Only 2 short weeks after competing in the 2011 National Sweet 16, the Tucson Magpies began training for the 2012 season. A feeling of “unfinished business” has led the Magpies to forging an alliance with CrossFit Works in hopes of bringing home a National Championship in 2012. Throughout the summer, CrossFit Works has pushed the Magpies with a combination of power lifting, plyometrics, sprinting, and non-traditional fitness exercises. The coaches at CrossFit Works have specifically tailored these hour long sessions to consistently increase the strength, stamina, endurance, speed, power, agility, balance and coordination of a rugby player. As Cody Dieffenbach has stated: “The crossfit workouts are perfect for a sport like rugby where you need to be explosive even when you’re tired”.
These Tuesday and Thursday sessions at CrossFit Works have proven that fitness doesn’t need to be routine. Each workout tests the team in different ways but they all have one thing in common: it’s never easy. Ben Grau sums it up fairly easily: “Some of the things I’ve loved about CrossFit is that it’s much more fun and exciting than lifting at the regular gym, it always makes working out fun in a fast paced group environment.”
The experience and depth of knowledge at CrossFit Works is evident in each session as every workout is given complete explanation and all the athletes receive personal direction from the coaches. Each Magpie is given direct instruction and motivation throughout the course of the workouts which has helped in progressing the overall understanding, strength, and fitness of the club. Josh Smithee states this point very nicely: “I was always a pretty strong guy, but my strength and flexibility have improved in a very short time with CrossFit Works. I look forward to seeing my results as we move through the season.”
While most other teams throughout the country have taken the summer off as a chance to rest and get lazy, the Magpies have been working hard with Jennifer Higgins, Chris Gatrell and the rest of the CrossFit Works coaches towards becoming stronger, faster and fitter than any other rugby team we will play. As the team moves closer to the start of the rugby preseason it’s clear that the Magpies are well on their way towards improving on their National ranking of 11th in 2011, with a National Championship. The team motivation and determination is unparalleled in the 31 years of Magpie history and it has definitely proven: CrossFit Works.
For more information visit www.crossfitworks.com or stop by the gym at 204 S. Tucson Boulevard.
