Squats. Coming your way soon.

So we can all say goodbye to our last training phase Barbara. It’s been a long but solid 12 weeks. We are nearly ready to welcome in a new training phase – and to get you excited, here are some ideas of what’s on the training plan over the coming months.

We are currently planning 4 new training phases coming your way later this year: squat, monostructural, Olympic lifting and engine. Each will be between 6 and 8 weeks in length and each will have its primary focus as above, but as with all things CrossFit, will also look to build your GPP with “constantly varied, high-intensity, functional movement.” To keep you and your bodies guessing, each block will also have a few twists and turns for good measure.

First up, starting on 19th June, is going to be our squat phase. I love a squat and am really excited about this phase. You will be squatting multiple times per week and cycling through front and back squats with a mix of single leg and accessory work thrown in for good measure. As well as making improvements in your squat technique and putting some kilos onto your max lift through a selection of rep ranges, we will be looking to build a good understanding of solidity and consistency under the bar. In many training circles, the squat is regarded as the daddy of all exercises. If it’s not the daddy it certainly carries a substantial bang for its buck, not just in development of leg strength and tight assets but also in terms of whole body composition, compound muscle recruitment, hormone release, beach body readiness and jolly good hard work. If you get it right, it feels great and it’s really, really satisfying.

The dynamic duo Josh and Jenna, or Joshuenna, will be kicking this phase off with a practical squat seminar in the gym from 3-5pm on Saturday 17 June 2017, to pass on the knowledge they gained at the excellent Tom Hibbert session they attended earlier this year. Book a place to come and hear them discussing the what, where, when and how of squatting, and to practice some squatting progressions as well as finding out ways to assess and perfect your own squat. They will break it down, build it up and be throwing out a few knowledge sausages your way. (Places are limited so book in early. £20 for members, £30 for non members).

Good luck and enjoy. If you find yourself walking like a cowboy for the first week, not to worry, you won’t be alone.