THE BLOG
For the well-read coach.
Explore articles from the OPEX team on topics ranging from program design to nutrition to fitness business. With blogs added regularly, there’s always something new to learn!
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4 DIFFERENT TYPES OF FUNCTIONAL AEROBIC TRAINING
However, training the aerobic energy system is an essential part of a well-rounded fitness program. It has a host of health benefits, including but not limited to the prevention of metabolic diseases and detoxification. Also, the increase in stamina clients get from aerobic training can improve their performance and recovery in their “more exciting” weightlifting workouts.
FITNESS WEARABLES: THE TRUTH ABOUT THE DATA
Ranging from watches to rings, fitness wearables are all the rage among those seeking health and performance. It’s common to hear users of these devices discussing their “readiness” and their sleep scores.
HOW TO PROGRAM ALACTIC TRAINING
If a coach wants to improve a client’s absolute strength and physical potential, they can’t overlook the importance of training their alactic energy system. While any fitness coach can provide a textbook definition of the alactic energy system, they may struggle with applying this knowledge and designing an individualized program around it.
MAKE THE SWITCH FOR THE CLIENT, COACH, AND FITNESS BUSINESS
Sean McCullagh couldn’t do it anymore: He couldn’t run a business that lacked proper systems for success, not to mention systems for measuring his clients’ progress.
6 MISTAKES CROSSFIT COACHES MAKE AND HOW TO FIX THEM
While we aren’t CrossFit coaches we’ve worked with well over a thousand CrossFit coaches across the globe. We speak with coaches daily about their goals and their struggles. These dialogues have offered us unique insights about what works and what doesn’t work in the fitness coaching as it relates to CrossFit.
MELISSA GUITRON: SERVING HER CLIENTS AND COACHES
“Someone would come to the gym and they’d tell me what they were looking for, and then I’d throw them into a class alongside a mom of two kids and someone else who wanted to be competitive in CrossFit,” Guitron remembered of her days coaching group classes.
OURA RING REVIEW: USEFUL HEALTH INSIGHTS
This titanium smart ring is built with a host of sensors, giving the wearer real-time insight into what’s happening within their body. This blog will cover the basics of the Oura ring, our personal experiences with it, and some of its potential uses.
RUCK TRAINING PLAN: HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR MARCH
But these long weighted marches are tougher than they first appear. To complete a long ruck you need a robust aerobic system and adequate muscle endurance. So, whether you are preparing for a military test or want to ruck a long distance, here is how to create a ruck training plan and prepare for your march.
JAMES FITZGERALD’S WEEKLY AMA: HOW TEMPO AND TRAINING AGE ARE RELATED
The tempo is the rate of speed at which an exercise is done. Coaches use tempo to control the time under tension in each exercise. Tempo is written with four numbers for each lift (eccentric-isometric-concentric-isometric). For example bicep curls at a 2121 tempo: the client lowers the curl for 2 seconds, holds for 1 second, raises for 2 seconds, and holds for 1 second. Learn more about how tempo and time under tension affect your program in this course.
NEUROMUSCULAR EFFICIENCY: HOW TO USE IT IN TRAINING
Neuromuscular efficiency is a fundamental strength and conditioning principle that refers to one’s ability to recruit muscles to produce force. In this blog, we will cover the basics of neuromuscular efficiency and show you how to incorporate it into your training programs.
TRAIN CLIENTS TO BURN MORE CALORIES ON THE AIRBIKE
An AirBike is one of the most common pieces of equipment in a gym and likely to be used when designing programs for your clients. In this video, James FitzGerald and CrossFit Games Athlete Amanda Goodman demonstrate how your clients can instantly improve the number of calories they burn on an AirBike. The trick? Set-up.
THE PROS AND CONS OF CAFFEINE
At one time or another, you have probably come into contact with caffeine. Whether it be through an accidental consumption of coffee-flavored ice-cream or a habitual meeting with your morning coffee maker. Most humans have some form of experience with caffeine. In fact, caffeine is the most widely consumed behaviorally active substance in the world. This article aims to explain exactly what caffeine is and the pros and cons associated with its consumption.
FIRASS EL FATEH: FROM BABYSITTING CLIENTS TO OPEX ABBOTSFORD
“After a while, it started to feel like babysitting,” said the 37-year-old, who would spend more than 30 hours a week on the floor coaching, along with his programming and administrative hours.
THE BENEFITS OF DRINKING WATER
One of the most common themes we see and hear, time and time again, amongst coaches, clients and athletes who are looking for insight into their nutrition is that they are not taking in enough water.
WHY GEORGIA SMITH STEPPED AWAY FROM GROUP CLASSES
“I do love being in front of a group, but I felt like I was just putting on a show and engaging in crowd control when I was coaching instead of actually coaching and helping people,” said the 26-year-old, a native of Australia, who completed the OPEX Coaching Certificate Program (CCP) in 2017.
HOW TO WARM UP ON THE TRUEFORM RUNNER
With the introduction of the TrueForm Runner in recent years to a variety of fitness competitions including the CrossFit Games; it’s becoming increasingly important for athletes to learn how to use the device. The most important part of using the TrueForm Runner is getting used to its unique design and operation. This starts with learning how to warm-up on the TrueForm Runner.
CROSSFIT HEART RATE ZONES TRAINING
In this week’s Ask Me Anything sneak peek, James FitzGerald, answers the question should you use CrossFit heart rate zone training?
8 QUALITIES OF ELITE FUNCTIONAL FITNESS ATHLETES
James FitzGerald gave a seminar on the eight characteristics of elite fitness athletes on the Wodapalooza Seminar Stage. Use these eight characteristics to determine if your client is capable of being an elite fitness athlete.
HOW TO PERFORM A SQUAT ASSESSMENT
A moment where you realized, after coaching this person for two years, that the reason he has a massive forward lean on his squat isn’t because his hamstrings are tight, but because of a motor control and bracing deficiency.
10 BEST BODYWEIGHT CORE EXERCISES
Bodyweight training is one of our favorite types of training for a number of reasons. It’s a great option for clients with limited access to equipment, it helps clients build motor control, and the relative strength it develops carries over to daily life.