Second place changes an athlete. We need not look too far back in history for proof. Both Annie Thorsidottir and Rich Froning took a big step up the podium in 2011 after 2nd place finishes in 2010. Bridges is looking to do the same.
Bridges walked away from the 2011 CrossFit Games inspired. He attacked the offseason with the same unrelenting determination that characterized his wins in four of the 10 events at the 2011 Games.
Unfortunately, it's unlikely that Bridges will be able to participate in the 2012 Open due to his service obligations.
Fitter and Hungrier than Ever
The focus of Bridge’s offseason program has been to continue to develop and improve strength, while maintaining his conditioning and gymnastics. As always, we've put a heavy emphasis on Olympic weightlifting. Not surprisingly, his lifts have continued to steadily improve. The 160-pound Bridges recently posted new PRs on his snatch (108 kg) and clean & jerk (145 kg).
Bridges has also seen impressive improvement in his power lifts, now handling his pre-Games one-rep max deadlift for multiple sets of triples, and pushing his bench press to more than 300 pounds.
Despite a little extra lean mass to power his lifts, Bridges has only sped up on benchmark workouts performed before and after Games.
For example:
2007 Games Hopper WOD
Pre-Games: 9:43
January 2012: 8:34
The workout: 1000-meter row, immediately followed by 5 rounds of 25 pull-ups, 7 push jerks at 135 lbs
For time: 30 muscle-ups, 60 handstand push-ups, 90 kettlebell swings at 32 kg
Pre-Games: 15:36
February 17, 2012:13:06
“Amanda”
2011 Regionals: 4:06
February 2012: 6:00 (185-pound snatch)
Unfortunately, it's unlikely that Bridges will be able to participate in the 2012 Open due to his service obligations. Regardless of whether he has an opportunity to step back into competition in 2012 or 2013, one thing is clear. Bridges is hungrier than ever to compete and finish what he set out to do in 2011.
Note: The author, CJ Martin, is Josh Bridges' coach and the owner of CrossFit Invictus.
