{"id":30934,"date":"2014-08-18T11:15:00","date_gmt":"2014-08-18T15:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/?p=30934"},"modified":"2021-05-14T05:27:49","modified_gmt":"2021-05-14T09:27:49","slug":"rich-froning-crossfit-games-2014-interview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/fitness\/rich-froning-crossfit-games-2014-interview\/","title":{"rendered":"The Fittest Man on Earth: Future for Rich Froning"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Rich
Photo courtesy of Reebok<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Picture it: A four-day competition, with two to four workouts a day (13 WODs total) that consist of running, swimming, muscle-ups, 345-pound squat cleans, handstand push-ups, rope climbs, double unders<\/a>, handstand walks, 245-pound overhead squats and more, against 43 of the most in-shape competitors you know, all with the title of Fittest on Earth on the line. Now imagine doing it four years in a row \u2014 and winning every time. That\u2019s what Rich Froning<\/a> did as he secured his fourth consecutive title as the Fittest Man on Earth<\/a> at the CrossFit Games this past July.<\/p>\n

Froning, who has been said to do up to eight workouts a day, had the pressure of 200,000 live spectators as well as the world watching on his shoulders (on top of 310-plus actual pounds) as he made his way through the grueling Games. The events were so tough that he almost didn\u2019t complete one due to a stomach bug earlier in the week that left him dehydrated and in 37th<\/sup> place. Nonetheless, taking 2nd<\/sup>, 1st<\/sup>, 1st<\/sup> and 1st<\/sup> on the last four events secured the 27-year old’s top spot on the podium, joined by rookie Mathew Fraser<\/a> on his right, and veteran and friend Jason Khalipa<\/a> on his left.<\/p>\n

We caught up with the four-time CrossFit champion to learn what it means to be the Fittest Man on Earth, his training and supplement regimen, and where he went for his celebratory burger post-Games.<\/p>\n

“That\u2019s the beauty of CrossFit: You can be quickly humbled or knocked off your high horse if you start to feel too overly confident.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Can you put into words what it means to be the Fittest Man on Earth for the fourth year in a row?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

It feels good. It\u2019s what I train for all year \u2014 it\u2019s the ultimate goal. The title\u2019s just the title. Winning the CrossFit Games is what I\u2019m most happy about. Fittest Man on Earth is cool, but Crossfit champion is what I most like.<\/p>\n

Compared to last year, did the Games feel harder this year in any ways?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Every year they up the game on what\u2019s possible and what\u2019s expected of us. And each year they do a very good job of testing every facet of fitness. This year was no different.<\/p>\n

What about the competition? Did you ever think to yourself, \u201cHey, I might not even podium this year?”<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

I\u2019m always nervous and I always think that throughout the week (laughs<\/i>). So, no different from any other year.<\/p>\n

In the past you\u2019ve said running is something you need to work on. Did you focus on it during training? <\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

I ran more this year than I have in years past, for sure. And I swam a lot. Running<\/a> and swimming<\/a> were main focuses of mine this off-season.<\/p>\n

\"Rich
Photo courtesy of Reebok<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

And you did very well in both! As spectators watching the Games, we knew the final event before you and your fellow competitors did. And many thought for the final event, \u201cthis is totally Rich\u2019s type of event, he\u2019ll crush it.\u201d What did you think when you heard the event was <\/i><\/b>Double Grace<\/i><\/b><\/a>?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

I didn\u2019t know, really. Mat Fraser is very good with a barbell and so is Khalipa, and some of those other guys who were in striking distance. So there\u2019s always a level of uncertainty when you\u2019re competing with the Fittest People<\/a> on Earth. You know there are some people who are just really good at some stuff. That\u2019s the beauty of CrossFit: You can be quickly humbled or knocked off your high horse if you start to feel too overly confident.<\/p>\n

“I hate to say it, but people sometimes think they\u2019re injured when they\u2019re really just sore. You have to be smart about workouts, but realize you\u2019re going to be a little sore the first few times you do CrossFit.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Did you think any events were too challenging?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Oh, no. Dave<\/a> [Castro] and the rest of the crew have a good grasp on what we’re capable of. And every year they find a way to push our limits even farther, but they find that line of what\u2019s too hard, and what\u2019s not hard enough.<\/p>\n

What was the hardest WOD for you at the Games?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

For sure the Triple 3<\/a>. I\u2019d been a little sick earlier in the week and a little dehydrated from a stomach bug. It was by far the hardest one for me. But then some of the other workouts were just frustrating more than anything. Things that usually don\u2019t happen were happening. I failed two muscle-ups and I never fail at muscle-ups. The clean ladder, I missed it by nine-tenths of a second. Things that usually go my way weren\u2019t going my way. It\u2019s a little frustrating, but you got to keep your head up and keep going. It\u2019s a long weekend\u2026<\/p>\n

CrossFitters say CrossFit is a great sport for anyone. Why is that? Do you think all people should try it?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Maybe not even as a sport, but as a fitness program, it works. Pick things up and put them down; run; carry stuff. It\u2019s what our bodies were made to do \u2014 not sit on a machine<\/a> and do single joint movements. Those are good things if that\u2019s what you want to do \u2014 it\u2019s better than sitting and doing nothing.<\/p>\n

People get too caught up sometimes in thinking the traditional CrossFit circuit is [all there is to it]. But CrossFit is lifting heavy weights<\/a>, being strong\u2026and it\u2019s also running, it\u2019s swimming, it\u2019s rowing<\/a>, it\u2019s biking<\/a>. It\u2019s getting outside the gym. I think we did a lot of outside-the-gym CrossFit this year, and that was a little different than years past. Picking up heavy objects and running with them, pushing the sled. A lot of us get caught up in just \u201cgym CrossFit.\u201d Probably because it\u2019s fun. I like it, too.<\/p>\n

