CROSS FIT!

(I am sweating!  

I can barely lift my arms!)

During the middle of my (dance teaching) work day, the members of my department took a break and had two guests from EFV, a Cross Fit studio on the upper east side down the block from school, join us to lead a session.  What a motivating guy!  Eric, the founder of EFV, led us first in a quick discussion about the pyramid of Cross Fit with nutrition as it's base, and using functional movements to aid in the ability to perform better.  I was impressed that in the warm-up (which was really quite tough already!) he analyzed our form and gave pointers on technique and explained fully how to do each repetition safely and efficiently.  Great for injury prevention.

He even mentioned something that I ALWAYS say.... he stressed that it's the TECHNIQUE and FORM of the thing that is most important.  If you attempt to do the action fully, then you'll be able to measure your progress.  For example.... not doing 20 "girl push-ups" and then advance to 10 "real push-ups."  Just do the push-ups the way they need to be done and measure that :)

I appreciate the ability to workout without the need for numerous apparatuses with time spent setting up and cleaning up, especially when you are working out alone and need to do it quick.  We spend time doing things that just needed our body parts:

• Round 1
• 21 push-ups
• 21 squats
• 21 burpees 
• Round 2
• 15 push-ups
• 15 squats
• 15 burpees
• Round 3  
• 9 push-ups 
• 9 squats
• 9 burpees 

And we timed ourselves so that, ideally, you could measure, quantitatively, how well you are performing.  We had planned to do 21 skips, 15 skips, and 9 skips at the end of each but we're pressed for time... so if you plan to try this -- add it in!  

But what a great thing to try..... SOMETHING NEW!!!!!!  It's inspiring to do something different and to push yourself in a new way.  Try it!  Anything! Something new!