Crossfit Farmers
Kelly Moore Champion Powerlifter
On CrossFit, superior fitness, and general physical preparedness
March 2004 Crossfit Journal
Superior fitness - you bet. I couldn't hold a candle to my current overall fitness despite long hours in the gym following powerlifting and bodybuilding routines. Better cardiovascular condition, better endurance, a little better flexibility and more determination and focus...I'm in the best condition of my life. Superior health - I don't know if it's CrossFit, better eating or combination of the two, but I haven't had a full blown cold or flu despite lots of stress, overtime and night shifts with ill co-workers in an enclosed and shared keyboard/phone environment. also sleep better than I have in years. Superior GPP - no question that CrossFit works.
Throwing hay bales, pushing a wheelbarrow loaded with wet manure through 4" of mud, hauling shavings from the arena to the barn all feel like a warm-up now rather than a workout. Even my cardio and overall quickness has become better - occasionally some of the horses will refuse to go into their pasture area and I will need to go out and get them moving in the right direction. If the normal persuasion fails, I need to herd them to where they need to go. This involves sprinting and fast lateral direction changes. Depending on how cooperative the horses feel, this activity may take several very CrossFit-like minutes. I used to nearly collapse in a heap after a session, now it's just another thing to do.
I do have to tell you that CrossFit is the most productive fitness program I've ever used in 20+ years of lifting. I'm stronger in almost every lift, am participating in rudimentary gymnastics, running, and performing lifts I never dreamed I could. Although I know it's not an important factor, I also have to share with you several things friends have said regarding my changing body condition. People who have known me for years have commented that my shoulders are broader, my back wider, my arms are much bigger, forearms are more muscular, and waist is tighter and that there is less fat on my butt and thighs. How amusing, I'm achieving a bodybuilder's dream without bodybuilding! The effects of CrossFit on both my fitness performance and my appearance have been dramatic.
Another interesting note: my father was very supportive of my lifting and competing. He would attend meets and shows, take pictures, and brag to his friends. But one thing he said bothered me. He asked me how I could look like I did, lift as much as I did, but still struggle to lift those 50# bags of cement mix to my shoulders and take them 300 feet to the shed? I guarantee I wouldn't have trouble handling
those bags now!
On CrossFit, superior fitness, and general physical preparedness
March 2004 Crossfit Journal
Superior fitness - you bet. I couldn't hold a candle to my current overall fitness despite long hours in the gym following powerlifting and bodybuilding routines. Better cardiovascular condition, better endurance, a little better flexibility and more determination and focus...I'm in the best condition of my life. Superior health - I don't know if it's CrossFit, better eating or combination of the two, but I haven't had a full blown cold or flu despite lots of stress, overtime and night shifts with ill co-workers in an enclosed and shared keyboard/phone environment. also sleep better than I have in years. Superior GPP - no question that CrossFit works.
Throwing hay bales, pushing a wheelbarrow loaded with wet manure through 4" of mud, hauling shavings from the arena to the barn all feel like a warm-up now rather than a workout. Even my cardio and overall quickness has become better - occasionally some of the horses will refuse to go into their pasture area and I will need to go out and get them moving in the right direction. If the normal persuasion fails, I need to herd them to where they need to go. This involves sprinting and fast lateral direction changes. Depending on how cooperative the horses feel, this activity may take several very CrossFit-like minutes. I used to nearly collapse in a heap after a session, now it's just another thing to do.
I do have to tell you that CrossFit is the most productive fitness program I've ever used in 20+ years of lifting. I'm stronger in almost every lift, am participating in rudimentary gymnastics, running, and performing lifts I never dreamed I could. Although I know it's not an important factor, I also have to share with you several things friends have said regarding my changing body condition. People who have known me for years have commented that my shoulders are broader, my back wider, my arms are much bigger, forearms are more muscular, and waist is tighter and that there is less fat on my butt and thighs. How amusing, I'm achieving a bodybuilder's dream without bodybuilding! The effects of CrossFit on both my fitness performance and my appearance have been dramatic.
Another interesting note: my father was very supportive of my lifting and competing. He would attend meets and shows, take pictures, and brag to his friends. But one thing he said bothered me. He asked me how I could look like I did, lift as much as I did, but still struggle to lift those 50# bags of cement mix to my shoulders and take them 300 feet to the shed? I guarantee I wouldn't have trouble handling
those bags now!