Is this bad?
bostonwolf
Posts: 3,038 Member
Yesterday we had a Partner WOD
Deadlifts and Shoulder to Overhead (any way you wanted)
Two bars, each partner starts on a bar, does one rep, moves to the other and does one rep. Back to the first bar, do 2 reps, etc as high as you can go in 12 minutes.
About 3 reps in I realized the guy I was partnered with was going to be holding me back in a big way. We already had to adjust deadlifts. We had one bar, he did 135 and I would slap two 25s on to do 185s then strip them off for him to do his reps. Press was at 95.
We did 8 full reps, I did 9 presses (where I started) and then got to six deadlifts. Next time we do this (or maybe just on my own) I'm going to increase the weight quite a bit. DL RX was 250 which I think might be a wee bit too much for me. Press was 115 which I think I could have handled. I did ever set unbroken.
Anyways, I kind of felt bad that the whole time I was encouraging my partner I was think "come on, man hurry the **** up so I can get back at it." First time I've thought that while doing a partner workout.
Deadlifts and Shoulder to Overhead (any way you wanted)
Two bars, each partner starts on a bar, does one rep, moves to the other and does one rep. Back to the first bar, do 2 reps, etc as high as you can go in 12 minutes.
About 3 reps in I realized the guy I was partnered with was going to be holding me back in a big way. We already had to adjust deadlifts. We had one bar, he did 135 and I would slap two 25s on to do 185s then strip them off for him to do his reps. Press was at 95.
We did 8 full reps, I did 9 presses (where I started) and then got to six deadlifts. Next time we do this (or maybe just on my own) I'm going to increase the weight quite a bit. DL RX was 250 which I think might be a wee bit too much for me. Press was 115 which I think I could have handled. I did ever set unbroken.
Anyways, I kind of felt bad that the whole time I was encouraging my partner I was think "come on, man hurry the **** up so I can get back at it." First time I've thought that while doing a partner workout.
0
Replies
-
I don't think it's bad, as long as you didn't take your frustration out on your partner (which you didn't if you were encouraging him). I try very hard to partner with someone at the same ability level as me, but I have been frustrated like you as well as caused some frustration for others. : ) Sometimes we just have to deal and adjust. That's why I often times dread partner WOD's.0
-
We do partner WODs ever single Saturday and often one day during the week. Sometimes, it just makes sense to partner people up that are using the same weights and sometimes we take the slowest and weakest and partner them up with the strongest and fastest. It can be a great way to check your ego and be part of the team. We see some people get bent out of shape by it as they are married to the idea of going Rx or want to burn it up on every workout. I get that, too; nothing against it. I have to say that I think that it is a good thing that you just stuck in there and supported your partner. You never know how much he needed it or appreciate it.0
-
There have definitely been times where I have felt that way too, but there have also been times where I'm sure I was that person and my partner was (inwardly) rolling their eyes and regretting being stuck with me. Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses. I think though, the route you took encouraging them even if you may have wanted to scream on the inside, is the absolute best route to have taken.
But no, it's not bad. It just is. My mom has always told me "Doesn't make it right, just makes it so." I guess the same thing can apply here. But I TOTALLY 1000% have been in your shoes before.0 -
There have definitely been times where I have felt that way too, but there have also been times where I'm sure I was that person and my partner was (inwardly) rolling their eyes and regretting being stuck with me. Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses. I think though, the route you took encouraging them even if you may have wanted to scream on the inside, is the absolute best route to have taken.
But no, it's not bad. It just is. My mom has always told me "Doesn't make it right, just makes it so." I guess the same thing can apply here. But I TOTALLY 1000% have been in your shoes before.
In every previous occassion I was the one holding the team back, so I tried to be very positive and encouraging. I was very sure NOT to do anything physical (rolling eyes etc) and just encourage him. I definitely did not want to be "that person"0 -
We do partner WODs ever single Saturday and often one day during the week. Sometimes, it just makes sense to partner people up that are using the same weights and sometimes we take the slowest and weakest and partner them up with the strongest and fastest. It can be a great way to check your ego and be part of the team. We see some people get bent out of shape by it as they are married to the idea of going Rx or want to burn it up on every workout. I get that, too; nothing against it. I have to say that I think that it is a good thing that you just stuck in there and supported your partner. You never know how much he needed it or appreciate it.
^This
And then also this:There have definitely been times where I have felt that way too, but there have also been times where I'm sure I was that person and my partner was (inwardly) rolling their eyes and regretting being stuck with me. Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses. I think though, the route you took encouraging them even if you may have wanted to scream on the inside, is the absolute best route to have taken.
But no, it's not bad. It just is. My mom has always told me "Doesn't make it right, just makes it so." I guess the same thing can apply here. But I TOTALLY 1000% have been in your shoes before.
I have had partner WODs where I have been strong and I have had partner WODs where I have been weak. When I know we are doing a WOD where I am not as strong (say, a lot of running) I am pretty vocal about it during the pair up so that I end up with someone who is similar. I have zero ego about it - different people, different skill sets.
When I do end up with someone who is slower or doesn't lift as much weight, I remind myself of how I felt when I was just starting and felt inferior to everyone. This inspires me up the ante on encouragement and get out of my own head. You can always stay a little later for dessert or rock out an at home WOD later in the day if you want a higher burn.0 -
Agreed. What it really boiled down to is that this WOD was right in my wheelhouse. If I did it on my own I probably would have been pushing 10-11 sets. Only reason I didn't RX is that I felt like 250 was just a bit too heavy for me to do ever increasing reps with. Turned out 185 was a bit too light.0
-
In every previous occassion I was the one holding the team back, so I tried to be very positive and encouraging. I was very sure NOT to do anything physical (rolling eyes etc) and just encourage him. I definitely did not want to be "that person"
That's good! Sometimes I think people forget how difficult it was when they started and what it was like to lack confidence in CrossFit. Patience with yourself and others is always key.0
