Strong Person’s Dilemma

Back Squats x3
60-65-70-75-80%

EMOTM for 14 min:
Even: 10 T2B
Odd: 30 sec plank

“Come on, you can lift much more than THAT.”

“You look strong, you should go heavier. ”
“Oh, you’re NOT doing it Rx?!”

A few lines I often hear at the gym, sometimes directed at me, sometimes at other members, typically meant to express a slight disapproval of scaled load about to be used by another during a WOD. People with relative high lifting numbers tend to hear this most when they need to scale something. I will say that it really irritates me when people make such comments. Personally, it kinda makes me feel shitty because in your eyes I should pick a heavier weight, like I’m not going to perform the workout adequately. Remember, leaving one’s ego at the door sounds simple, but for some it is a mental battle, sometimes it’s difficult to swallow your pride and scale the weight.

When a workout calls for air squats, does this mean that a person with a 500# back squat needs to put on a weighted vest? No, the workout is designed to a specific timeframe, load and intensity. Sometimes, to get the desired intensity, strong people need to go down a notch, especially if muscle or cardio endurance can’t keep up. Sometimes people are nursing an injury or easing back after some time off. Sometimes people don’t feel well because they ate bad food for 3 days straight or haven’t been sleeping well.

So if you see a relatively strong person pick up a lighter weight for a WOD, instead of commenting on the lightness of the weight used, congratulate them afterwards on the intensity shown during the workout. Y’know, keepin’ it positive!

-Coach Stephanie

Mario
Mario

12 thoughts on “Strong Person’s Dilemma”

  1. I can’t express how much I love this post. I am guilty of doing this with friends, but then again, I’ve needed to scale things and felt bad about it. When really you shouldn’t.
    Do your work. Sweat. Have fun 🙂

  2. Love this post Steph. I think people are often trying to be encouraging, but don’t realize what you have just pointed out. It is a great reminder for all of us.

  3. Open gym
    Backsquats x 3
    85-105-125-135

    Did today’s EMOM WOD
    Fun! Hard on the hands.

    Thanks Blake!

  4. Back Squats x3
    60-65-70-75-80%
    70# – 75# – 80# – 85# – 90#
    EMOTM for 14 min:
    Even: 10 T2B – knee raises
    Odd: 30 sec plank

    All unbroken!

  5. Back Squats x3
    60-65-70-75-80%
    55 (WU) then 70-75-80-85-90#

    EMOTM for 14 min:
    Even: 10 T2B
    Odd: 30 sec plank

    Unbroken! Thanks for the class Blake!

    Cash out: 400m run with 25# plate.

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