PDXStrength News

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In this 5 week series, you will learn how to build your biceps, triceps, and shoulders using methods of isolated training. You will learn about drop sets, tri sets, and giant sets. With the use of resistance bands, barbells, dumbbells, and weighted plates,  tighter and defined muscles will be ready to show off just in time for summer fun. Athletes will be given a weekly workout to do once a week as well.  Sign up here:

https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/ws?studioid=45374&stype=-8&sView=day

Hey folks, here are some notes from our head coach Nigel regarding perspective on charting progress.

This was the introduction of the WOD “Amanda” at the 2010 Crossfit games. Gives you an idea of Camille LeBlanc Bazinet’s progression (and the progression of the sport) over the last 5 years. Now Camille is faster than male competitors from that year (at the men’s weight of 135) and goes unbroken at the women’s weight with almost no transition time. You could say the sport is still young, but the top 1% here have arguably made further gains here in 5 years than the top 1% of olympians in the last 4 decades. Note that Camille’s background as a gymnast was considered a significant advantage on muscle ups in 2010. Say what you will about Dave Castro, Greg Glassman and team, but they are running a system that literally allows a yearly re-defining of what is humanly possible.

What  training, competing and sports have taught me…

Sports and training have positively impacted my life tremendously. The longer I have been training and involved in sports, the more I realize how it affects me so much outside the gym, playing field, track, or court.

Never settle for being comfortable.

It is crazy how hard you work for a goal, and the second you complete it, you want more. To run faster, to lift more weight, to complete another rep, to catch more air,  to push a little further. This has helped me so much with running a business and as a person, never settling and always striving to do better, be a better coach, read everything, learn and network, be more positive, be a better sister, daughter, partner… there’s always room for improvement.

Accept failure and see it as a good thing

I fail all the time. Whether I fail at a lift,  a muscle up ( ughhh 15.3), slam on my board, or not giving the right coaching cue… I learn from my mistakes, and with each failure, the closer I get to accomplishing that feat. Every day I try, I get a little better. You must fail, before you succeed, so rather than throwing in the towel and quitting, see your failures as small steps to attaining your goals.

There is always gonna be someone better than you

Back in the day, as an athlete, all I wanted to do was be the best… Be the best tennis player in the state, run the fastest on my team, be the National Jr Triathlon champion.  That was virtually impossible for me, given my genetics and lack of natural speed and strength, ( I’m one of those slow twitch people) It’s okay not to be the best at everything. Doing a sport, race, meet, for the joy of participating is the way to go! Realizing that it is  better to celebrate in every athletes and friends victory, and in my own occasional victories, ( my glory days are over) rather than only getting enjoyment out of first place or being the best has made me a much happier person all around. On a selfish note, training with athletes better than myself  has made me a better athlete. Having someone to push you harder will only make you work that much harder! There is plenty to celebrate, and being a supportive and taking happiness in others success is way better than being jealous and bitter.

Training for performance vs. aesthetics 

This hasn’t been a pretty process, I’ll admit. I’ve had my fair share of eating disorders, excessive exercise and weird eating habits…. But finally those days are over. What happened? I started giving a shit about all the rad things I can do with my body and how to perform better. Doing a skateboard trick, squatting more weight, becoming a pull up machine, walking on my hands…. In my opinion this is way cooler than having 7 percent body fat and feeling tired, slow, weak, spending way too much time training and feeling grumpy. Funny thing is I don’t give a shit about how I look in public anymore as much either…  I don’t have to always have my nails done, hair did, makeup and dressed to the nines… I feel great in my sweats, bare face and a big smile.  I can’t tell you how liberating this feels.

Changing peoples lives for the better and making friends

This is probably the most rewarding experience. As a coach, it is amazing to see the transformation in an athlete. Their confidence soars, they create new friends and a community at the gym or with their team, they can do things they never thought possible with their bodies. They have more energy, sleep better, eat better. This is pretty fucking cool, to have such a positive impact on others is priceless. I can’t think of a more rewarding job than this. Also meeting like minded people who share your same mindset, struggles at the gym, celebrating tricks at the skatepark and wins and losses on the field is super awesome!

Team work

When you work with others, you push  yourself harder, you learn from your teammates, fellow coaches, and athletes. When you put your strengths together to be the best team you can be, this is where the magic happens.  This can carry over to relationships, family and friends. Using each others strengths, learning from others, and supporting your team will only make for a better outcome. Working together vs against each other is what is going to bring your success in  your career, relationships and sports.

This is just the tip of the iceberg for all the awesome ways sport and training has impacted my life…. What has it done for you?

Congrats to Jenny Sorenson, our March Member of the Month! Jenny always has a great attitude, and a big smile at class! Jenny is getting stronger by the day, and we feel lucky to have her in our PDXstrength community! Go Jenny Go!