Compete

Candace landing a heavy split jerk during last week's contest. More pictures from the event are available on Zenfolio.

Before we delve into more discussions regarding the squat, I wanted to touch on the idea of competition. The act of competing is a powerful stimulus and one that has been recently underutilized by many at CrossFit Oakland. I realize that we train against the clock in almost every workout, but an organized competition against others, either singly, or as part of a team is something that everyone should experience, and preferably experience on a regular basis.

Several people mentioned that they wanted to be part of the recent Weekend Warrior Series, yet did not sign up. This is unfortunate. There is nothing that provides the motivation to train hard and meet goals like a competition. Having a date where you need to step up to the bar and put forth a maximal effort is uniquely powerful. Even those that do not think of themselves as competitive by nature feel butterflies in their stomachs before the starting buzzer sounds. When things start to hurt, the knowledge that others are counting on you to bring the suffering to a speedier end is highly motivating.

Many are reluctant to compete because they feel inadequate to the task, or that their fitness levels do not warrant display in public. This is a weak argument. While it is cliché to suggest that doing your best is all that matters, it is also true. The benefits that accrue from competition come primarily from besting yourself, not besting your opponent.

If you have not availed yourself of an athletic competition, it is time to set a goal. Whether you want to try your hand at CrossFit, Olympic Weightlifting, Powerlifting, Running, or whatever other sport you can think of, choosing to compete will result in increased focus during training and provide unusual satisfaction and enjoyment.

CrossFit Oakland has a history of bringing large groups of people to competitions. Ask any of the participants if they enjoyed the experience and the answer will be, almost without exception, "yes." It is time to further that tradition. There will be competitions in the coming months. Make plans to be a part of them and reap the benefits.