Speak up! Coaches are there for you.
There is no secret as to why CrossFit training is effective for developing fitness: Athletic, full body exercises combined into a multi-modal format ramped with high intensity. The equation is flawless for improving work capacity. But how do these work outs fair against the needs of individuals. For the able-bodied folks our scaling and modifying systems work great for matching individual strength to weight suggestions and offering modifications to exercises difficult in strength or technique. But what about for those with sore elbows, shoulders or knees?
Chronic inflammation is a common thing amongst our society. Many factors contribute to these types of injuries including poor diet, repetitive stress in the work place or home, sedentary lifestyle, poor technique in the gym and lack of recovery. A lot of the time an individual may not even have noticed these sore spots until endeavouring in some kind of fitness program. Thankfully with some adherence to solid technique and light ramp up these things are rectified with ease. However if these nagging pains go un-checked a far greater inconvenience could be looming. While exercise can be a fantastic fix for chronic inflammation injuries it can also exacerbate the issue. An injury that is repedativley stressed and not given sufficient recovery will worsen. This is an important point in your training where using your coaches becomes crucial. You have to speak up!
At CrossFit Edmonton we employ competent coaches with ample experience. We are there to instruct and help individuals set up for their workout to ensure everyone is able to safely and effectively execute the WOD. However, if you neglect to inform us of a pain or issue, you may be setting yourself up for problems in the future. As coaches we understand these issues and we know how to modify your workout so you can continue to forge towards elite fitness while working on proper recovery from inflammation. We may have suggestions for speeding up recovery or recommend you make alterations to your training schedule. The quest for ultimate fitness is a valiant one, but in our experience, it is unique to each person. Speak up if something bothers you whether it’s at the beginning of the work out or half way through. There is no bad time for us to help you, but you have to speak up. Your coaches are there for you.
Have you experienced working through an injury in CrossFit? Are you currently experiencing any issues? If you’ve felt like a CrossFit Edmonton coach has helped you by making modifications, please share in comments.
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Feb 19, 2010 @ 09:25:47
Good post coaches.
As most people know, I am a little prone to injury. I do feel like since joining crossfit 1 year ago, that my improved strength has helped to heal me better from injuries and prevent injuries and pain that I used to have. From my job (which is not very physical), I did have a very sore, problematic shoulder. When I started, the coaches often helped me modify or scale to prevent injury. Now, I have a stronger shoulder and have not had any pain while working for more than half a year.
I also had a back injury from a fall last winter. Scaling and modifying and taking more recovery time was definately needed at that point. One of the crossfit coaches recommended a pretty good chiropractor (thanks Chad, some of you may know Dr. Ed who rocks!), which I do not think that I would have gone to if he had not recommended it so strongly. I definately feel that had I not gone for that appointment and gotten my back properly adjusted that I would practically be disabled and taking muscle relaxants and things my doctor recommended. Today I am pain free and stronger because of it.
My only other big injury was just clumbsiness. I highly recommend not dropping an 45 lbs bar on your big toe joint. Luckily, it was just bruised but still kind of bothers me occasionally after over 8 months (possible cartlege damage). I am surprised that I haven’t done any other clutsy moves, but I do think that our coaches eye for safety and good training constantly prevents so many injuries.
Feb 20, 2010 @ 11:07:57
I have not had any injuries to work through,(thank goodness) However, I have had to modify due to post surgery recovery and various ailments. During this time ALL our coaches were sensitive to these conditions, always helped me modifiy the workout when I could not safely do them….and from there they pushed me to “pick up the pace” at the right time!!
Having these modifications left me feeling sucessful with the workout of the day, and kept me moving while I was still recovering.
I very much trust all the CrossFit coaches to help with these modifications…and in future would never hesisitate to inform them when my body is working through a stressor….They have been a great help!
Feb 20, 2010 @ 16:33:04
I also have had to modify my workouts due to post surgery recovery and the coaches at Crossfit have been great. After my operation my surgeon told me that I would have to give up all heavy lifting, running, sit-ups, basically any exercise that might induce pressure on my pelvic floor. I was very upset after hearing this and believed that I would have to give up coming to Crossfit. I sent an email to Suzanne and right away she assured me that there were exercises I could do. And since then all the coaches have helped me to modify the WOD to something I can handle. The work outs aren’t always that exciting,(it’s hard to see everyone else doing the WOD) but after doing nothing for 2 months, I’m happy to be back at Crossfit. Thanks coaches!
Feb 21, 2010 @ 13:08:16
A few of you have talked to me about recent muscle cramping and wondering why this is happening and what to do about it.
***For those of you that are following the Paleo diet, please ensure you are taking vitamin D. Vitamin D synthesizes enzymes that transport calcium and calcium is absolutely necessary for normal muscular contractions.***
It is also important to hydrate! For those that have cut out the extra bevvies while following Paleo, you may not notice dehydration until it’s too late, ie… cramping, thirst, cravings etc….
So some simple steps. Drink lots of water and make sure you are getting adequate vitamin D…. oh yeah and from the mouths of the coaches… COOL DOWN AND STRETCH!!! 🙂
Dec 27, 2012 @ 14:13:26
Hello, I think your website might be having browser compatibility issues.
When I look at your blog site in Ie, it looks fine but when opening
in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping.
I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, fantastic blog!