For the Advanced CrossFit Program visit the RAW Strength and Conditioning Website.

Some motivation leading up to the 2012 CrossFit Games Season from Josh @ Practice CrossFit. DEFINITELY worth the read!!

In CrossFit awesome is easy to spot. In CrossFit everything is measurable.

We are fortunate that at any time we can click on one of our 3000+websites and virtually see how each other express our “version” of CrossFit, our version of awesome.

Affiliates everywhere could duplicate much if not all programing of affiliates anywhere. In fact any affiliate team could log onto 2011 CrossFit Games champs, CrossFit New England’s, website and begin doing what they are. The question is, “would you then begin getting what they do”?

The clear answer is a shouting, disappointing NO. But if it was really that easy, it wouldn’t be near as fun.

So what makes them tick? If you stack up the sickest scorers from all over the world posting either the top teams, solo performers or even just winning local competitions what is common about them all? Was it dedication to unending strength work? Was it mounds of gymnastics? Do they run a lot?

It’s no surprise top CrossFit’s all seem to lift big, but the frequency was drastically different. Some seem to enjoy more “regular” WODs. Some seemed to branch out and become more “exotic”. Some included Oly lifting everyday, while others rarely touched a bar in favor of a stone, sledge or tire. And of course, some ran everyday in the sun when the rest of us fall on the ice shoveling snow.

The sole coupling of all the top CrossFit performers wasn’t their programing, it was the feel I got from visiting their site, reading their culture, and watching their videos. A feel that seemed to say the same universal quote. “We will make you the best, IF (big if) you give us your best”.

The definable joining factor of CrosFit success is intensity within a community. Without both, you have neither.

I’m not saying beautiful intuitive well studied programming doesn’t matter. I’m saying that without a community that constantly pays back the strength of all its followers their will be little intensity to shine, therefore little interest in valuable programming to begin with. Meaning, if your not paying back what your receiving from your box, your not only cheating yourself on the WOD floor, your cheating everyone else beside you.

Payback:

Maybe CrossFit itself is positioning our new massive sport amongst others all over the world. Inevitably this will introduce new and better competition. Better competition makes us better. We always claimed we were the fittest on the planet, now with everyone playing in the same sandbox, we can prove it over and over again……pay CrossFit back every chance you get.

Someone in you community may write from the heart upon the blog  your box enjoys. Maybe their touching story did nothing for you, but maybe it sparked the interest of 5 soccer Moms who are now regular CrossFitters at your box. Maybe that simple five person addition was the reason you have a new rower in you box to WOD with……pay the writer back.

Community is built by WODs of course, but it is strengthened outside the walls of your box via charitable events, local competitions, and anything else that may arise. If you think your kind of CrossFit is just a workout to make you hotter you don’t get it. The people going out of your box to celebrate what CrossFit has given them is the reason your thriving inside your box. Your membership is not only payed in dollars. Its payed in sacrifice on and off the WOD floor…..pay the community back.

Facebook and Twitter may not be your thing, but it’s someones. The dedication some give to CrossFit over social media waves is enough to spur on-lookers into giving our fresh fitness a try. Maybe that tweet you thought was one to many was just the one someone else needed to hear. You don’t have to “like” everything on Facebook to “like” everything on facebook….pay the social media guru back.

A huge part of your success will come from those you surround yourself with. Make this a one way street where all you do is selfishly receive and you will fail fast. Support the tribe for their gifts while offering your own, and become that of legend.

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