Spend two full days with CrossFit Coach Mark Rippetoe and his staff learning,  
studying and practicing the Squat, Press, Bench Press, Deadlift and Power Clean. You will learn how do the lifts properly, coach them properly and to recognize and correct technique errors. These lifts are indispensable to CrossFit training, and expert coaching is a powerful advantage.

The Basic Barbell Certification details a method for performing and coaching the five exercises that is derived from an understanding of human skeletal and muscular anatomy and mechanical function. An understanding of gross human anatomy will make the presentation of this material much easier to absorb and apply, and participants are encouraged to prepare themselves accordingly.

Mark Rippetoe is the proprietor of the Wichita Falls Athletic Club/CrossFit Wichita Falls, and writes on various aspects of strength training and barbell exercise. He has 30 years experience in the fitness industry and ten years as a competitive powerlifter. He has published articles in the Strength and Conditioning Journal, is a regular contributor to the CrossFit Journal, and is the author, with Dr. Lon Kilgore, of the books Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training and Practical Programming for Strength Training, and Strong Enough?: Thoughts From Thirty Years of Barbell Training.

The seminar contains a full 19 hours of material, with more than half of the time spent under the bar in the practical sessions.  Times are 8am to 6pm Saturday and 8am to 5pm Sunday.  Lunch is often late, so bring food for the breaks.  This is a pass/fail course, and your participation, understanding, and competence in both performing and coaching the lifts are evaluated by the staff during the seminar.  No one under 18 will be certified, although their attendance is permitted.

There will be a Saturday evening social gathering and dinner, and we welcome and encourage your participation.

It is imperative that stretchy sweats or gym shorts are worn during the practical sessions. Sweat pants are necessary for practicing the deadlift and power clean on Sunday.  Please, please bring weightlifting shoes if possible, or hard-soled court shoes or work boots if weightlifting shoes are not available. Running shoes are strongly discouraged and barefoot is not permitted. Cotton T-shirts are recommended for both days.