Thursday, September 24

Hey guys -- The evenings during the week have become a bit of an issue as it pertains to extra work, coming into class, being crowded, etc.  There are many factors that play into this, but ultimately it comes down to planning and communication.  

Firstly -- If you plan on doing extra work around a scheduled class (mainly in the evenings) you need to do a few things:
1) Good -- Check first with the coaches to ensure that you will not be a space hassle, and work out a compromise to stay out of classes way.
Bad -- Walking through class and grabbing an airdyne/rower/etc. and rolling it through class. 

2) Good -- If you are doing extra work that is going to run over but would like to do the next class and are going to be late / miss the warm -up -- Ensure you tell the coach, and ask if that is still okay or if they would like you to cut the extra work early to be a part of the warm-up / instruction.
Bad -- Finishing whenever you like and rolling into class however/whenever you like.

3) Good - When coaches call people up to class, being there, being attentive, asking questions and setting a good example. 
Bad -- Hanging out in the olympic area chatting and being a disruption to the instruction. 

We all just need to do our best.  I am not perfect, I live on both ends of this and I understand both ends.  Sometimes for me I need to focus on my own warm-up and get behind the class warm-up, and try to catch up / pee / change gear during board instruction, etc.  I also know how frustrating it is to have 6 people doing class that are there on time that are members who are just there to hit class and then 3 other people doing something off on the side talking, then 1 person doing their own warm-up and 2 people doing extra work in the main area, and 5 more foam rolling/talking in the front/oly area, etc.  It is a lot to keep straight from a coaching perspective and trying to control all of those things at once can be very stressful.  The coaches look at you all as the experienced, "they know whats up" members...they should be able to count on you and look to you to help them, not be a part of the problem.  I want the best for my coaches, they all work extremely hard and deal with a lot of issues on a day-to-day basis. I also want this because it is what is best for my members -- so we, as a group, need to do a better job of communicating with the coaches and help them as much as we possibly can. I knew/know this will be an issue we consistently have to re-visit as people will tighten up and do better, then they will get too comfortable and relaxed on the 'rules.'  Just remember that you are leaders and we need you all to be a positive force driving classes and everything we do forward with positivity.  My apologies for letting you down from a 'leading through action' perspective, as I know some evenings I am not the model class member as well due to everything that goes on. For the next few weeks I will be taking a break from working out in the evenings, instead sticking around to coach / help.  There are no excuses and we need to get better - The members and classes come first, all of this extra work, competitions, the Games, all is secondary to creating a better atmosphere for everyone else.  

Secondly -- I would like to try to set and schedule a time for extra work every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evening.  The options will be 5:30pm and 7:30pm -- and that is it.  You could do:
a) 4:30p class, 5:30p Extra
b) 5:30p Extra, 6:30p Class
c) 6:30p Class, 7:30p Extra
d) 5:30p Extra, 7:30p Class
e) 4:30p Class, 7:30p Extra
These will be your main options.  My assumption is that with this, most everyone will gravitate towards the same two times (options b/c above).  Which will be a good thing - it will provide a better atmosphere.  Inside of this atmosphere though we need to ensure we are done and cleared out for Barbell Club, this will also provide open area for the Kids Class.  In a few months we will have the golf room wall blown down and we will have a more open/private area to hit extra work, but the same rules will apply. 

I really appreciate everyone's hard work and dedication to this blog.  To date we have made more progress in just a few months together than I feel like we did all of last year.  I love our group and the hard work being put in -- and I want the entire community to feel as though we give something to the gym, not create clutter, chaos and distraction.  If these things cannot improve over the coming weeks we will not be able to offer extra work options in the evenings anymore unfortunately.  I hope everyone can understand that the gym atmosphere is a fragile and invaluable thing - and I cannot risk my members or coaches happiness. 


Extra Work:

1) EMOM15:
a) Push Press 3 Reps @ 70-80% of 1RM -- From Floor
b) 50s Farmers Carry w/ 70lb/53lb KB / hand
c) Overhead Hold (if possible with Yoke) - 20-30s, work on keeping the ribs down.