Weightlifting and CrossFit: Reality vs. Truth: Part 1

Posted by Suman on Feb 10, 2019

Reality: What everybody knows or are currently doing.

Truth: What legends know.

Fact: Truth is far from reality.


Training Goal/Philosophy

Reality: Training is aimed at lifting the heaviest weight in the least possible time while avoiding (or dealing with) injury.

Truth: Training is about finding the most efficient way to lift the heaviest weight long-term.


Injuries and Limitations

Reality: Nagging pains or limitations are part and parcel of an athlete.

Truth: If one dedicates their entirety towards learning the ins and outs of their sport and their body, misses will disappear and injury will be as rare as a competition loss.


Recovery

Reality: Ample time, energy and external resources is spent on recovery.

Truth: If training is adapted properly, with a complete understanding of one's body and its capacity, the requirement of external resources almost vanishes.


Technique

Reality: An athlete learns a specific style of performing movements either from a coach. (In-person or online/remotely).

Truth: A real athlete does not settle until they know the movements inside/out. Technique is temporary, knowing is forever.


Coaching

Reality: A world-class athlete is the cumulative result of their coach(es). The coach(es) have an active involvement in programming, recovery, technique, injury prevention, and even "mental training".

Truth: An athlete at heart rarely needs "coaching". The champion already resides within them, and it will be eventually brought to the surface. At times, coaching may come in the way of them fully expressing their talents.


Training Environment

Reality: It is the coaches' responsibility to foster a competitive team and a healthy training environment. A pool of great athletes eventually produces a champion.

Truth: A real athlete trains in a way that makes their performance independent of external factors. So that nothing on the outside can affect their performance.


Milestones and PRs

Reality: Milestones and/or PRs are actively chased. Training programs, competitions, designated days or other periodization blocks are scheduled in a way conducive to the frequent occurrence of PRs (while adherence to technique and safety.)

Truth: When training is planned around knowing what one does not know (about the sport, the movement mechanics and their bodies), milestones and PRs are achieved without actively trying.
Active and conscious PR chases begin only after one has achieved full knowing.