Dave Castro talks about technique vs intensity at a CrossFit Level 1 cert in Virginia Beach, VA on July 12, 2008.

In this video by the CrossFit Again Faster crew, Dave addresses the concept of threshold training. Perfect technique and mechanics cannot be sustained at maximum output. Maximum output cannot be achieved without good technique and mechanics.

This conundrum is resolved by ramping up the intensity until the mechanics start to degrade, at which point the athlete should refocus on the mechanics while sustaining as much intensity as possible. Done properly, this practice leads to improved mechanics at higher and higher levels of intensity.

Dave compares three shooters performance with three performances of the workout “Grace” (30 clean and jerks at 135lbs for time). When to speed up, when to keep pushing, and when to slow down and fix mechanics are described.

Watch the video in the CrossFit Journal here.