"We know for a fact that the Open brings the family closer together. That's why it's so important."
With 79 registered athletes, Practice CrossFit is the largest team in the Central East Region. However, as we all know, size doesn’t always equal strength.
The success of Practice CrossFit’s team could be from their dedication to endless technique work, a massive “pick-up-heavy-things” addiction, or fearless ability to program workouts members don’t always like. Or, team PCF’s strength, may be attributed to a commitment to each other, from the coaches to the veterans to the newbies and back around. An ethos owner Josh Bunch values above all else.
Practice CrossFit uses the Open as a teaching tool among the many other CrossFit cues we hear everyday. From, “Stay on your heels,” to, “Elbows up,” to “Butt tight,” “competition” is as common at Practice CrossFit as anything else. More importantly, its the competition that teaches everyone about themselves.
“I think people confuse competition with lots of effort for a prize at the end, or showing off, but for most of us that’s not really what it’s all about," Bunch explains. "At Practice CrossFit, we believe their is 'no end,' and that competition just enhances the journey. One way or another, you will be rewarded."
To the crew at Practice CrossFit, competition is never forced or valued above all else. It’s merely recognized as part of the CrossFit program.
“We know for a fact that the Open brings the family closer together. That’s why it’s so important,” Bunch says.
Togetherness shows in each athlete’s attitude, as well as action.
Every Friday evening the team comes together for the weekly Open Workout. To hear Bunch tell it, it may look like a big block party or family reunion. But it becomes so much more.
“Beginning with the first WOD of the 2011 Open, we created what we call ‘Fittest Fridays,” he says. “Every Friday, at 6 o’clock, every athlete comes in to do the Open WOD. (We) usually have our entire box, other local CrossFitters, and out-of-towners wanting the atmosphere. We run heats, people bring in competition-approved food and it becomes a huge community event.”
The general rule at PCF is that the workouts are attempted only once for the best possible score. However, athletes may take a second shot if they think they can improve on their first attempt. Bunch tries to discourage repetitious Open patterns for competitors. “CrossFit isn’t golf, there are no mulligans,” he says.
“When you look at Practice CrossFit, you see well rounded – everybody can usually do everything,” Bunch says. “I think that’s pure CrossFit. That’s the way I remember Coach [Greg Glassman] presenting it five years ago and that’s the way we’ve applied it. I think there is something magical about being able to pull off a well executed clean, multiple muscle-ups, and dozens of double-unders without missing a step. We may not be the best at any one thing, but we are good at everything.”
Routinely athletes of all levels follow a core of specific programing to build the proper foundation, along with extensions testing weakness and specialties. In one week you will find: Heavy squatting of all forms repeatedly; Olympic correlates to improve technique
; full; Olympics movements in and out of workouts; individualized weakness-driven skill time
; frequent percentage work
; an affinity to everything overhead
; ring play time; and rope and wall climbs.
“The one and only way we have been able to offer advanced training, while simultaneously offering basic training, is our staff," Bunch says speaking about his trainers. He goes on to says that he has complete confidence in the staff he holds so dear, and that he is very much a member of something that has easily taken a life on its own. “PCF is what it is because of every athlete walking through the doors today," Bunch says. "I would be completely lost without the family CrossFit has given me."
For Bunch and his 20 trainers, seeing each and every member embraces athletics as a means to so much more is the true goal. “Our goal is to help you realize your potential in every area life has to throw at you," Bunch says. "If it’s the Games, awesome, if it’s playing with your kids on the weekends, awesome. CrossFit, and the Open make both a reality."
Team PCF came in 15th in the 2011 Open and finished 9th at the Central East Regional, missing a chance at the Games by six spots. “We definitely have some firebreathers that want to compete at the Games and we are very proud of them, but no more so than our many athletes scaling just to help motivate their family during the season," Bunch says. “If at any time I ever feel like one person was not as important as another – I would cut the team entirely. No competition of today is worth an athlete's future tomorrow. Either we all play, or no one plays."
At the time of publication (11:30 a.m., PT 3/16/12), Team PCF is in 21st place.
