I Went To A CrossFit Box!

A lot of people seem to have conflicting opinions on the subject of CrossFit. Obviously, the ones who are hardcore advocates will recommend it to every single person that they talk to, and the traditional bodybuilders will probably turn a cold shoulder to the idea of this CrossFit "stuff."

Annie Thorisdottir, women's winner of the CrossFit games, A.K.A. "Thor's daughter." (Source)

I'm very open-minded. The world of fitness does not have one simple defintion. There's a number of ways you can be fit, and one certain way isn't above the rest. Although I really do enjoy the body part splits when I lift, I've been getting bored with my typical "routine." 

This would consist of me choosing a specific body part for each day of the week. While I absolutely love this split, I've been getting a little bored with it. I wanted something to spice up my training, and give me motivation to get my butt in the gym door. When I heard that a CrossFit box opened up literally right next to my gym, I was all for it. In fact, a trainer at the gym I go to is also one of the coaches at the CrossFit box. Let me just say, this guy is a beast. Often times, I will see him doing pull-ups with 45 pound plates attached to his waist from a belt. When he squats, he stacks on the 45's. They don't intimidate him one bit! And he's very smart.

That's one of the assumptions with CrossFit: that the coaches are not smart and will lead their trainees to injury. This is overgeneralization. While it's true that any Joe Schmo can go get CrossFit certified and start training soon afterwards, many CrossFit coaches take the time and effort to ensure that they know what they are talking about, and that they wouldn't throw anyone an Olympic bar if they've never even touched one before.

(Source)

Although I obviously have been lifting for awhile, I always need to remember that I have to start out small, and build upon my strength. Yesterday, I took a CrossFit elements class. It was really fun and INTENSE. Woo! I learned the basics, but since I already have a good understanding of the primary lifts, I was able to do a modified WOD to see where my fitness level was. I did "Fran's Little Sister" which was 15-12-9 reps of thrusters and ring dips. WHAT A RUSH!

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I truly did enjoy it. I think a CrossFit fire has been lit under my butt. However, with that being said, I am NOT giving up lifting in the bodybuilding sense. I am simply adding CrossFit as a supplement to my training maybe one or two days per week. I think it'll be fun and it will get my motivation back where it needs to be. I loved the intensity. In 6 minutes, I got a brutal workout that I am sore from today. And I did it all with perfect form! The coach I had was a tough guy: when I was starting to rapidly fatigue, he yelled and screamed at me to finish it. That is my kind of encouragement. Some people don't like when people do this as a means to encourage them to finish, but I love it. It makes me go that extra mile to prove that person that I AM capable. And afterwards, he was all smiles and gave me a thousand hi-5's. I don't get that kind of camaraderie at my gym. Although I have tons of friends and buddies at my gym, I am usually encouraging myself. This was something different and I truly enjoyed it.

So, yes, CrossFit will be added to the list of things to accomplish. Maybe one of these days I'll actually be able to overhead squat. ;)

Questions: Have you ever been to a CrossFit box? What's your honest opinion about CrossFit? How do you like to be encouraged?

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