so, like... do we build up to this or is it just, we go out, warm up, and then pump out one rep of each?

Another world class publication!!! I downloaded mine yesterday. Thanks for the monthly continuing education!!!

Josh, the link to the article PDF explains the process.

I can't wait to hit this up tomorrow in my new gym! WOOHOO!

My bad, I just read the journal. Perhaps I should open my eyes before I speak.

I'm in!

This is going to be great, I cannot wait. So the first bishop foley high school "crossfit total" competition is on. Chris S. I hope you bring your A game tomorrow.

Wow! This is great...I have been working on strength now for about three months (recovering aerobics queen) and this is exactly what I need to measure how far my efforts have taken me. Thank you Coach and Rip for once again providing such a keen analysis and program for those of us who want to be rocked and super strong!

Awesome!

After downloading my journal yesterday I had a feeling this would be tomorrow. I can't wait.

Well, here goes:

If you read my journal on the forum, you'll know that I've finished a rather intensive squat program two weeks ago, so in the past week I've reset my back and front squat maxes, as well as my deadlift (done today). My bad for 'taking initiative...' I need to get back on the crossfit schedule anyway... but I digress.
Anyway, crossfit total-
Back squat = 370
Deadlift = 445
Press = 165 (I actually didn't perform a standing max this week, but I've done 175 before, and I did two sets of four sitting at 155 today... I'm calling it good at 165)

CFT = 980
CFT/BWT = 5+ (BWT ~ 195)

Shouldn't we be dividing the CFT by BWT? That seems to me to be more in line with CFit protocol...

P.S. Obviously I shouldn't be given official credit for this total since I performed each max on different days (and press a while ago), but I didn't see this coming, again, my bad!

Great article, I am so excited to do this workout!

M/44/250
SQ - 375
Press - 225
DL - 525
Total - 1125

M/50/208
SQ - 325
PR - 202
DL - 400
Total - 927

Rip

Coach:

I offered some thoughts on ystd's comments regarding the CFT and scaling. Coach Rip talks (and you have mentioned) about the disparate abilities and successes experienced by former power lifters and former aerobic athletes when they commence CF. The challenge faced by the aerobic athletes is the greater difficulty they face achieving Rx'd weights vs. the difficulty the power lifters face overcoming the metabolic challenge of some of the benchmark WOD's. The scalability inherent in the CF concept allows the aerobic athlete ( or just the not so strong athlete, a la bingo) to be in the same game. Recent discussions here have cast aspersions on CF'ers who scale the weights to such a degree that they are in the same "time zone" as the elite CF'ers.

While the goal is, or should be, to achieve as Rx'd status, or to seek to approach that level, I have found that it is quite difficult to rationally scale weights. At 155#'s is the appropriate scale 155/175 x Rx'd weight? Unfortunately my strength/weight ratio is not consistent with Coach Rip's elegant explaination ystd; I'm simply not strong enouth (yet) to do that.

Might the CFT provide a more rational basis for scaling weight in the WOD's? Since it is strength that is the "entry fee" to WOD's such as "Linda", "Diane", "Angie", and the like, would it not make more sense to develop a formula to scale weights based on relative strength rather than relative body weight? This would require a CFT "standard" based on your prototypical 175# CF'er, probably somewhere between me at 175# and Greg A. (and since the goal here is elite fitness I am sure that the CFT standard would skew much closer to Greg, which is only right and proper).

For example, assume that the CFT Standard is 900 and my CFT is 600. For "Diane" my first shot across the bow for scaling would be 225 x .67 or 150 for DL. Presumably my recent 13 and change with 155 would then be a more fitting comparison to AFT's sub-3 than either my 7:45 with 135 or my 1.5 x Tuesday if as Rx'd. I am still barely in the middle of the pack, but I can compare my results with the rest of the community and be a little more comfortable with the scaling that I need to use to get a similar work-out, and a little more knowledgeable about my comparative fitness and ability. In the end, of course, the only valid comparison and competition is still with myself.

Coach, as I closed with ystd, if I am totally off the mark or simply being presumptuous please feel free to set me straight. CF has deeply engaged me intellectually as well as physically, and I have truly enjoyed the mental exercise of pondering this concept. Thank you, as always.

Darrell

CF is so pull-up intensive I am surprised you didn't include a 1RM weighted pull-up in there, and that's a pretty functional measure of absolute strength.

looking forward to this and it's excellent that we have standards as to the depth of squats etc.

this will be a nice CFT bench mark.

Will W., #9

I posted the same thing in the message forum:

"Love the new CrossFit Total concept. But, shouldn't we divide the total score by some multiple to take into account body weight? Or, just divide by the bodyweight. I.e., I have a client that weighs 225lbs. Based on the CrossFit Total, his total is 805. I am only 165lbs and my total is 725.

If I divide the totals by bodyweight, my client's is 3.57; mine is 4.4. His total is higher, but my ratio is better when accounting for bodyweight.

Thanks"

Am I missing something here?

This is gonna be sah-weeeeeeeeet.

Jim #16

Check out Coach Rip's response in the 12/2 comments.

Jim, in thinking about it, if you re-read the article, you'll see that the CFT has grown out of traditional powerlifting thought. So I think a total is actually appropriate, to replace the powerlifting total (squat+press+dl instead of squat+bench+dl), the reasons for replacing bench press with strict press are also in the article.

But, in reconsidering my call for dividing by bwt, let's just remember that powerlifting has regimented weight classes, I'd be in the 198lbs weight class, others in the 181, 165... etc. Then if I'm only comparing with others near me in weight, it's similar to comparing a total divided by BWT. Of course, in order for everyone to be comparable we'd need to standardize, and dividing by BWT there still seems like the best idea to me.

dubdub

If anyone else is going to jump into this conversation on scaled with respect to the CFT, or being able to compare across body weights/types, please read yesterday's comments first, I just did, and they're packed with info! Alot is already being repeated here (mostly... by me), and we might want to move the discussion to the forums if it overruns today's comment thread...

dubdub

Good thing I finally bought those extra plates...

What a great CFJ this month. Can't wait to try this workout.
In fact, I think I'm going to try it at Coach B's this week.
BY the way, Coach Burgener (and the crew), I'm coming out for 4 days. I fly in on Monday (I'll probably come direct from the airport Monday PM) and I'm leaving on Thursday.
Carla Mac - I'll drop ya a dime soon. I misplaced your vitals but recently re-found them. Hope the seminar goes well.

S/F
Dale

M/24/150

Squat:335
Deadlift:425
Shoulder Press:165

This was posted on yesterdays comments, but bears repeating here so everyone can see it:

The CFT is similar to any other lifting sport's total in that it may be compared with those done by people at different bodyweights by applying a formula developed for that purpose. A simple linear comparison does not work because lighter people have an advantage over heavier people for a variety of reasons. Just dividing the total by bodyweight does not work. The formulas can be found here: www.galaxycompetition.com/insa_fronts/choice22.htm and here: www.qwa.org/Liftstats/calculateformula.asp

But the real question is, why is it necessary to compare everybody's total to everybody else's total? The bigger guy is stronger than you are, in terms of his ability to move weight. Each weight class in a competition should theoretically have a higher total than the lighter weight class, and within that class you compete with people of similar potential ability (this ignores age, for which Master's formulas have been developed). The heavier classes are expected to be stronger than the lighter classes, while the lighter classes are expected to be stronger pound-for-pound than the heavier classes. Formulas can be applied to totals for the purposes of awarding the Best Lifter trophy, but not every contest bothers with this.

Compare your total with you, and everything will be fine, at least until we organize the CrossFit Nationals.

And thanks to Coach for the kind words, and the confidence.

