WOD is an acronym for workout of the day. Is a cornerstone
of a popular fitness craze that needs to be totally re-examined in light of the
injuries caused by it and the number of people put in the hospital with Rhabdomyolysis
(That is for another blog at another time) Let’s look at WOD in the light of
what training should be. The workout, the individual training session is the
building block of a comprehensive training program. No one workout is an
end unto itself; each workout is a means to an end. Yesterday’s workout should seamlessly flow into today’s
works and today’s workout should set up and connect with tomorrow’s workout.
That is sound training – simple and effective. In addition each workout is not designed to be as hard
it can be. There is a rhythm, a flow of alternating hard and easy
workouts all designed to achieve adaptation to the desired training stimulus.
Each workout should be designed to fit the demands of the sport being
trained for the needs of the individual athlete. Pushing to the edge and beyond
and puking in every session is not training, it is stupidity, in fact it is
abusive. That is what I see the WOD concept do. No workout is connected to
another workout, every workout is to the max everyday. There is no time to
allow for adaptation. This results in the survivors getting very fit and those
that do not survive get injured. Training should not be a survival contest; it
is about adaptation and cumulative training effect over time to achieve the
desired training goal. Training should fit the individual one size does not fit
all. When you log on to get your WOD ask yourself why you are doing the same thing
as everyone else is doing? That should be your first clue that something is
wrong. Also it is important to remember that it does not always have to be
hard and grinding to get results. Training accumulates over time. Give yourself
a chance to get progressively better by making sure that each workout is part
of an overall plan with specific long, medium and short-term goals. Plan your
training and work your plan to achieve your goals.
2 Comments
ciejarrod
You’ve generalized a lot here. So much so, that’s it seems pointless to respond, but I’ll address some of it.
Working out until you throw up is a personal choice, not a requirement. When you hit a wall, you should rest and recover before continuing. WOD’s aren’t governed by a guy with a whip that’s going to give you lashes for stopping. Do your best. However, the harder you push yourself, the more you will progress, and at a faster rate. Pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone and capacity, creates more capacity. If it’s not for you, fine. Do yoga or Pilates.
Some people respond well to competition, and that’s why the workouts stay consistent. I personally push hard to be the one that finishes first (or not last), that gets more reps, or the one that can move more weight. Again, maybe it’s not for you, but it makes me push harder.
I’m not sure which organization you’re referring to, but WOD is a general acronym used by many. I often create and post my own WOD to my facebook page. And as you have suggested, my workouts have exercises selected for my purpose, that tie into my other weekly workouts. WOD shouldn’t be generalized as a bad term. I do agree that some organizations encourage hard work and failure over form and proper technique without correcting imbalances first. It’s not for everyone. I wish there was more education around proper movement prior to joining crossfit gyms, but it’s probably not going to happen. 99% of personal trainers don’t know shit anyway.
TheDamonFIT
wow what a shame that ignorance trumps thoughtful expression, yoga has more qualities about progress, comfort zone, pushing hard and whatever than most(you)will ever know…..like they say you dont know what you dont know. its funny how jerking around weights creates such ego