Why CrossFit?
ascrit
Posts: 770 Member
A super obnoxious thread in the Fitness and Exercise forum did at least get me thinking about why people start with CrossFit and what they hope to get out of it.
In my case, I was getting pretty bored at my regular gym and I needed to switch things up. I have learned a lot, made some new friends, and find myself really enjoying the gym. However my main reason for sticking with CrossFit is because I want to stay in shape and be healthy overall. But that is as far as it goes for me. I don't look at it as a competitive sport and I have zero interest in doing the Open even though many of my friends at the gym are doing it. Maybe this will change in the future but for now this is where I am.
So when you started CrossFit what were you hoping to get out of it? Has that changed and if so, why?
In my case, I was getting pretty bored at my regular gym and I needed to switch things up. I have learned a lot, made some new friends, and find myself really enjoying the gym. However my main reason for sticking with CrossFit is because I want to stay in shape and be healthy overall. But that is as far as it goes for me. I don't look at it as a competitive sport and I have zero interest in doing the Open even though many of my friends at the gym are doing it. Maybe this will change in the future but for now this is where I am.
So when you started CrossFit what were you hoping to get out of it? Has that changed and if so, why?
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I'm pretty much in the same place that you are. I love it because it pushes me out of my comfort zone (I had never even touched a barbell before and sure wasn't going try climbing a rope and don't even get me started on box jumps!). Also, having my workouts planned out for me is great. Especially since they are different every day. If left to my own devices, I'd do the same things all the time and get bored and quit. I don't bother with the competition aspect either. I did do the World Wide Open in October and enjoyed it because I pushed myself to do more than I would in a normal wod, but no desire to do the Open at this time. Also, unlike many at my box, I am not obsessed with CF. It is not all I talk about. It is a decent portion of my fitness routine and I enjoy it, but I do other things and even (gasp!) workout at other gyms. I do like the social aspect of it. I've met a lot of great people, but again, I don't really consider myself to be part of the "CrossFit Family."0
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BUT...Shizzdoodles! LOLZ.
Great post.
I started CrossFit in the wake of a very bad breakup. I knew I wanted to get back in shape and I really needed to make some new friends. I had made a promise to myself that I would run a Tough Mudder by 2014 and the cross-training element of CrossFit seemed to be consistent with the TM activities. I started asking around and a friend of mine really liked it and told me to check it out. I met with the trainers at my box and I was sold. It didn't hurt that the owner is a Syracuse grad (GO ORANGE!).
Anyway, I've always like workouts that are rough. I did heavy bag kickboxing for a while in my early 20s and I loved it. So, it didn't surprise me that CrossFit would be up my alley. After 7 months of CrossFitting, I rocked out the Tough Mudder. Now I just want to keep it up.
I'm not uber competitive in the gym, but I did sign up for the open. I'm going to have to scale and I'll probably end up in the middle/low end of the pack, but so many people at my box are doing it so I think it will be fun. We have a really strong community and that's what keeps me coming back for more. Also, the results.0 -
I love the challenge; being pushed to do things you never thought you could - and then actually getting better and stronger! I love the personal coaching and how everyone encourages each other during the workout. And everyone can do what is best for them - if you don't want to compete you don't have to, no one will push you to compete. But it's great to cheer on those in your CF community that do.
I thought about quitting and maybe going to back to a Globo-gym but why? To just go and work on a cardio machine while watching a screen? Boring!0 -
I got started because I made a promise to a friend before I actually knew what I was committing to. I told her I'd try it, then I saw her in a competition and immediately regretted it. When my box ran a groupon for the beginners course she reminded me of the promise, and since I'm no liar I signed up. Had a panic attack the first day because I was so out of my comfort zone, but I kept coming back and now I can't imagine my life without it. I've never done an athletic thing in my life, I've tried to work out a traditional gyms (even with a trainer) and I would never push myself anywhere near how I push myself now. I would get bored, disinterested, and I would never know what to do without someone telling me. That's part of what I love about Crossfit, I never have to think, just show up and do. I've made lots of great friends and everyone is so great at encouraging you.0
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I started lifting at my regular gym when I injured my knee (running) and the physio told me to get stronger. I'd always resisted the idea of lifting weights before. I have the luxury of personal training there and I started going to ladies only classes. The social aspect was what kept me going but I also got introduced to barbells in an environment where I didn't feel threatened. Anyway, turns out I LOVE lifting. I never expected that! What I like particularly is something that challenges me mentally. Pounding the cardio machines is soul destroying and I can't do it for long (bored + tired = give up.)
