A totally unexpected side-effect of doing CrossFit for me has been expanded memory. While was formally trained in memory techniques years ago, I only recently noticed that my old mnemonics tricks started coming back and my recall expanded exponentially. I had no scientific data to back this up but I started digging to see if others had similar experience. It turns out there is an entire CrossFit subculture (sub-cult?) dedicated to using CrossFit and fitness for memory development and learning. If you like recalling client names, very long numbers, lots of useful and useless facts, then you may enjoy reading the following: a CF Journal article, another from CFJ, New York Times, Catalyst Gym’s Ignite program and for the really, really brainy: Neurocognitive Kinesiology.
My favorite is a Memory WOD that is measured by the maximum number of playing cards remembered during 5 rounds of rows, pull-ups and box jumps…
Today I started doing my new CrossFit Template:
MetCon:
21-15-9 for time:
– hand-release pushups
– box jumps 24″
– ring dips
TIME: 9:31
Endurance:
Tabata – Double Unders (8 x 20 sec work, 10 sec rest): 99 reps
Skill:
Full range handstand pushups on parallettes
