Raising the bar

"The Health Lift"
This is an actual conversation with founder of crossfit Greg Glassman.

(Transcript of actual conversation)

Doc: Many of my patients shouldn’t be doing the deadlift.

Coach: Which ones are those, Doc?

Doc: Many are elderly, marginally ambulatory, and frail/feeble and osteoporotic.

Coach: Doc, would you let such a patient, let’s say an old woman, walk to the store to get cat food?

Doc: Sure, If the walk weren’t too far, I’d endorse it.

Coach: All right, suppose after walking home she came up to the front door and realized that her keys were in her pocket. Is she medically cleared to set the bag down, get her keys out of her pocket, unlock the door, pick the bag back up, and go in?

Doc: Of course, that’s essential activity

Coach: As I see it the only difference between us is that I want to show her how to do this "essential activity" safely and soundly and you don’t.

Doc: I see where you’re going. Good point.

Coach: Doc, we haven’t scratched the surface.

The deadlift (otherwise known as the health lift) is used everyday in our lives. We are going to practice the mechanics of lifting an object off the ground safely.  It could be something as light as keys, or as heavy as your refrigerator it is important to have sound movements.  Fear of the deadlift abounds, but like fear of the squat, it is groundless.  No exercise or regimen will protect the back from the potential injuries of sport and life or the certain ravages of time like the deadlift.  Regardless of whether your fitness goals are to "rev up" your metabolism, increase strength or lean body mass, decrease body fat, rehabilitate your back, improve athletic performance, or maintain functional independence as a senior, the deadlift is a marked shortcut to that end.

Warm Up: 2 rounds of:
1:00 Row
1:00 Box Step up
1:00 Squat
1:00 Sit up


Skill:
Bar Deadlift
10 x 3 w/ partner

4 min AMRAP:
3 Deadlifts
6 Sit ups

4 min rest

4 min AMRAP:
100 m walk/run
10 Squats

4 min rest

4 min AMRAP:
5 Push ups
10 Sit ups