Rip

How do I get the WOD sent to my cell phone>? I clicked on the link under the calendar on the main page but thats all the further its letting go, there isn't a option for sending the info to my phone? I really appreciate your time. Thanks Ron

M/22/198
SQ: ~248
PR: ~149
DL: ~292
total: 689

Computed my 1RM based on my 1x5 (multiplying by 1.13).

great idea:

squat - 205kg (460lbs)
deadlift - 200kg (450lb)
Military press - 100kg (225lb)

Total: 505kg (1130 lbs)

Pleasing workout, although I'm a tad surprised my squat is better than my dl.

forgot - bw @ 88kg

Chad/27/185
SQ: 295
PR: 160
DL: 225 - back trouble
TOT: 680

Jamie/28/167
SQ: 225
PR: 125
DL: 415 PR
TOT: 765

Rob/39/187
SQ: 275
PR: 155
DL: 365
TOT: 795

Craig/36/205
SQ: 305
PR: 175
DL: 405
TOT: 885

Alright, so to be completely clear there should be three attempts to obtain maximum weight or did i misunderstand the article. There should also be the warm up attempts as well.

My other question is that i need some serious help with my squat, i am not sure if it is hip-flexibility or foot and shin flexibility because i can't get that far down without shifting up onto my toes. In other words i can't keep my heels flat on the ground, does anyone have any suggestions for me as i really want to try and get these things right for form reasons. Thanks guys and gals

In a forum such as Crossfit I find the concept of scaling very confusing.

Running/swimming events do not have weight categories. Interestingly, crew(rowing) does have weight categories. I would venture that weight categories are only important in lifting due to a desire to enable more people to compete. The same would go for boxing, judo, etc. Weight categories are not a statement on the activity but a statement on the sociological component of competition.

Now, my conception of crossfit is characterized by the competition format for the WODs. Now the WODs on mikesgym scale the weights for training effect i.e. CLN + JERK: (80%X1, 85%X1, 90%X1)3. There are even WODs on crossfit that scale the weights i.e. Linda. That being the case I would expect Coach to scale the weights on crossfit if that were his intent. So this is why I am confused.

I can't scale the distance of a run nor the weight of a man I may have to carry. I only scale WODs when the WOD is not possible otherwise - or unwise for safety considerations. Sometimes they take me while like my 65 minute 10K or my 45 minute Linda. But I deal with that because - well - that's my score.

The article about the CFT doesn't talk about scaling the WODs so I don't know what is generating this line of discussion.

The CFT is very useful for me to gauge my own level and my progress. But I also like the Crossfit North Athletic Skills Standard pdf by Coach Werner. The ASS (heh) is more of a personal measurement where as the CFT seems more competitive, at least, until benchmarks are generated.

And if the Crossfit Nationals are ever developed I would expect them to disregard weight categories as that seems to be the point - overall fitness vice specialized fitness, fitness not tailored or weighted toward a specific body type. Which I think is borne out by looking at the bodies of the crossfit elite.

#9:

I'm not sure where you get that the crossfit protocol is to make scores a ratio of bodyweight. I don't know any WODs other than Linda that even include the concept of bodyweight. Was this explained in a forum discussion I haven't read or, perhaps, in the Journal?

Squat = 110 kg
Press = 67,5 kg
Deadlift = 150 kg

Total = 327,5 kg

Bw = 84 kg

By the way: Big respect to RC (#27)!

#30 - Brian: this sounds like hip flexibility issues. Make sure you're thoroughly warm, and practice 'sitting down' into a deep squat position with no bar as part of your warm up. I do this before weightlifting and find it helps.

Also, simply practice the movement daily with just a bar or a broomstick.

BW : 70kg ; Age : 28yr

Squat : 75 kg
Press : 35 kg (failed 2 reps with 35)
DL : 85 kg (failed twice with 90)

CFT : 195 kg

Totally agree with Kevin gp. It is good to have some competitive spirit across the globe, but the main challenge should be to better yourself.

Fully awake now. Please note that "Angie" in post #13 should be "Fran". I was waiting up for my teens and had a brain cramp...

Kevin gp #31: Until the concept of a CF Nationals was floated by Coach Rip ystd my understanding of competition in CF involves only WOD's AS RX'd. Even at that the true competition is really only with your own previous results, not necessarily with anyone else doing CF. CF is said to be scalable as an EXERCISE program, not as a competition. It is mandatory for beginners, lighter CF'ers, overweight CF'ers, etc to scale for SAFETY purposes while they begin to reap the fitness benefits of CF.

My thoughts in post #13 today and in a post ystd about using the CFT to scale are partly in response to a couple of themes that seem to run in these comments frequently, and partly just an intellectual exercise. How often have you read a question from a novice CF'er along the lines of "I can't clean 95 lbs. more than twice; how much weight should I use for Fran?" If there was a CF CFT standard comparable to the prototypical 175 lb. man, and they knew their CFT, that individual could then make a rational decision on how much to scale the weight. I'm part of this group. The other theme regards observations of weight scaling thought to be done in order to "compete" with the times posted by the elite athletes here. But even if I don't do that (and I don't), is there a way to rationally compare my "Diane" at 155 DL with AFT's as RX'ed?

As an intellectual exercise this apparantly hasn't caught Coach's attention so I'll simply let it go, and see what my CFT is today in the gym before I tackle a chipper. Mr. Sulu, please chart a course back under the radar...

M/35/66kg

SQ: 80kg
Press: 45kg
DL: 110kg

CFT: 235kg

Just been sick so didn't overdo it, but very satisfied considering circumstances.
This is a great idea for weak people like myself. The weighted pullup could maybe complement this. Thanks Coaches!

Darrell,
You have some great ideas and info about scaling.

The only thing that I cannot grasp about scaling is body weight vs height. Everyone posts their BWT with their WOD results, but weight alone tells me nothing about this persons composition.

Someone who is 5'9" and 175 will more than likely lift more than someone who is 6'2" and 175. It would seem better to group people by body mass (or some other metric that takes weight and height into account) instead of just weight alone.

bw = 204
back squat = 275#
shoulder press = 165# (pr)
dead lift = 285#

#31 & #32

Kevin, you missed the point. Re-read #24

#32:
Well, for starters, there's Lynne, but beyond that... anything that is a bwt exercise (pullups anyone?) is automatically scaled for bwt... plus, when a specific weight is mentioned, it is usually understood that that is a weight prescribed for a Crossfitter of 175lbs, so one should scale up or down by bwt/175...

Other people have addressed this in the meantime
dubdub

Back Squat - 260#
Shoulder Press - 120#
Standard style Deadlift - 305#
Sumo style Deadlift - 335#

Feeling tired and a bit under the weather this morning. Deadlifts weak and unfocused; finished with sumos. Beltless and barefoot for all exercises. 114#

Theresa

SQ - 155 lbs
Pr - 70 lbs
DL - 215 lbs

CFT - 440

Mark

SQ - 195
Pr - 105
DL - 265

CFT - 565

bwt = 190

Back Squat - 350 lb.
Standing Press - 175 lb.
Deadlift - 465 lb.

CFT = 990 lb.

only used chalk, no belts or knee wraps/sleeves

#42

Also BW squats, Pushups, Burpees, HSPU's, Ring Dips etc, etc, etc.....

BTW Every Weightlfting WOD is also scaled to BW, whether you know it or not :P

24 yo 190 bwt
Back squat - 235#
Shoulder Press - 145#
Deadlift - 405# (PR !!!)

This was the first time doing squats with a full ROM. Used to doing just 90 but this is so much better. At first was dissapointed especially compared to some of the studs that post but I feel pretty good knowing that I completed all the lifts with full ROM and form.

I meant doing back squats with weight. Don't have a power rack so usually I have to clean the weight then squat. Front squats aren't a problem but back squats I need two buddy's to act as my rack... I know excuses, excuses...

Ray M/160/6'0"
Squat: 205
Shoulder Press: 95
Deadlift: 185

Will M/165/5'7"
Squat: 265
Shoulder Press: 135
Deadlift: 255

QA4, Afghanistan

brian t #6

as an alma mater i will join in the bishop foley competition from st louis...

sq - 275#
pr - 125#
dl - 355#
total 755#

lots of room for improvement.

