Rest Day/Theory

In a lighter discussion, Jim Baker, Mary Conover and Sally Stade, along with Tony Budding, talk about the term elderly, and give possible alternatives. Jim and Tony each received some unambiguous emails from folks who disliked the term, which was used in the first two of Jimmy's videos (Intro and Kathie’s Workout).

The term was placed there by Pat Barber, 22, who thinks that Freddy Camacho is old. The term passed through the editorial… Continue Reading

Many years ago, I experienced leadership and coaching in its purest form. From 1991 to 1996 my life was forever changed by a coach named Phil Emery. Coach Emery was the innovative strength and conditioning coordinator for the United States Naval Academy (USNA) football program. His background as a collegiate football player and coach enabled him to foresee the needs of each trainee. While keeping the needs of the team as a whole in mind… Continue Reading

Last year, Lee Smolin published a book with a most provocative title: The Trouble with Physics: The Rise of String Theory, the Fall of a Science, and What Comes Next. This title promises brimstone for the fire of creationism, and that should sell an extra few thousand copies.

If mathematics is the Queen of Science (borrowing from Mathematics: Queen and Servant of Science, a classic by Eric Temple Bell), then… Continue Reading

Retired engineer, scientist, and frequent CrossFit.com rest-day discussion participant Jeff Glassman talks with Tony Budding about argument, logic, science, and his reasons for engaging in the rest-day discussions.

One of the foundations of the scientific method (and other fields based in logic, such as mathematics and law) is precision in language. This is essential; ambiguity and unclear terms muddy the discussion and make rational process impossible. What motivates… Continue Reading

Bad form is bad in every way. Citing specific examples from lifts, Mark Rippetoe co-author of Starting Strength and owner of Wichita Falls Athletic Club/CrossFit Wichita Falls, writes that what constitutes bad form is not a matter of opinion.

Bad form occurs when a movement pattern is executed inefficiently. The bar is moved by incorrect biomechanics. Instead of all the muscles in the system making their anatomically… Continue Reading

There is a lot of advice, information, and well-understood knowledge regarding the field in which I practice--strength training and fitness--that is just silly bullshit, writes Mark Rippetoe, co-author of Starting Strength and owner Wichita Falls Athletic Club/CrossFit Wichita Falls.

Often times it’s physicians who are perpetuating this, well, BS. The medical community is famous for equating exercise with running, walking, and cycling, all undertakings that are… Continue Reading

Much of the conventional wisdom about the fitness industry is just plain wrong, according to Mark Rippetoe of Wichita Falls Athletic Club/CrossFit Wichita

Closing the sale is the only valued expertise in the big box health club industry. Deadlifts and chalk are prohibited, sweating is discouraged, and noise is considered offensive.

Doctors and other health care professionals have no specific training in sports performance or strength and conditioning, yet… Continue Reading

When Coach Glassman asked me to write for the CrossFit Journal on the science behind CrossFit methodology, I thought that the first thing I should do is discuss the term "science" and some important related concepts.

Science in the broadest sense refers to any system of knowledge attained by verifiable means. A central concept in science and the scientific method is that all evidence must be empirical--that is, it must be based on evidence that is… Continue Reading