The training partner who always finishes first: an investigation that no one dares to carry out

There are mysteries that humanity has not yet been able to solve.

What was there before the Big Bang? Does extraterrestrial life exist? Why does a sock always disappear in the washing machine?

And above all, how the hell can your CrossFit buddy finish a 20-minute AMRAP when you're still trying to regain feeling in your legs?

We all know one.

That individual who finishes absolutely all training first.

It doesn't matter if the WOD has pull-ups, thrusters, burpees, running or if the coach decides to include a complete furniture move.

He always finishes first.

And the most worrying thing is that he doesn't even look tired.

Gorilla has been watching him for months.

Meerkat suspects something is wrong.

And StreetWOD has decided to investigate.

1. The suspect: a seemingly normal athlete

At first glance it doesn't look dangerous.

He arrives at the gym, says hello, leaves his water bottle and asks what's on today.

So far, everything is normal.

But when the coach explains the training, phenomena that are difficult to justify scientifically begin to occur.

While the rest try to remember if there are four or five rounds, he has already calculated how long it will take.

While you ask what weight to use, he is warming up with that same weight.

And when the coach says “3, 2, 1, GO!”, something extraordinary happens.

The individual disappears.

Not literally.

But when you lift your head after your first ten burpees, the second round is already over.

Meerkat looks at him bewildered.

—Gorilla, how many rounds do we have?

-A.

—And him?

-Four.

—But three minutes have passed.

—Don't ask questions.

2. The theory of missing repetitions

This is the most widespread hypothesis among clothing researchers.

The suspect could be using an alternative system of mathematics.

One that has not yet been recognized by any university.

In conventional CrossFit, ten burpees are ten burpees.

At our suspect's CrossFit, ten burpees could be seven, eight, or some indeterminate number depending on whether anyone is watching.

We are not accusing anyone.

We are simply pointing out that there are people capable of making 50 wall balls in the time that others need to adjust the height of the ball.

Meerkat has developed a theory.

—I think it counts in twos.

"That doesn't explain anything," answers Gorilla.

—Then count in Roman numerals.

-Neither.

—What if it uses the metric system of another planet?

Gorilla stops listening.

The reality: Losing count during an intense workout is quite common. Fatigue, distractions, and the need to coordinate multiple movements can make it difficult to track reps.

That is why it is useful to use counters, divide the series mentally or have a judge in competitions.

Although there is also a revolutionary solution.

Count well.

3. The phenomenon of three-centimeter squats

Our research team has detected other suspicious behavior.

The ultra-short squat.

A movement that, from certain angles, looks a lot like bending your knees slightly to check if you have your keys in your pocket.

While Gorilla performs his squats seeking the required depth, the suspect completes fifteen repetitions in approximately the same time it takes Meerkat to do three.

—Gorilla, I don't think it's going down enough.

—I see it.

—Shall I tell you?

-No.

-Because?

—Because we are training, not holding a trial.

In CrossFit, movement standards matter.

The depth of a squat, the extension of the hips and knees, or the final position of a repetition can determine whether the movement is valid.

And although the exact requirements depend on the exercise and the corresponding regulations, there is a fairly universal rule:

Doing less travel does not necessarily mean being fitter.

It means you have traveled less distance.

A small difference, but important.

Especially when you are comparing results.

4. The strategic rest that no one can see

Here appears one of the great contradictions of CrossFit.

You need to rest.

He, apparently, does not.

After fifteen thrusters, your brain requests an urgent meeting with the human resources department.

Your legs are negotiating a sick leave.

Your lungs have filed a formal claim.

And your colleague continues working as if he were placing products on a shelf.

Non-stop.

Without breathing hard.

Without showing suffering.

Gorilla observes the suspect.

-It just can't be.

Meerkat nods.

—It's a machine.

-No. The machines need maintenance.

But here we must introduce a less exciting explanation.

Some athletes actually are much more efficient than others.

Experience, aerobic capacity, relative strength, technique and effort management allow us to maintain rhythms that are impossible for others.

A well-trained athlete can better distribute his energy, make quick transitions and avoid unnecessary breaks.

There is no mystery.

He's just more prepared.

It is a scientifically reasonable explanation.

And deeply offensive to our ego.

5. The strange case of the invisible burpees

Burpees deserve their own chapter.

Because they are one of the exercises where the difference between doing them correctly and simply shaking around the floor can be especially striking.

Our suspect uses a peculiar technique.

Low.

Go up.

He makes a movement that could be interpreted as a small jump.

And it continues.

All in less time than Meerkat needs to get up from the ground after the first repetition.

—Gorilla, does that count?

—It depends on the standard.

