Increase Your Crossfit Impulse

Jonathan Gilson writes an insightful article about impulse generation. In essence, impulse equals force applied multiplied by the duration of the force applied. An imbalance of either results in inefficient, or worse, ineffective impulse generation.

I constantly observe Crossfit athletes trying to [go] too fast. They attempt to speed up their sprinting by increasing stride frequency, speed up their rowing by increasing stroke rate, and clean more weight by pulling on the bar “faster”.

It doesn’t work.

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In my own training, I try to keep the best form possible because it goes through the full range of intended motion and re-enforces Gilson's Sir Isaac Newton's concept of maximum duration of force applied. One should not chase personal record numbers at the expense of quality workouts. Crossfit's goal is to train athletes to become stronger and more fit in their respective sports. The scores serve as an arbitrary measure of progress. However, real progress is measured in drives into the end zone, or climbing projects red pointed, or distance of the javelin thrown, or length of dead body trail in a ninja fight.