The Olympic Lifts are some of my favorite movements in CrossFit because they are so challenging, physically and mentally. Having started CrossFit in 2007, my initial exposure to the lifts was purely through trail and error as my brother Jonathan and I worked through how to perform and coach the movements properly. I watched hours upon hours of YouTube videos and experimented with techniques and positions that were all brand new to me. Throughout the years I’ve had different focuses in my training that have allowed me to develop as a well rounded CrossFit athlete. I feel that things are really coming together as the huge time and effort I have put into developing a solid strength foundation has allowed me to focus on honing in and really developing my technique for the Clean & Jerk and Snatch.
My progress with the Squat Clean has come a long way. Leading up to the 2012 CrossFit Games I PR’d the lift with 315#:
This was huge for me and with the Squat Clean ladder event slated to go down at the games I was fired up to push my limits and make it well into the ladder. Unfortunately the event didn’t go as planned. The weights started at 245# and went up by 10# all the way to 385#, but I missed the 285# bar. Well below what I know I was capable of. It was a frustrating moment for me but the pressures of competition happen. My progress since then though has been amazing, some of the numbers I have hit include:
345# Hang Squat Clean
335# Hang Power Clean
350# Squat Clean
Here is the video for my best clean thus far from September 2013, and I’ve got more in the tank! My technique and strength are only going up, big things are coming!
2014 is here and I am so excited for what it has in store. This past year has been a great one for me as a father, coach, and athlete. I have my sights set on accomplishing big things in this coming year and I can’t wait to see the hard work put to the test. As 2013 came to an end this blog hit a great milestone, surpassing 50,000 views! I started this blog in 2011 shortly after my experience at the CrossFit Games. I have always seen it as important to share as much as I can, to contribute to the CrossFit community and to give some insight into my journey as an athlete. In the coming year I plan on keeping the posts up and sharing as much as I can about my training and knowledge in CrossFit.
My top blog post of the year turned out to be my Deadlift Throwback post where I showed a one rep max deadlift from 2007 (355#) along with my recent progress and numbers on the lift. It hit 3,295 views on the day it posted! I have a lot more in store so follow my blog and check it regularly, because 2014 promises to be the year of the BUTTER! I am ramping up my training and some big competitions are coming quick, time to spread that butter!
I have competed in the OC Throwdown every year since 2011, and with the 2014 Throwdown coming quick I am flashing back to my third place finish in 2011! The 2011 OC Throwdown was part of a great year for me as I also placed 3rd at the SoCal regionals, sending me to my 3rd CrossFit Games. The SoCal competition is local for me and has taken off and grown every year since then. It is always a great experience getting to compete alongside elites from around the country midway through the training season. I’m extremely happy with where I am at this year as I refocused my training to build my strengths and attack weaknesses. I’ve gone back to my roots working with my brother Jonathan Kinnick again, rebuilding my program and making big changes to my approach. The throwdown will be a good test and a great way to get a feel for my progress thus far.
Be sure to come out and watch me spread some BUTTER at this years competition, January 11th & 12th!
Part of what I love about CrossFit is being able to give back. When my brother and I started CrossFitting in my 3-car garage in March of 2007, CrossFit was still very new and the first CrossFit Games had yet to take place. My reason for starting CrossFit had nothing do with competition or the Games. I started to lose weight, feel better, and enjoy life. Since we started when we did, and because of the success we have had, it has provided me with a wonderful opportunity to give back to the CrossFit community. I want to share my experience with as many people as I can.
Like I have done in the past, I would like to open myself up for questions. I am an open book and welcome any and all questions. Feel free to ask questions about coaching athletes, the #kinnickbutternation, how to spread butter in life and CrossFit, my background, my training, competition experience, and anything in between! I will do everything I can to answer questions to the best of my ability. Thank you for allowing me this opportunity. Helping people change their lives in the same manner that I have is such a blessing and honor.
*Photograph courtesy of RX Magazine, taken by Paul A. Smith
I stumbled upon this 1 rep max deadlift video (circa 2007) recently and since it is #throwbackthursday I thought I would share it along with my progress on the lift! That 355# was a PR that I hit in my garage where CrossFit Kinnick started in the same year. The deadlift has become one of my favorite movements throughout my training despite some issues with it in the past. There was a period that I struggled to break past certain numbers on my deadlift and I had to attack it in as many ways as I could to make it a strength. On February 10th, 2009 I pulled 397# for a big PR, then 6 days later I broke past the 400# mark with a 417# lift. It was tough for me to make big progress and it took me that 2 year period (2007-2009) to get into the 400# club. Later that year though, I had a huge breakthrough at the 2009 CrossFit Games, I was able to PR in the deadlift ladder event and pull a 435# deadlift. In the next year of training I worked hard at making it a strength and got my 1 rep max up to 485# in April 2010. I’ve gone through many different training phases using different accessory lifts and programs that have brought me to where I am. The last few months have been huge for me in regards to my overall strength and my deadlift is no exception, below is a more recent video of a 10 rep deadlift at 465# and a 5 rep at 485#! In my development as a CrossFit athlete I have focused heavily on developing posterior chain strength and I think it has benefited my overall strength and capacity a ton.
Jeremy Kinnick 