Lifestyle
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In celebration of our recent JSOC Operational feat, we have instituted a promotional code that ends at 12 A.M. The "Fight Line" and the Special Edition "Operator" apparel is 25% off for all of the entire community, whether service member or civilian. And the Army's "Overwhelm" edition is back in stock. Be sure to visit the SICFIT store and check out these shirts that are being word, proudly, by members of: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and the Joint Special Operational Command (JSOC). Fight.
Proceeds to go to the Wounded Warrior Project. The code is LEFTEYE. To visit the store: Click Here.
With only one more WOD to get through, what are your thoughts regarding the length of the 2011 CrossFit Open? Too little, too much, or just right? To me, it seemed to be a long six weeks but my fiance, Justin Flynn, made a good point. Just like any other sport, it's our season. Sports such as, football and baseball, have games almost every weekend during their regular season so why wouldn't CrossFit? With so many contests through out the year it doesn't really seem there is an off season, but the heat does seem to get turned on January - July.
Yesterday, a show came on called something to the tune of "Twenty Hottest Celebrity Bodies" and for the most part, besides the random Kung Fu guy and MMA fellow, they were all doing CrossFit without even knowing it. Phrases such as: high intensity and free weights were used from many of the celebrities. Others said they were "combining weights with cardio". Their trainers definitely had them doing CrossFit-style workouts.
I say if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, then guess what? It's a CrossFiting duck! I still believe that if any of these actors walked into a CrossFit gym they'd still get schooled but the fact is, they'd be more familiar with the concept.
Featured on Dr. Dre's Mixtape released April 23, 2011: Eminem, Lil' Wayne, Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, Tupac, Nas, and T.I.
Download - Click Here
When going into battle, an important game, or competition - rituals and superstitions can become very important. Baseball provides and excellent example of this and is well known to be full of superstitions, rituals, and placebos. All hitters have their series of tugs, pats, and taps when they enter the batter box. Hall of Fame third baseman, Wade Boggs, would take exactly 150 ground balls during practice. Boggs would eat a chicken before every game. When the former Red Sox great would enter the batters box, he would draw the Hebrew word “chai” meaning life in the dirt before taking pitches. My question is, do these exist in your life and if so, what are they?
Four of the most common things I see at our box currently are compression tights, snake oil, music choice, and tube socks for the ladies. I find that rituals, trends, and strategies differ as you bounce from box to box and that what is popular at one box may or may not be all the rage at the next box over.
Kiki Dickson, Orange Coast CrossFit
I’ve noticed more and more people wearing compression clothing over the last six months. I’ve read several articles over the past few months and often times their summary was that although the research doesn’t necessarily prove compression clothing, think Skins, has any real performance enhancing benefit, their placebo effect might be the most important aspect. Athletes like them. They like the way they feel, the way they look, and the fact that there is potential that the product may help them. Also, it seems that if the tights really do work, it is during the recovery rather than the actual performance. Personally I say if you like them, wear them. Women like and wear spandex for numerous reasons including: fit, feel, and the comfort associated with everything being held in place. I don't blame the guys for wanting that same feeling of support.
One of our tops athletes, Kenneth Leverich, got his hands on some actual snake oil that comes from Thailand. I'm not exactly sure how it happened but now we're selling the stuff. The oil is potent and I always know when the competition team has just finished working out because a smell similar to Vick's Vapor Rub fills the air. They are busy rubbing any and all ailments pre and post WOD. Do I personally think the snake oil, from Thailand, is on the miracle-like level the team does? No, but do I think there are benefits to it? Yes! Again, the fact that there is potential to help them is reason enough, right?