I know a bodybuilding athlete who competes a lot and I asked her about what I could do to become stronger and learn more about lifting and she suggested CrossFit. There don't seem to be that many boxes in the UK yet but I'm lucky to have one really close to home, and one near work. I contacted and met with the one near work, didn't really like their customer service, and ended up speaking to the one near home. They responded quickly, I went in to a taster session, everyone was down to earth and friendly, and I signed up for 2 months :-)
What I love particularly is the complexity of some of the lifts (the Oly's, mainly) and how satisfying (and frustrating) that can be. It keeps my active brain occupied and I feel great when I can bang out a good rep (but I also do reps sometimes and think WHAT was THAT?!)
Also, I've been to bootcamps and exercise classes but CrossFit is so different in the level of encouragement and support each athlete gets not just from the coaches but from the other athletes.0 -
That's part of what I love about Crossfit, I never have to think, just show up and do.
Hehehe I giggled at this as I'm the exact opposite. I analyse and overanalyse my form on every rep, but it still delivers me what I need.
It's so versatile like that.0 -
Like most of you, I needed to change things up. I had done several Beachbody workouts and had some success with thme, but I ultimately became bored by them. I had done some Crossfit Football while I was at my work academy and really loved it. Once I found out there was a box 5 minutes from my house I immediately started checking them out. I was pretty apprehensive about joining and it took me awhile to actually go in and talk to the owner, but once I did, I found him incredibly friendly and motivating and said that they had a good community there with the members. Once I got in and got through a WOD (which is still the toughest WOD i've done yet!), I was hooked. I haven't seen the physical changes I have hoped for yet, but much of that can be attributed to my diet. With me tightening that up the past few weeks, I am starting to notice some subtle changes which is making me happy.
Overall, the positive vibes in my box, and from the Crossfit community as a whole (for the most part), is a huge part of it for me.0 -
I was doing Stronglifts 5x5 at my gym and enjoyed it but was starting to get bored by it. One of the last straws was when for two workouts in a row I had to sit and wait for 10-15 minutes while two bros were doing shoulder shrugs on the squat racks.
I had a few friends who were avid Crossfitters and convinced me to give it a try. I did my beginner class and workout (500m row, 40 air squats, 30 sit ups, 20 push ups, 10 ring rows) and was dying at the end and decided this was the kick in the *kitten* I needed.
Two months later on a whim I tried that workout again and did it in about 6 minutes and felt like I could have shaved even more time off if I'd felt like it. That convinced me it was working and to keep doing it.
I'm about seven months in, 25 lbs lighter and a heck of a lot stronger. I am enjoying seeing where this ride is going to take me.0 -
I started Crossfit, because I needed something to push me harder. I was using the elliptical and my bike in my garage,, and eating relatively good, but I wasn't losing. I had heard about Crossfit for months, but was hesitant because of the price. I started to get real depressed that I wasn't losing but gaining. My husband was the one that encouraged me, and told me not to worry about the price, that he would rather me spend the money than be depressed. I went and started the foundation classes and I loved it. I never worked so hard in my life, and it forced me to push myself.
I have gotten stronger and lost quite a few pounds. I never joined to compete, but after going to my first competition, I loved it and want to try it at least once. I did sign up for the open, so I can see how I do. I can't even do scale in most of the workouts, but it just seems like a fun thing to do.
I love Crossfit, I drank the Kool-Aid, can't see myself doing anything else.0 -
I am somebody who lifts at the "Y" so I can say this: Lifting is boring. Same, limited movements, over and over again, in a stinky gym.
Crossfit is inside and outside. It's varied. It makes you sweat and opens your pores and lungs. And, it is highly social!
Wouldn't anyone rather do a form of exercise where they interact, and can encourage someone else and can be encouraged, instead of burying your head in ear buds, putting your head down, and diving into the isolation and discomfort of your solitary grind ("One, two, three, four, . . . . [next set] One, two, etc.)?0 -
I used to run, and then I ran further, and further, I didn't feel stronger, or leaner....out of breath maybe. My box opened next door to my office and I would see the coach as I was getting ready to run. I blew him off at first, but I could clearly see I had lost my curves (my *kitten* specifically). A few months later I figured I had nothing to lose by trying it out-that was four months ago.
My first WOD nearly killed me, but I walked out of there feeling so empowered! Now I'm a stronger, leaner, healthier and more confident me (heck I even have a two-pack!)...so the $135 bucks a month is a well spent investment in my book. I'm in constant competition with myself at every WOD-I couldn't have pushed myself to do any of this alone. I work out with great Coaches and great fellow cross fitters-we feed off each other.
I saw that thread and the silliness that ensued.....shizzdoodles....what the heck does that even mean?? :ohwell:
My only regret-I should have done it sooner!0 -
Question to the x-fitters. Would it benefit me? 46 years old started at 190lbs 3-4 years ago. Sitting at 170lbs and aro 18% bodyfat. I used to power lift and incorporate the big 3 into my routines. I superset all my lifts for the volume even if going for a 1 rep max. Typical week.
