Feedback (AKA Speak Up)

Andy; first Helen rx'd.

The 5pm crew. Great show folks.

And finally, an artistic montage of Cliff in the wake of his unreal 7:20 Helen,

as he moved around the box collapsing

and moaning.

Looks like tomorrow is a rest day.

I realize that when I am teaching a class, I look pretty good.  You know, all-wise and all-powerful. Possessed of great knowledge and a booming storm god-like voice.  The wielder of those deadly weapons the stopwatch and the dry erase marker, the pairing of which can strike fear into even the strongest.  But benevolent of course.  Always benevolent.

This is why it sometimes comes as a shock to an athlete that I can’t read minds.  I can’t tell that their knee aches the next day after training or that overhead squats hurt their neck.  If that person has been in my class for a while, chances are that I will notice a difference in their movement, and I will of course notice if someone is chicken necking on the squat or their legs are adducting, but if the person is a beginner, odds are I don’t have enough time with them to know if they are favoring a joint or limb or if that is just the way they move at this stage in their training.  Not to mention that people often disguise their pain very well.

So what is the point here?  The point is speak up.  Let your trainer know if there is pain during a certain movement.  He or she can’t read your mind.  Don’t just live with the pain thinking that it is a normal part of learning CrossFit.  Soreness yes, pain no.

Always give your coach feedback.  Feedback on how you feel, good and bad.  The good is…well, good.  And the bad can usually be fixed with some adjustments.  It is your responsibility  to make your coach aware of your limitations and pains.  It is your coach’s responsibility to understand what the problem is and help you fix it.  And by fix it, I don’t mean just subbing push presses for thrusters if the proximal side of the patella hurts when squatting.  I mean looking at your squat.  Checking for proper stance, proper tracking, proper weight disbursement, proper knee abduction, proper midline stability, proper tension.  I mean explaining about recovery techniques and stretches.  But it all begins with your feedback.

So speak up.  Give your coach some feedback.  It will result in you being a stronger better CrossFitter and your coach being a better coach.

Thoughts?  Please post to Comments.

Congratulations on all the Helen PRs today.  Great work everyone. 

And don’t forget about Molly’s birthday workout at 4pm this Friday.  Any guesses?

Workout:

Power Clean

Work up to several singles at 1RM weight.

Then:

AMRAP in 10 minutes

7 Front Squats 135/85#

7 Ring Dips 

200m Run

Post WOD completed and score to Comments.