"Our fitness, being "CrossFit", comes through molding men and women that are equal parts gymnast, Olympic weightlifter and multi-modal sprinter or "sprintathlete." These are the words of Gregg Glassman, head coach of CrossFit.
We have long discussed the unparalleled hip drive, speed and power that the olympic lifts develop. But why gymnastics?
We often think of the barbell as the primary tool for the development of strength. This is shortsighted. Gymnasts spend no time with a barbell and yet it is not uncommon for them to press 110% of their bodyweight, deadlift twice their bodyweight and do weighted chin-ups at 50% of their bodyweight. And this is with ZERO time spent under a barbell!
Why does gymnastics conditioning work so well for the development of strength? Coach Sommers, USA Jr. National Team Coach, explains in his book Building the Gymnastics Body, that the number one reason gymnasts develop such amazing strength is the CONTRACTION that is required. In order to successfully perform advanced bodyweight exercises, full body contraction is required. Static holds for instance, such as back levers and L-sits, are executed by supporting a heavy weight in a locked static position." This has tremendous positive impact on the strength of the joints and connective tissue" (IV). A powerlifter or olympic lifter would crumble under the demands of a planche, not necessarily because they lack the muscular strength, but because their connective tissues - the ligaments and tendons are simply not strong enough. Why does it matter if you have strong tendons? Strong tendons will make you a stronger athlete all around. Connective tissue is neurologically dense. When you contract your muscles, neurons fire. The more neurons that fire the harder the contraction.
I do not know why, but we tend to be more impatient when it comes to making advancements with gymnastics movements. Each of the progressions we work on will take weeks! Not days, but weeks, and maybe even months.t its' mAND suffer fewer injuri