1) Bench / pull ups. Inclines / pull ups dumbbell flat bench presses / dumbbell rows
2) Squat / dumbbell shoulder press. Power cleans with a OHP on last rep. Dead lifts/shoulder flys
3) Light flat bench / preacher curls / mobility stretching. Light incline barbells / dumbbell curls / body weight split squats. dumblell flys/closed grip flat bench / jumprope 1 min. Weighted dips / jumprope 1 min. Reverse tricep curls / jumprope 1 min.
I'll try to jog off days for about 2-3 miles. And bball Fridays for 2 hours but only log 60 min
Would crossfit be fundamentally different than what I'm doing now?0 -
Jeff, I don't know that you would get anything special or additional out of Crossfit in terms of results. But, you might have more fun. It is social. You get something different every time -- and often it is some kind of unusual exercise you wouldn't do in a straight gym, like box jumps, or sled pushing, or the Olympic lifts. Each workout is set up as a challenge, which pushes you in a way sometimes you cannot push yourself in an off day at the gym.0
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Jeff, I don't know that you would get anything special or additional out of Crossfit in terms of results. But, you might have more fun. It is social. You get something different every time -- and often it is some kind of unusual exercise you wouldn't do in a straight gym, like box jumps, or sled pushing, or the Olympic lifts. Each workout is set up as a challenge, which pushes you in a way sometimes you cannot push yourself in an off day at the gym.
Thanks for the reply
I have the ability to do box jumps but sled pushing would be great to do. I wish my gym had that. I also miss the fact that I can't do a lift, maybe sprint down the street then come back and be assured my bar/weights are still there and not taken.
And the social aspect is a great point. I try to use the energy in the gym. If it's dead, I have to go to the headphones and crank the music.
Any other opinions are 100% welcome.0 -
Question to the x-fitters. Would it benefit me? 46 years old started at 190lbs 3-4 years ago. Sitting at 170lbs and aro 18% bodyfat. I used to power lift and incorporate the big 3 into my routines. I superset all my lifts for the volume even if going for a 1 rep max. Typical week.
1) Bench / pull ups. Inclines / pull ups dumbbell flat bench presses / dumbbell rows
2) Squat / dumbbell shoulder press. Power cleans with a OHP on last rep. Dead lifts/shoulder flys
3) Light flat bench / preacher curls / mobility stretching. Light incline barbells / dumbbell curls / body weight split squats. dumblell flys/closed grip flat bench / jumprope 1 min. Weighted dips / jumprope 1 min. Reverse tricep curls / jumprope 1 min.
I'll try to jog off days for about 2-3 miles. And bball Fridays for 2 hours but only log 60 min
Would crossfit be fundamentally different than what I'm doing now?
I started Crossfit with no experience with free weights at all-so you have that going for you. I would try it-just for the fact that it's a different routine everyday which keeps it entertaining and it's a new challenge. It's amazing how much you push yourself when you have good coaching and encouragement from others who are doing the same thing you are. Good luck!0 -
Jeff, I don't know that you would get anything special or additional out of Crossfit in terms of results. But, you might have more fun. It is social. You get something different every time -- and often it is some kind of unusual exercise you wouldn't do in a straight gym, like box jumps, or sled pushing, or the Olympic lifts. Each workout is set up as a challenge, which pushes you in a way sometimes you cannot push yourself in an off day at the gym.
Thanks for the reply
I have the ability to do box jumps but sled pushing would be great to do. I wish my gym had that. I also miss the fact that I can't do a lift, maybe sprint down the street then come back and be assured my bar/weights are still there and not taken.
And the social aspect is a great point. I try to use the energy in the gym. If it's dead, I have to go to the headphones and crank the music.
Any other opinions are 100% welcome.
My advice is to give it a shot and see if you like it. If you are already into the energy at the gym, then you will like CrossFit. It's very social and supportive.0 -
Jeff, I don't know that you would get anything special or additional out of Crossfit in terms of results. But, you might have more fun. It is social. You get something different every time -- and often it is some kind of unusual exercise you wouldn't do in a straight gym, like box jumps, or sled pushing, or the Olympic lifts. Each workout is set up as a challenge, which pushes you in a way sometimes you cannot push yourself in an off day at the gym.
Thanks for the reply
I have the ability to do box jumps but sled pushing would be great to do. I wish my gym had that. I also miss the fact that I can't do a lift, maybe sprint down the street then come back and be assured my bar/weights are still there and not taken.
And the social aspect is a great point. I try to use the energy in the gym. If it's dead, I have to go to the headphones and crank the music.