Music, I love music. It can pump me up in a major way right before I hit a WOD. For some it is hip hop, others heavy metal, I've even heard someone listening to Simon and Garfunkel during their WOD. But, does music really make you go faster or harder during workouts?Unfortunately, science suggests that music’s impact declines dramatically when you exercise at an intense level. The article, "Does Music Make You Exercise Harder?", by Gretchen Reynolds offers excellent insight:
A much-cited 2004 study of runners found that during hard runs at about 90 percent of their maximal oxygen uptake, a punishing pace, music was of no benefit, physiologically. The runners didn’t up their paces, no matter how fast the music’s tempo. Their heart rates stubbornly stayed the same, already quite high, whether they listened to music or not. That result, according to a 2009 review of research by Costas Karageorghis and David-Lee Priest, researchers who have extensively studied music and exercise, is likely due to the ineluctable realities of hard work. During moderate exercise, they write, music can “narrow attention,” diverting “the mind from sensations of fatigue.” But when you increase the speed and intensity of a workout, “perceptions of fatigue override the impact of music, because attentional processes are dominated by physiological feedback.”" The noise of the body drowns all other considerations.
Nonetheless, I love music when I workout. One more thing to discuss, the infamous tube socks that both men and women wear. Style wise they throw in some personality to an "outfit" and what's even better is that they are actually functional. My own shins have been saved a few times from the protective barrier the sock gives. Further more, they offer compression, which we discussed above. I'll be honest, the first time I put on a pair of tube socks for a WOD was when I did a team WOD at CrossFit L.A. Our team dressed retro 70’s and threw in some high socks. I liked it so I kept doing it. Now I generally put them on for more functional reasons: say for a particular WOD with rope climbs or deadlifts. But often enough, I wear them just because.
Whatever the ritual, trend, superstition, or strategy may be for you, keep it up. If it makes you feel faster, stronger, or sexier do it. If that particular plate of Mom's pasta is the only acceptable dish before go time, then eat it up! In reality all of those accomplishments come from you (and nowhere else) but I know sometimes, when we are doing something extremely well we think, "What did I do differently today?" And thus superstitions are born. What are your rituals??
What began with Crystal McReynold's SIC Style, a year ago, has led to an all out focus on all things outside of the sport. And it will continue to expand.
We met Kiki Dickson at the O.C. Throwdown back in January, 2011. Besides the fact that she has a knack for entertaining the masses, she is quite possibly one of the most "take charge" business leaders (See Here) in the CrossFit community. And thanks to her and fiance, Justin Flynn, The O.C. Throwdown may have been the most well-run, exciting competition all year. Kiki's the type of person that you go to when you have to get work done. She is always "All business" and we love it. Here, she joined SICFIT at Life AsRX for some fun, commentary, and prospecting of the future.
In this chat with Web Smith, they discuss what they want to accomplish with SICFIT lifestyle. CrossFit is one of the most influential communities in all of sports and fitness. As more and more major companies (think Reebok) see just how influential we all are, leave it to us to cover what people love and hate about new styles, products, initiatives, and such.
Email Kiki@SICFIT.com to contribute your news, thoughts, and opinions. Remember, when she talks, you had better be listening. Oh, and don't waste her time. ;)
Last Week, SICFIT was in Southern California for interviews with Kristen Clever, Becca Voigt, Lindsey Valenzuela, Katie Hogan, Ronnie Teasdale, Max Fernandez, and Kiki Dickson.
Fresh from our trip to SOCAL, we flew in several of the U.S.'s top athletes: Paul Smith, Chase Ingraham, Luke Kayyem, Nate Schrader, and Azadeh Boroumand for a few CrossFit Games productions and a little SICFIT production called "Operator", starring former operator - Nate Schrader. Currently, Nate is the leader for the Mid-Atlantic region and Azadeh is inches from the top of the South Central Region. But beyond performance, they have one thing in common. They are SICFIT. Be on the lookout for some great footage of these top athletes - here and on the CrossFit Games site.
This past week, SICFIT stopped by CrossFit Counter Culture in Encinitas, California to visit the ladies and gentlemen of Life AsRX. One of our favorite things to do is collaborating with CrossFit's top brands. That's just what we love to do. That being said, you're going to want to be a part of what we are planning. You're going to want to be a part of what we're planning. One more time, you're going to want to be a part of what we're planning! Watch this video on travel and logistics during the CrossFit Games season.
