Strength + MetCon Isn't Good Enough

Coach Austin, CF-L3, CrossFit Weightlifting Certified • February 12, 2024

Don’t hear me wrong. I am not saying it isn’t good. I am saying it is not good enough, there’s a difference.


Recently, I covered Defining World Class Fitness and Its Application. Today I will dive into more specific programming methods. Specifically Strength + MetCon and why it isn’t “good enough.”

Why do I say this? The answer, albeit simple to say, isn’t as cut-and-dry as I wish it was. To understand why we need to understand the methodology. The methodology is the reason why CrossFit works.

Essentially, Greg Glassman created many standards to determine fitness. Three big ones are the 10 General Physical Skills, the “view that fitness is about performing well at any and every task imaginable” and that the individual requires competency to perform and train within each of the three energy pathways. There are far too many others to note and for simplicity's sake we will call these the most important.

So how does that tie-in with Strength + MetCon and why that isn’t good enough? If we do the same thing every day we are failing to follow Glassman’s second standard. We can train incredibly effectively in one domain (Strength followed by MetCon), but lack in the reverse (MetCon followed by Strength) or are unable to perform to our max capacity if we do a Strength or MetCon only day.

If we don’t always do Strength first we are inherently training not only your body, but also your mind, for long-term success. When we do a Strength component after a MetCon we are training ourselves to lift heavy stuff no matter how tired we are. Let’s imagine two different scenarios:

Scenario 1 - you are running away from an attacker only to have them catch up to you. You only train strength first, never after a MetCon so you aren’t prepared to move heavy loads when exhausted. What happens when they catch you and are able to overpower you?

Scenario 2 - You include heavy lifting after a brutal MetCon. Same thing happens, they catch up to you, but now you are prepared to move heavy loads (like another person) to fend off the attack. Your mind and body has already done this sort of stuff before so you can handle the pressure.

These are wildly extreme scenarios that I truly hope NEVER happens to anyone, but it is a powerful and clear reason why breaking up the training routine is important. We become more prepared for crazy and weird scenarios.

Strength + MetCon is good. MetCon + Strength is good. Strength only is good. MetCon only is good. All of it is good (even other things I didn’t mention). None of them are better than the other and overfilling one bucket may lead to injury and burnout. That leads to avoidance further increasing our deficiencies in our overall fitness. Remember, we need to be able to do every task imaginable and do it well!

Strength work is fun, I know that. It is also beneficial and necessary. But doing strength work all the time does not mean improvement. There are multiple ways to build strength and muscle if that is what you truly crave. There have been A TON of studies showing how different methods of training for strength adaptations can be successful. One thing in common is the concept of effort (or intensity) output. It doesn’t matter if you do low weight - high rep or low rep - high weight. What matters is how many reps you do at and around max intensity levels. This means that if I want to get stronger in the Deadlift I can either do a couple of reps at a time near my 1RM or I could do a lot more reps at 50% of my 1RM. What matters is that I do enough reps to receive the same overall stimulus.

So even if there isn’t a specific strength component that day you can still get stronger by hanging on to the barbell for another 5 reps, or by trying to do another 3 push-ups or cranking out an extra rep of Toes-to-Bar before you take a break. Is that going to be hard? Absolutely. Will it be fun? Not always. But you will get stronger without a Strength Component if approached with the right mindset.

You joined CrossFit for your own reasons but at the heart of it all, improved fitness is the ultimate goal. Keeping things constantly varied is going to progress you closer to your end goal while maintaining well-rounded and healthy training habits. Following a routine eventually stagnates the process.


Speaking of being prepared for the unknown and changing up the training routine, don’t forget the Open is just around the corner! Officially, it begins on February 29th, 2024. That means we will be hosting Friday Night Lights on March 1st! SIGN-UP for a heat to workout or judge and get the 2024 Evansville CrossFit T-Shirt! Heck, just come to Friday Night Lights and cheer on friends and family and help make this event SPECTACULAR and you get a Shirt (I think I’ve beat that dead horse enough but still gotta cover those bases). If you can’t make it to any of the Friday Night Lights we still got you covered so don’t worry. Also don’t forget to sign up for the Open HERE. This will help us help CrossFit become even better! Bring your friends and family, show them what CrossFit is all about! Don’t forget to bring food and beverages for the Post-Open Celebration/Party! That’s where things get real fun, but only if you show up!!!!

