In part 1 we discussed the adaptation process to physical training and how it’s unique to the individual and it’s dynamic because it can constantly be changing based on the backdrop of the athletes current overall state. We also pointed out that if you are serious about your training goals any increase in the accuracy of your training prescription and any decrease in inappropriate training is worth fighting for. Just because we don’t have a quantifiable assessment standard to make these things perfect doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be doing our very best to give you the best training possible for you.

In all but elite athletes physical stress from training is not the number one contributor to total stress. Yet so many people want to do the same training program as elite athletes. As far as our training programs go, we should be concerned with total allostatic load and what we can and cannot include in our training that is going to make us better.

With the CrossFit Open scheduled to start March 11th we only have about 3 weeks of preparation time left before it kicks off. Obviously all the training you’ve done over the last 6-12 months will mean the most to your performance but I want to give you 3 actionable steps you can take now that will have a dramatic impact on how the Open goes for you this year!

Mat Fraser is the most dominant male CrossFit athlete there has ever been. He’s won the CrossFit Games more times than any other individual athlete and has done so in complete blow outs of a field that continues to improve. The overwhelming dominance at the top end of the competitive field is more impressive every year, even more so that he seems to continue to improve at a faster rate than his competition when you would think they would be closing the gap. What is he doing that even the best of the other athletes in the sport are not?

Tempo is a powerful training tool used that can help develop good technique, body control, put the athlete under tension at specific joint angles that will help them overcome weak spots in movement, and change the overall time under tension of the exercise leading to an improved response from the exercise. It can help you learn and master a movement safely while still giving you enough stress to cause your body to adapt.

A program’s effectiveness depends on who it is designed for, but too often the program comes first and coaches ask anyone and everyone to be working on the same things.