WOD:
Push Jerk
3-3-3
then “Annie”
50-40-30-20-10
Double Unders
Sit-ups
(10 minute Time Limit)
Post Loads and Time to comments.
Alan rocks the 1.5 Pood Turkish Get-Up
International Relations
by Dan Hollingsworth
Well, it seems that we have an international conversation piece among our community. You may recall that a photo of Amy doing pull-ups was recently featured on the CrossFit.com Affiliate site (scroll down to see the post from 11/30). In the comments section of that post I also posted a link to Amy’s “Fran” video, which we had just highlighted on this site a week ago. Well, imagine my surprise when I discovered that Amy’s photo and the “Fran” video were the subject of a blog post in Peru.
Initially I was quite pleased to see this. As I scrolled down and looked at some of the comments, I started to realize that not everybody was as impressed by Amy’s feats as I was/am. Now, mind you, my Spanish is worse than poor. I can really only understand a few words, but reading through the comments it was quite clear that there was a pretty serious debate going on there. From what I could decipher, several people were wondering if this was an appropriate level of activity for Amy to be participating in at this time in her pregnancy. I tried not to jump to any serious conclusions as I couldn’t read everything that was written, but I did feel the need to comment on the blog, so I did. Hopefully my comments did not come across as too defensive because they were not intended to be. I just wanted to point out that a) the workout was scaled, b) Amy is an experienced CrossFitter and that c) so far so good with the developing baby and we certainly wouldn’t be taking any unnecessary risks.
If I came across as defensive I guess that is because I do get sick and tired of hearing people gasp when they hear that a pregnant woman is engaging is real physical activity. We have become so freakishly paranoid in this society. Anything beyond a stroll around the block or maybe 20 minutes on an elliptical trainer while pregnant is characterized as taking unnecessary risks. Invariably somebody will throw out the completely worthless and unfounded advice of “Don’t let your heartrate go above 140 beats per minute”. It is my opinion that some real physical activity before, during and after pregnancy should not only be embraced but it should be strongly encouraged.
What do you think? Should pregnant women engage in intense physical activity? Is society over-paranoid about the “fragility” of a pregnant woman?
By the way, I got a really nice email from Jaime, the owner of CF Peru in response to my comments. He thanked me for my comments and welcomed us to come visit their box in Peru. That would be awesome! In the end, I still do think it is really, really cool that Amy was featured on a website in Peru!
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Well in my job I see the importance endurance at the end of pregnancy everyday. first time moms can push for up to three hours. There is nothing really that I can compare it to, but for those of you who have had babies know what I am talking about.. Pushing three times per contraction when your contracting every two minutes for three hours is hard to do.. now combined with the fact that you have to hold your legs ect… ENDURANCE.. I am exhausted after a marathon of pushing and it is not even me having the baby.. i’m just the nurse. Amy, you are amazing, thanks for sharing what you know..
It is a thrill to see Amy hit the WOD’s and demonstrate key elements of the WOD’s to those of us striving to find the form. Yes, she taught me how to kip a pull-up at 8 months pregnant! YOU ROCK AMY!!
I absolutely applaud your endurance and stamina. During my pregnancy I was on complete bed rest for several months. The experience completely wreaked havoc on me physically, mentally, and emotionally! I realize that it was considered best for my son and I at the time, but they are not cherished memories. My comeback to “normal” life was challenging considering that my I had lost an incredible threshold of strength and endurance.
Parenting in general requires a great deal of strength, endurance and stamina. Crossfit provides that for me! Keep up the amazing workouts Amy! You inspire each of us and have demonstrated the most loving care for yourself and your family.
Caroline, I agree, this has to be taken on a case-by-case basis. Many situations are not appropriate for this type of activity and in some cases any activity at all. By and large though most pregnant women and just people in general would be better off if they went out and did hard physical work. Our society has gotten soft and is always looking for the easy way out. The easy way doesn’t exist.
If we print out the comments and put it in the baby book there is a high likelihood that it will be the only thing in the baby book
I can only argue that, in my opinion, society severely underestimates the wonders and limits the human body can endure in a physical aspect, even in a state of gestation. There was once a time where pregnant females lived in caves and dwelling having to deal with frequent physically demanding tasks just to survive, much less for recreation and fitness as we do now.
Now, next week I want to see Amy dragging a school bus please. Thanks.
This is a good debate! I love seeing Amy training in the gym and it obviously works for her (and I support her 100%), but it isn’t for everyone. I have friends who have gone through some rough pregnancies and to them, ANYTHING that could be considered “risky” is completely out of the question (with their history, I agree with them and support their decisions 100% too). Are they “freakishly paranoid”? Maybe so… but for them, rightfully so too. Obviously, Amy does not fall into this category and to see her in the gym is inspiring to us all! Very cool that she is the center of an international debate!
You better print out the Peru article (and all the comments!) for your little girl’s baby book!
I can’t wait to try this WOD! I hope my newly found skill won’t fail me on this one!!!!
Until modern times, women worked harder than ever and nobody questioned it. If somebody (like Amy) is in good shape and accustomed to an activity level prior to pregnancy, then there is no reason they shouldn’t continue. I personally believe inactivity is worse during pregnancy, and know a number of doctors who agree:)