Do you understand the difference? While there should definitely be SOME similarities between how you train and how you compete, more often than not I see athletes treating every training session like a competition or test.
Is this good or bad?
Instead of writing a 1,000 word essay of my own thoughts, I’d like to hear what YOU think about the difference between competing and training, as it relates to CrossFit:
- Do you think there IS a difference?
- Is one more valuable than the other?
- Which allows more growth as an athlete? As a person?
Based on your answers, I’ll probably write a follow-up post on the topic pointing out the things I agree/disagree with.
Please post your thoughts to comments!
10/15/2012:
Barbell Work
box squat
6 x 2 @ 85%
CrossFit WOD
emom for 10 minutes:
5 hang power clean and jerk – 155/105
max rep double-unders
Gymnastics Development
off
Mobility
Overhead Drill – 5 minutes per arm, preferably before the WOD
Super Sumo Groin Mob - at LEAST 5 minutes per side after
Power Hour
back squat
hip extension
russian kb swing
It is my opinion that the workouts are meant as training tools and they should be treated as such. It is a good idea to push yourself so that your body becomes accustomed to functioning under duress. If you plan on competing then this becomes more and more important. Often times people push themselves in accordance with how others are doing and thus the workouts become mini competitions. Some people measure themselves in this way, but I believe it comes with several limitations. Under these types of situations standards of movement, range of motion, proper positioning, may all become compromised just for the sake of acquiring a certain result, time or rep count. This is where the training that most people think is benefiting them actually becomes a detriment. Additionally, if you are always measuring yourself against others then you are in fact putting a physical limitation on yourself. Finally, the end result does not always mean anything. In fact, often times it is a good idea to purposefully leverage against yourself in a workout and make the task more difficult to complete. How can you do this if you are always “gaming” the wod for the best possible outcome?
There have been times when I recorded each and everything I did in Crossfit and other times when I did not record a single thing at all. Personally, I think it would be a good idea for some people to put some of their habits on the shelf for a little while and focus on only one thing. Going into each workout with the intention of getting the absolute most out of the wod. For a little while it may be a good practice to use what your body is telling you to gauge whether or not you had a good result for the day instead of relying on the time clock.
Everyone is different though and the competitive spirit that is alive an well in Crossfit is a great motivator. I love it and always invite a new challenge as that is what makes the whole experience fun to me.
I think there is an obvious distinction between training and comp. Training is or should be an ongoing, sustainable endeavor to improve and maintain a certain thing, in this case fitness and skill.
If you are training for competition, you are attempting to get the body to a peak level of performance within a specific time frame which in most cases is not sustainable for the body or for the busy life of most people.
I think what’s best depends on the individual. For a competitive person, pushing yourself to excell and be the very best at what you do, can drive you to the next level. We also have to remember that competition is not always with other people. I frequently compete against myself to improve time, technique and strength. Without that competitive drive to do it better than you did it before or better than the person standing next to you, what are you pushing for?
Training vs. Competition
I have trained to compete in many different events. Football, Baseball, Etc. Ect. All of which I tried hard but would say not at 100%. I used training sessions for getting better faster cleaner with movements. As I get ready even now for bowling tournaments I don’t try and throw strikes every time I will tweak or play with facets of my bowling game that can when in times of stress I will be able to fall back on. Muscle memory to say. There should be times of getting after it making sure what you are doing or training for is taking you down the right path. When getting ready for that event any event you have to ready yourself and working at 70-80% will give you the feel as well as the ability to get better.
I have not really trained to compete for anything so this is all new. I find that general training is fun, and hard, and exhausting, and rewarding, the list goes on. Extra training for competition seems stressful, but I see results because I am pushing myself harder in regular work outs due to the extra training. What I know for sure is it has given me a goal to work towards. A few actually. And I still have much to learn.