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The feature track is in bold below.
1. Get Out of Town - (Clean) Killer Mike & Young Jeezy
2. Writer's Block - Eminem & Royce Da 5'9"
3. #OneHunnit - Wale
4. Tha Mansion - Nipsey Hussle
5. The Game Has Changed - Pharrell
6. HiiiiPower - Kendrick Lamar
7. Ferrari Boyz - Gucci Mane & Waka Flocka
8. Been There - Webbie
9. Made Men - Ricky Ross & Drake
10. H.A.M. Remix - Travis Barker, Kanye West, Jay-Z
Thanks for this week's suggestions as input. Any and all genres are welcome, as long as it makes you train harder! As always, let us know if you have any ideas.
I was driving home from Mother's Market, a place I find highly overrated, thinking about The 2011 Games. I started running names through my head of who would make it to the Home Depot Center, this year. I noticed that I was focusing more on the men than the women, but why? I am a woman and CrossFit is my sport, so why focus more on the male athletes, both locally and nationally, than the women? Especially when I personally think a kick ass female CrossFitter is more impressive than a male because they are more unique in this community.
When a woman gets involved with CrossFit for the first time, they normally have zero experience with power or olympic lifting. Men on the other hand, generally have had some experience with throwing weight around in high school or college. I also believe that women must break through more stereotypes when first getting involved in CrossFit and learn more new movements not only with the bar, but gymnastics movements such as pull-ups and dips.
There are some oddities though, such as, never distinguishing the women's weight on .com WODs and some of the scandalous photos posted, but overall I would say we are equals and a top athlete is respected, regardless of gender.
*Photo was taken during a SICFIT production on the ladies of Valley CrossFit
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Great article! Thanks for sharing what so many of us have felt at times. |
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BLOG 6 hours ago by Shawna Kunkler I had goosebumps reading this article. I CAN so relate. I remember being last finishing a workout and being in tears, upset with myself for not being quicker or seeming weak. As I was driving home I r... |
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Shea Farrish 13 Years old CrossFit rocklin Heat 3 COVERAGE SICFIT Presents Death by Barbell Finals VIDEO 3 days ago by Stacy Fegard Farrish That's my LBA.. So proud of her! |
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Death by Barbell Nick Zambruno 915 COVERAGE SICFIT Presents Death by Barbell Finals VIDEO 4 days ago by Jay Kovar What is the WOD? |
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BLOG 4 days ago by Rob Shelton Awesome article! As someone who personally know the author, I can promise you that Dave lives out every word written in this. His growth and capacity as an exceptional leader was transformed by a myri... |
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BLOG 5 days ago by Ike Rejino Fish oil >>>>> |
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2011 CrossFit Year in Review Part Tre: Daniel Lawson | Burpees 4 Boobs | CharityFitter of the Year BLOG 1 week ago by Jennifer Smith August 1 - 213, for a total of 22,791 at that date. |
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COVERAGE A Look Into the Counter Culture VIDEO 2 weeks ago by Chris Donnelly Man why am i just seeing this! Hilarious! |
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2011 CrossFit Year in Review PART 1 BLOG 2 weeks ago by Andrew Roodbol Good review. But your placements for the teams are incorrect. You have them placed prior to the final WOD. Front Range 2nd, Taranis 3rd, Fort Vancouver 4th, Brick 5th, Rocklin 6th. |
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COVERAGE SICflicks Fueled by PROGENEX VIDEO 2 weeks ago by RealFit Didn't see anything that impressed me in the slightest. When you can wave midstride while "working" you're not putting in much effort/must not be hard enough. |
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ARTICLE 4 months ago by Ike Rejino |
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ARTICLE 5 months ago by Jesse Phillips |
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ARTICLE 5 months ago by Amy Thiel Jones |
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ARTICLE 5 months ago by Jacob Liberman |
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ARTICLE 5 months ago by Jack Cambra Jr. |
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