Linchpin Conversations

1. Why I should or should not go head-to-head against Emily Sherwood in the classic CrossFit workout "Nasty Girls". 2. How much do poor decisions outside the gym, such as nutrition, sleep, screen time, etc affect the results we hope to achieve inside the gym? 3. How to improve your burpee capacity. 4. What is my plan to maintain workouts once my new baby daughter is born?

A question about scaling is answered from an athlete who says they struggle with almost all aspects of any given workout. The "RX'd" loading, rep range, rounds, etc all seems out of reach. What is the proper course of action to keep them safe while improving their overall capacity?

Topics addressed were: 1. What do I take into account when including CrossFit benchmarks or Hero workouts into the Linchpin programming? 2. How does (or should) bodyweight be taken into consideration when choosing loading and/or making the decision whether or not to scale a workout?

CF Insanity has been an affiliate for over 10 years. They are one of the many gyms which choose to follow the CF Linchpin private track for their programming. Dave talks with me about what it takes to build a strong community, lessons learned over the years and how to become a better trainer.

My wife, Emily is 26 weeks pregnant with our 3rd child. She is a former D1 collegiate gymnast & two-time individual competitor at the CrossFit Games & joined me on this "Ask Me Anything". 1. Kettlebell snatch vs Dumbbell Snatch 2. Rings Rows vs Banded Pull-ups to develop pull-ups 3. Movements Emily has had to remove or modify due to being 26 weeks pregnant 4. How to improve burpee box jump capacity

If an invisible drone flew over us & recorded all of our choices & actions it would likely no longer be a mystery as to why we failed to achieve a certain goal. Only by being brutally honest with ourselves & taking personal responsibility will meaningful change be possible.

1. Training Senior Citizens 2. Top recommended specialty gear for garage gym 3. Discussion about EMOMs

Setting a goal of being able to do CrossFit benchmark workouts as RX'd is a lofty goal & a serious challenge for many people. This can be achieved through intelligent scaling, modifications and progressions. We explain how.

Topics covered... 1. Have I ever had to confront a gym owner or trainer for doing something dangerous? 2. Do the Super Fitness Robot times affect the programming? 3. Pause Squats...what they do and how to use them. And much more...

This is the headline from a CNN article published on March 2, 2021. We discuss the facts presented in this article and how CrossFit coaches and athletes are uniquely positioned to possibly help turn this situation around. Proper information is critical to helping people.

1. How & when I will give my thoughts regarding the 2021 CFG Open workouts. 2. Lessons learned from my time in the SEALs. 3. The Master's Age group (50-54) generally use the same loadings in the CFG Open as the 18-35 year olds. Is this appropriate? 4. How to properly assess body pain. 5. How to get back into working out after an extended break.

I've got 2 kids, a pregnant wife, 2 dogs & a busy job. Life is hectic. This means workouts are interrupted all the time. When life forces you to modify the workout it is important to know how to do it correctly to keep your body healthy & your mind happy. Real life examples are given.

1. Is it bad to always row or bike instead of run? 2. How often do new workouts get created? 3. How do I determine if a workout will be repeated? 4. Will some workouts not be repeated? 5. What are some programming considerations for the Monster Mash?

We talk through 50th percentile & 75th percentile scores/loads for Fran, 1RM Deadlift, Helen, 1RM Back Squat, Cindy, 1RM clean & Jerk, 5k Run, DT and an 800m run. Accessory work and BTWB specialty programs are discussed as ways to improve deficiencies.

Accumulating Good Days in the Gym leads to great things. We explain the steps to accomplish this.

Topics addressed were... 1. Why are walking lunges preferred over stationary lunges? 2. Book recommendations 3. Dissecting the 02.09.2021 Interval workout 4. Best workout to expose a friend to CrossFit 5. My most embarrassing CrossFit moment 6. Advice to someone starting a new CF affiliate 7. Creating & modifying warm-ups

Programmers need to give themselves creative leeway & space for experimentation & innovation. We discuss these topics in the real world context of the CrossFit Hero workout "Ryan", "Elizabeth" & others. Interval training is also discussed.

Topics covered were: 1. What do I think of Mat Fraser's retirement? 2. Steps to build a better engine. (metabolic conditioning) 3. Questions from an ultra-marathoner are addressed. 4. Favorite shoe for CrossFit? 5. The importance of Flexibility. And much more...

Imperfect workouts are important. Real life can disrupt our workout schedule more often than we would like. When this happens it is important to shift your mindset and goals. Fitness can still be achieved on a reduced timeline and under less than ideal conditions.

My wife, Emily Sherwood is 18 weeks pregnant. This is her 3rd pregnancy. She is a former D1 collegiate gymnast & two-time individual competitor at the CrossFit Games. She answers questions from the community related to doing CrossFit while pregnant.

How long should you Rest during Interval training? We discuss the article "Rest & Recovery in Interval-Based Exercise", which was written by Tony Leyland. The article was originally published in the CF Journal, Issue 56 in April of 2007.

Topics addressed were... 1. What factors affect the "intended stimulus" of a workout? 2. What does "training for longevity" really mean? 3. Should some people train more to have more "fitness reserves" for later in life? 4. What are the BTWB "Specialty Programs"? 5. Which BTWB Specialty program should I choose?

Do NOT try this at home! Stories about workouts gone bad. I share some blunders I've made over the years.

Questions/topics from the Linchpin community answered were: 1. Is it okay to drop a deadlift from the top? 2. Touch-n-Go Deadlifts vs Dead-Stop Deadlifts 3. Should you wear a weight belt? 4. DB Box Step-ups & Devil Press And much more...

Julie had a hip replacement. Should she squat? Her orthopedic surgeon says no. Her physical therapist says yes. She is stuck in the middle & not sure what to do.

