this vein, and I felt like I was reading the CrossFit Women's Creed.  That poem, which originated at a box in Germany, has found its way onto many shirts and blogs, and it crops up on Facebook from time to time.  It opens with this:

I am a CrossFit Woman.
I do not wear makeup to the gym. I wear chalk.  I do not get manicures. I scrub the calluses off my hands.  I do not glisten or smile while I’m working out. I sweat, grunt, and curse.

Again, this isn't me.  True, I would never put on make up to workout; it's bad for your skin.  But you'd better believe that I get manicures.  I paint my nails in a rainbow of colors, sometimes with sparkles.  And I shave down my calluses.  And, yes, I sweat and grunt and curse when I workout.  But I also smile, giggle, and occasionally dance.  My favorite shoe designers are Inov-8 and Christian Louboutin.  I love Lululemon, but also Herve Leger.  Go figure.   

I have no problem with women lifters who simply don't care for the "girlier" things in life.  Everybody's different.  But we didn't break free from one mold just to be placed in another. 

I know these posts are well intentioned, and their messages are generally positive and much needed.  But I hate to think that some woman is going to stumble across these types of posts and choose not to lift because she can't identify.

Strong is beautiful.  And it's our birthright.  However you choose to live it.

-Gym Belle-

Friday's Deadlifts

On March 28, I did this rep scheme with 135 lbs.  Yesterday, I went with 145, which is about 88% of my five rep max (165).  

I'm definitely getting stronger.  Hopefully a 2x bodyweight deadlift is not too far away!

-Gym Belle-