Male-170lbs./5'9" 32yo.

Squat-325lbs.
Press-143lbs.
Deadlift-374lbs.

Total-842lbs.

Male, 54yrs, 158#
Squat 330#
Press 125#
Deadlift 317#
Total 772#

BW 178

Squat-365
Press-155
Deadlift-405
Total-925

33 y.o male
180 lbs

back squat= 335 lbs
shoulder press= 137 lbs
deadlift= 396 lbs

total= 868 lbs

bw 165 w/t-shirt and shorts

squat 295
press 135
deadlift 455

squat was a2a

shoulder didn't feel right so called it early

ooops...... total = 885

Too injured for a crossfit total - I really do think your back needs to be pain free for this one.

The article was superb, and I do agree that its easier for lifters with good basic strength to improve their metcon w/o than people like me who are basically hearts and lungs held together with pipecleaners to improve theri strength.

So, off for some 5x5 - will post results later/tomorrow. Have fun, all you strong people!

Jesse, does your new gym have barbed wire? ;)

ht 6' wt 185

BS 265
Pr 185
DL 365
Total 815 lbs

This kind of lifting makes me dizzy, and may not be safe for some people.

bw-198

Crossfit Total=685

Squat-235(could have lifted more, but underestimated my ability and went to low by the 3rd attempt)

Press-125(failed at 130 in 3rd attempt)

Deadlift-325

Coach and Rippetoe,

Thanks for you efforts. This is great stuff. Now I know what I can do and have a baseline of my strength to judge my future efforts by.

MC

I don't think I'm ready for the CFT yet, so I opted to do the 'Barbara' workout in my garage again. Pullups were assisted using the Green Fitness Band. Situps took forever! Did three rounds with no scaling (except for the assisted pullups):
4:56, 5:50, 7:39.

M/144lbs/21

on vacation, so i can't test these again until i get back.

back squat: 145lbs (actually my 3RM)
press: 100lbs (1RM)
deadlift: 210lbs (1RM)

CF Total:455lbs

i think i know what i need to work on, seeing other people's totals. time to start doing more strength work!

M/26/188/5'9

SQ - 405
SP - 175
DL - 365

Total - 945 lbs.

Rip -

Thanks for the reply to my question. It's just nice to be able to compare my stats to others on this board. And, even more so, with those similar in weight. Gives me something to shoot for. I'm anxious to see where this is going.

Jim

M/168lbs

Back Squat: 120kg
Press: 65kg (failed 70kg) (PR)
Deadlift: 145kg (PR)

CFT: 330kg

I went ahead and did the bench as well since it used to be in the powerlifting three part

bench: 95kg (PR)

CROSSFIT TOTAL: 1000#, as Rx'x

Press:195
Squat:375
Deadlift:430

Also Push jerk 265

ME Press: 195
165, 185, 195, 205F, 205F
failed halfway up, couldn't lock out

ME Push Jerk: added it in for fun: 265
205, 225, 245, 265, 275F

ME Back Squat: 375
275, 315, 335, 355, 375

DL: 430
315, 405, 430

I went with 430 only because it would give me a nice round number for my first CFT.

Warmup 500m Row: 1:59.8 damper 7, 15 SPM

Frank: 47 YOM; BW 200#
BS: 255
Press: 160
DL: 260

52/155/5'9"

Squat: 205
Press: 100
Dead Lift: 275
Total: 580lbs.

Is there a generally accepted ratio of weights for these three movements as an idication of balanced strength? For example, if squates are done at x, presses should be .5x and deads should be 1.5x.

big pipe, bw 180:
total: 855
315 (PR)-175-365 (overly ambitious on DL, jumped from 365 to 405, failed and felt like I had nothin left)

23 / 5'11 / 170 - on program for 3 weeks

Squat: 265
Dead Lift: 305
Press: 155

Didn't have a lot of strength today. A little disappointed with the total. All were nowhere near PRs.

Squat - 205#
Press - 125#
DL - 255#
Total - 585

Tariq

#46
right, that's what I meant... guess it wasn't clear

#69
CrossfitNorth's standards have an 'elite ratio' of x:2x:2.5x for max press:squat:dead, where x=BWT makes you elite.

[Also, bench press would be 1.5x, and weighted pullup would be x]

3:4:5 is a very common ratio for the three powerlifts for amateurs, although the world records in squat and deadlift are now nearly equal.

44/180#
sq-293#
sp-145# pr
dl-353#pr
total-791

29/bw 195/6'0 (Crossfit Beginner)
Squat 295
Press 135
Deadlift 275 Total:705

M/33/205lb
2 mile warm up run
SQ-375lb
SP-180lb
DL-425lb
CFT-980lb
2 mile cool down run

I love a new benchmark,
BS 275
SP 125
DL 305
CFT=705
64" 165lb
I don't think I'm in full agreement with the strength athlete Crossfit advantage. Otherwise why would the big people moan so much about the 5 and 10ks? The runners just scale and report their results. Obviously a weight lifter would have an advantage in met con WODs that involve primarily weight lifting exercises. The recent 3x800 workouts were exceptions in that they were not strength exercise based, but still met-con exercises.
I think the real advantage is for folks who came here because they had been searching for a system which provided functional fitness benefits after attempting to reap these benefits thorough conventional means. Elite athletes and operators have been trying to balance this out forever, this program does it for them (us). I know that my friend Rick is a 265lb powerlifter and he would struggle with Diane more than me because of the heart rate hit that doing this work for time causes. I've been training to accomodate both loads for years, he has specialized in the weights. Anecdotally, to me, this means that folks who come to Crossfit already as generalists will transition to the system easier. I love this program, and this is what I thought about while doing my CFT. I am not an expert nor particularly good at this, so please do not interpret my comments as a challenge.

Can't wait to try this again. My max's were lower than all my pr's by alot. However, after the last 6 months of injuries I'm finally feeling better.

165#/46 yo
Squat 245
Press 145
DL 295
CFT 685

Felt pretty good I guess, hi-lighted what I knew already: my legs and back are disproportionately strong.

Male/21yrs/142lbs
BSQ: 255
SP: 115
DL: 275

CFT: 645
Ratio = 645/142 = 4.5
Need to work on that standing press, then my handstand pushups will take off too I think (vice versa too).

Bingo 46/M/155/5'8 1/2"
Squat 225 (over-shot 3rd attempt @ 245)
Press 105 (about right)
DL 245 (under shot; lots more there)

CFT 575

Dan 18/M/192/6'
Squat 345 (near max)
Press 125 (max)
DL 355 (max)

CFT 825

A couple of Sunday thoughts;
-Kelly and I are roughly the same age; I out weigh her by 40#'s. Kelly's CFT is 685, mine 575. No matter how you measure it, Kelly, you are simply an outstanding athlete, an inspiration.

-I will now record my "stats" as age/sex/weight/CFT. Might be a fun way to allow us to compare our performances

-Gym membership $100/month; shared gloves $20; sharing them with your 18yo son while you work out together...priceless.

D.

Injured my knee and been sick for weeks now. Also had been travelling and working until 5 in the morn. As result, have been lurking, not posting.

Have resolved, however, to jump back in, somehow, make progress, somehow. Did max pushup test today, got 60. Will test pullups tomorrow.

Paul

Age 35 BW 225
SQ 405 (had to redo for deeper squat)
Sh Press 155 (failed 185 twice)
DL 365 (failed 405 twice)

CFT 925

M/162/38/5'6"

Projected Actual
Squat: 240 245
Push Press 135 135
Deadlift 250 275

Total: 655

Definitely a PR on the squat and deadlift! All this on a day I'm not at all feeling 100%. Considering how short a time I've been doing CF (~6 weeks), this is incredible to me! Many thanks to Coach and all of you who support this fantastic program!

wt 180
squat 405
press 165
deadlift 375

total 955
ratio 995/180= 5.3%

I noticed the majority of people deadlift more than squat and I was wondering what I'm missing out on.

