By Rich Vos, CrossFit Hustle
I’ve been looking around at the programming of other CrossFit affiliates. After 4 years of training, I can see the difference between good programming and bad programming.
First, let me explain what I see as the difference: Good programming has a purpose. If you can look back over a few weeks, you can see a focus on specific movements and technique drills to ramp up to a benchmark workout to come. If you see a bunch of interval rowing, it should be clear that multiple 500′s or a 2K is on the horizon.
Bad programming starts with no real purpose and usually comes from the Good Idea Fairy the night before. FYI: If your programming starts with “You know what would be cool…” Scratch that idea and go browse the Outlaw Coach’s site or OPT’s Big Dawg blog. For CrossFitters, programming needs to be constantly varied, not random. Bad programming is everywhere; there’s no need to link to it.
Back to your box… I’m assuming because you program weeks and months out you have a style. Some gyms like 20+ minute WODs and others have a strength bias. Whatever yours is, it needs to be clear. It needs to be obvious to your members and your readers.
How do you make this style clear? Speak up! In your intro classes, tell everyone why you program the way you do and what the benefit is to your programming. This also helps weed out the people who don’t dig barbell work if you’re a strength-based facility. While you’re coaching the CrossFit classes, drop lines that explain why you’re working on a specific portion of a movement now: to be ready for the full movement when it comes up later. Drilling the snatch pull before jumping into power snatches is a great example.
On your website, make little notes after the movement. Let your readers and members know exactly what you’re looking to see when they come in to train:
Skill Work
Build up to a moderately heavy (60% your 1RM) squat clean with SOLID technique. Start with the barbell and progress up to a weight you can make with great form: full extension, catching in the bottom, elbows high. From there, knock out 4 sets of 2 at THAT weight. These aren’t all out efforts, this is skill work.
Your website programming doesn’t need to be that detailed, but it should reflect your style of coaching and programming. The above is clear and direct. For those who have been training for just a little bit, they know what you’re looking for. For those with multiple coaches running classes, this is a very subtle way to explain what YOU are looking for as the head coach and programmer.
Your programming and website should reflect your style. Make it happen.
Great post. Makes me want to run out and plan the rest of 2012. :)
Posted by: Wally | 02/16/2012 at 02:30 AM