I want to PROGRESS

When I started CrossFit I was lost, confused, and scared. I didn't know what a jerk was (unless we were talking about boys lol), and I couldn't do doubleunders, pull ups, or ring dips.
Every night I would stay up til 12am, waiting for the next days WOD, and when I saw gymnastic movements or weight that I had never heard of or could not handle I would freak out a little. But this never stopped me from going, because I knew I could scale. We all need to start somewhere, and usually thats with scaling down. So what is "scaling down" and what is a "progression"? Just like we are not afraid of loading up that bar with heavy weight, we also shouldn't be afraid of properly scaling.

Say you don't have kipping pull ups, but you want them soooo bad!! ( I know the feeling!) The first scale that coaches tell us about is the jumping pull up. Simple, just jump, right? Welllll, kind of. You have to remember that "scaling" is a way to "progress" into the movement. Your not just "jumping" to get your chin over the bar, and call that one rep. No, your using the scaled movement to become stronger, and to learn the correct form. So for example, you want kips but your only on jumping pull ups. Dont just jump- Use it! Remember that kipping pull ups is a coordinated swing. So practice that swing on the jumps. Coaches have all shown us how to swing with jumping pull ups, if not ask and they will be happy to show you again. So now, you've been swinging on your jumping pull ups, everything looks great, using less legs and more arms to pull your self up, and have been practicing coming down slowly from the the top of the pull (resistance), and your ready to move to the next scale. So grab those bands! Remember that the different colors mean different resistance, so if green has gotten pretty easy, move to the purple. Don't forget that the goal is "kipping" pull ups, so keep practicing that swing with the band.

Now, when do you drop the bands? You have watched a million videos on youtube about kipping pull ups, and you got the swing down, you know your strong enough, but for some reason you cant get your chin over the bar without the bands. REMEMBER bands are a PROGRESSION, I know they make you feel safe, they are your pull up baby - but let them go! Introduce your lovely band to the girl that is doing pretty amazing jumping pull ups next to you. Who cares if your chin isn't going over the bar? How do you expect it to get there? Don't forget that WODs are practice, so do your pull ups without getting your chin over bar shamelessly! This is part of the progression! Even if you only get a couple and then have to steal your band back (sorry jumping pull up girl lol), your on your way.

What I am trying to say is, be smart about your scaling and your progressions, but don't get stuck on the scale! Remember that is a stepping stone toward the full Rx movement.

If you can only do 5 of the 10 push ups on your toes instead of your knees- then that's a great progression! Keep working hard on it, and you will get all 10! ....REMEMBER:

Whatever your goals may be remember that it is a journey to get there. Work Hard, Work Smart, and anything is possible!