—And what is the standard?

—The one the coach explained.

—Well, I don't think you've heard it.

—You neither.

—Yes, but at least I'm suffering.

The correct execution of burpees depends on the variation: conventional burpee, burpee over bar, burpee broad jump and other modalities.

Each one may have different requirements.

Therefore, before comparing times, it is advisable to check that everyone is doing the same exercise.

Because doing twenty burpees and doing twenty vaguely ground-related movements aren't always the same thing.

6. The blackboard: the place where legends are born

The most delicate moment of training arrives.

Record the results.

Gorilla finishes the WOD in 17 minutes and 42 seconds.

Meerkat finishes in 19 minutes and 58 seconds, after a brief conversation with his ancestors during the last wall balls.

The suspect writes his mark.

12:14.

Silence.

Meerkat slowly approaches the board.

-Gorilla.

-That?

—It's been twelve minutes.

—I see it.

—But the training had five rounds.

-Correct.

—And it took me almost twenty.

—Also correct.

—Do you think he has done them all?

Gorilla looks at the blackboard.

Look at the suspect.

Look at your own hands.

—I think tomorrow I'm going to train at home.

The whiteboard can be a useful tool for recording progress, comparing workouts, and maintaining motivation.

But there is something worth remembering.

The main goal of training should not be to beat your partner.

It should be improving your own performance.

Although, obviously, if you beat the guy who always comes first today, you have moral authorization to remind him of it for the next six months.

7. The unexpected twist: I may simply be better than you

After weeks of research, StreetWOD has found a disturbing hypothesis.

A possibility that no one wanted to contemplate.

Maybe our suspect doesn't cheat.

Maybe it counts perfectly.

Maybe he does all the reps.

Maybe he respects the standards.

And maybe he's simply much fitter than us.

Meerkat receives the news with indignation.

-Impossible.

Gorilla remains silent.

—There has to be another explanation.

—There isn't.

—Doping?

—We don't have any proof.

—A pact with the devil?

-Neither.

—Do you train more than us?

Gorilla sighs.

-Yes indeed.

And here is one of the most uncomfortable truths about training.

There are people who have been working on their strength, endurance, technique and recovery capacity for years.

While you hadn't appeared at the gym for three weeks because you had "a lot of trouble."

Not all athletes have the same level, nor should they use the same loads or rhythms.

And comparing results without considering adaptations, technique or experience can lead to the wrong conclusions.

Sometimes the partner who always finishes first is not a cheater.

He is someone who trains better.

And that hurts a lot more than burpees.

8. How to improve your times without becoming the suspect

After this research, we have decided to contribute something useful.

Because if you want to improve your results, there are much more effective strategies than skipping repetitions.

1. Learn to manage the rhythm.

Exiting too quickly can cause a significant drop in performance. Maintaining a sustainable pace is preferable to having to rest for two minutes after the first round.

2. Improve your technique.

Efficient execution reduces unnecessary movements and can help you conserve energy without violating standards.

3. Work on your aerobic capacity.

It's not all about lifting more weight. A good cardiovascular base makes it easier to maintain prolonged efforts and recover between exercises.

4. Plan breaks.

Breaking up reps into reasonable sets can be more effective than continually reaching failure.

5. Record your results honestly.

Write down actual times, loads, modifications and reps.

Not to prove anything to anyone.

But to know if you are improving.

And remember that an RX result is not automatically better for your training than a well-chosen scaled version.

The appropriate intensity depends on your level and the objectives of the session.

9. Conclusion: case closed, but we continue to monitor

After an exhaustive investigation of dubious methodology, StreetWOD has reached three conclusions.

First: some people count repetitions in a quite creative way.

Second: others do the movements with such a short distance that they could train inside an elevator.

And third: there are athletes who are really capable of finishing much sooner because they are better prepared.

The problem is that from our position, lying on the ground and breathing like a broken vacuum cleaner, it is difficult to distinguish them.

Therefore, before accusing anyone, it is worth remembering that each athlete has their own level.

Respect the standards.

Count your reps.

Train with your head.

And worry more about improving your results than chasing those of others.

At the end of the investigation, Meerkat approaches Gorilla.

—I figured out how we can finish first tomorrow.

—Training more?

-No.

—Improving our technique?

-Neither.

-So?

—We signed up for the six in the morning class.

—And what does that solve?

—That the suspect is not coming at that time.

Gorilla looks at him for several seconds.

—For the first time in your life, you have had a good idea.

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StreetWOD Moral: It doesn't matter if you finish first or last. The important thing is to do the repetitions correctly.

Although, if you always finish first and never break a sweat, know that we're watching.