Play with your environment…

One of the major principles of CrossFit training is training for the “unknown and unknowable”.  I spend all year training to compete in unknown events.  In fact, most CrossFit competitions only divulge the actual events days or even hours before you have to compete. 

To me, there are three main components of CrossFit: gymnastics, weightlifting and metabolic conditioning, and cardio.  You have to be very good at all of them, and while there are some standard movements and loads for each, what you will actually do in competition usually remains a mystery to the last moment.  So, how does one prepare for that?  I say play with your environment.

Consider the training of most athletes.  They wear the same shoes, listen to the same music, and train at the same time of day in the same place.  To truly prepare for the unknown the athlete should get out of their comfort zone.  They need to vary their training environment.  Here’s what I do.

I play with the space:       

            I workout at my gym

            I workout at other gyms

            I workout in a park

            I workout at a track

I play with time of day and food intake:

            I work out a 5 AM without eating

            I workout at 9 AM with one meal

            I workout at 6:00 PM with three meals

I play with music:

            Loud rock

            Loud classical

            No music

I play with attire:

            Running shoes

            Lifting shoes

            Long sleeve vs. short sleeve

            Pants vs. shorts

You get the idea.  Mix-up everything you can about your training conditions and you will help yourself to be ready for any challenge.  Play with it and have some fun!