Grace and the Three Barbells

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Once upon a time, there was a little girl named Grace.  She went for a walk in the city.  Pretty soon, she came upon a CrossFit box.  She knocked and, when no one answered, she walked right in.

On the floor in the big empty space, there were three barbells. Grace was looking for a workout.  She lifted the first barbell from the floor.

“This barbell is too heavy!” she exclaimed.

So, she lifted the second barbell from the floor.

“This barbell is too light,” she said

So, she lifted the last barbell.

“Ahhh, this barbell is just right,” she said happily and she lifted it 30 times over her head in less than 3 minutes.

Moral of the story: Choose your weight appropriately. Choose a weight that’s too heavy, injury is likely. Choose a weight that’s too low, you lose the benefits of the workout. We want you to scale so that you finish the workout with a moderate weight at a high intensity. You’ll get more bang for your buck! Ask your coach what bar is ‘just right’ for you.

“Grace”

30 Clean and Jerks for time (135/95#)

Compare to April 16/12

Having the right weight can make a good workout into a great workout

193 thoughts on “Grace and the Three Barbells”

  1. Andy

    Mobility

    WU x 2

    Strength: Overhead Squats
    5x 95-115-135-150-160×4

    WOD: Grace
    30 Clean & Jerk for time
    3:18 @ 125#

  2. Gillyon

    Warmup
    Push press (5) 45-65-70-80-45(10)

    WOD @ 65lbs
    3:12 (did this in April and was able to shave off over 1.5 minutes)

  3. Leesa

    Mobility

    WU x 2

    Strength: Back Squats
    5x 70-75-80-85-90

    WOD: Grace
    30 Clean & Jerk for time 55#

    Time:2:59

  5. Elba

    WU x 2

    Strength
    Push Jerks 1’s
    90-95-100-105-110

    Grace
    30 Cleans & Jerks (80 lbs)
    Time: 2:59

    31 sec PR and 5 lbs heavier!! Great Job guys!! See you on Saturday!! Nervious/Excited 🙂

    1. Amanda

      Awesome PR Elba! See you Saturday – you have nothing to be nervous about, you’re going to rock the workout!

  6. Blake

    WU x 2

    Back Squat x 5 to 200# (10# PR)

    “Grace”
    30 Clean & Jerks @ 100#
    Time: 3:33

    5# & 30 sec PR from April! Shoulders were dead but weight felt good…will bump up again next time.

    Way to go 7 AM-ers! Nice to see the group finish all sub-4 min!

    3. Lora

      Congrats on your PRs today, Blake. Nice weight on that back squat and fast time on Grace (with more weight too!). Awesome!

  7. Rachel

    mobility
    400m run
    wu x 2 add 10 shoulder press & push press @ 35#
    strength – Back squats x 5
    70, 80, 85, 90, 95 Gillyon nice sharing the bar with you this morning

    WOD : Grace
    30 Clean & Jerk 55#

    Time = 3:56 (PR 1.10 from April 16/11)
    cash out – back stretch
    Practice skill of the week 6# @ 10′

    4. Lora

      Holy cow! Nice time on the WOD Rachel! Congrats on your PR.
      P.S. it was nice to see you last night at Oly class

  8. Gilles

    mobility
    wu x 2
    strength – Push Jerk x 5
    95, 115, 125, 130

    WOD : Grace
    30 Clean & Jerk 110#

    Time = 3:42 (PR 24 sec from April 16/11with 5# more)

    2. Lora

      WooHoo! Nice job Gilles! Congrats on your PR (with extra weight).
      Great seeing you at Oly class last night.

  10. Rob B

    Wux2

    Practice clean and jerk

    WOD  “grace”
    30 clean & Jerk.  (135/95). I did 95lbs
    For time
    4:26
    Rob Brydges

  11. Trent

    WU x 2

    Strength: Front Squat x5
    100-110-125-130-135

    WOD: Grace
    30 Clean & Jerk for time
    4:09 @ 115# PR of 37 sec and 15#

    April’s notes said I did my first 10 weight pullups with 15#, today I’m at 25#

    Fast times today, Lets keep that momentum!

  12. Kimmy

    Mobility
    WUx2
    Strength Push Press x5
    85-90-95-100-105 (PR10#)
    WOD
    Grace
    30 Clean and Jerks 85#

    time: 3:29

    Today was a day of firsts: Frst time doing a WOD in the morning and first time doing a WOD for the second time so I have results to compare to. On April 16 I did Grace in 3:23 with 60#. Today was 6 seconds slower but 15# heavier. Good to know the last 3 months of workouts have been doing something 🙂
    As for the morning workout….still udecided

    7. Heather S

      You are such a strong lady – congrats on the great PR. As for the morning wod’s I hear ya – I can manage the 7 and the 8:30 – but those guys doing 6 a.m.? Completely nuts!!

