1/4 Hour LabO #80: "A Holistic Vision in a Gym?" - Jonathan Colombet

The Holistic Approach to CrossFit with Jonathan Colombet

Jonathan Colombet, manager of the "100% CrossFit" gym for eight years, shares his vision of training, focused on overall health. For him, athletic performance is inseparable from a deep understanding of the body, incorporating neuroscience, posture, and primitive reflexes. This approach applies to both elite athletes and everyday individuals seeking to optimize their daily lives or performance.

His journey down this path began with a personal realization: a 30-minute warm-up for a simple squat. This observation pushed him to explore beyond joints and muscles, training in various methods such as Z-Health, Clippé, and approaches based on posture and breathing.

Integrating Neuro-Posture into Training

Jonathan Colombet's expertise is now integrated into the programs of his box, particularly during warm-ups and personalized follow-ups. He also collaborates with Fit Process, a CrossFit programming organization, where he offers specific training focused on neuro-posture, supplemented by videos for coaches.

This approach has transformed his own practice: lacking a strong mobility foundation, this constraint became a strength in developing tools suitable for everyone. He has observed a major impact on reducing warm-up times and a significant improvement in mobility.

Concrete Results on Performance and Health

The application of these principles has shown impressive results. Jonathan recounts the case of a person who, after years of being unable to fully turn their head, regained this ability in a single session thanks to neuro-postural exercises. Another example involves a CrossFit athlete experiencing shoulder issues during a wall walk: instead of focusing solely on mobility or strengthening, Jonathan identified a problem with eye convergence. A few eye exercises were enough to stabilize the athlete immediately.

These examples illustrate the importance of not limiting oneself to a purely technical or muscular approach. Understanding how the brain processes environmental information can unlock limitations and often lead to "magical" performance improvements for the uninitiated.

Posture and Breathing: Beyond Technique

Jonathan emphasizes the difference between "posture" and "position." A well-placed back in a deadlift is essential, but if the overall posture is deficient, technical correction will not suffice in the long run. Postural imbalances, such as one shoulder being lower than the other, can lead to compensations and chronic pain. By understanding these mechanisms, it is possible to intervene on the subsystems that stabilize the body, leading to better performance and less strain.

The Importance of Breathing and the Bolt Test

Breathing is a cornerstone of this holistic approach. Jonathan explains the crucial role of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the release of oxygen to cells. The Bolt test, which measures CO2 tolerance, is a valuable indicator. Better CO2 tolerance means the body uses oxygen more efficiently, thereby improving endurance and reducing the need for intense efforts to enhance cardio.

The Holistic Aspect and Member Education

Jonathan's approach goes beyond the purely physical realm. In his gym, every new member has an assessment with an osteopath and a nutritional education appointment with him. It's not about following a strict diet, but educating people on the basics of nutrition and the importance of stress management and breathing. For him, the quality of the diet doesn't matter if the body cannot assimilate it properly due to poor breathing or chronic stress.

His goal is to empower members, enabling them to understand and manage their own health. He sees himself as a stepping stone on their journey, aiming to help them progress to the point where he would have "nothing to say" during their training, a sign of their complete autonomy.