Rowing WOD 1/24/14: Peak Power and Tabata Starts – Post Max Watts and Fastest Start

Rowing WOD:

Thor's Ready for the Renegade Rowing League!  Are you?

Thor’s Ready for the Renegade Rowing League! Are you?

Peak Power Test

  • Post Max Watts to Comments.

Tabata Row for Lowest Split

8x :20 On/ :10 Off

  • Practice your Starting Sequence each round.
  • Post Lowest Split hit to Comments.

Strength WOD:

EMOM10

2 Power Cleans

  • Ascending to As Heavy As Possible
  • Post Load to Comments.

Conditioning WOD:

AMRAP3

5 Jerks (115/75 lbs.)

10 Box Jumps (24/20 in.)

  • Post Rounds + Reps to Comments.

The focus of today is Power, so be sure to get in the Rowing and Strength WOD.  If time allows, choose the blocks that will help you improve as an athlete.  If you have enough time for all three blocks then attack them all!

For the Peak Power Test set the monitor for 20 seconds of work and 2 minutes of rest.  Start by paddling a couple of strokes to get the fan moving and then go for max watts.  It may help to video the test or have a partner watch to tell you the highest watts you pulled in just one stroke.  During the 2 minutes of rest paddle lightly or roll out.  Take 3 or 4 tries to find your max wattage starting with the damper set low and increasing the drag each successive try.  At some point you’ll find a drag that you like and gives you the most power.  Your score for the Peak Power Test is the Max Watts pulled in just one stroke.

Give us your best and share your results and experience to comments!

Who’s Ready to test the 2k tomorrow?

Strength WOD 1/23/14: 5×5 Back Squat – Post Loads

Rowing WOD:

Coach Pat and CFB Badass Consortium attacking push ups at Not Your Average Joe's last weekend.  Got any fun weekend plans?

Coach Pat and CFB Badass Consortium attacking push ups at Not Your Average Joe’s last weekend. Got any fun weekend plans?

15′ PYR26 (Pyramid @26s/m)

3′, 2′, 1′, 2′, 3′, 4′ (@22s/m, 24, 26, 24, 22, 20)

4′ Rest

15′ PYR26 (Pyramid @26s/m)

3′, 2′, 1′, 2′, 3′, 4′ (@22s/m, 24, 26, 24, 22, 20)

  • Post Splits to comments @26 and @20 for both pyramids

Strength WOD:

5 x 5 Back Squat

  • Post Loads to Comments.

Conditioning WOD:

4 RFT

400m Run

20 Wall Balls (20/14 lbs.)

10 Push Ups

  • If it’s to cold outside to run then sub a 500m row.
  • If you don’t have space for wall balls then sub DB Thrusters.
  • Post time to comments.

Today’s focus is strength.  Use the pyramids in the Rowing WOD for a good warmup and skill session to dial in ratio and control.  Then get in a couple of warmup sets and whatever mobility you need before attacking the Back Squats.  Keep your chest up, lock your breath in, and spread the floor.  Drive through those heels as you fight through the hole.  Put all of your focus and effort into your working sets to get the most out of today.  If you’ve got the time give the Conditioning WOD a shot and empty the tanks.

Have fun and go hard!

Conditioning WOD 1/22/14: “Jackie” – 1k Row, 50 Thrusters, 30 Pull Ups – Post Time

Rowing WOD:

Jason Gee and Coach Pat getting after the rowing and thruster WOD last weekend at Not Your Average Joe's

Jason Gee and Coach Pat getting after the rowing and thruster WOD last weekend at Not Your Average Joe’s

“The Castle”

Row for 21min as follows…

3′ @20 s/m, 3′ @24, 3′ @28, 3′ @26, 3′ @28, 3′ @24, 3′ @20

  • Focus on Rhythm and Ratio
  • Post Distance to Comments

Conditioning WOD:

“Jackie” – For Time …

1k Row

50 Thrusters (45# Barbell)

30 Pull Ups

  • Post Time and Average Split to Comments

Strength WOD:

30 GHD Sit Ups

Superset:

5 x :30 Handstand Hold

5 x 25 Sit Ups

As we head into our last month preparing for CRASH-B’s and the games, many athletes will need some extra time on the erg to focus on rhythm, timing, and overall form.  Today’s Rowing WOD is a great opportunity for any athlete, experienced or not, to get a sense of form and rhythm and then apply it in competition.  Get in a solid warm up and hone your rowing skills in the Rowing WOD and then attack the Conditioning WOD with your new found efficiency and focus on form.