Thank you

sq 205
pr 105
dl 225

Weak

Age - 47
BW - 165
Squat - 255
Press - 155
Deadlift - 225 (Failed twice at 295, while my PR is 320. I'm disappointed.)
Total = 635

RE: #30

Brian,

Yes, 3 attempts at each lift, following warm-ups.

However, if you can’t squat with your feet flat on the floor, DO NOT attempt a weighted max. You need to get the form down first.

There are lots of possible contributing factors for the problem you’re having. Foremost is probably insufficient strength in the glutes and hams, along with inexperience really engaging those muscles--rather than the quads--to do the work. (The old ”the brain doesn’t know what the butt does for a living” problem.) It takes a lot of “posterior chain” engagement to really ¬sit back into the squat--without dropping the chest down. Hamstring and mid-back flexibility are also likely factors.

The main remedy is just to keep working it, without compromising the heels-down requirement. But you have to really commit to working it. I don’t mean just throwing a few casual floppy air squats into your warm-up. You should be uncomfortable and working up a sweat from the body tension and effort and discomfort of the effort of slowly working into a squat. Do the “squat therapy” work described in the CFJ squat clinic article (issue 4). Do static holds. Do it seriously and do it religiously, and you will make progress.

If you haven’t already studied it, you *need* the Squat Clinic article from the Journal.

Issue #4 (which also has an article I like on “fast” food):
https://store.crossfit.com/cgi-bin/cp-app.cgi?usr=51F7597282&rnd=4517285&rrc=N&affl=&cip=&act=&aff=&pg=prod&ref=cfj004&cat=cfjbak&catstr=HOME:cfjbak

Just the squat clinic article:
https://store.crossfit.com/cgi-bin/cp-app.cgi?usr=51F7597282&rnd=5442164&rrc=N&affl=&cip=&act=&aff=&pg=prod&ref=art02&cat=cfjart&catstr=HOME:cfjart

M/25/165/6'1"

S: 175
P: 115
DL: 265

555# total.

BWT - 200
Squat - 385
Press - 135
Deadlift - 450
Total - 970

M/32/165lbs/6'1

Sqt: 225
Press: 135
Deadlft: 335
Total: 695

M/25/165/6'1"

S: 175
P: 115
DL: 265

555# total.

age 27/6`4/240
sp 155
sq 335
dl 365
total=855
very dissappointed with the press and dl

M/20/176#/5'11"

Squat: 265#
Press: 105#
DL: 295#
Total: 665

Coming from one of those endurance backgrounds. Did biathlon and cross country/track throughout junior high and high school.
The press was a humbling experience, never realized how hard a standing press was.

M/33/6'2"/185 lbs:

BS: 225
SP: 135
DL: 331

CFT: 691

For anyone that is interested I figured out how to send the WOD to your cell phone. On your phone do a google search for crossfit pda and it takes you to the WOD and updates its self daily. Thought it might help out those of us with hectic schedules that don't get to log on in the early morning...

Do girls like squat butt?

Who cares, it helps my CF Total.

M/29/5'10"/BW-205

Squat-315
Press-165
DL-325

CFT-805

Grip was limiting factor on the DL. Kind of suprised me, considering I've been working my grip doing pullups on 3" diameter bar. Can definitely see myself hitting 900 soon. Not too long ago, my squat max was 405, but I've really been focusing on going ass to ankles, and it's pretty much like starting over. I'm looking at getting 900 by March 4th, my 30th birthday.

Finished by doing Bench press, 3x7x225, and Afterburn cardio for 22mins.

M/36/156
SQ - 257 (pr)
PR - 137 (pr)
DL - 352 (pr)
Total - 746 (pr)

Squat: 215
OHPress: 135
Deadlift: 275

CF Total: 625

Atteneded the cross fit philly Oly WL Seminar. Many questions answered which lead to many more questions to answer and lots of work to do!

Great time. First time real snatch! Thanks Jason and Pam.

Is it just me, or were the deadlift rules cut short in the CFJ? The last thing I read is about close fitting shorts and the bottom position, and then there is nothing else? Am I going crazy, or is this the case?

M/46yo/215/6'2"

8th Crossfit workout.

Sq 325
Press 150
DL 425
---
TOTAL 900

34yo male, 219lbs
as rx'd

SP 195 (Power cleaned off platform)
SQ 435 (rock bottom, olympic style, pause)
DL 535 (used chalk)

Warmup and cooldown with 1500m row at 2:10/500m pace

Also worked up to max weight.

34yo male, 219lbs
as rx'd

SP 195 (Power cleaned off platform)
SQ 435 (rock bottom, olympic style, pause)
DL 535 (used chalk)

Warmup and cooldown with 1500m row at 2:10/500m pace

Also worked up to max weight.

going so skip this... back is still a little sore from Linda last week, but from previous workouts

M/26/204/6'

SQ: 275
SP: 195
DL: 395

CFT: 865

356 total
144 lbs bwt
(111.5/67.5/177)

M/181/

Sq 250 (PR)
PR 145 (PR)
DL 345

740

855 total (297 SQ/143 OP/415 DL)
163 lbs bwt

#100 JR:

Looks like you're right. A last-minute layout change is the culprit. We'll make the fix in the archive version of the .pdf. (If you re-download it sometime tomorrow, you should be able to get the updated version).

The missing text is "Close-fitting shorts will allow the bottom position in the squat to be observed. Long pants are not permitted, and neither the shirt nor the shorts can have any supportive characteristics whatsoever. Singlets are not allowed."

M/41/180

Sqt 245
Pr 135
DL 315
Tot 695

Started feeling cautious having not lifted "heavy" before. Ended feeling "pumped up" and knowing that I've got lots of room for improvement. Next time I want to break 800.

EV

F/118

SQ 65
PR 52
DL 152

267

N: BW 113#
Squat: 165 (PR)
Press: 70
DL: 185 (PR)
CFT: 420
J: BW 165#
Squat: 285 (PR)
Press: 150
DL: 355 (ran out of weights...old PR 365)
CFT: 790
Everything shoeless, beltless, no chalk, standard grips and stance

S - 354#
SP - 138#
DL - 375#
Total 867
O.K. start as I'm just coming off a cold,
bw = 145#

Even with the squat rules, I think it will be impossible to get an accurate "competition" due to people who power lift squat and people who olympic squat.

S - 245
SP - 155
DL - 315

Total = 715

M/20/172

SQ 335
Pr 165
DL 305

Tot 805

Bodyweight 175lbs

S - 260lbs
P - 140lbs
DL - 315lbs

Total: 715

Psyched about my squat--a PR--but very disappointed in my deadlift. Three weeks ago I pulled 350, but that was with wrist straps. My grip just totally failed when i attempted 325.

M/22/158

Squat-330
Press-175
Dead-340

Total-845

SQ - 315
PR - 175
DL - 420

Total - 910

Should have gone heavier on the squats and deadlifts. Press needs a lot of work.

M/25/160/5'11"

S-235
P-130
DL-315 (PR)

Total 680

Coach and Rip Thank You for this!!!

What benefit is there to do these without shoes?

My question is regarding the squat. It is clear to me that Crossfit methods recommend to squat below parallel and to not go so deep that you would lose the curve of the lumbar vertebrae. Somebody please help me with determining where the bottom position of the squat should stop between those two positions. Thankyou

i'm no statistician, but would it make sense (for purposes of comparison across varying weight classes) to take each event score as a percentage of bodyweight, average those, and called it your strength rating?

or even just dividing the total by bodyweight?

