THE BURGENER WARMUP

About two or three times per week, usually on the days when we're not warming up with three of the nine basic moves, we do the Burgener warmup.  When we couple this warmup with a snatch or clean workout, the simplicity of the Burgener warmup and the transferability of the moves to proper snatch or clean form seems to sink in clearly.  On days when we don't include the Olympic lifts in the WOD, the utility of the Burgener warmup is often lost. 

The Burgener warmup, while specifically tailored to improving the motor-recruitment patterns for the Olympic lifts, is also a great way to warmup the body overall.  Doing the Burgener warmup requires use of the arms, shoulders, core, legs, and, even more importantly, the brain.  Yes, sometimes we forget that CrossFit, unlike normal group fitness classes, requires use of the brain to think about and concentrate on the moves for proper form.  The Burgener warmup's utility cannot be understated.  Click HERE to read more from Coach Burgener as he breaks down the Burgener warmup.

Erick working through the Burgener warmup with a 45# bar during Coach Burgener's Olympic Lifting Certification.