ExPhysiology

Some athletes and experts swear by ice baths, while others say they’re useless or even detrimental. Hilary Achauer investigates the potential end of the Ice Age.

Maybe CrossFit athletes have a thing for pain. The event is over, they’ve survived whatever crushing test was put before them, and instead of finding the nearest chair, many competitive CrossFit athletes decide to prolong the agony by submerging themselves in a tub filled… Continue Reading

Emily Beers examines the physiology of exercise-induced orgasms, and female CrossFit athletes open up and talk about them.

It was 1995, a time when crunches were the in-vogue ab exercise.

Wendy, desperate for a flat stomach to flaunt during the upcoming summer, started an abdominal routine in her living room. She told herself the monotony of the crunches would be well worth it.

“From pain will come pleasure,” Wendy remembers thinking.

Twenty, 25… Continue Reading

Hilary Achauer examines the physiology behind exercise-induced vomiting.

Ben Bristow was just being polite.

His girlfriend had brought in some homemade date-chocolate energy balls for him to sample pre-workout. Bristow, a coach at CrossFit 858 in San Diego, Calif., ate a few of them about 25 minutes before the workout that day. The Marine of 12 years was a two-year veteran of CrossFit and thought this would be enough time for… Continue Reading

For Team U.S.A., defeating Team Europe at last month’s CrossFit Invitational wasn’t the only challenge. While in Malibu, Calif., team members were subject to metabolic analysis by Pepperdine University. Athletes wore masks covering their noses and mouths, as well as gadgets to track various markers.

In this video, Julie Foucher, who finished second at this year’s CrossFit Games, does Fran inside one of the school’s lecture halls.

“Studying exercise can… Continue Reading

For Team U.S.A., defeating Team Europe at last month’s CrossFit Invitational wasn’t the only challenge. While in Malibu, Calif., team members were subject to metabolic analysis by Pepperdine University during a rowing Helen.

The athletes wore masks covering the nose and mouth, as well as gadgets to track various markers.

“What we look at is the volume of oxygen inspired and the volume of carbon dioxide expired, and it basically tells us how you’re utilizing fuel… Continue Reading

On Episode 199 of CrossFit Radio, host Justin Judkins interviewed CrossFit A.C.T. owner Bill Shockley and Pepperdine University professor Dr. Cooker Perkins. This episode was webcast live at 6 p.m. PDT on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2011.

The Workout of the Week (WOW) is from CrossFit L.A.’s website:

In 3 minutes, complete the following:
Run 200 meters
135-lb. thrusters, max reps
Rest 2 minutes
In 6 minutes, complete the following:
Run 400 meters
… Continue Reading

This video series provides a fresh look at skill-transfer exercises and midline stability, combining the powers of Kelly Starrett and gymnast Carl Paoli. Both San Francisco CrossFit coaches add their expertise to refine basic CrossFit movements with the aim of improving power output.

In Part 4, the push-up is taken to the rings, where the support or finish position externally rotates the shoulders. Getting organized with a tight belly and squeezed butt is essential to hold… Continue Reading

This video series provides a fresh look at skill-transfer exercises and midline stability, combining the powers of Kelly Starrett and gymnast Carl Paoli. Both San Francisco CrossFit coaches add their expertise to refine basic CrossFit movements with the aim of improving power output.

In Part 3, the pair refines the push-up to transfer better shoulder position to other movements, such as Olympic lifting. The proper, organized set-up allows for torque through… Continue Reading