L- Male, age: 12, BW: 160, Heigth: 5'8"
BS- 125 lb (PR)
SP- 50 lb
DL- 135 lb (PR)
Total- 310

N- Female, age: 14, BW: 140, Heigth: 5'6"
BS- 150 lb (PR)
SP- 50 lb
DL- 135 lb (PR)
Total- 335

K- Female, age: 37, BW: ?? but still losing, Heigth: 5'5"
BS- 155 (PR)
SP- 75 (PR)
DL- 195 (PR)
total- 425

I was really looking forward to this and enjoyed it thoughly. I'm glad that I took the few days off prior and I am feeling invigorated again. I knew my shoulder strength was poor but the ratio definitely shows how weak. Oh well, no where to go but up!
All lifts for all three of us were done beltless, shoeless, and gloveless. Normally I use gloves but not today. I did use chalk and reverse grip on the final set of DL's.
The CF journal is amazing this month!

Kate

SQ: 265
PR: 115
DL: 325

CFT: 705

Good job Kate and kids! Impressive:)

CFWUx2 w/ muscle up practice (finally got rings!)
BW 125

SQ 165 PR
PR 80 PR
DL 185 tied PR from last week
CFT 430

I'm happy with this...squat was a pr by 10lbs, tried for 175 and failed. Press was a pr by 15lbs, definitely couldn't have bettered it even with spotters, and DL confirmed my 1.5BW DL pr from last week. I feel a bit under the weather, but enjoyed the workout and chance to set benchmarks. Now if I could only get my .5BW snatch and .75BW clean...

CFWU X 3

Squat.......250
Press.......145
Dead Lift...315

Total.......710

36 and 185

Nicole ,
Nicole here(CrossFit Oakland), girl you are getting strong!

Squat = 80 kg. (not very far down)
Press = 30 kg. (pretty poor)
Dead lift = 90 kg. (all right form, but could have been better)

M/126lb/20yr

Squat: 125
DL: 155
SP: 55

CFT: 310

Wow, I feel week compared to most of you, looking forward to the next CFT already.

Hello everyone!

Was up all lastnight watching Roger Gracie's MMA debut so was tired but seemed to perform ok anyway.

"CrossFit Total"

Back squat, 1 rep 110kg (didn't go that low though as I'm tired felt ok though could have gone lower)
Shoulder Press, 1 rep (55kg realised I've never written my max rep down for this so this was ok)
Deadlift, 1 rep (115kg form was good on this and matched my PB so was happy).

London Crossfitter!

49M, 6'3", 195
squat- 295
press- 145
dead lift- 335
total= 775
I went a little light in the squat to save something for the dead lift, but I was still 25 lbs off my pr at the end.

bw 185

squat 275
press 125 (so weak today on this!)
deadlift 275

total 675

31M, 5'8, 179
squat 195
press 105
deadlift 175

CFT 475

Took things easy, this is my first crossfit workout. And my first workout in a long time.

bw 190/m/33

Squat:255
Press: 125
DL: 308.75 - that's all the weight I have

Total: 678.75

665 total
SQ 235
P 115
DL 315

45 y/o
158 BW

age =46 weight=170
squat=405
press=165
deadlift=435
total 1005 lbs.

26yo 200lbs

S: 355
P: 175 (pr)
DL: 445 (pr)

CFT: 975

next time i better break 1000

BW: 195 Height: 6'4"
Squat-265
Shoulder Press-140
Deadlift-335
Total= 740

Had to 'make due' with the weight room at my fire hall, but this kind of WOD is best suited for that environment. I didn't push this one too hard as I was a little tentative about my energy levels and old injuries but I'm pretty sure that's pretty close to my absolute max.

Male/18y.o./6'3"/218lbs
squat - 325 PR
press - 165 PR
Dlift - 405 PR
..................... CFT - 895

I am so pumped, finally have a benchmark!
thank you sooo much Coach Rip!!

your warm-ups kinda confused me at first but they were an awesome help. Never thought I could DL so much.

p.s. seeing the bar bend when I took the squat bar of the racks.. priceless
p.s.s. and the article on Deadlifts made everything so much easier, can't thank you enough

Squat: 195
Press: 105
Deadlift: 255

Total: 555

Threw in for fun:

Bench: 160
Pullups (hands out, kipping): 18 reps

19 y/o male, 155 pounds.

BW 61kg

SQ 110 kg
PR 55 kg
DL 150 kg

Total 315 kg

M 50 178 69"
Squat 265
Press 130
DL 315
CFT 710

did painstorm XX today 761 total!

very, very tough!

bw 195

Press-125
DL-235
Squat-235

Total: 595 lbs....could have gone heavier on Squat and Press, but did not want to hurt myself the first try!

warmed up with one round of barbara in 6:41, and finished with dragging a 35 lb plate down and back on a basketball floor in the pushup position. (These have a name but I am not sure what it is)

Feel good. Thanks coach!

Squat:200; press:95; DL:240. Total:535. Interesting new workout. Thanks, Coach Rip! BW(post -Thanksgiving and rest week):178, YOA:58

Squat 205
Press 105
DL 245
Total 555

M/41/5'09/178
Squat- 220 (attempted 225, but didn't meet form)
Press- 145 (failed at 155)
Deadlift- 305 (PR)

CFT- 670

M/33/178#/5'09"

Squat 290 PR
Press 165 PR
Deads 340 PR
CFT = 795
Barefoot & beltless throughout
You gotta love it when you exhaust your weight plate supply and have to lash your wife's dumbells to the bar to hit your ME in the dead :-)

M/47/180
S-245
P-140
DL-235
Total:620 weak!
First time going for max.

Nothing impressive:
35yo, 170lbs, 5'10"

Dead: 185
Squat: 265
Press: 125

Never did DL before seriously starting this 2.5 months ago.

M/36/200#/6'3"

back squat 235#
shoulder press 155#
deadlift 285#
CFT=675

ran out of plates for deadlift, but seems very close to ME

M/40/210

Back Squat - 322#
Shoulder Press - 163#
Dead lift - 366#
Total - 851#

PR on BS & SP, Dropped in DL

10 min ellip wu 15/15. warmed up for cft w/ just bar 10 reps all exercises.

bs = 245 w/ 135x5, 225x1, 245, 265 close, 255 ditto

p = 135 w/ 95x5, 115x3, 135, 155f, 145f, 135x1

dl = 405 w/ 135x5, 225x3, 315x1, 405

total = 785. 50 yr old male 182 lbs.

Regarding #114, "Even with the squat rules, I think it will be impossible to get an accurate "competition" due to people who power lift squat and people who olympic squat."

Why? What difference would it make in a competition where a person chooses to carry the bar?

#122 "My question is regarding the squat. It is clear to me that Crossfit methods recommend to squat below parallel and to not go so deep that you would lose the curve of the lumbar vertebrae. Somebody please help me with determining where the bottom position of the squat should stop between those two positions."

Stop somewhere below parallel but above the point at which your back unlocks. Or am I failing to understand your question?

#123, 124, see # 24.

bw: 198 age: 36 warm up: 15:00 of jump rope

back squat: 255

shoulder press: 115

dead lift: 315

total: 685

Female/age 45/bwt 114
SQ: 210
Press: 105
D/L 235
Tot: 550

Disappointing, but it's a baseline, at least.

