Varied Not Random #21 – How to Coach the Obese, the Elderly & the Chronically Ill – Part 1

Episode 21 of the Varied Not Random podcast is available now!

New episodes drop every Tuesday @ 1pm EST / 10am PST.

Listen on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.

EPISODE 21: HOW TO COACH THE OBESE, THE ELDERLY & THE CHRONICALLY ILL – PART 1

Michele Mootz is a Level 3 CrossFit Trainer and a former physical therapist. She is an expert at coaching special populations, such as obese, elderly & chronically ill people. She helped develop a “special populations” program at CrossFit that grew to approximately 300 members, including people weighing almost 500 pounds, as well as athletes over 90 years old. Michele discusses the program’s origins and how she got people comfortable and confident enough to begin CrossFit. She explains the unique considerations surrounding special populations regarding, warming-up, scaling, going heavy, intensity and much more.


Recent Episodes

EPISODE 20: DON’T CONFUSE BEING A JUDGE WITH BEING A TRAINER

Adrian & Pat discuss how being a Judge & being a Trainer are not the same thing. Training for competition & training for long term health & fitness may have some overlap, but there are also differences. Full range of motion vs. range of motion required to meet a required standard in competition is covered. They talk about when learning a movement it may be necessary to not perform the full ROM, at least for a while & that’s okay. Coaches should be clear about what message they are conveying to their athletes & why. Do not let the movements commonly seen in competitions cloud your judgement regarding what movements you should program & train.

EPISODE 19: ARE HANDSTAND PUSH-UPS DANGEROUS? IS KIPPING CHEATING?

Adrian & Pat address some of the common questions/concerns that seem to circulate around the internet & social media about CrossFit. Topics covered include, but are not limited to: How are snatches, handstand walking & other movements “functional” if they do not seem to be found in nature or everyday life? If you repeat a workout & get a faster time, how do you know if you are truly fitter or if you just had a better strategy? If you don’t PR on a workout does that mean you are less fit or that your training is ineffective?


About the Podcast

Hosted by Pat Sherwood & Adrian Bozman, each episode is packed with insightful & actionable information aimed at people passionate about CrossFit, health & fitness, as well as general strength & conditioning. If you are an athlete, coach, gym owner or simply enjoy improving yourself & those around you through fitness, you’ve come to the right place.

About Pat

Pat Sherwood has held credentials up to & including being a Level 4 CrossFit Coach. He worked for CrossFit, Inc for 14 years in various roles including media, health & seminar staff. He is married with 2 kids & a 3rd on the way. He is the owner of CrossFit Linchpin, enjoys ice cream & hates handstand push-ups.

About Boz

Boz started dabbling with CrossFit at the end of 2004 and got his L1 in early 2006. He has coached at:

  • San Francisco CrossFit: 2006-2011
  • CrossFit Brisbane (Australia): 2011
  • Huntress CrossFit/The Tuxedo Social club (his low-key garage-gym ): 2014-2021

He’s also worked for CrossFit from 2007-present in various roles on the Seminar team, Education department and the CrossFit Games. “I love this stuff!”

New episodes drop every Tuesday at 1PM EST / 10AM PST

Listen on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts!

Thanks for being awesome!

Share:
Get The Latest
Get the latest blogs as soon as they drop. Nothing else.