Hello CrossFit Leiden members, Jeroen here. Last week, I recorded a podcast with Alex, our physiotherapist from Fysiofabriek, and I’m sharing it with you today. It’s now available on our blog page, complete with the audio for you to listen to. This episode covers useful insights on injury prevention and recovery, tailored for our community. Below, I’ve summarized the key points, and you can hear the full discussion by playing the audio embedded at the end of this post.
About the Podcast
In this episode, I sat down with Alex, who’s been working with CrossFit Leiden for three years through Fysiofabriek. With five years of physiotherapy experience, including two years focused on sports physiotherapy in Switzerland, Alex brings a wealth of knowledge—and he’s an active CrossFitter himself. We discussed his background, common injuries he encounters here, and how he supports members and non-members alike, along with details about his free inloopuren.
- Path to Physiotherapy: Alex’s interest in sports and the human body led him to physiotherapy. He’s currently pursuing a master’s in manual therapy alongside his work.
- Frequent Injuries: Over-use injuries, particularly in shoulders and knees, are the most common issues he sees, often linked to intense workouts like pull-ups or pistol squats.
- Recovery Approach: Alex focuses on adapting training rather than stopping it entirely. For example, he might recommend easing shoulder strain after a tough session, collaborating with coaches to keep you active.
- Members vs. Non-Members: He notes that members benefit from a strong understanding of movements, aiding recovery, while non-members may need more foundational guidance.
- Notable Successes: Alex highlighted cases of helping individuals recover from surgeries to regain—or exceed—their prior performance, and assisting runners to return to WODs.
- Inloopuren Details: He offers free 10-minute consultations every Monday at 6:30 PM and Friday at 10:30 AM. Book via the app and meet him near the coffee area—no cost or obligation.
- Key Advice: Alex suggests listening to your body, as full effort isn’t always sustainable. He emphasizes monitoring how you feel during warm-ups and after workouts, prioritizing technique over heavier loads.
We also touched on some shared experiences, like our 500km bike ride from Paris to Leiden last year and plans to tackle Corsica’s GR20 trail next.
Why Listen?
This podcast is designed for you, our members, offering practical advice on balancing training and recovery. Alex’s dual role as a physio and CrossFitter makes his perspective particularly relevant. It’s an easy, conversational listen—perfect for picking up tips on those inloopuren or managing minor injuries. Check out the audio below to hear it all. If you need to connect with Alex, book through Fysiofabriek’s website or catch him at the box. Enjoy, and keep training wisely!
Listen Here
(00:00) Who is Alex?
(04:51) Most common Injuries
(14:15) What to do when you have pain?
(18:00) Succes stories
(19:51) Free consult sessions – members only
(22:24) Tips from Alex to prevent injuries