FuBarbell

Very bummed I couldn’t make it out to Columbus, OH for The Arnold Sports Festival this year. These larger events are when you get to watch some great lifting and catch up with athletes and coaches that you don’t get to interact with on a regular basis. PRs are made and stories are shared over beers post competition.

You can then further imagine my disappointment when I learned Lydia Valentin (-75, Spain) was putting up a workshop the very same weekend.

Fortunately, one of my remote athletes Jennifer Hsia went out to attend the fun and sent over a detailed summary of her experience.

The boys down at PushPress have done it again! A cool timer featuring motivational words from great athletes and coaches such as @carlpaoli @behemothcf @jamiejoyce2 @elyseumeda @liftlikelindsey @ltfisher12 and the man @mikeburgener himself! I was also honored enough to be a part of this talented crew. And, in true PushPress form, this timer is yours free for download at the App Store.

To grab yours, head to:

https://pushpress.com/apps/timer

Sunday fun day at CrossFit Ewa Beach! Saw some really good movement going on this afternoon. Time to go explore the rest of this beautiful island before heading back to the mainland tomorrow!

#FuBarbell #CrossFitEwaBeach #USAWeightlifting #crossfit #crossfitgirls #crossfitmen #Olympicweightlifting #snatch #clean #cleanandjerk #technique

Fun day at CrossFit Oahu! Started out pre-seminar with 14.1 and then spent the rest of the day talking Olympic weightlifting. It doesn’t get much better than today. Thanks for bringing the energy everyone! Time to go stroll along he beach of Waikiki!

#FuBarbell #CrossFitOahu #USAWeightlifting #crossfit #crossfitgirls #crossfitmen #Olympicweightlifting #snatch #clean #cleanandjerk #technique

14.1 in the bag! And yes, it’s just as spicy as I remember it being back in 2011. Thank you @crossfitoahufamily for bringing the energy and support. This is the first time I’ve done a CF WOD and double unders since last year’s Open. Felt a little rusty, but I gave it my best. So excited for the next 4 weeks!! Bring it.

#FuBarbell #CrossFitOahu #CrossFitOpen2014 #USAWeightlifting #crossfit #crossfitgirls #crossfitmen #Olympicweightlifting #snatch #clean #cleanandjerk #technique

Of the many things I love about weightlifting, one is the inclusiveness of all the different body types and two is the development of an athlete’s specific technique.

I head down to hang out with my coach Jim Schmitz (@jimschmitz) once a week at The Sports Palace. The place is rich with history and Jim’s always got a good story or two to tell. He also records all of the local, national, World and Olympic level meets he attends. This benefits his lifters and gives everyone something to observe when they sit between sets during practice.

Pearce Dermody, owner of CrossFit 4500, and I have been working together since post Regionals 2013 to get him prepared for this upcoming Games season 2014.

It’s been a fun year of guiding Pearce through improving different avenues of his fitness. Coming into this season stronger and with a better engine, we’re looking to have some fun times!

Congratulations to Pearce for PRing his clean twice today. The first at 320lbs/145kg and the second at 335lbs/153kg for a total of a 20lbs lifetime PR.

Excited to start the Open! Are you ready?

During the snatch and the clean, there’s a sequence of movement that needs to be respected. First, the legs take action. Then, the back comes in to play. And finally, the arms pull to continue the rhythm and flow. Move out of order and you fail to maximize the potential of your levers.

Beginners, however, have difficulty sensing the proper flow of this rhythm and often will try to initiate the lift with their backs, arms and finally their legs.

It’s really exciting to hear from athletes that are following my online program. Krista has been doing my Olympic Weightlifting Starter plan and just sent me this photo with the following note:

It was a full house today at CrossFit Leverage! There was so much good movement happening in this group. It was exciting for me to watch them progress through the day. Thank you all for carving out the time and spending your Sunday with me.

#FuBarbell #CrossFitLeverage #USAWeightlifting #crossfit #crossfitgirls #crossfitmen #Olympicweightlifting #snatch #clean #cleanandjerk #technique