\"Rich
Photo courtesy of Reebok<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What did you think of the new Sprint Sled?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

You know, it was kind of frustrating because even just in your own lane there were patches of grass that were faster than others and some that were slower. It was that way across the field so some lanes were faster than others. But you just got to roll with the punches.<\/p>\n

In terms of injuries, do you think a CrossFitter is his or her own worst enemy? What do you need to look out for so that you don\u2019t get hurt?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Yeah, I think people start out too quickly and say things like, \u201cRich does several workouts a day so I can do several workouts a day, too.\u201d No, you need to ease into it and find a good coach. Plenty of people have started CrossFit without a coach and not got hurt, but the best-case scenario is doing it with a good coach and learning the right movements.<\/p>\n

And also, I hate to say it, but people sometimes think they\u2019re injured when they\u2019re really just sore. You have to be smart about the workouts, but realize you\u2019re going to be a little sore the first few times you do CrossFit. For me, doing bodybuilding-type workouts using single-joint movements led to more injuries and more flair ups than I’ve had doing CrossFit. I had shoulder surgery before I did CrossFit, and my shoulder has never been stronger, so I think it\u2019s great.<\/p>\n

“You’ve got to be a little bit crazy to be the best in the world at anything.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Every day you\u2019re pushing your body to the limit and constantly challenging yourself. What do you do to recover?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

I continue to work out, which usually helps with the soreness, but maybe just take the intensity down. I feel better when I move. When I sit or don\u2019t do anything is when I get more sore or feel more sluggish. This year swimming actually helped a lot. It\u2019s a great workout, great breathing. But doesn\u2019t beat you up as bad as say lifting a barbell 60 times over your head. So I\u2019d say swimming was a good recovery this year.<\/p>\n

Do you take ice baths?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

At the Games I\u2019ll do some ice baths every once in a while, because this year it was hot, a lot hotter than the years past. It\u2019s just so much of a pain to do an ice bath at the house. Let\u2019s be honest\u2026an ice bath is not pleasant.<\/p>\n

What workout supplements do you take? <\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

In the morning I don\u2019t really eat a lot. I\u2019ll take some type of creatine<\/a> \u2014 not a lot though. Then throughout the day I\u2019ll have a protein shake<\/a> or two, depending on the workouts I\u2019m doing. I usually don\u2019t eat that much during the day and then at night I eat a lot.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s a typical dinner for the Fittest Man on Earth?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Anything. Whatever my wife Hillary decides to make, or we go out to eat. I\u2019m not real picky and at that point, since I usually haven\u2019t eaten a lot and have been working out all day, food is food. Sometimes it\u2019s not that <\/i>healthy. But I try not to be ridiculous.<\/p>\n

\"Rich
Photo courtesy of Reebok<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What was your celebration meal post-Games?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Oh man, what did I have that night? I think it was a Five Guys burger. And then we had some pizza, too. You can\u2019t beat a good hamburger or steak \u2014 some red meat, you know?<\/p>\n

What is a typical day at the gym like for you?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Usually I wake up around 9 or 9:30 and I have a crew of people that I work out with. And we just kind of go by what we\u2019ve done the days past or how we feel or what we need to work on, and do some type of workout. Then I\u2019ll do some strength training depending on what strength cycle I\u2019m on, but really it\u2019s just how I feel or what we\u2019ve done in days before or what has to be worked on. There\u2019s no real schedule to be honest.<\/p>\n

If you looked at any given day, it would be six or seven workouts, but really it\u2019s three or four sessions, that are anywhere from one hour to three hours\u2026whatever we can get in.<\/p>\n

Do you still love CrossFit and working out or do you look at it as a job?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Before the Games I looked at it as a job. Now I\u2019m starting to have fun again, and enjoy working out and staying healthy.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ve mentioned you\u2019re going to move over to teams this year. Are you not ready to be done with the sport, but individual is just too much commitment to do again?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Yeah, that\u2019s basically what it boils down to. It takes a lot of sacrifice and a lot of hard work. And you’ve got to be a little bit crazy to be the best in the world at anything. We just adopted a baby girl and I don\u2019t to want to let other things sacrifice or that. I\u2019ve made a good living for what I\u2019ve done so far.<\/p>\n

But I want to have some fun on a team. I grew up a team sport guy and I want to try that aspect of it.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a rumor about you teaming up with Khalipa. Anything you can say on that?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

He doesn\u2019t want to move to Tennessee and I\u2019m not moving to California, and that\u2019s the only way for us to be on a team, so\u2026 We are going to be on a team for the team series this fall for Rogue. It will be me, Jason Khalipa<\/a>, Sam Briggs<\/a> and Julie Foucher<\/a>. It will be a lot of fun.<\/p>\n

To learn more about CrossFit and to try a WOD yourself, <\/i>click here<\/i><\/a>.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

From Fittest Man on Earth to new father, CrossFit champion Rich Froning talks about his success at the 2014 Games and where he goes from here.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":30942,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,14],"tags":[209,37,62,341,343,99,100],"class_list":["post-30934","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fitness","category-strength-training","tag-athlete","tag-crossfit","tag-interview","tag-tax1living-well","tag-tax2exercise","tag-weightlifting","tag-workout"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30934","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30934"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30934\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/30942"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30934"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30934"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30934"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}