Bound Newsletter 9.2.2024
Success means doing the best we can with what we have. Success is the doing, not the getting; in the trying, not the triumph. Success is a personal standard, reaching for the highest that is in us, becoming all that we can be
- Zig Ziglar
The Difference Between Working Out, Training, and Competing: Where Do You Fit In?
Recently on Instagram, I shared a post titled "Do You Train or Just Work Out?" where I briefly discussed the difference between the two. Today, I want to dive deeper and add a third layer—competing. Understanding the distinctions between working out, training, and competing can help you get more out of your fitness journey, especially in a CrossFit gym where the lines can often blur.
Working Out: Moving with No Clear Plan
Working out is a casual approach to exercise without a structured plan. You show up, get your heart rate up, and move—maybe lift some weights or hop on a cardio machine. This is often the starting point for many people who have been sedentary for years, perhaps due to work, starting a family, or just letting their health slide. They’ve heard the doctor’s warnings about weight gain, diabetes, heart disease, or high blood pressure, and they know they need to change. But they’re not sure where to start.
For this person, results are sporadic because there’s no real plan. They might see some improvements in how they feel, and maybe they start to pay more attention to their diet, sleep, and hydration. But without a clear direction, progress is slow and often minimal.
Training: Setting Goals and Following a Plan
Training is different. It’s goal-driven. Whether it’s weight loss, muscle gain, running a 5K, competing in a fitness competition, or just becoming more capable in everyday life, training starts with a clear end goal. From there, a plan is created, mapping out the steps needed to get from where you are now to where you want to be.
The key to training is consistency and sticking to the plan. It’s about trusting the process, not skipping steps, and building a strong foundation. It’s this commitment that leads to true, sustainable progress over time.
Competing: Pushing Beyond Limits
Competing is a whole different mindset. As my friend Rich Froning once said, “In training, you listen to your body; in competition, you tell it to shut up.” Competing is about pushing past your comfort zone and giving your all, often at the expense of how your body feels the next day.
It’s important to understand that competition should be reserved for specific events, not your everyday gym sessions. We have many members gearing up for Beach Brawl soon, and I hope they’ve spent the weeks leading up to it in training mode, not competition mode. Competing every day in the gym is not sustainable. Many of us who’ve been in CrossFit since the early days can attest to the toll it takes. Constantly competing can lead to chronic soreness, injuries, and burnout.
However, when we shifted from competing daily to training smart, we found ourselves making more progress, developing skills, and maintaining healthier bodies. By focusing on training rather than competing, we could show up every day, be consistent, and move the needle closer to our goals without the pain, soreness, and fatigue that comes from trying to win every workout.
Where Are You on the Spectrum?
Whether you’re working out, training, or competing, it’s important to recognize where you are and where you want to be. It’s similar to the Sickness-Wellness-Fitness continuum that we talk about in the CrossFit Level 1 course. You start by working out to get in shape, progress to training with specific goals, and occasionally compete to test your limits. Then, the cycle repeats.
So, set high standards for yourself. Set goals. Talk to one of our coaches to help you create a plan, and stay committed to progressing. That’s the beauty of what we do here—you’re preparing yourself for anything and everything, and with the right mindset, you can achieve it all.
New Members:
-Jon Woodman (Hannahs husband)
-Kerry Aponte (Cris wife)
-Alex De Grossi
Bragging Board:
CFBound crew volunteering at the CrossFit Games Masters Competition in Birmingham,AL this past weekend
Pictured: Jeremy Reardon (medical staff), Jen Wells (Judge), Kristin Humphries (medical staff)
Upcoming Birthdays;
- Trevor Maloney Sep 11
- Cody Cobb Sept 13
- Jason Moore Sep 13
-Sydney Cobb Sep 15
-Greg Brooks Sep 17
-Eriko Moore Sep 22
-Kalie Payne Sep 23
-Grant Griffin Sep 28
-Sarah Little Sep 28
-Trevor Lampe Sep 29
-Kara Everill Sep 30
Announcements/Schedule/Events:
Labor Day Schedule: 8 & 9am class only
Run Club will meet Wednesday at Swift Cantrell at 6:30pm.
The Adaptive CrossFit Games begins September 18-22. Be sure to put your name down for a Made Strong Shirt to support Jen Wells competing this year!
Beach Brawl 2024 Fall - 9/27 thru 9/29
Blue Ridge 15/30/50k trail run - October 5th, 2024
Barbell Collective Weightlifting Competition at CrossFit Bound - October 26th
CrossFit Journal Article of the Week: ASK A COACH: WHAT MAKES CROSSFIT, CROSSFIT? by Eric O’Connor
“…I love this question because it means someone is genuinely curious about what we are about and wants to learn more. If you had asked me this question several years ago, I would have immediately said, “The community.” Our community is not just good, it’s unique. It goes against the norms and is filled with people who challenge themselves, encourage others, and overcome obstacles. This social aspect may even encourage people to stick with the program. But when I thought about it more, plenty of other fitness programs out there also have a good community environment, albeit without some of the attributes our community thrives on.
When people ask me this question now, I say something like: CrossFit leads to the best results of any program due to the potency of the methodology’s fundamentals. The community is an amazing bonus, but the methodology truly sets us apart and guarantees results….”
Weekly Training Breakdown
