Conquer CrossFit Blog
Functional Fitness Tips, CrossFit News, & More
How to Become a Better CrossFit Masters Athlete
This is single handedly the most prevalent question within the Sport of Fitness. Everyday I have this conversation, whether by phone, Zoom, or in person with aspiring athletes who are looking to progress up the proverbial CrossFit ladder. So, here I am going to build a framework around what I project (as of this day) are and will be the driving principles that will give you the tools to do well within CrossFit. This is not a manual that you can open and find a one, two, three step process. This is more of an outline around three guiding principles that will set you up for success to be a better CrossFit Masters Athlete.
Cultivating a Champion's Mindset for Master’s Athletes
Masters athletes, individuals who continue to compete in sports well into their adulthood, often face unique challenges as they strive to maintain peak physical performance while dealing with the demands of daily life. To excel in their chosen sport, especially such a complex and taxing sport like CrossFit, Masters athletes must not only focus on physical training but also develop a strong mindset. The saying, you cannot teach an old dog new tricks doesn’t hold true when you are talking about masters athletes. They are some of the most adaptable athletes out there, however, the mindset and mental approach to training and competing can be a new landscape if they haven’t come from a background of sport. So, below are a few ways masters athletes can work on cultivating a strong mindset.
Boosting Your CrossFit Performance: The Need for Speedy Carbs
If you're looking to elevate your performance and dominate those grueling WODs, it's time to delve into one critical aspect of your nutrition strategy: fast-digesting carbohydrates. While they may not be as flashy as the latest workout gear or as talked about as protein, these carbs are your not-so-secret weapon for conquering the CrossFit arena. So, let's dive in, dig deeper, and uncover why you should be best pals with these lightning-fast fuel sources.
How To Use Concurrent Periodization in CrossFit
CrossFit, known for its dynamic and diverse training approach, demands a combination of strength, endurance, agility, and more. To excel in this multifaceted sport, athletes need a training strategy that optimizes various fitness attributes simultaneously. This is where concurrent periodization comes into play. By blending different training components within a single training cycle, concurrent periodization empowers CrossFit athletes to enhance multiple facets of their performance.
Unilateral Training for Combat Athletes: Power in Balance
Whether you’re swinging a fist, a leg, or leveraging your body against an opponent, combat sports require not just brute strength, but a precise control and balance of that strength. This brings us to the unsung hero of the training world - unilateral training. Let's delve deep into why every combat athlete should be incorporating this into their regime.
W.I.N. - What’s Important Now
Whether you’re a coach being paid to help an athlete improve or an athlete looking for the next thing that's going to help you push the needle of performance, it’s easy to do what is popular or trendy right now.
To me, winning requires you to do the thing that you NEED to do, not the thing you want to do. Yes, there is balance between those two things, but the need needs to outweigh the want.
CrossFit Games Update: CrossFit Milford Team Conquer
In the world of CrossFit, the ultimate test of fitness and athleticism is the CrossFit Games. Athletes from around the globe converge to push their physical and mental limits, striving for greatness and the title of "Fittest on Earth." Our journey to the CrossFit Games was one of perseverance, dedication, and teamwork, culminating in a remarkable achievement: our team's 13th place finish in the world.
Maximizing the Combat Sport Off-Season
Though many sports have a traditional off-season, combat sports are the exception. The time between fights can be unpredictable, making it difficult to plan in a macro cycle approach.
Typically, during “down time” the focus shifts toward skill acquisition with lower intensity to promote more frequent sessions so the athlete can improve significantly between fights.
One aspect that shouldn’t be overlooked at this time is the development of aerobic capacity/endurance.
5 Fun and Effective Ideas for Long-Term Habit Change
Creating long-term habits can be a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be a boring one! Whether you're looking to ditch bad habits or adopt new, positive ones, the journey to lasting change can be enjoyable and rewarding. In this article, we'll explore five light-hearted and fun ideas that can help you make lasting changes to your habits.
