January 25th, 2019

Have you been in the middle of a workout where you choose the RX weights or RX movements and realized it was the wrong choice? Or even after round 1 in a 20 minute workout you realize you went too heavy? Or the skill is too challenging? Or you're failing too early? 

Me too... I've been there. Multiple times.

So what do you do? How do you adapt? What can you change? 

Below is the definition of an RX workout:
RX: When a WOD is performed RX'd, that means the athlete performs all modalities using the prescribed weight and reps. 

The workout is prescribed by a coach or gym owner and isn't a workout written just for you. It's planned with a goal in mine, or a desired stimulus as we often call it. It's not always meant to be achievable by most athletes, or something by any athletes. The coach of each class tells each class what the GOAL of each workout is, the general time frame it should be accomplished in, and how they can scale to the desired stimulus. 

EMBRACE THE SCALES. 

Because always trying to go RX is only holding you back. 

YOU are holding yourself back. 

Sure, hitting the RX button feels really good. It puts you at the top of the leaderboard. But after midnight that night, that leaderboard goes away. And what are you left with? 

Struggling through RX weights with shitty form... taking 15 minutes on a workout that should take 8 minutes when scaled appropriately... completing 2 rounds in an AMRAP where 5+ rounds is achievable... grinding through the RX workout even when you're hurt or sore... ignoring coaches advice on scaling... 

Those are all times you are holding yourself back. You are preventing yourself from getting stronger.. getting faster.. getting linked pull-ups consistently.. doing your first HSPU.. PRing your Fran time.. 

If you aren't moving well, you are going to be limited. Technique matters. Dialing in form at lower weights and moving better consistently in workouts WILL get you stronger physically but also stronger in your movement patterns.

So next time a coach talks about the stimulus of the workout, really think about yourself as an athlete. What are you capable of? Where do those movements sit in your wheelhouse? Where are your weaknesses? What is the right choice for the day? 

You aren't always going to get it right. Some days you may realize mid-WOD that you need to strip some weight off or switch a movement, cool. Do it. But listen to your coach when they tell you to scale down (or up sometimes) and you WILL reap the benefits of the workout of the day. 

LEAVE YOUR EGO AT THE DOOR. 

Oh and stop doing it solely for the leaderboard. No one will care what the leaderboard says 5 years from now.