At the very top of the writing board at Motor City Crossfit in BIG RED letter it reads “NO FEEL GOOD WORKOUTS“. To me it was apparent what it meant but to others I am not so sure, one explained it as a “Vinnyism”.
A feel good work out is one that you move your way through the exercises with no pain, sweat or loss of breath. Its one you half ass thru, barely break a sweat and are thinking of something else besides the task at hand. If this is how your work outs are going you might as well go the the local sports bar, pound some beers and talk about working out.
After talking with some of our groups I realized I am not the only one that gets a little nervous when I am driving to gym thinking, how bad is this going to hurt today. Is it a heavy squat day, maybe Angie, Oh no it cant be that dirty little &%$@# FRAN, we just did her. If your a little twisted like most Crossfitters you take that nervousness and use it to smash what ever the WOD is. How ever you deal with it is not a “Feel Good Workout”.
Now if the Mission of day is heavy loads, then concentrate on the technique and every single rep. It should not be fun but gut wrenching every time you address the bar. If its a METCON then you push yourself as hard as possible (with good form) to get as much work done as your mind will allow (your body will follow). If its a specialty day (TGUs, Muscle Ups, Rings dips or a new movement you need work on) then work on mastering the fundamentals. You may go away from these specialty days thinking you didn’t accomplish much but the dividends with be realized in future work outs.
I stole the term from Lou Hayes a SWAT guy from the Chicago area, he runs The Trinity Training Group and posted on this subject before. I attached the link because he can actually write things that people understand. Some times I wonder if is realy a Knuckledragging SWAT Cop. His link is attached below and dont forget to check out his Prison WO 1 and 2, it is great program you can do from home.
http://trinitytraining.blogspot.com/2008/04/feel-good-workouts.html