  13. Sheldon W.

    Mobility

    WU x 2 (No Pull ups, Hands Destroyed)

    Strength: Clean and Jerk
    3x 95-115-135
    1 x 155-175-195-205 (PR for both Clean and Jerk)

    WOD: Grace
    30 Clean & Jerk for time
    4:28 @ 125lbs

    I went 10lbs lighter than I should have on the WOD because I am not used to this many reps and the old man in me said to use caution until I am 100% confident in my shoulder.

    2. Jeff

      I knew the ‘young’ Sheldon would show up again throwing caution to the wind and big weights would be flying around!!! A huge welcome back!! 🙂

  14. Robyn Lowe

    Mobility
    WU x 2

    Practiced Clean and Jerk 5 x 15-20-25-30-35

    WOD: Grace
    30 Clean and Jerks for time

    4:37 @ 35#

    Co-ordination of movements is not my strong suit! 🙂

    2. Lora

      Like Corinna said…the “co-ordination of movements” will come. It just takes some time for the brain to remember. Practice, practice, practice. We’ve all been there (in fact, most of us are STILL there) 🙂

    3. Kimmy

      I feel ya! Every time I see that I have to do cleans in a workout I have to go through the steps in my head over and over before I begin! So many movements..but it gets better 🙂

    4. jeff

      You are already making progress Robyn.. just a mere 7 weeks ago you probably didn’t even know what a clean and jerk was! and tonight you were kicking 30 of them around for almost 5 minutes.. imagine 4 or 5 months from now! awesome work in the short time you have been with us at CFM!!

      1. Robyn

        Thanks, Jeff! Can’t wait to see what kind of progress happens in the next few months! 🙂

  15. Chantal Guerette

    Mobility
    WU x 2

    Strength – Shoulder Press 5 x 35-35-40-45-50

    WOD “Grace”
    30 Clean and Jerks for time 40#

    3:04

    YAYY !!! Today was the first time I could actually compare a WOD and I beat my PR by 12 seconds with more weight !!!! Loooove CFM 😀

    2. Lora

      Yipppppeeee! Congrats on your PR. I love it when the workouts come around again for comparison. Its nice to just feel stronger and more fit every day, but its even better when see those improvements right there, in black and white!

  16. Tom

    wu as posted
    push jerks 5@ 95,105,115,125,135, pr of 5
    Grace at 95
    3:49
    excellent work-out
    i really struggled for energy this morning, poor sleep last 3 days and i just felt zapped. early to bed tonight.

    1. Blake

      Hey Tom, you showed up and worked hard…beating out 80% of the population! I made that stat up but you get my meaning. 😉
      Nice sub-4 min!

    3. Heather S

      During the games one of the athletes (Hunter Lee) had this posted with his bio:

      “Work hard when you feel good,
      Work when you don’t really feel like it, and
      Take rest seriously when you need it.”

      Think maybe you did the second one this morning – which may be the very hoardest WOD of all! Good job Tom.

    4. Lora

      Nice work Tom! I know you felt zapped this morning, but I bet you felt amazing for the rest of the day. Hope you get a great sleep tonight 🙂

  17. Nadine

    WUx2

    Push Press 5@ 55-60-65- [email protected] back to 65 for 5

    GRACE
    30 Clean and Jerks for time @55

    3:39

    PR of 23 sec. 🙂

    See you folks on Saturday! I’m pretty excited but a little nervous!! Should be fun!! 😀

  18. Chantal L.

    I’ve been thinking about Grace all morning, and even tho today is usually my rest day, I registered for an evening class! After seing those awsome times I just couldn’t resist, plus Grace is one of my fav’s! Can’t wait to 5:45!

    3. Heather S

      I love Grace too – I think she may be my favorite – A woman who is fast and strong…what’s not to love??

  19. Heather (Mum)

    WU X 2
    Strength X 1
    Overhead Squat
    15-20-25-30-35

    “Grace”
    30 clean & jerks (50 lb.)
    Time 4:07 PR of 5 sec.

  20. Lora

    WOW! What’s in the air at CFM this morning??? Lots of PRs and crazy fast times! Way to go everyone! I hope there is still some of that super-hero air left for my WOD tonight 🙂

  21. Heather S

    MOB
    WU X 2 (6 skinny band pullups; 3 T2B)

    Strength: Clean and Jerk Practice (55-65-75-80 x 3)(85-90-95-100 x 2)

    WOD: Grace
    30 clean and jerks (Rx 95; used 75)

    Time 3:22

    PR of 1:14 – used same weight as last time to compare. Next time I’ll be sure to increase weight to set a new benchmark. Happy with PR, but really happy with the pullups and T2B!!

