How We Program: Part 1

By Lisa

We are often asked how we program our classes. With distinct workout tracks for 13 different programs, we can certainly understand that question. People want to know how we come up with the workouts and why we do the things we do. When it comes to Incendia Programming, have you ever wondered: Who actually programs each class and if that person is qualified to lead that particular class? Is Incendia programming original or is it cut and paste? How we feel when other gyms “borrow” Incendia programming?

If these questions have ever crossed your mind, we’ve got some answers for you!

Who Actually Programs Each Class?

We have two “main” programs at Incendia: CrossFit and CrossFit 101. Coach BV programs CrossFit and Coach Lisa programs CrossFit 101. We program for the week ahead every Sunday. Because these programs could potentially share equipment (i.e. rowers, kettlebells, boxes, etc), we sit down at our kitchen table with our notes and laptops and plan out our weeks together. We have to plan according to our overall goals for each class and any special programs that we might be instituting over several months (i.e. CrossFit’s Squat Cycle and CrossFit 101’s Got Pull Ups Program). We also have to plan according to the weather (i.e. rain or heat advisory). Additionally, we have to plan according to equipment needs on the busier days (i.e. bodyweight or barbells or waves). We have to plan scaled versions of the WODs, if necessary. We think about how much time it will take the fastest person….and how much time it will take the slowest person to complete a particular workout. We have to have a one-hour class agenda in mind to make sure everything fits. We also typically only program workouts we’ve each done before and will “test” anything new prior to putting it on the calendar. We keep in mind these special considerations, while following the CrossFit Model for Programming. Sound difficult and time-consuming? It is!

All of the other Incendia Programs are designed by a specialist in that field, with CrossFit and CrossFit 101 Programming in mind:

CrossFit: Coach BV – CrossFit L1 Trainer, CrossFit L2 Trainer, USA Weightlifting Sports Performance Coach, CrossFit Weightlifting Trainer, CrossFit Endurance Trainer, CrossFit Football Trainer, CrossFit Rowing Trainer

CrossFit 101: Coach Lisa – CrossFit L1 Trainer, CrossFit Weightlifting Trainer, CrossFit Endurance Trainer, CrossFit Kids Trainer, CrossFit Rowing Trainer

Competitor: Coach Holland – CrossFit L1 Trainer and 2014 CrossFit Regional Competitor

CrossFit Prep: Coach Matt – CrossFit L1 Trainer and CrossFit Mobility Trainer

CrossFit Teens: Coach Amanda – CrossFit L1 Trainer, CrossFit Kids Trainer, CrossFit Endurance Trainer and Certified Teacher in the State of AZ

CrossFit Kids Explorers: Coach Amanda – CrossFit L1 Trainer, CrossFit Kids Trainer, CrossFit Endurance Trainer and Certified Teacher in the State of AZ

CrossFit Kids Young Heroes: Coach Amanda – CrossFit L1 Trainer, CrossFit Kids Trainer, CrossFit Endurance Trainer and Certified Teacher in the State of AZ

Incendia Barbell: Coach BV – CrossFit L1 Trainer, CrossFit L2 Trainer, USA Weightlifting Sports Performance Coach, CrossFit Weightlifting Trainer, CrossFit Endurance Trainer, CrossFit Football Trainer, CrossFit Rowing Trainer

Incendia Endurance: Coach Esteban – CrossFit L1 Trainer, CrossFit Endurance Trainer, Division 1 College Sprinter

Incendia Gymnastics: Coach Serrena – CrossFit L1 Trainer, Level 10 Gymnast, Level 7/8 Gymnastics Judge

Matt’s Mobility: Coach Matt – CrossFit L1 Trainer, CrossFit Mobility Trainer, Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA)

Incendia Strongman: Coach Don – CrossFit L1 Trainer, CrossFit Strongman Trainer, Former Strongman Competitor (25 years experience)

Incendia Yoga: Coach Mel – 200 Hour Yoga Cert

Do You Cut and Paste Programming from Other Gyms? 

In a nutshell, that answer to that question is “NO!” The closest we get is with our Competitor Programming because the participants have elected to try a cycle of Outlaw-influenced methodology. All of the other programming is unique to the individual class; however, we study the programming styles of some of the masters in the field. We are always trying to learn more and we can definitely “geek out” on the programming!

How Do You Feel When Other Gyms Borrow Incendia Programming?

One of the coolest things about CrossFit is that it is an “open source” fitness movement. CrossFit Programming is provided daily by CrossFit HQ and they put the workout right on their website….for FREE. Everything is in the public domain and methods/results are freely available for evaluation against other models and protocols.

Like CrossFit HQ, we agree that secrecy is the enemy of quality and that is why we publish our programming on our website every single day. When WODs are kept secret, you wonder about the quality just a little bit, don’t you?

Truth be told, we are flattered when other gyms “borrow” Incendia Programming and Methodology. That means we’re doing something RIGHT. Our programming is public so those thinking of starting new programs can get some tried and true methodology. Today, an Endurance Coach at a nearby box even asked us to program the next class for her box. How cool is that?!

We were one of the first gyms in the area to bring in a mix of the Specialty Programming that has become so popular and it’s cool to see things like Endurance or Yoga or Strongman or Gymnastics or Mobility or Barbell being offered at more CrossFit Boxes. When the average CrossFitter gets an opportunity to hone those special skills, we all flourish as a community.

“A rising tide lifts all boats” — John F. Kennedy