S P D
135 45 135
145 65 185
165 75 225
195 95 275
205 115 325
215 135FAILED 330

bwt 240 age 31
cfwux2rds 15reps of ohs,pushups,situps,back ext 10 reps of dips and 5 reps of dhpu
(also did wu sets of ea exercise)
bs-360 (pr)
sp-175 (pr)
dl-465
total 1000 lbs

bw=112
bs warm-up 65x5,75x3,85x2,100x1,110x115x1,120(failed)
bs - 115lbs
sp warm-up
45x5,55x2,60x1,65x1,70(failed)
sp - 65lbs
dl warm-up
95x5,110x3,145(failed),135x1(so far below my pr, it is not even funny...sigh...
dl - 135lbs
Total=315

38 years old BWT 204

Back Squat 345 lbs
Press 205 lbs
Dead Lift 435 lbs

CFT 985 lbs

~~~~~~
~CF68~
~~~~~~
38Yrs
200Lbs

This was my 6th WOD. Today I discovered there is this thing called the "CF warmup". This looks like what my former workout looked like. The entire workout. In light of this new discovery and with Barbara & Pukie fresh in my mind I decided today that discretion is most assuredly the better part of valor and that I would try not to meet Pukie again today. Thus I attempted the CF warmup (got through everything execept pullups - came up short on those by about 9), then proceeded to train myself how to do squats properly and then on to a incline chest press workout. Why did I do the incline chess prest? Well because I thought todays WOD was to measure bench press. Then reading through the comments I said snottingly, "Man these weaklings are putting up some low #(*$ bench press numbers!" Then reality set in as my IQ momentarily cracked 60 and I realized it was shoulder press - not bench press. Maybe CF will grow my brain too.

SQ-235lbs could have done 245
PR-125lbs failed at 135
DL-245lbs failed at 265

CFT-605lbs

age=47
wt.=170

Back Squat 270
Deadlift 355
Shoulder Press 160

785

Male/Age 24/BWT 145 (ERRRRG)
Sq:250 (PR)
Pr:135 (junk)
Dl:305 (DL BAD, but I blame it on the car accident)
CFT: 690

Not too bad for a lightweight but watch out because when I'm back, fully recovered my deadlift is going to be 50lbs heavier... And my press well thats pathetic and should be at least bodyweight, time to start working on it...

bw: 180

Squat - 225
Press - 115
DeadLift-185

Total = 525

M/20/166

Squat-335
Press-125
Deadlift-370
Total-830

M/19/175

SQ 280
SP 130
DL 350

Total 760

38/205
SQ 275
PR 155
DL 405
TTL 835

M/5'10"/180/26

Squat-335
Press-165
Deadlift-315
Total-815

bwt 153

SQ: 270
PR: 135
DL: 290
Total: 695

Squat - 195
Press - 135
Dead Lift - 195

First time I've ever tried maxing out on these excercises.

The hardest part is getting the weight off the bar or ground.

age =45 weight=241

squat=405
press=155
deadlift=445

total 1005 lbs.

lil pipe- 17/165#
didnt have a squat rack so just did other too and put in what im quite confidant i could squat
SQ-240
SP-150 - did hard shoulder wo yesterday...
DL-320(PR)

total- 710

M/6'4"/235/44

Squat: 260
Press: 145
Dead Lift: 365
Total: 770

I'm so happy to have a baseline to work from. Thank you Coach Rip!

60, bwt 280. Coach Rippetoe has the right idea-"If you don't have a damn good idea of what you can do for a heavy triple,you don't need to be doing a CrossFit Total yet". Since I don't have a clue, I opted for cardio--about 3-mile speed walk in 55 minutes.

DL 220
BS 205
PRESS 135

CFT 560 (M/ 48YRS bw 225)

Livestrong!

Modified Crossfit Total
Front Squat: 205(Don't have racks so no back squats, knee is still acting up so I didn't push it.)
Press: 175
Dead Lift: 375(Ran out of weight, need more plates.)
Total: 755

Can't wait to CFT, Painstorm today a dissapointing 638.

Chris
185
Squat - 255
press - 135
DL - 300 (ran out of weight. Maybe Santa will solve that!)

The press was easy at 135 so I tried 155 and failed. Then I tried 145 and failed. So I called it a day.

I'm not concerned about how tall, heavy, strong or old I am in comparison to other CrossFitters. I'm here to study the lifts, keep track of my results, work hard, eat right and encourage others to do the same. I keep it simple.

I'm a few days late in celebrating but Happy 1 year CrossFit birthday to me (Nov 30, 2005). That workout nearly killed me. I would like another shot at it. I remember sitting with my head between my knees after 19 minutes and two rounds thinking "This should be easy, what's wrong with me?"

bw: 186

Squat - 335# (pr)
Press - 175#
DL - 405# (pr)
Total = 915

#41:
Instead of telling me I missed the point how about telling me what you see as the point? Then we can have a rational discussion as to whether or not I agree if that was the point. Obviously, I don't. And my point is composed of material other than the posts above mine - please, re-read my post.

#37, bingo:
I've always made it a point to state that scaling or sub-ing is, obviously, appropriate where safety is a concern - including injury or lack of capability. Such as when a person doesn't run a 10k because they are incapable, building up to it, etc. However, when that person runs a 5k because their 10k times are too long or decides to row a 10k because a 10k run sucks then that person is cheating themselves and shouldn't be placated. I can row a 10k in 45 min. My 10k run is 20 min longer. I do not get the same benefit if I sub.

To summarize my position again, I don't agree with scaling as a method of "evening out" the WODs. The WOD is the WOD. As evidenced by multiple sites and workouts, when a WOD is supposed to be scaled it is written as such. And if it isn't written that way it isn't supposed to be scaled. The score stands as the score for the unscaled WOD. The fact is that some people are stronger than you. Some are faster. You can't scale a marathon. Your 4 hour time still stands next to someone else's 2:30 time. Be ok with it... or train that much harder.

CFWU

Squat: 325 (185-5, 195-3, 215, 225, 275, 315)
Press: 150 (115-5, 135-3, 145, 155f, 155f, 150)
DL: 350 (225-5, 275, 295, 325, 335, 295, 350)

Total: 825

I think I can make my biggest addition to this via increasing my press and also my DL. I'm still a little scared of the DL.

bw = #165

squat = #340
press = #190
dl = #340
total = #870

really like the cfj article and the workout...thanks coach rip!

BW 145#

Squat = 205#
Press = 130#
DL = 285#

Total = 620#

BW 185 lb
Squat 240 lb
Press 135 lb
Dead Lift 355 lb

#123:

Strength has nothing to do with how much you weigh. If you wanted to call it your strength to weight ratio then that would, at least, be correct - but not very useful.

If you have to push a car does it matter how much you weigh? If you have to carry scuba bottles from one place to another does it matter how much you weigh? Groceries? An unconscious person? A dresser?

Bwt: 135

Squat: 315 felt strong(went for 340 p.r. but failed)
Press: 135
Deadlift: 315

Total: 765

BW 194#
SQ 310# (PR)
PR 145#
DL 446# (PR)
CFT 901#

Excited about the squat and dead pr's but my press was pretty disappointing. Did 155x3 last month, but that wouldn't even budge today.

bw: 170

sq: 295
pr: 135
dl: 295
cft: 725

all PBs, need to work on the dl

M/52/190

squat-275
press-120
deadlift-275
total - 670

28 yrs old, 210# bw

275# squat (PR)
135# press
345# deadlift (PR)
755 total

did "pushin up daisies" yesterday, which was tabata intervals of pushups, shoulder press, push press, so my shoulder press today was not so good. I've also done 5 reps of 315 deadlift before, so I don't know what happened there, but i've never done a one rep max, so I guess that's a start (plus, i usually don't do squats and deadlifts on the same day). Overall, I was pretty happy. I held the crossfit oakland squat record for about an hour before franklin came in and banged out 300#. good job Franklin.

