Home Improvements

There are lots of things to work on at the gym, and some of you come all of the time and have enough access to work on things at the gym. But remember also that we’re giving you the tools so you can practice skills and things at home and continue to improve in the areas that you want to improve in. (Even if you come all the time.)

For Christmas my mom sent Anton and I a pullup bar that we put in the doorway. During the holidays I had a couple of kipping pullups but felt no where near a dead hang pullup. That wasn’t even in my vocabulary. So I decided to grease my pullup groove. We also have an exercise band because dead hangs were not happening without a band (you can’t kip with the portable pullup bar). I did about 8 band pullups, 3 times a day, with the occasional negative. I was mainly working on them for my kipping pullups. But then I realized my dead hang pullup was starting to become a possibility.

This pullup groove helped me improve all around. I have hit two huge milestones recently. Early in January when we did Fractioned Fran I did the whole workout with kipping pullups – NO SUBS! This was a first for me as I had never done a WOD with real pullups. And then Monday night I got my first dead hang pullup ever. WOOHOO!

Pullups! from CrossFit Portland on Vimeo.

The point is it’s easy and cheap to do stuff at home, to work on your goals and improve your skills. A Tabata sequence with any exercise can be great to get the blood moving during a long day at work. Or one of the mobility chains from the Mobility Class on Monday nights. Or grease your groove with pullups, pushups, squats, dips, handstands, and more! Think of your goals, and decide what you need to help improve them.

Maybe a jumprope? Or rings? Maybe a gym mat, or pullup bar! Ross Enamait is a great trainer and home gym innovator. He has several articles and tips about doing stuff at home. Check them out below:

Also check the Home Workouts post on the forum, and add to it! What do you do at home to get a WOD in or to work on your goals?

January 28, 2009 | Filed Under Exercises

Comments

11 Responses to “Home Improvements”

jim on January 28th, 2009 7:19 pm

Awesome! I love your little dance at the end.
You da girl!
Jessica on January 28th, 2009 8:37 pm

Katie! THAT IS AN AWESOME VIDEO!!!!
I luv luv luvi it!!!!
I’m so proud of you! You freakin’ rock!
Congratulations on your pullup!
Claire on January 28th, 2009 11:00 pm

Katie you are so cute it’s ridiculous! Great job, and love the video!!
Karen Z. on January 29th, 2009 8:11 am

Excellent! I am immediately running out to buy one of those.
Jake on January 29th, 2009 8:19 am

Nice job Katie!
chris on January 29th, 2009 9:20 am

Nice!
rebec on January 29th, 2009 9:35 am

you are my hero!! now, i am just wondering if they make door frames tall enough for me to do this? hanging from that bar i bet my knees would touch the floor. oh well– can’t win ‘em all
Adam on January 29th, 2009 4:10 pm

Awesome Katie. Congrats on the pullup and very cool project to document from start to finish. Not only is it fun to look back on, but what a great way to hold yourself accountable along the way! Thanks for sharing!
Katie on January 29th, 2009 7:53 pm

Thanks guys! It was a lot of fun! Everyone needs a pullup bar. And Rebec you could totally do it. Anton just bends his legs!
Bill Burcham on January 30th, 2009 4:10 pm

Ahawesome Katie! That’s some inspiring music you got there too.
lisa on February 2nd, 2009 8:31 am

That was so AWESOME. Every time I see it, it cracks me up. Way to go girl!! Holla holla