Does it ever seem to you like some people are just built to deadlift, while you struggle with yours? That's because this is actually the case. We all have different body leverages caused by the ratio of our lower legs to our upper legs, leg to torso ratio, etc. This is called anthropometry. In this episode, Coach Erik and Coach Alex discuss their anthropometric differences and the resulting training considerations.

In this episode, Coach Erik and Coach Nivi discuss the 2024 CrossFit Open. They explain the thought behind the CrossFit Relentless Intramural Open at Viking Athletics, and why we host it for the members. Then they review each of the 2024 CF Open WODs, viewing them through the lens of "traditional CrossFit."

Inflammation is a popular buzzword these days. Certain foods are demonized as being "pro-inflammatory," while others are "anti-inflammatory." Furthermore, there are several people in the fitness and nutrition space selling diets and supplements as "anti-inflammatory." Inflammation in and of itself is not a bad thing. Short bouts of inflammation are important to help the body deal with stress. Acute inflammation in particular, is a part of the strength and muscle building process. So, in this month's episode, I'm joined by Dr. Charles Cavo of Pounds Weight Loss. We cover the differences between acute and chronic inflammation, how to test for inflammation, and some practical ideas on how to use nutrition as an intervention.

In this month's episode, Coach Erik talks with member and psychologist Michael Shelby about body dysmorphia: what it is, where it comes from (historical variations and pop culture today), our own history with it, and how to combat it. Enjoy! Chapters:

00:00 Introduction
00:50 Michael Shelby - Background
04:00 Dysmorphia Defined
06:00 Origins of Body Dysmorphia for Men
11:00 Leanness vs. Health/Sustainability
13:58 Male Movie Superhero Physique
18:00 Female Beauty Standard
20:00 Strong is Healthy Movement
25:17 Muscularity Outside the US
27:56 Form Following Function
30:00 Erik's Training/Dysmorphia History
32:50 Circling Back to History and Current Trends
37:45 How to Move Beyond It
40:22 Conclusion

Are you pushing at 100% intensity every time you set foot in the gym? Maxing out your lifts daily and going full send on your metcons? Do you avoid repeating WODs? If so, you're spending all your time testing your fitness, rather than building it. Most of what we do in the gym should be training, with the occasional test to gauge progress. That's this month's topic. Enjoy!

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

00:42 Calculation Beer Calories

01:30 CrossFit Games Events Were "Tests"

02:21 Constant Testing Outside the Gym Example

04:49 Constant Testing Inside the Gym Examples

07:31 Training vs. Testing Examples in the Gym

11:00 Mixed Modality Training / CrossFit

14:01 Soreness Is a Poor Metric

16:24 Progressing in Mixed Modality Training

19:57 Competitions and Workout Previews

22:59 "Fran" Preparation Case Study

33:24 CrossFit Benchmarks as Tests

34:20 Needs of Competitive Athletes

In this episode Coach Erik dives into what kind of education is necessary to be a coach. Do degrees matter? What about certifications? And how much does practical experience count for? All this and more. Enjoy!

In this episode of Skol Sessions, Coaches Erik and Nivi discuss Hero WODs. Why we do them, where they come from, and how they fit in with our local community, and the CrossFit community at large.

In this episode, we discuss the importance of exercise for our nation's youth, which has been on the decline for a couple of reasons. We talk about what led to it, and how we, at Viking Athletics, can help plug that gap. Interested in learning more about our youth program? Please email Coach Monique Mount at monique@vikingathletics.net.