Questions/topics from the Linchpin community answered were: 1. The worst time I tore my hands in a workout 2. When is the best time to do Accessory Work? 3. When to move from Scaled to RX'd? 4. Rowing vs Running vs Bike...is one the best? 5. Should some Accessory work be prioritized over other? And much more...

Joe Westerlin discusses the what, how & why of these various protocols. Joe is a Level 4 CrossFit Trainer and a Seminar staff Flowmaster. He also owned a CF affiliate for 10 years & has a background in collegiate strength & conditioning.

Questions/topics from the Linchpin community answered were: 1. Quick reflections on the year 2020 2. Tips for working out when motivation is low 3. Programming Phases, Structure & Cycles 4. Why do we do Handstand Walking if it does not happen in everyday life? And much more...

My real life story with body Image Issues. I know many people deal with similar issues. I hope sharing my story can help someone.

Questions/topics from the Linchpin community answered were: 1. Should scaling be based to meet the "Super Fitness Robot" time, the "More Likely" time or by another metric? 2. Daily routines & rituals 3. Dumbbells are amazing, but what is someone missing out on by not having a barbell? 4. Do I test the workouts? And much more...

How to build a home gym for $500. This gear list provides everything you need to develop incredible fitness. It requires very little space and is extremely economical.

Questions/topics from the Linchpin community answered were: 1. If someone has a barbell, is there value in doing the Dumbbell workouts? If so, what? 2. I don't have a pull-up bar or rings. What should I do in place of pull-ups? 3. I don't have a bike/rower & it is snowy outside. What can I substitute for running? 4. Regular treadmill vs self-powered treadmills. 5. Would people benefit from more Heavy Days? And much more...

A member of the Linchpin community emailed us and said their life is very hectic at the moment and free time is rare. They can only do 3 of the 5 workouts we program each week. They asked for help and guidance as to how to best choose which 3 workouts each week would be the most beneficial.

Questions/topics from the Linchpin community answered were: 1. Should Crossfit include more lateral movements? 2. How can you train alone & improve your technique? 3. Thoughts about Jillian Michaels' anti-CrossFit comments. And much more...

Managing Intensity intelligently. How to manage intensity during workouts to improve athletically & avoid burning out.

Questions/topics from the Linchpin community answered were: 1. Who are the people I discuss programming with? 2. Pull / Push template vs. Body Part Splits 3. Periodization 4. Strength & Skill Cycles And much more...

Keys to working out consistently. How to be a Fitness Hero who does not miss workouts in 3 simple steps. (Be. Do. Have.) Motivation versus dedication is discussed.

Questions/topics from the Linchpin community answered were: 1. Favorite Thanksgiving food item 2. Alternative options to running, farmer's carries, etc that can be done indoors during bad weather 3. Three people from history I would like to sit down with 4. Does the programming try to relieve the soreness from prior workouts? 5. A look into the BTWB Specialty Programs And much more...

Do we do "Open Prep" & will the 2021 CF Games Open workouts be programmed as a Linchpin workout of the day?

Questions/topics from the Linchpin community answered were: 1. If you miss a workout should you make it up or take the extra rest? 2. How to prioritize fitness properly in your life. 3. Should you wrap your thumbs around the pull-up bar? 4. How to tell if a workout was programmed correctly 5. Allocating time for practice

We answer a question that popped up when Linchpin Test 7 was programmed. Should the workout be scaled to meet the goal times or is it acceptable to disregard the goal times and treat it as more of a Heavy Day with longer breaks? Linchpin Test 7 4 Rounds for time of: 4 Power Cleans, 205/145 4 Front Squats, 205/145 4 Shoulder-to-Overhead, 205/145

Questions/topics from the Linchpin community answered were: 1. CrossFit does most things right. What could it do better? 2. Will strategy for the 2021 CF Games Open workouts be given? 3. Proper scaling, coaching and time management at gyms around the world. 4. Would I coach a Linchpin athlete at the Games? 5. If CF never existed, which sports would have the fittest athletes? 6. Should Masters athletes focus more on weightlifting or gymnastics?

I relate some real life experiences I have dealt with regarding intelligently working around an injury.

Questions/topics from the Linchpin community answered were: 1. How to overcome fear of box jumps, being inverted, coming back from injury, etc. 2. How to figure out if your are under-eating 3. What do you do when PR's don't happen as much? 4. Proper pacing for interval workouts. And much more...

A candid discussion about some of the most common mistakes people make in CrossFit and why you want to avoid them.

Questions/topics from the Linchpin community answered were: 1. Was the 2020 Reebok CrossFit Games a true test of fitness? 2. Can Mat Fraser & Tia Toomey win again in 2021? 3. Are Justin Medeiros and Haley Adams the future of the sport? 4. Can you train to have a competitive mindset and endure discomfort? 5. If someone wants to "try" CrossFit what is a good workout? 6. Can a test of fitness go too far? 7. A discussion on programming.

Richie Lancaster owns CrossFit Weaverville XC. He talks about his community, improving your knowledge and why they choose to follow Linchpin programming.

Common questions regarding Heavy Days are answered, such as: 1. How to warm-up 2. How to pick the right loading 3. Rest periods 4. Missed lifts 5. Going for a new PR and much more...

Questions/topics from the Linchpin community answered were: 1. How to get better at Overhead Squats 2. Am I fitter now compared to when I competed at the 2009 CrossFit Games? 3. Is it important to compete in CrossFit through the Open, local comps, etc? 4. How have my fitness goals evolved over the years? 5. What to replace shuttle runs with during the winter 6. When is it acceptable to do strict movements in a workout? And much more...

This was a real question from a new athlete unfamiliar with CrossFit. It is a common question and one that is critical to understand if you are to have a long, happy and healthy experience with CrossFit training.