Rhythm and Endurance are two necessities for successful competition in longer WODs.  A great example would be the KB Swings and Pull Ups found in “Helen” or the necessity to be fresh enough for the thrusters and pull ups in Jackie.  Those who find a consistent rhythm can flow through the movements naturally and rely on their aerobic endurance without dipping into their anaerobic energy supply.

In today’s Rowing WOD the focus is developing rhythm and endurance.  Another word for rhythm in rowing is Ratio.  By varying the ratio of the drive to the recovery rowers can maintain the same pace or split, but work more efficiently and make the stroke feel lighter or heavier.

When going from a 20 stroke rating to a 24 you should focus on more pressure with the legs and quickly redirecting the hands through the finish.  This will help increase the stroke rating while leaving you the same amount of time to sit up, breathe, and relax as you slide forward on the recovery.

When you attack Jackie pick a challenging split and stroke rating to hold, but make sure you’re able to remain efficient and fresh enough to perform the thrusters and pull ups and full intensity.  Try to focus on your rhythm and ratio to allow for breathing and recovery every single stroke.

Get after it and have a solid day of training!  We will re-test “Jackie” next week!

Rowing and Strength WOD 1/21/14: 10 x 250m w/ :45r and 5×5 Deadlift – Post Splits and Loads

Rowing WOD:

Does your race plan involve you're Warm Up?

Does your race plan involve you’re Warm Up?

10 x 250m w/ 45 seconds Rest

  • Execute Race Plan
  • Post Splits to Comments

Strength WOD:

5×5 Deadlift

  • Post Loads to Comments

Conditioning WOD:

AMRAP5

9 Double Unders

6 Pistols

3 Handstand Push Ups

  • Post Score to Comments.

The Games and the Open are right around the corner and now is the time to start thinking about your game plan for certain WODs.  Those with experience know the benefit of pacing, gaming, and executing a plan to produce a personal best performance.  In the end a game plan facilitates mental toughness and focus to deal with pain when things get tough.

This Saturday, January 25th, we will be testing our 2k again at the Renegade Rowing League.  If you’re in the Boston Area you’re invited to come and visit CrossFit Boston and compete in the Renegade Rowing League.  It will take place from 11am – 1pm.  In order to prepare for testing and competition some of the rowing wods this week will be focused on race pressure and executing a race plan.

Today’s focus is Rowing and Strength.  In the Rowing WOD focus on executing a 2k race plan at high intensity.  Set the monitor for intervals distance with 250m of Work and 45 seconds of Rest.  Row the first two pieces as if they were the start of the 2k.  Row the next three pieces as if they were part of the second 500m, Row the next three pieces as if they were part of the third 500m, and finish the last two pieces with a sprint like the end of a race.  In the Deadlifts grip it and rip it, but be sure to lock that breath in and keep good form.

This should not be an all out 250m Max Effort, but rather a calculated effort at a split close to what you think your current 2k split would be.  The goal should be to pull the lowest split possible, consistently through all 10 intervals.  For example: alternating between splits of 1:50 and 2:00 is inefficient.  Instead consistently pull 1:55 every interval.

Post your Splits and Thoughts to comments.

**** Example Dynamic Warm Ups ****

Renegade Rowing Dynamic WarmUp

Renegade Rowing DROM In Place

Conditioning WOD 1/20/14: 3/4 Little Cindy – Post Score

Rowing WOD:

Heat 3 at the first RRL in December! Register for January's Event Here.

Heat 3 at the first RRL in December! Register for January’s Event Here.

10min Erg Warmup

20 x 3 Strokes Pic Progression (Arms Only, Arms and Body, Full Stroke)

Conditioning WOD:

3/4 Little Cindy

AMRAP15

3 Pull Ups

6 Push Ups

9 Air Squats

  • Post Rounds and Reps to Comments.

Strength WOD:

EMOM10

3 Snatch

  • Touch and Go
  • Ascending
  • Post Load to Comments

Today is another opportunity to build strength and work capacity while focusing on the sport specifics of rowing.  Get in a good warmup on the erg and dial in your sequence on the recovery with the pic drill progression. Once you’re warm take it over to the platform and dial in your snatch technique being sure to stick each landing.  When you’re ready, attack this version of Cindy.  During 3/4 Little Cindy focus on quality reps/movement with good breathing and consistent pace.  Split it up as needed being sure not to go to failure on any single rep.  It will take twice as long to recover if you do.

Start the week off right and get after it!