    1. Lora

      Congrats Heather! That is a great improvement! And nice work on the pullups and T2B 🙂

    3. Heather S

      Thanks guys. The really remarkable thing is that I felt like crap when I got there today – for a vacation week it’s been pretty stressful… but as usual, once I was in the gym and focusing on the wod, all the crap was forgotten. Note to self – if you’re not dead or contagious…GET TO THE GYM!!

      1. Chantal L.

        ‘Note to self – if you’re not dead or contagious…GET TO THE GYM!!’

        Just do it! Booyah!

      2. Lora

        “Note to self – if you’re not dead or contagious…GET TO THE GYM!!”

        Love it! 🙂

  22. Maria

    Strength OHS x 5
    45-55-60-65-70

    Grace @ 65#

    Time = 3:07

    PR of 47 seconds, I’ll take it!

  23. Kevin

    I’m blown away by the performances today! Everyone stuck with the right weight and crushed it. Will everyone be sub-5 at the end of the day?!

    1. jeff

      WOOT WOOT!! This must be some sort of freaking record with the number of PR that were set today!! great job everyone!

  24. Jeff L

    WU X 2

    Strength – Deadlift X 5

    135-165-185-205-225

    WOD – Grace @ 125#

    Time – 3:24

    PR of 20# and 8 seconds over April

  25. Patrick Arseneau

    I was so blown away by all the great performances at the gym today, when I got home I tried “Grace” in the garage;

    6:52 at 135#

    Nowhere near ready to play with the big boys, but really happy about my first attempt at Grace Rx’d.

  26. Mario

    WUx2 (OHS+GM#45, Pull-Ups(str), Dips, T2B, HSPU(mat), KBS#50, WB#28, Samson) x10
    *old warm-up Pre-Games, hadn’t done it since 1-month spring hiatus…

    Clean & Jerk 3RM
    135-160-180-190-200×1 (Had a mental block at 205# last time I did C&J, so this is nice)

    WOD “Grace” Rx = 3:32 (PR by 2:27 w/ +20# from June 2010)

    Cant, for the life of me, remember doing this back when I had only started. I suppose things have changed for the better since. I probably wanted to die after I attempted it 2 years ago, maybe cried a little. Who knows.

    This is only the second time I have had the chance to compare WODs with 18+ months between attempts and this clearly demonstrates that CROSSFIT JUST PLAIN WORKS. Let this be a form of encouragements to all our new members, you will be blown away by your progress if you give it a little time! 🙂

    4. Lora

      OMG Mario!! That is a HUGE PR! I knew you were going to knock this one out of the park! Congratulations on your progress. And…I didn’t see any tears today 😉

  27. Frank

    WU x 2

    Strength: clean + jerk
    5x 95-115-135-155-165

    WOD: Grace
    30 Clean & Jerk for time 115#

    Time:3:17
    PR of 55 seconds
    I’ll try it Rx next time 🙂

  29. Gabriel

    WUx2

    Strength – Good mornings X5
    95-115-135-155-175(PR)

    WOD “Grace” Scalled @ 130#
    1st 17 where Squat Cleans last 13 Power Cleans

    Time–> 3:51

    Foam Rolling

    Great jon 6:45 gang!

  31. Jack

    WU x 2
    Strength: clean and jerk
    65×5,85×5,95×5,125×5
    WOD: Grace
    30 clean and jerks for time
    Time: 3:20

    Attempted box jumps for the first time.
    Did 24,28,32,36,40 and ended with 44″. I never had any clue I could jump that high. I’m pretty happy with that. 🙂

    2. jeff

      Nice work tonight Jack.. and judging from your time you should have kept on the extra weight that you peeled off at the last second for fear of a 800 M run!! lol..

  32. Lora

    Mobility
    WU x 2 (sub T2B x2 and sub ring dips for pushups on second round)

    Strength: practice C&J (x3)
    65(10)-85-95-115-125(x1) (oops skipped 105)

    WOD as Rx
    30 Clean & Jerks @ 95#
    Time = 4:00
    (was 4:28 in April…28 second PR. I’ll take it!)

    Practiced wall balls at 20#/10ft x 30 reps
    Practiced T2B – managed to kip 3 in a row! 😀

    Great job 6:45pm crew! Everyone finished sub 5:00!! woohoo!

    4. jeff

      Great work Lora, knew you would PR this one.. Your last few reps of practice showed really good form!

    5. Blake

      I think I am as impressed by all the stuff you did AFTER the WOD, as how well you did on the WOD at Rx’s! Nice job!