By Sharon G. September 10, 2025
Member Spotlight: – Meet Cindy September 2025 This month, we’re highlighting a true example of what long-term commitment and community strength look like. Meet Cindy, a registered nurse and a consistent presence at Evansville CrossFit. What She Does Outside the Gym When she’s not crushing workouts, Cindy works as an RN in the Newborn Nursery at The Women’s Hospital. How It All Started “My first time at EC was during a Bring a Friend workout in 2019 — and I was hooked from that moment on.” Fitness Wins So Far Since that first class, Cindy has accomplished some seriously impressive goals: ✅ 250# Deadlift ✅ 125# Bench Press ✅ Very close to her first strict pull-up! Staying Motivated “For me, motivation is easy with CrossFit. Nothing makes me feel better or stronger than working out.” “If something is important to you, it becomes a priority. If you get off track — just show back up. You’ll gain it back quickly.” Advice to New Members “Scale everything in the beginning and stay consistent. And listen to your coaches!” It’s not about doing it all — it’s about showing up, giving your best, and letting the progress build. How the EC Community Supports Her “I’m 62 and not slowing down. I love the programmed workouts, and I learn something from the coaches every week.” Whether it’s encouragement, education, or connection — the EC community fuels her journey. Favorite Thing About EC “I love hitting strength goals… and laying on the mat after a killer cardio session, knowing how much good it’s doing for my health. And the friendships at EC? They’re unmatched.” Life Beyond the Gym Even with a demanding schedule, Cindy says one of the biggest benefits she’s noticed is her energy. “Despite working 12-hour shifts, I have amazing energy. CrossFit helps me feel strong, positive, and ready to take on anything.” Final Words from Cindy “Be consistent. Don’t get discouraged if you feel like you can’t keep up. Progress comes with time.” Thank you, Cindy, for being such a strong and steady light in our EC family. Your dedication is a reminder that consistency, community, and heart are the real foundations of fitness.
August 14, 2025
Member Spotlight: Elaine August 2025 This month, we’re proud to feature Elaine — a retired physical therapist who has made her health and fitness a priority. She brings positivity, dedication, and a true love for movement into every class, and her story is a perfect example of how it’s never too late to set new goals and crush them. 🌿 Life Outside the Gym Since retiring in 2024, Elaine has embraced everything active and outdoors. She spends time vacationing with her two sons and their families, hiking, kayaking, gardening, and enjoying time with friends. She’s the kind of person who’s always up for an adventure — and always up for a workout. 🚀 Getting Started at EC Elaine joined Evansville CrossFit in April 2025, driven by a desire to: Improve her endurance Build strength Lose weight 🎯 Fitness Milestones In just a few months, Elaine has already seen fantastic progress: ✅ She can now run a full mile without stopping ✅ She’s lost 6 pounds ✅ And, most importantly, she feels more energized every week 🔥 Overcoming Challenges Elaine shared that her biggest hurdle has been endurance: “Aerobic activity like running, rowing, or even warming up was really hard at first. My breathing capacity just wasn’t there yet.” But she’s pushed through with consistency, patience, and a positive attitude — and it’s paying off. 💪 Staying Motivated “Motivation hasn’t been a problem for me. I enjoy physical activity and love the sense of accomplishment after a workout.” Elaine says the class environment makes a big difference: “Everyone becomes a cheerleader. I’ve never finished a class without hearing words of encouragement or getting a couple of fist bumps.” 👋 Advice for Newcomers “Don’t let intimidation keep you from joining. Yes, you’ll see some really fit, high-performing athletes — admire their skills, but don’t compare. You’re on your own journey.” Your only competition is yourself. 🤝 The Power of the EC Community Elaine says the community support has been key: “People stop their own workouts to cheer others on when they’re hitting a PR. The support here is just incredible.” That encouragement fuels her drive to keep showing up and keep getting stronger. 📝 Favorite Thing About CrossFit “The workouts are planned for you. You just show up, and the coach explains everything. The movements are broken down by difficulty, so you’re always doing what fits your level best.” For Elaine, it’s not just effective — it’s efficient and empowering. ⏰ Making Fitness a Priority Elaine doesn’t let her schedule get in the way: “I don’t book appointments or other plans during my class time. It’s my reason to get up and get going for the day.” Consistency isn’t just a goal — it’s part of her lifestyle. 🌟 Life Beyond the Gym Since starting CrossFit, Elaine says she feels the impact everywhere: “I have more energy and I just feel better overall.” From mornings on the river to afternoons in the garden — that post-workout energy carries into everything she loves. Thank you, Elaine, for bringing your energy, wisdom, and encouragement to the EC community! Your story is a reminder that fitness is a lifelong journey, and it’s always the right time to start.
By By: Sharon Gonzales July 23, 2025