Adrienne - SQ 45
SP 85
DL 225
total = 355
BW 180
never attempted squats before, has flexibility issues making it hard to get past parallel so just worked on keeping proper form and going as low as possible

Adam - SQ 275
SP 135
DL 375pr (350 old pr)
Total = 785
BW 150
a little disappointed with the SP as I got 150 a few weeks ago but other then that it went well w/ pr in DL

36 BW 190

squat 315
press 135
DL 345
total 795

FRAN 3:38

Kevin #183

Thanks for your thoughts. My comments on scaling were restricted to strength-centric WOD's and do not apply to WOD's that do not involve a strength move such as a clean or DL. I apologize if I was not clear enough in this regard. An RX'd WOD such as a 10K is accessible to all, given that one has a sufficient amount of time to dedicate to performing the task. The CFT and my thoughts on how it might be used in order to assist CF'ers in choosing a scaled weight for a particular WOD, as well as how it might be used to allow a comparison of the relative exercise value of a particular work-out, was restricted to WOD's in which an individual may be unable to safely complete the work-out in a reasonable amount of time and was interested in scaling the weights requested. I hope that my posts #13 and #37 are now more representative of my thoughts given this opportunity to clarify.

D.

32F BW:112
Squat: 105
Press: 60
DL: 185

total: 350

I've been following CF over a year, but never post. I figued since this was kinda like a "test" I would post my results.

31/ 186

squat 275 (put 300 on the bar, decided against it)

press 160 (legs remained rigid)
failed at 185

dl 315 (failed at 325)

total 750

age-40
bwt-215#
back squats-5x225;3x275;1x315x3 sets.
deadlifts-same as squats.
shoulder press-5x65,3x85;1x115;1x135;1x145.

Coach Ripetoe or others
I guess what I am saying is when squatting, for me and my workout partners, there is a range between a hair below parallel to the lower point of where one loses the curve of the lumbar spine. That range probably could vary from one to eight inches??? Is the goal to go as deep as possible (the point before losing lumbar arch, a hair below parallel, or the most comfortable spot in between.

Squat = 385
Deadlift = 395
Press = 155

Total = 935

BW: 170
age:32

squat: 315
press: 175
dl: 345

i knew i was gonna be sucking. Havent ate good in 2 days cuz on mission.

Afghan.

Didn't do the CFT today, as it didn't fit in. But will soon.
Set a new pr on the Power clean with 270lbs.
Also did multiple singles with 260 and 265.

Steveo

Rob in KC #200,
Assuming your question pertains to the squat in the CFT workout, you just have to break parallel for it to count. Per the rules in the article.

#188

respectfully, i disagree. strength-to-weight ratio is in fact extremely useful and ultimately important in terms of bio-functionality, life, athletics, wellness you name it. sure power is important too.

in endurance, stamina, speed, agility, balance accuracy, scaling obstacles doesn't strength-to-weight ratio play a huge role? or is it that my view skewed cause i weight in at #165...maybe that's it;)

#183 Kevin gp: You are right on the money. I have read the comments regarding scaling for several hours now, and it seems to me that lots of people are missing the point. The CFT is not a scaling tool. It is a measure of absolute function strength. If your CFT is low at a low bodyweight, this is not an excuse to stay with lighter than RX weights for the WOD. Get stronger and the WOD gets faster/better, and you'll be better able to do the WOD as RXed. Staying with below-RX weights, scaling everything down and improving your times there is NOT the idea.

This is the point: CrossFit, the WHOLE of CrossFit, works better if you get stronger than you are now , and the CFT is your marker. Coach has talked quite a bit recently about work capacity/power output; if your absolute strength goes up, even at the same conditioning level, your work capacity goes up too. This may mean you need to gain muscular bodyweight to do it. If it does, do so. If you gain twenty pounds and your running times stay the same, your work capacity has improved; if you gain twenty pounds and your pullups stay the same, ditto. If you gain muscular bodyweight and strength, your CFT will go up, all the "girls" will get better, and you'll look better in your clothes, thank god.

It may also mean that you need to tighten up your diet and lose bodyfat as your strength goes up, in order than your strength/bodyweight ratio improves. Honestly assess your situation and do what is necessary for improved performance.

bingo & kevin gp,
though both of you have been mostly productive in your discussions, I think you should simplify your thinking and not dig yourselves into a deep semantic hole.

Its no more complicated than this:
The CFT tells you where you are. Get stronger! This will make you more capable of moving moderate weights at greater speed. I weigh 145lbs at 5'5" and there isn't a WOD I can't do as prescribed. Kelly Moore weighs less than I at twice my age and kicks my butt. The point is not about scaling necessarily, its about giving you a reason to improve your strength under a competitive blanket so you don't have to scale!

Unless your total is 2500lbs at which point I would recon you aren't very good at anything else, and this would defeat the entire point!

Get stronger, Run more, Run less, Go hard, Go fast, Go slow, Jump, kick, swim, swing, dodge, duck, dip, dive & dodge! Whatever!!

Nike has one of the best slogans ever, JUST DO IT!

I stopped posting as often as I used to not because I dislike sharing opinions but because I realized that what matters is that Greg Amundson at 200+lbs is more fit than I am! As much as I like the guy, this fact erks me! Kelly Moore at 115~lbs is also more fit than I am!

NOT FOR LONG!

Thats the point, the drive is to drive us to become more fit. Fight for it, compete, WIN!

Age 50/BW 240#
Squat - 255
Press - 125
DL - 325
Total - 705

Rip,
geeze you beat me!!!

Must be the extra bodyweight you're carrying! Helps you type faster.

My question regarding the squat is not just for testing purposes. I want to know what the ultimate goal is? I have dropped the wt attempted in the recent back squat and OH squat workouts in an attempt to perfect technique. I personally have a "range" between just below parallel and the lowest point before losing lumbar arch. I am trying to identify a consistant depth below parallel and do not know if just below parallel is the goal or if the goal is to get as low as you can without losing the lumbar arch. Somebody please clarify. Thanks

The goal is to do as much weight as you can below parallel with a lumbar arch. Hope this helps.

Pierre: Grow, dammit.

Rip

Rob in KC,
As low as flexibility will allow.

Do more squats, your legs will get bigger and the bigger your legs the less depth you will have..

Thats my trick you see!

Rip,
My squat keeps going up and I eat like a horse but I just wont get any bigger. I'm a strange little frenchman I can't help it!

Robb Wolf figures if I stop getting run over by cars it might help my mass gaining issues!

What do you think?

Rip
Thanks for following up. That answered my question. I apprreciate the knowledge you have been sharing. Rob in KC

Sure Rob. Glad to have a forum for my $.02

But Pierre does not inspire fear amongst cars at his present bodyweight. Do you have access to enough food in Canada, or has the rationing tightened?

Rip:

Thank you for the confirmation that I understand the point here. If I didn't understand the point it wouldn't actually matter to me - functional strength and fitness are my goals, they don't have to be anyone else's. But if I was off the mark I would shut up.

Pierre:

As someone that has an undergrad degree in philosphy and is also a pedant, all arguments are semantics. But as I said, I admit to being a pedant.

#205, RandyG:
(this is probably where Pierre saw this getting semantic...)
strength to weight ratio will have an affect on your performance but it is not an effective measure of functional strength. You can get better at some exercises (like pullups or running) in two ways - get stronger or lose weight. Some exercises can only be improved by getting stronger i.e dead lift. The trick, as I see it, is to figure out what methods benefit you most. As a soldier, losing weight is only of moderate benefit as the load you usually carry will make a weight loss of 10 lbs only marginally beneficial. A gymnast would benefit tremendously from the loss of weight. A fireman losing weight benefits almost not at all. Moving a fallen I-beam is not helped by being light. Crossfit, as I've come to understand it, is an attempt at splitting the difference.

As a measure versus others' strength to weight ratio is useless because a big guy that can out lift you and out run you is a better athlete no matter how you slice it. And he is the guy I want on my team no matter how good your strength to weight ratio. There's a reason that football stats don't include strength to weight but they do include the power clean and 400m times.

Bw 180

Squat 275+
Deadlift 395+
Push Press 185
Bench 310

kevin gp,
spot on! But since you're going there semantically speaking, strength to weight ratio is of matter when the excess carried leads to an unhealthy excess and though that should go without saying some might not figure it. We don't want big guys without strength.

