Flexibility is STRENGTH

Despite the fact that flexibility is one of the ten CrossFit pillars of complete, well-balanced fitness. Increasing flexibility still remains the downfall of most CrossFit athletes training programs. According to the ten general physical skills list, flexibility is allegedly as important as power or strength. So why don’t we take it more seriously? Stretching(Yoga) without a doubt, is all focused on increasing performance.

Flexibility is Strength

Despite the fact that flexibility is one of the ten CrossFit pillars of complete, well-balanced fitness. Increasing flexibility still remains the downfall of most CrossFit athletes training programs. According to the ten general physical skills list, flexibility is allegedly as important as power or strength. So why don’t we take it more seriously? Stretching(Yoga) without a doubt, is all focused on increasing performance.

Are you Flexible?

Despite the fact that flexibility is one of the ten CrossFit pillars of complete, well-balanced fitness. Increasing flexibility potential remains the downfall of most athletes training program. According to the ten general physical skills list, flexibility is allegedly as important as power or strength. So why don’t we take it more seriously? Stretching(Yoga)without a doubt, is all focused on increasing performance.

Flexibility

Despite the fact that flexibility is one of the ten CrossFit pillars of complete, well-balanced fitness. Increasing flexibility potential remains the downfall of most athletes training program. According to the ten general physical skills list, flexibility is allegedly as important as power or strength. So why don’t we take it more seriously? Stretching(Yoga)without a doubt, is all focused on increasing performance.

SNATCH

The snatch is one of the two olympic weightlifting events (the other being the clean and jerk). The essence of the event is to lift a barbell from the platform to locked arms overhead in a smooth continuous movement. The barbell is pulled as high as the lifter can manage (typically to mid chest height) (the pull) at which point the barbell is flipped overhead. With relatively light weights (as in the "power snatch") locking of the arms may not require rebending the knees. However, as performed in contests, the weight is always heavy enough to demand that the lifter receive the bar in a squatting position, while at the same time flipping the weight so it moves in an arc directly overhead to locked arms (the quick drop). When the lifter is secure in this position, he rises (overhead squat), completing the lift. The lift requires not only great strength but also a high degree of shoulder flexibility, excellent balance, and speed.

Courtesy of Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Static Stretches

In static (or passive) stretch, the muscle is extended as far as it can comfortably go and is held in that position. I usually spend the last 5 minutes after a CrossFit WOD in about 8 of these stretches. This is probably the Safest Type of Stretching. Static stretching involves gradually easing into the stretch position. You may hold each stretch from 10 to 30 seconds.
Static stretches are more appropriate for your cool-down exercises. Still, you can do a light static stretch during your warm-up. After your cool-down, while your muscles are still warm, you can stretch more aggressively. I practice Yoga at least four times a week, but after every WOD I put my mini twist on stretching. There is no universal stretch for everything. Just try different things on different days. Watch my Yoga CrossFit videos and hold the streches 30 seconds on each side. I hope all this information I provide encourages CrossFitters to stretch more.

Yoga CrossFit 8

This shows the progression into a forearmstand. Go to down-dog with the forearms on the ground, then raise and lower each leg. When you feel comfortable enough kick both feet up and lock out the core. Becareful and have fun with this one.

Fuctional Flexibility

In the pursuit of making CrossFitters bigger, stronger, and faster, today’s CrossFit coaches are faced with many obstacles. With limited time each day spent on the CrossFit WOD and skill training. More often than not, flexibility is the first component that ends up being neglected. However, many CrossFitters today have very poor flexibility, and ignoring this can make your entire strength program inefficient. Why is flexibility so important? Without adequate range of motion, an athlete will not get the most out of a strength program. When a CrossFitter begins Olympic lifting, they usually exhibit common technical faults. Errors include improper back position, incorrect weight distribution, excessive trunk flexion, and poor knee tracking. These errors are directly related to lack of flexibility in the hips, upper and lower legs, and shoulders. Increased flexibility in the hips, shoulders, and lower legs can dramatically increase the athlete’s practical range of motion. This increased ROM then allows the CrossFitter to move more efficiently in their Olympic lifting WODs. Greater flexibility also improves speed and agility. Most athletes have some technical flaws in their running and movement mechanics, and without adequate flexibility, fixing those flaws is difficult. For a CrossFitter to powerfully accelerate, quickly decelerate, and efficiently change directions, they must be able to lower their center of gravity and manipulate their limbs with little to no internal resistance. A flexible CrossFitter is also less likely to become injured. Above all, CrossFitters who can sprint without having their stride length limited by tight hamstrings, hip flexors, or anterior shoulders, and who can quickly drop their center of gravity in the acceleration or deceleration phase uninhibited by tight hip rotators, are better athletes all around.