The first Person to run the 4:00 mile
Everything's impossible until it's not! And without these athletes who are willing to fail time after time, none of it would be possible. Failure is a part of the process for everyone, including the immortals. If you truly want to accomplish your goals, you just need to be willing to work for them.
Main Training Considerations for Competitive CrossFit Masters Athletes
CrossFit Masters athletes have grown immensely over the past ten years.. Masters athletes, typically aged 35 and above, compete in CrossFit events alongside their younger counterparts, showcasing their strength, endurance, and determination. However, as the body ages, training considerations for masters athletes must be tailored to ensure optimal performance while minimizing the risk of injury. Too often masters athletes are jumping on programs that are tailored towards much younger athletes who require less rest time, have less going on in their lives, and have more ability to recover. In this blog, we will talk about a few things masters athletes need to keep in mind to stay competitive and not get injured or burn out.
What it Takes to Compete at the CrossFit Games
The ultimate goal of every Crossfit competitor is to qualify for the “Crossfit Games”. The Crossfit Games is an annual event that showcases the fittest athletes competing against one another in various modalities of fitness. In order to compete at this level, an athlete must posses amazing work ethic, talent and some luck. Today, we will be addressing the sport requirements to compete at each stage of the Crossfit Games season. We’re hopeful that by the end of this, you will have a better understanding of what you need to address in order to compete!
Programming Beyond the X’s and O’s
Training athletes can be as "simple" or as detailed as you want it to be. But simple doesn't always mean it's going to be effective nor does being complex. If something isn't working, you have to be able and willing to pivot and try something new. When trying something new, review the old, look at your data points, talk to your athlete and allow that to drive your next decision.
Top 4 Supplements for CrossFitters
Here are the top 4 supplements that you should be taking for CrossFit! Keep in mind you need to focus on a healthy well balanced diet first along with optimal hydration. You can take all the supplemental aids you want. But if your foundation isn’t strong with a healthy diet. You are leaving a lot on the table!
How to Overcome Training Plateaus
Training plateaus can be frustrating and demotivating, but they are a common obstacle on the path to achieving fitness goals. Whether you're an athlete, a fitness enthusiast, or someone who simply wants to stay in shape, hitting a plateau can feel like hitting a wall. However, with the right mindset and strategies, you can overcome training plateaus and continue making progress towards your goals.
Optimizing Minimum Essential Strain for MMA & Combat Athletes
Minimal Essential Strain (MES): MES refers to the minimum amount of stress required to stimulate the growth of new bone formation. In the context of mixed martial arts, it is important to incorporate training methods that promote bone health and remodeling.
7 Ways to Overcome Setback from a Competition
Competing in any field or sport comes with its fair share of highs and lows. While victories are sweet, setbacks are an inevitable part of the journey. How you handle these setbacks can significantly impact your performance and overall growth as an athlete. In this blog, we will explore effective strategies to help you bounce back strong from setbacks in competition, enabling you to maintain a resilient mindset and continue striving for success.
Basic Breakdown of Performance Nutrition
Performance nutrition is an essential component of an athlete's training regimen. Proper nutrition can provide the fuel and nutrients necessary to support physical activity, improve recovery, and optimize overall performance. We will dive into the important components of performance nutrition for athletes and provide a few tips for incorporating them into your daily routine.
The Importance of Monitoring Stress for Aging Athletes in Training (Masters Athletes)
As athletes age, their bodies undergo numerous physiological changes that can affect their performance and overall well-being. Stress, both physical and mental, plays a crucial role in an athlete's training regimen and can significantly impact their progress and long-term health. In this blog post, we will explore why monitoring stress is of paramount importance for aging athletes in training and how it can contribute to their success and longevity.
How to Adjust your Macronutrient Consumption to Not Burn Out
Adjusting your macronutrient consumption around energy expenditure is crucial for optimizing your athletic performance and achieving your fitness goals. Macronutrients, which include carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, are the building blocks of your diet and play a significant role in providing energy and nourishment for your body. In this blog, we will discuss some of the best ways to adjust your macronutrient consumption around energy expenditure.