My First Muscle-Up!!

There's a lot of movements in CrossFit, that are difficult to master. For me, being a big guy many of the gymnastics movements are a challenge. I have practiced and improved my Pull Ups, Handstand Push Ups, and regularly practice on the rings doing dips and *Attempting* Muscle Ups.

Last March while attending My CrossFit Level 1 course I was attempting a muscle up, and my right hand slipped off the ring and I was left hanging in a one sided ring dip. Needless to say I injured my right shoulder. For months I rehabbed and finally regained enough strength to try anew.

I think part of the problem was A) I didn't want to re injure the shoulder and B) I was afraid! I tried for a few months, unsuccessfully to perform just one.

About a week ago, after our Saturday WOD, I saw one of our athlete's Bri, practicing toes to rings. I jokingly said to her " Do a Muscle-Up" to which she replied "I can't." Bri is a gymnast ( you know the girl that has flexibility like Gumby) . SO I said " Show me your false grip", she didn't know what that was. I showed her and began a hard kip, up went my body above the rings. I pressed out at the top and screamed. By not thinking hard about it beforehand I was able to do it. I came down and everyone yelled "do it again. "

I was sure it was a total fluke, and I was about to make a fool of myself, by not being able to do another one, but I did! Next Jen our box owner said " We need to get this on video." Yes we do I thought. my next thought was I'm gonna fail this on video... I did it. To which she replied "I didn't catch it go again." There is no way I'll be able to do another one. The video above is my 4th ever Muscle-Up.
A while later I did one more for a total of 5 single muscle ups.

I have to say, I felt on top of the world that day.

I still can't get them every time I try, especially after a hard shoulder workout, but I will continue to work on this until I CAN!