There is no question that Crossfit is here to stay, and with more and more affiliates being added to the HQ map, the need for more and better knowledge on our sport is a priority.
Crossfit has opened the door for two traditional sports, that until very recently were reserved for very talented and disciplined professional athletes: gymnastics and Olympic weightlifting. It takes years of dedication and training to become a great weightlifter and gymnast. And it worries me that some people in our community don’t realize that. There has been an enormous increase in seminars, workshops, training camps and courses lately. So how do we know which ones have the right credentials and are reliable?
Why do I attend workshops and seminars?
To learn, to improve my technique, to seek new knowledge and meet interesting, talented people.
But what I have noticed, mainly on Facebook, that some people advertise themselves as gurus and experts when in fact, they aren’t. In my opinion getting licences doesn’t make you an expert – education, constant seek for research, new knowledge and the right attitude do. I often can’t find enough information on workshops and this leaves me confused and questioning “Should I take part in it?”
In the past I experienced a few scams, which made me pay more attention to the background of information available on posters, banners and websites. But not all is bad: there is many great seminars like the ones from CrossFit, Oxana Slivenko, Marinna Tzourtzek, Rasing the Bar,Eleiko, WODtours… Seriously there are many really awesome seminars!
But sometimes organisers take the advantage that the official courses are expensive or even worse, sometimes they use a good name and popularity of well known athletes.
My advice to anyone who is running and organising events:
1. Put as much information about you, your experience and event info as possible on webpage, Facebook and other channels.
2. Submit the facts, links to your previous work and past collaborations with your community.
3. Focus on your clients by giving them the best possible education.
4. Get enough people to help you run the event.
5. Ask your clients for the feedback and implement this into your next/future events.
For athletes thinking about taking seminars and workshops:
Look carefully who organizers are: do some background research, ask around and make a post on Facebook about your intentions attending this event. You will be surprised of how many people will respond and give you some feedback on it. They only way to keep our community safe, and free from fakers, is to share and communicate.
Until my next post keep CrossFitting.
Antonio Alves