Will CrossFit Kids Make Kids Smarter?

Nice squats!

No Child Left Behind...

In an attempt to raise test scores, kids across the U.S. have been bombarded with academics, in many cases at the expense of P.E. and Fine Arts classes. Illinois is the only state that mandates P.E. every day for every student...

In addition, because of the rising obesity rate, this generation of children run the risk of having a shorter life expectancy than their parents...

Studies have shown a direct correlation between increased physical activity and academic performance. But I didn't have to tell you that, right?!

Lisa Bakshi, CrossFitter and 2nd grade teacher in San Diego, provided the above information as well as a really compelling article about how she raised her inner city kids' test scores using CrossFit Kids programming. Read it here!

CrossFit Central Kids Classes:

Homeschool Class (ages 6-13)

Mon/Wed 10-10:45am

CrossFit Kids (ages 7-10)

Mon/Wed 4:00pm

CrossFit Teens (11-17)

Mon/Wed 4:45pm

CrossFit Kids @ Lake Pointe

Mon/Wed 4:45pm

CrossFit Kids at WAYA

Tue/Thur 4:00pm

Mechanics, Consistency, Intensity

Have you ever wondered what you should be focusing on in your workouts?

"Should I up my weight and get a slower time or should I do an easier weight and ramp up the intensity?"

Erika wrote a great post about this last week. It really takes some balance. Yes, you should go as heavy as you feel comfortable, but you definitely don't want to hurt yourself!

I've been re-educating myself lately on the basics of CrossFit, and I came across yet another very informative article to share with you.  If you'd like to read the entire article, go here.

A CrossFit Start-up Guide, courtesy of CrossFit Journal:

There are three components of CrossFit that are intertwined and intricately interrelated:

Mechanics

Consistency

Intensity

According to the article, "CrossFit does not work to its potential unless you execute each one and understand how it is bound to the others."  Fair enough.

Mechanics refers to technique and your ability to move through the movements safely.  Build a good foundation with a solid squat, and many other movements will fall into place.

Consistency has a 2-part application:

1. Consistently performing the mechanics of the movement

and

2. Consistency in your workouts. Both are necessary!  

Intensity is what brings about all the results of CrossFit. Ramp it up! But also remember that fitness takes time. We all need to work on  getting out of our comfort zone. Intensity is where the magic happens.

 " ...we can’t emphasize enough that 

sound technique is the most efficient and effective road 

to fitness. Proper movements will allow you to lift more 

weight, perform more repetitions faster, or both.   "

I hope you find these "basics" posts helpful and not boring. I think sometimes it's important to go back to the beginning. 

On a different note, the Clothing Swap is happening!! We are still working out a date, but get to work on your closets and I'll keep you posted.

Have a great week!

 

Back to Basics

If you've been involved with CrossFit for a while, you probably have read the classic CFJournal article "What is Fitness?" Or maybe you haven't...

If you've ever had to answer that question "What exactly is CrossFit?", read this article.

If you've ever heard "I can't do that. It looks too hard." read this article.

If you just need a little kick in the pants to remind yourself why you get up so early in the morning, read this article.

Here's something else that you should read- purely for the humor: It's the Wikipedia definition of CrossFit.

The best line: 'CrossFit has been criticized for its perceived "cult-like" mentality'

Mmmm... Kool-Aid...