And while I am a lightweight, when I've been put into action with the heavier weights I've never had a complaint that I couldn't hold my own... But that is neither here nor there. I'm leaving it at that.

Rip,
surprisingly I consume something between 5500-6000 calories a day and have been doing so since October. I lost weight last week, and we think its trauma related. I also saw a doc yesterday who confirmed I had a mild case of Rhabdo. BUT I'M OK!!! I weighed in at a huge 152lbs last week but sadly that was reduced to 145 as of yesterday...

I'm sad..... All that food and all those squats for NOTHING, GOD!

Dead: 315 (Coulda gone heavier but no chalk and very smooth knurling on bar)
Squat: 265
Press: 135

I'll have to wait until I can get back to a gym with adequate weights for this - what I have at home isn't enough [yet]. So..

Ben (age 7) and I did our own collaborative workout:

Ben: Row 500m, run/walk .4 miles, then 21 each of pullups, knees-to-chest on Captains chair, squats, and dips, row 300m, talk to mom, .4 miles on scooter, row 200m, talk to mom, .4 miles on scooter

Me: 3 rounds of 500m row, .4mile run, with [21, 15,9] of the set: jumping pullups, knees-to-chest on Captains chair, box jumps, good-mornings [25 lb db] and bench dips. Felt pretty good after that, so added [21,15,9] of push-press - 15lb per hand, flyes- 15lb per hand, pullovers - 15 lb db and lat-pulldowns - #4 on my old [looking for a new home as I rarely use it anymore] Parabody system.

yes, agreed it is semantics on the functional strength vs. power-to-weight ratio, but nonetheless ask yourself this...

if you had to pick a single team-mate to compliment your team in the "game of life" (competition, speed, power, combat, endurance etc.), knowing nothing else other than their weight and their crossfit total score. are you going to pick:

athlete #1 310 pounds with a score of 1025

athlete #2 190 pounds with a score of 1000

F/29/BW 138 pds.

BS - 110 pds.
SP - 75 pds.
DL - 145 pds.
CFT - 330

#224 is an interesting observation. But it misses the point. The CFT is a measurement of a single - albeit very important - parameter. It does not measure speed, power, or endurance, even though the parameter it does measure, absolute functional strength, is pivotal in the development of the others. Basically, there is no such thing as "strong enough".

And that is where this conversation has really been heading. Here is the bottom line: if you improve your strength, you improve all the other parameters that are influenced by strength, which is all of them. The same cannot be said for endurance.

You are essentially stuck with the nervous system you have, but your muscles can grow. Neuromuscular function has actually a limited capacity for improvement, which is why it is not possible to turn a 10" vertical jump into a 30" vertical jump, or even a 20". Muscular growth has a much, much greater capacity for improvement: you can turn a 150 lb. squat into a 500 lb. squat.

Scaling an effort to your particular ability is not a terribly functional thing to do. After all, if a tree falls on your wife, poor thing, the tree weighs what it weighs, and if you cannot move it the tree doesn't care, although she will. I'll bet that the 310 lb. guy can move it easier than the 190 lb. guy even though their book strengths are apparently close. There are circumstances in which a higher bodymass is a good thing to have, even though that mass might not be as strong "pound for pound". Who wins a fight between 125 lb. Bruce Lee and Chuck Liddell? Or between a 125 lb. Chuck Liddell and a 205 lb. Chuck Liddell? Or between Bruce Lee and Benedikt Magnusson (who may or may not be a trained fighter)?

I know where my money goes. And I'd rather have it be said about me that "Rippetoe is strong" than "Rippetoe is strong, for his size" (neither being true anymore). A good 800 meter time is wonderful, but today we are talking about strength.

31 yo, bbw @220

squat - 300 (pr)
press - 155 (pr)
deadlift - 355 (pr)

CFT = 810

funny thing is, i felt like i could have put another 10-20 lbs. on squat, and another 30-40 lbs on deadlift. But i've only been crossfitting for 7 weeks, and i didn't want to hurt myself trying to do too much....plus, the rules said you get three attempts, so i just went with that instead of saying "wait, I know i can do a litte bit more". before today, most i ever squatted was 260, and that was the WOD a few days back....i'm happy with my score, and I look forward to the next time we test for it again....
"consiguete on poco, y dale de nuevo!"

M/32/5'10/170

Squat - 260lb
Press - 150lb
Deadlift - 345lb

CFT - 755lb

Good form for everything. Expected to lift more in the press but no motion from the hips or legs.

forgot to mention....on my second and third deadlifts (315 and 355) i felt fine on the lift, and fine putting the weight down, but felt light headed about 2 seconds after i put the weight down and stepped away...almost like a delayed reaction...so just stood still and and took a deep breath, and the feeling went away...didnt happen on the other lifts....i know i was breathing well throughout....any body got any thoughts on this? Thanks!

M/37/5'4/163

press: 154 failed 165
squat: 320 failed 330
dl : 353 failed 363

CFT :848

M/58/77kg
Squat 75 kg (PR)
Press 50 kg (PR)
DL 110 kg
Total 235 kg

BW 70kg
Squat 102.5kg
Military Press 52.5kg
DeadLift 150kg
CFT = 305kg

I realised I miscalculated the weight for my squat. I was 5kg off. It turns out I'm even weaker! So this is my new CFT:

M/35/66kg

SQ: 75kg
Press: 45kg
DL: 110kg

CFT: 230kg

Wed., Nov. 29th was my first crossfit work out. What a humbling experience this week has been! I have been strength training for over 15 years, and have thought of myself as fit. Clearly though, not "CrossFit" fit, yet...

Love the website, forum, methodology, etc. Look forward to improving in the future.

Yesterday's WOD was more along the lines of what I have been accustomed too.

M/33/225 lbs

Back Squat: 515 lbs
Press: 205 lbs
Dead Lift: 530 lbs (shrug/trap bar)

CFT: 1250 lb

Kevin, Rip, and Pierre:

For the record I understand that the CFT is a measure of strength. I certainly understand that mine is woefully low and needs to go up! My intellectual exercise above was simply thinking about how else to use that particular tool in met-con work-outs. As the creator of the tool, Coach Rip, you are the ultimate arbiter of its application. My goal has been, and will contiue to be, moving toward as Rx'd status on all WOD's, a goal which was not affected by my mental m@$^&%*#%!@n above.

Thanks for the spirited conversation.

Darrell

#226 Rip

Let me play devil's advocate....

What if your wife, poor thing, is pinned under the tree 800 meters away and how fast you get there determines if she lives or dies? Who do you pick then?

275 squat
135 press
325 dead

Might have been able to go a bit heavier, but decided not to push it.

Squat - 365 lb.
Press - 195 lb.
DL - 365 lb.

Total = 925 lb.

#236 JR,
Well, if you can't pick it up when you get there, at least you can hold your wife's hand as she dies, poor thing.

Just playing the devil's advocate to your devil's advocate.

M/47/150#

Squat: 225# (pr)
Press: 95# (limited by pain due to tendinitis)
Dead: 245#
Total: 565#

One of those relative weaklings coming from an endurance background. While not earth shattering, my improvements in all of these lifts have been significant over the past year. CFT might have been a little higher if not for rushing DL's at the end to finish before the gym closed. Also, I expected higher single rep max's based on 3 and 5 rep maxes in BS and DL.

M/43/186/72"
Squat 345
Press 185
Dead 360
total 890
No PRs in any of the lifts, although I think press tied a prior PR.

M/32/200/70"
Squat: 305(pr +10)
Press: 165 (pr +20)
Dead: 405 (pr +20)
total: 875

BW = 140 lbs.

Back Squat: 295 lbs.
Shoulder Press:150 lbs.
Deadlift: 345 lbs.

Total: 790 lbs.

BW 185

BS 245
SP 125
DL 325
Total 695

M/30/183/74"

Squat: 205 (PR + 20)
Press: 135
DLift: 195 (PR + 10)

Total: 535