the crossfit games Archives - TWL Journal

January 4, 2017October 22, 2020

When You Need A Little Push

I love CrossFit, but some days, I don’t have the motivation to get to the gym. Whether it’s gloomy outside, a late night, or a long day at work, sometimes I need a little extra push to get me going.

During those times, here are a few things I remind myself:

I will feel better—more energized, leaner, etc.—after I get a workout in
My body won’t sculpt itself if I don’t exert any energy into it
I’ll be one more workout closer to my goals
Getting a workout in (and beating my excuses) will add one more notch to my mental toughness belt
Seriously, when was the last time I regretted going to the gym (spoiler alert: the answer is always never)

And, if my pep talks to myself don’t work, here are a few videos that always get me pumped:

CrossFit – Letting Beauty Speak:

Beast Nation – CrossFit Motivation – You Will Win:

I hope this helps give you the motivation you need to get going and earn yourself a little sweat equity!

January 24, 2016October 22, 2020

RAW STRENGTH & CONDITIONING – OPEN WOD 01

TWL crew has teamed up with the guys over at RAW Strength & Conditioning one last time before the 2016 CrossFit season kicks off. Every Monday for the next 5 weeks we will be releasing a weekly challenge carefully crafted with an emphasis on getting you in shape for what is to expect in the 2016 CrossFit Open.

The first released WOD is a 10 minute increasing ladder of power cleans, wall balls, and double-unders. This rep scheme looks like it might get pretty spicy really fast!

Are you ready? Grab a mate and test yourself with RAW’s Open WOD 01:

Looking to gain access to RAW specific training or individualized programming? Be sure to get in touch with RAW Strength & Conditioning right here: Rawstrengthconditioning@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rawstrengthandconditioning/

October 24, 2015October 22, 2020

The 99.99

With the rapidly expanding popularity of CrossFit, there are now over 10,000 Affiliates across the globe and that number is growly daily. More and more people are being exposed to CrossFit whether it’s through word of mouth from family and friends or by watching ESPN’s live coverage of the CrossFit Games. Undoubtedly it’s hugely entertaining and awe inspiring to watch the best athletes in CrossFit compete for the title of “The World’s Fittest.” The sport of fitness has truly become a phenomenon. Beginning in 2007, the CrossFit Games began as a fairly small group of garage athletes who came together to battle it out at during a 1 day competition held at a private ranch. Every year the games become bigger and harder. In 2015, the CrossFit Games was held over 4 days of gruelling competition in the heat of California, testing the athlete’s capacity to endure a massive amount of work and prove their fitness over 12 individual events.

For many people, watching the Games or any other high level CrossFit competition, this is their first impression of what CrossFit is about. This can be a double edged sword in many aspects. Admittedly, watching the Games athletes perform is an incredible spectacle and can be very inspiring for those that see it, for others I’m sure it could be intimidating. These Games athletes are 0.01 percent of those who participant in CrossFit as a strength and conditioning program. The other 99.99 percent of those that do CrossFit are those who collectively make the CrossFit community what it is. They are the stay at home mother, the local fire fighter, the retired couple, the netball player and the 16 year old High School student. This is the diversity of the CrossFit community.

There is a gigantic difference between CrossFit “The Sport of Fitness” and CrossFit as a training methodology. CrossFit Games athletes and those who compete have chosen CrossFit as their sport. It’s not uncommon that competitors will train twice a day, 5-6 days a week, often for hours at a time. They need to become highly proficient at Gymnastics movements like pull ups, muscle ups and handstands. They need to be as strong and powerful as possible, while possessing a huge aerobic capacity and the ability to work efficiently across multiple time domains. They literally eat, sleep and breathe CrossFit.

The other 99.99% of the community simply don’t need this amount of training to see results and live a healthier lifestyle. They are the ones who want to be stronger so their backs don’t ache. The ones who want to live long enough to play with their grandchildren. The ones who want to stay active, have fun with their fitness and learn new things.They don’t want to be out of breath when they walk up the stairs. They want to carry the grocery bags in a single trip!

These are the people who make up the 99.99%
This is the difference between “The training methodology” and “The Sport of Fitness.”

About The Author:

Jesse Rhynard

Clarence Valley CrossFit Owner/Coach/Media ~~Guru~~ Guy

August 26, 2015November 4, 2020

CrossFit Games Athlete Interview: Rees Machell

Now that the 2015 CrossFit Games are over and the dust has settled, TWL was lucky enough to catch up with the fittest teen in Australia– Rees Machell. Snagging fifth worldwide in the teen Open and a podium third place finish at the Games in the 16-17 year-old division, we expect Rees will be a blast to watch in the upcoming 2016 CrossFit season.

Read on to find out more about this incredible up and coming athlete:

– How did you get introduced to CrossFit?

Before CrossFit I raced motocross and played rugby league in Tumut. I received a back injury in league which stopped me from racing and footy until I had fixed it. From there I started strength training at a globo gym, then decided I needed fitness, strength, power, speed etc so I decided I would try CrossFit. I’ve never looked back since.

– Hobbies? What are you doing when you’re not CrossFitting?
Riding dirt bikes, driving buggies up the bush with my good pal Little Lukey McMahon and waterskiing in the summer. Anything active!

– What was your favorite 2015 Open WOD?
Probably 15.5, regardless of the teen weight it hurt… But I felt pretty strong in that workout.

– What was your favorite Games WOD?
“Amanda”

– What did it mean to you to make it to Carson?
Like a lot of hard work had paid off, and an awesome experience awaiting me. Was unreal!

– How’d you like California? Did you get to explore much after your big victory?
California was a cool experience, the weather was too good. We didn’t explore too much after the competition as we couldn’t afford to stay too long. It was a sudden event and was hard to build up enough funds to stay long, but we did watch the Individuals- which was so awesome.

– Who’s your CrossFit idol?
Going to have to say Rich Froning, no doubt. Works hard and is humble.

– Whats your least favorite movement?
Used to have a few but I worked on them, got better at them and now I love them! Most of the time was a few overhead exercises though.

– Walk us through a day in your life: What do you eat? When/How long do you train?
Leading up to the Games I trained 2-3 times a day. In the morning around 6:30 AM and in the afternoon around 4:30PM then sometimes lunch time aswell. At the moment I eat a lot of starchy carbs and whole meats as much as possible everyday because I’m trying to put on weight.

– What’s next? CrossFit Games 2016?
This was my last year being able to compete as a teenager, next years goal is to make it to Regionals. So, a whole lot of work!

– What are 3 items that are always in your gym bag?

My lifters, tape and protein powder.

– Plug time and shout outs!
Shout out to Little Lukey McMahon and the rest of the McMahon boys Josh and Aydan for teaching me almost everything I know about CrossFit, cheers boys! Also shout out to the Unbroken Athletic Apparel boys for all the support, Raw Fitness Equipment for helping Josh and I with raffling and the donations. Again Faster AUS/NZ for taking me aboard the development team and for the help preparing for the Games. Rob Forte and Reebok CrossFit Frankston for hosting their competition that raised an immense amount of $4,310 towards Josh and I. To all of the people in the CrossFit community and the community of Tumut who raised money to our GoFundMe page and to my friend’s and family. We couldn’t have done it without you guys and my appreciation towards you guys is beyond words.

AMRAP QUICK STATS:

Age: 17
Back Squat: 182kg
If there was a WOD named after you, what would be in it? Thrusters, burpees, bar muscle-ups and pistols
Affiliate: CrossFit Tumut
Coach: None