"It's never to early to learn and practice what less pacified, less predictable times might require of us." -anon

The above quote does a beautiful job in summing up the idea behind a concept we hear about in the gym every now and then and that concept is know as GPP or General Physical Preparedness.

GPP is something that is at the heart of CrossFit training.  Here is a wonderful example of GPP:   folks came in to the gym last Friday expecting to see a typically difficult CrossFit WOD (work out of the day...every good cult has a specialized language!), something involving weights, and pull ups, and box jumps, and kettlebells, maybe some jump rope.  Instead, they entered the gym and with no warning were told that today they would be running a 5K...for time.  I have been at Westlake CrossFit for over half a year now and in that half a year we have not done any distance running.  We do not train for long distances.  Despite a few grumbles and complaints in the beginning, everyone ran the 5K.  Everyone who came into the gym that day displayed a decent level of GPP.  They showed up, were confronted with something they were not expecting, and met the challenge.

Life works that way as well.  Typically life gives me no advance warning when a rough task is coming our way.  I do not know when life may require that I lift something heavy, carry it a long distance, and do it quickly.  This could be something fun like having to paddle a paddle board against the wind at Town Lake, or it could be pulling someone out of a burning building in a survival situation.  Either way, if I do not train for it now I will not be able to perform when the time comes.

GPP extends way beyond the gym as well.  I keep a few gallons of water in my car, and some blankets, and materials to start a fire.  I may never need those things, but they are there if I do.  When I am walking through town, I practice projecting my awareness in all directions around me, watching out for anything that might come my way.  It could be an open man hole cover, it could be a mugger, it could be a friend I have not seen in a while.  Whatever the "it" might be, I want to be prepared.

GPP is a mind set as much as a process of physical development, the two go hand in hand.  Train now, for the unknown and the unknowable.  As the quote above points out, it is never too early....but it can be too late.

 

How do you live your life?

I am 38 years old and I am trying to get out of the box.  I am trying to get out of the various mental and physical prisons that I have built for myself.  I am trying to look down at the barred door and recognize that I hold the key to all the locks that seem to hold me back.  I am free...if only I can constantly realize it.

What does this have to do with physical training, with exercise, with working out?  Everything.  So much of human life in the industrialized world has become like living in a zoo.  We have become zoo humans. Too many of us never step out of the safety of our cages, we never get too far from the food dish.  When is the last time that you stepped out of your comfort zone?

One of the greatest things about CrossFit is that it gives you a place and a chance to get outside of the zoo cage for at least one hour a day.  For that one hour you can push yourself to what you think your limits are...and then a little further.

The other day I cam into the gym and the workout of the day was truly intimidating.  I read the workout and thought that there was no way I would be able to handle the amount of work, the weight...the whole thing was intimidating.  Part of my training is to recognize this fear and intimidation and then to challenge it, to face it, and attempt to over come it.  With this in mind I decided to go for the workout.

20 minutes later the workout was over and I was sitting on the ground in a pool of my own sweat, exhausted but invigorated.  I was smiling from ear to ear.  I was working out with two other athletes and I came in last in terms of repetitions but as far as I am concerned I came in first place in that I completely broke through a barrier I thought existed.  The moment I engaged that workout I became a fitter and more free individual.  I spent time outside of the zoo and I loved it.

The  more time we spend outside of the box the less we enjoy living inside the various boxes in our lives.  The more time you spend challenging yourself and trying to break through the barriers that are holding you back the more powerful you become.  Stepping into a CrossFit gym is an extraordinary way to transform your life.  Take time to push yourself beyond the barriers you have created.  Get outside of the zoo.

                                                            GETTING FREE