I froze my gym membership and joined Crossfit.

LoudmouthLee

After losing nearly 120 pounds, I am much happier with my weight, and now want to work on body composition.

I was in the gym 6 days a week (1 long run, 1 long bike, 1 day of triathlon brick (Half Sprint Brick / 10k bike, 2.5k run), and 3 days of Tabata based weight training).

After talking to many people, I decided that it would be in my best interest to make the switch. I froze my gym membership for the months of July, August and September...

Does any Crossfitters have any advice for me? I'm really stoked about this, as I believe cross fit will help me get stronger and increase lean muscle mass while losing body fat.

Thanks for your help!

LishieFruit89

Nothing against Crossfit but I assume your regular gym has a free weights section?

Why didnt you look into a lifting program like Starting Strength or Stronglifts and do that there? Those programs will help reshape your body. And it doesnt require freezing your membership. Just seems much simpler

LoudmouthLee

(self bump)

Anyone with advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm excited about this.

Kmh45126

No advice really, just kudos!! You'll love it. I've only been at crossfit one week, but love it...might almost say I'm *gasp* addicted to it!! You'll notice result quickly. The first week you will have some DOMS, fairly significant DOMS, but it does go away. Ice baths, epsom salt soaks and foam rollers help. I'm here to tell you if you keep at it, it gets better. I've done 6 cf workouts in 8 days and can finally sit without saying "ouch ouch ouch". Good luck!!

Mr_Excitement

If your goal is to increase muscle mass, I'd opt for a standard gym and a simple split routine of some variety, personally. I've only been to a Crossfit once, but I have a couple of friends who go regularly and the routines they tell me about (and what I saw on my one day) don't seem particularly focused on accomplishing much of anything beyond perhaps general conditioning. I mean, if you're specifically aiming for adding muscle and reducing fat, there are more dedicated training routines that focus on that goal for a fraction of the cost.

nashai01

I don't have any advice except I'm sure you will love it. I know I do

Hexahedra

Crossfit emphasizes on building fitness and strength that supposedly useful for real world activities. I think it focuses on strength and fitness, as opposed to flat out muscle volume (bodybuilding) or endurance (cardio). You will certainly get fit and healthy overall, but at 2-3 times the price of gym membership I'm not sure they give me a good bang for my buck.

Still, you will benefit from it, so go with what you like.

bowhuntr09

Go for it, but be prepared to be VERY sore the first week. I'm 46 and my daughter is 18 and we both were barely able to move after 2 sessions our first week. Started into my second month yesterday and love it so far. You just have to get past that initial soreness. I also highly recommend the Youtube series "Crossfit:Killing the Fat Man", very good and inspirational. Good Luck!

WillieMN

If they have beginners or foundations class, attend those. Trainer will take more time to go over motions of exercises to be included for WOD. Some gyms include 30 mins skills sessions to member where you can get 1:1 appt to go over exercise of your choice or questions.

It took me a year before signing up to a CF gym as I did WODs on my own until I felt I had somewhat a foundation to look further into it. If anything, when you are a member the cost will be a motivator to get you to show up when you need that little support. CF isn't the only facility that comes at a cost. Not all clubs are $30 a month.

Yes, you will be sore after new movements of tough workouts, but that's true fro any sport or activity.
Heck think about the first snow storm and you have to clear your driveway and how you might feel the next day.

CF gyms aren't just workouts that are going full force from start to finish. They are paced, can be scaled, but also have the opportunity to challenge your goals while being surrounded by others who are supportive and want to see you succeed to be strong and healthy.

ortega1990

The ramp-up is important. The box shouldn't just let you jump right in without first learning the form and different workouts. The box I go to has several weeks of ramp-up before you graduate to the regular classes. I think this is important.

As far as the cost, yes, it's pricey but unlike a typical gym, where you are left to your own devices (not caring if you attend or not as long as you are paying your dues), in Crossfit you will have a coach guiding the class and making sure you are following the proper form. You won't be doing the workout on your own - at least not at the box I attend.