This cycle, we have reintroduced a strength movement that isn’t a part of the CrossFit HQ lexicon.
The Bulgarian split squat is a movement that has benefits to CrossFitters as it has us work on unilateral (one side of body) strength.
This it’s important in day to day life as when you go hiking, swing a club, and make a change in direction, your body will have built up more muscle and coordination to deal with the off balanced nature of those movements. Making you more resilient to injury.
What’s crazy though, is that this movement is part of one of the biggest lies in fitness.
This movement was introduced by Angel Spassov in the 1980s as the movement that helped make Eastern European weightlifters so dang strong during that time.
The thing was, he actually tried introducing that movement to his program and they said they wouldn’t as what was most effective for building strength was doing 6 movements:
Snatch, Clean and Jerk, Front Squats, Back Squats, Power Clean, and Power Snatch.
They never actually did the Bulgarian Split Squat to achieve any of the gold medals they received.
Angel just caught the ear of some Americans and the idea caught like wildfire.
So, why are we doing it if there are more effective movements for building overall strength?
1) We already do those movements.
2) We aren’t training to be Olympians, we train for life. The Bulgarian Split squat does have merit in that it is a multi-joint exercise that uniquely improves balance and coordination while still assisting the strength gains we are trying to make in our squats this cycle without detracting from the major work we are doing with the Front and Back Squats.
So, if you wanna feel more stable and coordinated as ya walk around each day, sign yourself up for one of our Bulgarian Split Squat days this cycle!
To talk with a coach today, click the link found HERE to schedule your No Sweat Intro