Box Jumps

PJ executing the famed box jump (21 June 2009)

CrossFit programming, when done right, will expose our weaknesses. If we, as CrossFit athletes, have a say in our own programming, then we will gravitate to the things that we are good at doing. However, if we remain true to the CrossFit method, then we will invariably be faced with a WOD that will incorporate (in some cases, more than one) weakness. In today's particular case, I was faced with one of mine: box jumps.

Agility is one of the 10 general physical skills that we strive to master. My power is good. My explosiveness is good. However, when it comes to box jumps, I am simply not efficient. My rhythm is off, my pace broken. I have been following CrossFit programming for over five years. I should have this box jump thing mastered by now, right? What (or who) else to turn to for answers, but Google, right?

I typed into the Google search bar the following words: "the trick to box jumps". To my delighted surprise, the fourth Google "hit" was from none other than the CrossFit HQ Queen herself: Lisbeth Darsh. I followed the link to one of CrossFit Watertown's (Lisbeth's formerly-owned affiliate) older posts, entitled: Conquering Your Fear of the Box Jump. Now, do not get me wrong: I am not afraid of the box jump; nay, I just suck at them.

I have sworn to adopt Tip #5 of Lisbeth's blog post (you'll have to read it to find out what it is).

What is your weakness? Are you going to shy away from it, or are you going to face it, challenge it, and overcome it?!