{"id":61073,"date":"2021-10-16T16:52:59","date_gmt":"2021-10-16T16:52:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/\/\/?p=61073"},"modified":"2021-11-22T01:13:18","modified_gmt":"2021-11-22T06:13:18","slug":"the-7-sneakiest-rest-strategies-in-crossfit-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/the-7-sneakiest-rest-strategies-in-crossfit-2\/","title":{"rendered":"The 7 Sneakiest Rest Strategies in CrossFit"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s not often that most of us can get through our metcon without taking a break at some point. But what are the best ways to get that rest, yet make sure your coach doesn\u2019t yell at you?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Below, I list the ways to take a break, from worst to best, so you can endear yourself to the coach (and potentially avoid penalty burpees.)<\/p>\n

“You\u2019re not out of breath. You\u2019re nowhere near redlining.\u00a0You just don\u2019t want to push hard today. The problem is everyone knows it.”<\/em><\/h3>\n

#1 – Sandbagging<\/h2>\n

You\u2019re not out of breath. You\u2019re nowhere near redlining. You just don\u2019t want to push hard today.<\/strong> The problem is everyone knows it. Those dirty looks and glances you think you\u2019re getting? Yeah, everyone knows you\u2019re not pushing yourself today, and they feel like you cheated them. Oh, and wait, did you drop the weight down ten pounds, as well?! C\u2019mon!<\/p>\n

#2 – Checking the Whiteboard<\/h2>\n

You have the memory of a goldfish, or so you tell everyone as you apologetically run past five people to check the whiteboard. Along the way they\u2019ve had to stop swinging their kettlebells to avoid hitting you in the head, and you accidentally kicked someone\u2019s rope, as well. It\u2019s round four of a five-round workout. You know box jumps are next. We all know you\u2019re just stalling.<\/strong><\/p>\n

#3 – Clothing Maintenance<\/h2>\n

Everyone knows it\u2019s not what you do, it\u2019s how you look while doing it. And those pesky laces on your brand new inov8s (or ultra-discounted Nanos) just keep coming undone. You can\u2019t metcon with your laces untied – that\u2019d be dangerous.<\/strong> So, you pause to tie your laces, this time double knotting them. So what if your heart rate comes down. It\u2019s safety first, right? It\u2019s just weird that no one else has to fix their laces so much.<\/p>\n

“There\u2019s more chalk on your hands than in the bucket. So much so that you\u2019ve wiped over half of it off on your clothing.\u00a0Other members are just taking their chalk off the back of your shirt at this point.”<\/em><\/h3>\n

#4 – Chalking Up<\/h2>\n

Surely chalking up is legit, right? I mean, you\u2019re chalking up so you can minimize your rest and get those darn toes-to-bar unbroken. Fewer sets, more work! But, this is the 27th time you\u2019ve chalked up. There\u2019s more chalk on your hands than in the bucket. So much so that you\u2019ve wiped over half of it off on your clothing.\u00a0Other members are just taking their chalk off the back of your shirt at this point.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

#5 – Water<\/h2>\n

Now we\u2019re getting to a legitimate reason to pause. You\u2019ve got to stay hydrated.\u00a0Everyone has a fundamental right to water.<\/strong>\u00a0But, let\u2019s make sure it\u2019s not a three-minute sprint workout, where you could have survived without some water. Or, in a longer piece, that you spend more time drinking then clocking up rounds. And don\u2019t even think about \u201cforgetting\u201d your water bottle on the other side of the gym, giving you an extra twenty seconds of rest while you walk across to get it.<\/p>\n

#6 – Timing<\/h2>\n

\u201cI\u2019m working in sets of three, with strict fifteen seconds rest,\u201d you boldly declare. No one can begrudge you now. You, my friend, are a strategic genius.<\/strong> \u201cI\u2019m not going to sprint and limp. No sir, there\u2019ll be no blowing up for this competitive exerciser.\u201d It\u2019s hard to argue with you on this one, you\u2019ve got a game plan.<\/p>\n

Note of caution<\/strong>: It\u2019s important to declare your strategy nice and early. You don\u2019t want to be confused with number one – The Sandbagger.<\/em><\/p>\n

“You, my friend, are a strategic genius. ‘I’m not going to sprint and limp. No sir, there\u2019ll be no blowing up for this competitive exerciser.’ It\u2019s hard to argue with you on this one, you\u2019ve got a game plan.”<\/em><\/h3>\n

#7 – Fixing Equipment<\/h2>\n

Finally, we\u2019ve hit on a strategy that no coach ever can chastise you fo<\/strong>r. Those lock-on collars are sliding up the sleeves of the gym\u2019s new barbells. With them loose, the plates will bounce at an angle, shortening the lifespan of both the bar and plates.<\/p>\n

A big deep breath and you pause mid-set to tighten those collars before getting (almost) straight back to it. For extra effect, I recommend a shake of the head to heighten the impression that you don\u2019t want <\/em>to stop, you have<\/em> to stop, for the good of the gym.<\/p>\n

Who could blame you for that? You were totally on course to smash the gym record and go to that dark place.<\/strong> But the gym is more important than one workout.<\/p>\n

\"crossfit,<\/p>\n

That Post-Workout Feeling<\/h2>\n

\u201cYeah, I could have shaved sixty seconds off except for the collars,\u201d you recount as you swig your protein shake down in the post-workout window, hoping no one has noticed you haven\u2019t gotten into the couch stretch yet.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Your trainer smiles at you and you glow, knowing you\u2019re in the good books and have stolen a precious few seconds of rest that nobody can pin you down on.<\/p>\n

How many of these types do you recognize at your gym? What other rest strategies have you seen sneakily deployed during a workout? Post your observations to comments.<\/em><\/p>\n

Check out these related articles:<\/strong><\/p>\n