Hey CrossFit Leiden crew! Jeroen here, joined by Jari, with a quick recap of our latest podcast (recorded March 7, 2025). We’re back with another short-and-sweet session—learning from last time’s marathon—to dive into your tablet feedback, our stretching game plan, and a sneak peek at what’s coming up. Let’s break it down!
Tablet Feedback: Help Us Help You
You’ve probably noticed the tablet hanging out by the exit. It’s there for you to rate your experience—coaching, programming, the whole vibe—and we love that some of you are using it. Thing is, it’s only as valuable as the info you give us. A quick 10 or a sneaky 4? Awesome, we appreciate it—but why?
Was the coach on point with personal feedback? Did they challenge you, slow you down when needed, or assign the right weights? How’d the workout leave you feeling? We want the juicy details! Jari gets these “ALpha dog” comments from his rugby squad—hilarious, but not super helpful. So, next time you tap that tablet, add a line or two. A 6 could become a 10 if we know what’s missing—let’s figure it out together!
Stretching: Why We Do What We Do
One bit of feedback caught our eye: stretching. You’ve noticed we’ve been hitting it hard at the end of classes lately—same stretches, same routine. Someone asked, “Why not mix it up?” Fair question! Here’s the why behind it.
We kicked off this stretching focus late last year (around fall 2024) after hearing you wanted more mobility work. Jari also spotted a pattern in classes—folks nailing squats in theory but struggling with ankle or hip stiffness. So, we built stretches into the end of every session. Why the end? Well, we used to say, “Stretch before or after on your own,” but let’s be real—life gets in the way. Baking it into the workout means you’re doing it consistently, three times a week if you’re here that often.
And why the repeats? Take the butterfly stretch (feet together, knees weighted against the wall) or the short calf stretch (knee bent, pushing past your toes). We’ve stuck with these for months because they target what we’ve been hammering: squats and thrusters. Loose hips and mobile calves mean deeper, stronger lifts—not just recovery. Plus, a good stretch needs at least a minute to make a dent—cramming six in three minutes won’t cut it. Consistency over chaos!
Oh, and that hip stretch where we move in and out? It’s not just passive holding. Actively working through the range teaches your body it’s safe to stretch that far. Pair that with static holds, and you’re building flexibility and strength. It’s a combo deal.
What’s Next?
Good news: we’re not stuck on repeat forever. The next cycle—kicking off in about two weeks—shifts gears to overhead work. Think chest openers and tackling that spidery connective tissue between your muscles. Stiff fascia can hold you back even if your muscles are ready to roll, so we’ll loosen that up to boost your mobility game.
Wrap-Up: Keep the Feedback Coming
That’s the scoop! We’re not stretching just to stretch—there’s a method to the madness, tied to what we’re training and what you need. Got questions? Curious about something else? Hit us with it via the tablet or in person. Your input shapes this place—let’s keep making it better together.
Check out the full podcast below for the unfiltered chat (and maybe a laugh at my fish market yelling habits). Thanks for listening, and see you in the box!
— Jeroen & Jari