  36. Lance

    Mobility
    WU x1

    Clean and jerks
    95-105-115-125-135

    Grace
    30 clean and jerks 95#

    Time 2:35

    Really great wod enjoyed it a lot although i feel i should have gone with a bit of a higher weight. Great job tonight everyone we all got sub 5!

    3. Corinna

      More weight for you next time for sure Lance, but I respect the fact that you never want to compromise your technique for a bigger weight or faster time! Keep up the good work!

    4. Kevin

      I echo Corinna’s comments. I’m sure the workout at 95# was very intense, and you may not have had that same feeling if it was heavier. Great job!

  37. jeff

    1xmob
    2x wu

    strength clean and jerk
    45×10-95×10-115×6-135×5-145×3-155×1

    Grace Rx
    Did this in April, and set a really good time for myself at 3:13, I wasn’t really “feeling” this today and didn’t think that number was within my reach.. I was at the 15 mark at 1:07, and of course it shot through my head that I was going to tear Grace a new one, then at about 19 the fog rolled in, the wheels fell off, things ran sharply downhill.. not sure which phrase works best here? my one second pauses turned into 10 second pauses..and all I was thinking about at this point was the 800m med ball run for not finishing inside of 5 minutes! lol.. I still finished with a two second PR (3:11) very happy with this one!
    Awesome job 6:45 class, and really great job coaching Corinna!..

    1. Corinna

      Thanks Jeff! I could relate to every word of your narrative of what I refer to as the pain storm!

    2. Lora

      Awesome job on the WOD, especially on a day where you were not “feeling” it. A 3:13 time @ Rx is wicked fast as it is. A tough one to beat…but you did! Well done!!

      1. Amanda

        Haha! Well said, Blake!
        And Jeff, 2 seconds is a big deal when you’re doing it rx’d and your time was only 3:13 before! Great job!

  38. Corinna

    WU x 1

    Strength: Practiced Clean and Jerks

    65-75-85-95-105…ran out of time!

    WOD: Grace RX@ 95lbs

    Time: 4:08

    Last time: 4:03 (5 seconds slower)

    Was hoping for sub 4, but my body was not feeling it today. I am sure that the pasta, butterscotch cake and wine last night could explain why I felt a little sluggish today. lol!

    Awesome job to the 5:45and 6:45 p.m. classes! You all finished under 5 minutes!

    1. Lora

      Mmmmmmmm….butterscotch cake! Any leftovers? 🙂

      All kidding aside, 4:08 @ Rx is still a great time!

      And nice job coaching tonight. You’re a natural.

    3. Amanda

      Wow Corinna, awesome. Wish I could have seen you & Lora tackling this one. You are both inspiring for the rest of us!

  39. Patrick Arseneau

    AMAZING! Everybody got a sub 5 minute Grace today. Why is this good? 2 reasons; First, now you all know what an “intense” workout should feel like. Intensity is the fastest path towards progress. And the second reason is, now you all have something to base your next attempt at Grace.

  41. Chantal L.

    WU x 2

    Practice Clean & Jerk
    3×65
    3×75
    3×85
    2×95
    2×105
    2×115
    1×125 (Clean PR WOO)
    1×130 !! PR for cleans!

    Was very tempted to go for the 135, but decided to stop and be content with my 10# PR for cleans. I haven’t done 1 rep max since Jan or Feb. I think it’s time to tackle 🙂

    WOD @ 85#

    3:30 , PR of 51 seconds from last time, same weight.

    Was a good night! Glad I decided to not take a rest day and tackle this! 🙂

    2. Lora

      Yippeeee! Congrats on your cleans PR 🙂 And wicked job on the WOD. Your C&J’s looked solid all the way through!

    1. Lora

      I was shocked that somebody forgot to lock the door to the box. Moral of my story? Lock your doors so nobody come in and plays with your barbells (or steals them).

      But I may have missed the point… 😉

    3. Trent

      lol, obviously everyone read it or there won’t have been such good results. Im just waiting to see how Little Red Riding Hood pans out.

  43. Heidi

    WU x 2
    Practiced T2B

    Clean & Jerk Practice x 3
    65-75-85-90-95

    Grace @ 75#
    Time = 3:16
    23 second PR from last April
    Definitely something in the air at the gym today. Amazing # of PR’s and lots by some really substantial times. Congrats to all who did this wod today.

  44. Amanda

    What a GREAT day at the gym for CFM members! I’m so happy for all of you, so many awesome PRs!! Great job everyone!!

    Strength: OHS
    5x 60-65-70-75-80

    WOD: ‘Grace’ with 75#

    T = 4:04. Really happy with that.

    Third time doing it at 75# since last July, I’ve taken off a minute and a half since then.

    I think Grace is my favorite!!

  45. Valérie Arseneau

    With all these comments and great time, I wish I would of signed up for a class tonight! Darn it…

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