5/15 Friday

Tara backsquats, Bob presses and Brian F. deadlifts. All three lifts comprise the CrossFit Total. 
The CrossFit Total is an excellent test of strength and is formatted much like a traditional Powerlifting meet. You have three attempts at a max effort rep. You need to declare your first attempt. If you miss the lift, you can repeat it or increase the weight. You can't decrease the weight after you've declared your first attempt. We last did the CrossFit total on November 4, 2014. 

Mark Rippetoe, author of Starting Strength and owner of The Wichita Falls Athletic Club/CrossFit Wichita Falls, created the CrossFit Total. He believes the CrossFit Total reflects an athlete's functional strength capacity more accurately than any other test. He wrote an article about it. The following is a short excerpt about the workout:


"The CrossFit Total is the sum of the best of three attempts at the squat, the press, and the deadlift. All three lifts are done while standing on the floor. They require minimal and inexpensive equipment. They are not technique- dependent to the extent of the Olympic lifts, yet they require technical proficiency beyond mere passing familiarity. They are safe when performed correctly, since they can all be performed without spotters—alone in a garage if necessary.

There is no time limit for each lift or for the length of the session in which they are all performed, but they must all be performed during one session—i.e., you cannot leave the area to rest or perform other activities between the three lifts.

Anyone in a position to attempt a legitimate CrossFit Total should be familiar enough with their capabilities on the lifts to have a fairly good idea of just what might be possible for a one-rep max (1RM). This number is what you warm up intending to do. A meet situation will involve three attempts, and this is a good way to determine a true 1RM.

The first attempt would be a weight you know you can do for a heavy set of three. The second attempt would be a weight you know without any doubt that you could do for a single, having just done the first attempt. And the third attempt is the weight you want to do, based on your performance on the previous two attempts."


Today's Workout
CrossFit Total - the sum of the best of three attempts at the squat, the press, and the deadlift.