Crossfit Training: The Upperclassman

You’ve been completing WODs consistently, you’re gradually improving your times, you’re controlling your diet, and you’ve perfected your technique on most if not all of the exercises commonly encountered in CrossFit training.

You probably feel great – in fact, you might feel better than you have in years. You’ve got more energy, more stamina, and more strength, and you probably sleep more soundly than ever.

So, what now? Where can you go from here? It’s time to start thinking about competing.

Preparing for a Competition

Truthfully, nothing can fully prepare you for your first CrossFit competition; it’s something you have to experience to understand. However, it’s important to have a set of guidelines to keep you focused during the event. With so much energy and excitement in the air it’s easy to get sidetracked, and it’s also easy to blow yourself out too early and lose your intensity.

In the days leading up to the event, concentrate on hydrating, maintaining your diet and any supplements you’re using, and continuing to train as hard as you can. Three or four days before the event, pull back a bit on your WODs and concentrate on cardio during your off time. This will give your body a chance to rejuvenate so you can start the competition at peak performance levels.

At the Event

Many first time competitors make three mistakes – they dress wrong, they eat wrong, and they forget to warm up and cool down.

When it comes to dress, use the same clothing you do your WODs in. Don’t try to show off or buy a new outfit just for the event, you’re going to want something functional and familiar.

With all the adrenaline pumping through your system, it’s easy to forget to eat. Your body needs fuel, so set up a series of reminders to tell you when to eat, and don’t skip any meals during the event.

Warming up and cooling down between sessions is critical! Improper warmups increase the chance of injury, and improper cooldowns will overheat you and drain your stamina. Keep your FlexFit mat within reach during the event so you can warmup or cooldown at will.

After the Event

After the event, make sure to keep a record of all your times on all the sessions you participated in. Many first time competitors surprise themselves with how well they do, and you can track your improvements against this record in the months to come. During successive events, try to keep similar records of events you take part in so you can watch your scores improve over time!