On the Platform

Tue, Mar 9, 2010

Liz learns to bench under the watchful eye of Sue.

We have a rule at CrossFit Watertown: Every barbell workout starts with just the bar. 5 reps with no load. It doesn’t matter if you’re bench pressing, squatting, deadlifting, cleaning, pressing, etc. 5 reps with no load. Get your body and mind in tune with what you’re doing before you up the ante, even in warm-ups.

Another rule is nothing on the platform besides what you’re using. No extra plates, no collars, no crap. It’s for safety (don’t want to throw 150lbs down on an uneven surface and see what happens to the bounce trajectory) and for mental clarity. Focus on what you have to do. On what you want to do. On where you’re going. Push all the bull**** to the side. Be totally in the moment. Right here. Right now. Breathe. Lift. Live.

11 Responses to “On the Platform”

David Kirk Says:
March 9th, 2010 at 9:07 am

Bam! Platform fung shui is the key to a peaceful lift.

sueloz Says:
March 9th, 2010 at 9:09 am

Lis Darsh on the Feng Shui of lifting. How Zen…and how true.

Rockstar Says:
March 9th, 2010 at 10:04 am

Good Morning Everyone!

Rich Says:
March 9th, 2010 at 10:19 am

Great reminders Lis!!!
There’s a time to be social and a time to be focused. That’s one of the things that makes Crossfit so effective and such a great community!!! In the box that time should be the same time for everyone.
Love it.

Chris Says:
March 9th, 2010 at 10:27 am

Agreed. Very helpful reminders. As easy as it might be to rush through warm-up sets, I find that 5 reps with just the bar really does mentally prepare me for the lifts ahead.