Month: July 2015

Should you wear lifting belts

This is from Physio/CrossFit Box Owner/Coach/Lifter  - April King

“Should you wear lifting belts? Wrist wraps? Hand guards? Knee sleeves?
These are questions I am regularly asked by my CrossFit clients so I thought I would write a quick blurb about the first one (the weightlifting belt).

The short answer (in my opinion) is definitely yes but I'm sure you'll find others who don't agree. Nonetheless, here is what I think and why.

If you are squatting, pressing or deadlifting >80 to 85% of your 1RM you should consider putting on your belt because it will help to:
a) increase intra-abdominal pressure
b) support the lumbar spine in a compressive way
c) give feedback regarding your spinal posture during the lift.

The way I see it, at heavy weights, it makes sense to support your body in every way you can to minimise or reduce the risk of injury. But please note, wearing a weightlifting belt will not:
a) take over the job of your "core musculature", i.e. your deep spinal or deep abdominal muscles or
b) make you stronger

So putting on a belt does not mean that you can suddenly increase your weights and lift heavier. You actually have to get stronger to do that, because despite the advantages it might give you, it is not a guarantee against hurting yourself. “

 

 

Creatine
Some people are buying Creatine Hydrochloride, its a waste of money according to Dr Greg Haff, creatine monohydrate is a better product - you can calculate dosage on this page - http://www.qwa.org/Resources/Calculators.aspx

 

 

Harry - Commonwealth Youth Games

Congratulations to Harry on making the Australian Team for the Commonwealth Youth Games
Capture

 

Tia Crossfit Games 

Great interview with Tia-Clair Toomey in WodLife
http://blog.thewodlife.com.au/crossfit-games-athlete-interview-tia-clair-toomey/

Tia-Clair Toomey will be competing at the Crossfit Games
The CrossFit Games will start at Hermosa Beach California on Wednesday, July 22 - You can watch on ESPN via Foxtel or the Crossfit Website
All the best to Tia and her Crossfit Coach CoachRx

Tia

Thanks Brisbane Barbell for the photo!


2015 Pacific Games

15 years ago I interviewed Mike Keelan one of Australia's best coaches and coach educators and asked him what he most enjoyed about being a coach and he said "Seeing the success of his athletes" - now at the time I did not really feel the same myself, it was not why I enjoyed being a coach.

But now as I warmed up Mary Barter at the Pacific Cup trying to hide from her the tears in my eyes from the emotion of just thinking how far she had come in now representing Australia at this event I really understood what he meant - and it was a great feeling !

 

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Mary with here 4 Silver Medals in the 48

 

 

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Tia-Clair Toomey with her 4 silver medals in the 58

 

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Mitch with his very gutsy 125 snatch to secure Bronze

 

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A special moment of the Games for me was chatting to Chief de Mission - Dual Olympic gold medalist -   Malcolm Page
It was interesting to hear his journey in his sport and his views on improving the sport in Australia. - Malcolm's a unique
and special person and it was a privilege to meet him.

 

Australia won both overall Senior Team cups

 

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The full results can be found here

http://www.oceaniaweightlifting.com/