CrossFit is about functional Fitness but do you know what that is?
What is Functional Fitness?
If we look closely, we will discover our daily lives still demand that we move and function in ways that are similar to those required of our hunting, gathering predecessors. The only way we will be able to successfully perform such movements past our childhood years is to train and strengthen our bodies in ways that mimic those early human activities and prepare us to effectively meet the challenges of daily life. Our goal, then, is functional fitness which means we must engage in functional exercise.
So what is functional exercise?
Functional exercise replicates functional movement, that is, those movements we use to get average things done in our daily lives. Standing from a seated position, placing things overhead, pulling ourselves up, throwing, running, picking things up-these are all functional movements. A functional fitness regimen, then, would be one that utilizes functional exercises to address and enhance our ability to successfully complete these types of everyday tasks. Functional exercise allows our bodies to perform the way in which they were designed to do. Squats, push ups, pull ups, deadlifts, box jumps, broad jumps, running-these are just a few of the basic components of what we do daily. Now think of all the things you lift, carry, move and walk with and how that relates to your fitness.
One thing to think about doing is adding in “odd” object training every once in a while. If you are asked to lift something that doesn’t have handles or has an odd shape in life, you will want your body to be able to adapt to any situation. One type of training is strongman training and lifting the atlas stone is not only a HUGE feat of strength but also helping you develop the muscular patterns to accomplish this in your life.
Here is a great video that explains how to lift an atlas stone:
Like with any other lift, the set-up is key. Center yourself directly above the Atlas stone and spread your fingers wide. Wedge your hands as far underneath it as you can. Once you are in this position, use the following cues to guide you:
- Push your elbows out against the insides of your knees.
- Brace your core.
- Raise your chest and hips together.
- When the stone passes your knees, push it back into your lap and bring your feet closer together.
- Reach your hands over the stone all the way to the front.
- Load it onto the surface by thrusting your hips forward, using the strength of your lower body.
It is important to practice the technique with lighter loads, as well as with heavier ones. Whether you are already a seasoned strongman competitor or have never touched an Atlas stone before, use these tips to help you learn the foundation movements for this amazing lift!
Want to try it out?? Find a box height that is just at chest level and start with a medicine ball that you can learn the proper movement patterns and then work onto learning it with heavier objects !
http://breakingmuscle.com/video/build-giant-strength-by-loading-atlas-stones