Ask Ping

Matt,

About two years ago my wife started going to a CrossFit gym on the south end of Temecula called Driven. Like a lot of people I had heard stories of CrossFit members getting hurt often, so I started going with my wife to see what it was all about. Before long we both got hooked, which is funny because we swore we would never join the Kool-Aid-drinking “cult” of CrossFit. What I found is that the competitive component to the training keeps it exciting for me, and by having Olympic lifting, gymnastics, and endurance segments you are constantly changing up movements and learning/improving your skills. Where it goes sideways for people is when they have bad coaches who don’t implement proper technique and don’t stop somebody from lifting too much weight. The workouts are high intensity, and if you sacrifice form for speed you can and will hurt yourself eventually. If you can keep your ego in check the upsides are increased cardiovascular fitness, increased strength, increased flexibility, and increased mental toughness.

Because of the bar work, CrossFit programs can exacerbate arm pump for motocross guys. It is also a high-impact workout, so if you are riding a lot it could be too much stress for your body and your joints. However, for somebody looking to commit to a general preparedness plan it’s great. For instance, if you were stuck in a frigid state like Nebraska you could push your fitness level up all winter in the gym, and then in the spring focus on riding and low-impact cardio (swimming, biking, etc.) to augment that. Oh, hey look, you live in Nebraska. Sounds like you have a training plan all set up. Nice work.

PING

 

Dear Ping,

I am tired of Aldon Baker getting so much credit for training riders that win. Like Roczen's problem is he quit training with Baker. What about Roger DeCoster? How many championships has he been a part of? During the time that Aldon Baker has been training riders, who has more championships, Baker or Decoster? Or Mitch Payton?

Regards!

Big AL

Al, 

Yeah, that monster of a human just keeps getting more and more attention when his riders win championships every single year and I can’t stand it! Who does he think he is anyway? Oh, wait, he’s the trainer hired by all these riders to help them win titles. And he’s pretty damn good at it, apparently, because since he’s been doing his thing he’s won a title nearly every season. Look, Roger and Mitch run a tight ship and provide their riders with great machinery, support, and technical assistance as it pertains to their bikes. That is one part of the puzzle. The other key parts are the physical and mental games, and that’s where Baker is helping these guys. He has a regimented program that gets these guys to a place physically where they don’t get tired, and then to a place mentally where they believe they should be winning. Seems like he’s getting the credit he deserves to me. 

PING

 

Ping, 

Gonna try again on this one… Why don't more racers use 2-stroke oil in their 4-stroke gas?  Seems like an inexpensive insurance policy against top end engine damage & wear. I don't really see any downside to this. Your thoughts?

Doug