This month, we're excited to introduce Sarah — a member of our EC community who’s proof that getting started is the hardest part... but also the most rewarding. When she’s not crushing workouts, Sarah loves to teach, read, spend time in nature, study, cook, and even color — a reminder that wellness is about balance in and outside the gym. 💥 Why She Joined “I joined in May 2025. My wonderful partner, who has done CrossFit before, had tried a few times to get us back into it — but I was scared and timid. We’d heard about Evansville CrossFit from a past member who raved about the environment. When we came to check it out, we loved the vibe. It felt so welcoming and non-judgmental, and I knew it was time to give it a try.” 🏋️‍♀️ Crushing Fitness Goals Sarah has made some serious progress in just a few short months: ✅ Took on Murph in her first week ✅ PRs in front squat, box jumps, bench press, and broad jumps ✅ Improved mile time & endurance ✅ Boosted confidence and walks out of most classes feeling empowered 💪 Overcoming Challenges “One of my biggest hurdles has been confidence. CrossFit comes with a lot of unfamiliar movements. It can feel overwhelming at first — and I’ve even had to relearn some things I was doing incorrectly from another gym. But learning, growing, and pushing through that has made me stronger.” 🔥 What Keeps Her Motivated “Having a workout buddy helps. But more than that — making connections at EC has made a huge difference. I’ve exchanged phone numbers with people, added them on Facebook... It really feels like we’re all in this together.” 💡 Advice for New Members “It looks harder than it is — don’t get frightened away. It’s the most empowering feeling ever. If you can commit to 3–4 days a week, you’ll see progress fast. And you’ll want to keep coming!” Also, she reminds us: Nutrition Matters . “If you’re giving your all at CrossFit and still not seeing results — look at what you’re eating. I’m able to thrive because of the way I fuel my body.” 👯‍♀️ The Power of the EC Community “The community is why I stay consistent. Between get-togethers after Murph, sand volleyball and pickleball games, or post-class conversations, there’s always an opportunity to connect. If you’re someone who loves a social vibe, EC has it.” 🏆 Favorite Thing About EC “Right now — it’s the Friday Hero Workouts. I’m a big fan of both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, and these workouts give me both. Every Friday this summer you get a chance to win a prize. I am able to push myself every Friday to do workouts I never would have thought I could've done a few months ago at a traditional gym. And at the end of the summer there will be a drawing for someone to win a grand prize if they completed all of the Friday Hero workouts. There are also monthly stickers given to members who attend at least 12 classes. ⏳ Fitting Fitness Into a Busy Life “CrossFit has saved me time. I used to spend over two hours at a traditional gym and walk away with less intensity, fewer calories burned, and less satisfaction. Now, in just one hour, I leave completely exhilarated (and exhausted) — but in the best way.” 🌟 Life Outside the Gym “The dopamine and serotonin after a workout? Real. I’m more positive. I text people encouraging things. I smile more. I sing in my car. I feel like I can accomplish anything after a class. It truly sets my day up for success.” 💬 Final Thoughts “At first, the cost scared me. Spending 4–5x more than a regular gym felt risky. But the changes I started seeing — physically and mentally — made it completely worth it. Everyone has something ‘expensive’ they prioritize in life. If you make CrossFit your non-negotiable, it will pay off.” Sarah — thank you for being such a bold, bright light in the EC community! Your story is proof that confidence, consistency, and community can truly transform your life — inside and out.
By Coach Austin, CF-L3, CrossFit Weightlifting Certified March 11, 2024
Nice work showing up and showing out last Friday for Friday Night Lights! The bars were set, the monitors were turned on and the ropes were flying! You all should be proud of what you did last week. That workout was no joke and being able to stick to it for 20:00 is very impressive!
By Coach Austin, CF-L3, CrossFit Weightlifting Certified March 8, 2024
Let's all hang out and get after tonights WOD! Last week was great, let's build on the hype!
By Coach Austin, CF-L3, CrossFit Weightlifting Certified March 6, 2024
24.1 Friday Night Lights had a good turnout, let's see if we can beat it this Friday for 24.2!
By Coach Austin, CF-L3, CrossFit Weightlifting Certified March 4, 2024
Take a look at all these amazing athletes and people ready to hang out and watch some awesome fitness! Thank you to everyone who came and supported!
By Coach Austin, CF-L3, CrossFit Weightlifting Certified March 1, 2024
Friday Night Lights begins TONIGHT! I know I have been hyping it up and I think it’s fair why! It is currently 11:51 am as I write this and we already have had a handful of athletes take their shot at CrossFit Open Workout 24.1 and we have seen some AMAZING things! Before we get into all the doo-dads of 24.1 there are some housekeeping things I need to take care of.
By Coach Austin, CF-L3, CrossFit Weightlifting Certified February 26, 2024
Some things are inevitable and there’s nothing we can do to avoid it, eventually time does catch up to us but there are things we can do to push back and delay the onset of those things as much as possible. This can range from cardiovascular disease to muscle and bone density losses or even mental health decline, to name a few.
By Coach Austin, CF-L3, CrossFit Weightlifting Certified February 23, 2024
The time is drawing nearer by the second! If you haven’t been paying much attention to the latest hype, the Open is *ALMOST* hare, and with it comes Friday Night Lights! I’m sure you don’t want to hear me ramble on about why the Open is important and that you should do it. BUT I will do a little bit of rambling here again.