Any other opinions are 100% welcome.
My advice is to give it a shot and see if you like it. If you are already into the energy at the gym, then you will like CrossFit. It's very social and supportive.
And not to be "that guy" but personally I have found CrossFitters as a group to be more attractive than what I used to see at my regular gym. So there's that as a bonus too! :blushing:0 -
I'm 46, Not only would I be "that guy" I'd be that "OLD perverted guy". But I know what you mean though. Early morning workouts at my Y = BenGay crowed. NOT appealing0
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Jeff, I don't know that you would get anything special or additional out of Crossfit in terms of results. But, you might have more fun. It is social. You get something different every time -- and often it is some kind of unusual exercise you wouldn't do in a straight gym, like box jumps, or sled pushing, or the Olympic lifts. Each workout is set up as a challenge, which pushes you in a way sometimes you cannot push yourself in an off day at the gym.
Thanks for the reply
I have the ability to do box jumps but sled pushing would be great to do. I wish my gym had that. I also miss the fact that I can't do a lift, maybe sprint down the street then come back and be assured my bar/weights are still there and not taken.
And the social aspect is a great point. I try to use the energy in the gym. If it's dead, I have to go to the headphones and crank the music.
Any other opinions are 100% welcome.
My advice is to give it a shot and see if you like it. If you are already into the energy at the gym, then you will like CrossFit. It's very social and supportive.
And not to be "that guy" but personally I have found CrossFitters as a group to be more attractive than what I used to see at my regular gym. So there's that as a bonus too! :blushing:
is this typical?
http://crossfitchicks.tumblr.com/0 -
Hey! Wait. Why you gotta bash the BenGay crowd?0
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Hey! Wait. Why you gotta bash the BenGay crowd?
I'm not that far behind you bro.0 -
I had been doing pole dancing, swimming, some yoga, hiking, running, and lifting. I wanted to challenge myself and I thought CrossFit would be the best way for me to see what I had in me. I turned 40 this year and was on a mission to be in the best athletic shape of my life.
When I first started CF, I learned I was not in nearly as good of cardio shape as I had thought. However, conversely, I was much stronger than I thought. I had always used machines and dumbbells but not a lot of barbells, so I got to challenge myself with more free weights. I also realized that my progress has been coming pretty quickly. Right now I'm able to do most of the basics except unassisted pullups and a lot of DU's strung together. It will take some time for me to develop some of the more advanced moves like HSPU's and muscle ups and I am not kipping well yet but getting close. I loved gymnastics as a kid so it was fun to get back into doing some of that.
Overall, I realized I had wasted a bunch of time trying to be a distance runner, etc. when that just wasn't my forte or interest. I have always been more of a strength/gymnast type of person. So now, I actually ENJOY the suck that is CF!
I had gained a community of other pole fitness women when I was "poling." However, my pole studio closed right after I started CF so CF filled that void for a fitness community. Most people are very encouraging. My box does have a little clique but they don't bother me. I'm a little older than them so who cares? The rest are friendly and fun and even the clique is, but they stick more to themselves.
The other thing that happened was a fundamental shift in how I view my body. When I got to CF, I saw strong women like I had never seen running or in a conventional gym. I saw how they were committed to their performance, not their aesthetics or thinness. Since I had been suffering from eating disorders my entire life, making a shift from how I look and what I weigh to WHAT MY BODY CAN DO has been crucial in maintaining and enhancing my recovery. CF has also greatly helped with my self-esteem and has lowered my stress levels. I don't want to binge because the hard exercise has burned away a lot of my stress and I get little victories every time I go.
I was never in team sports in high school. I was always good at individual athletic events like sprinting, swimming, gymnastics, etc. However, I was from a very small town in the middle of Montana and I had no opportunity to develop those interests. Girls lifting weights was unheard of when I was a kid. I benched more as a freshman in high school (150) than I do now, and no one ever encouraged me because there was no avenue for it and because I was a girl and it was 1987. I am so happy for girls today that they have so many more ways to develop their athleticism. Anyway, I was also severely bullied in gym class. I was popular and a book worm, but I lacked hand-eye coordination and was made fun of terribly. So, I never tried any sports at all until recently (with the exception of lifting on my own at the gym, hiking, etc.)
Having never been in team sports, I never realized the role of coaches and mentors in one's life. Now that I get to work with a couple of really great coaches who believe in me, I feel more confident in ALL areas of my life.
CrossFit is seriously one of the best things I've ever done. I do plan to compete this year as a beginner in fun state competitions and eventually enter the Open in 2-3 years.0 -
^You should do the Open next year. It's only 20 bucks, and yeah most of the workouts you might have problems with but it gives you five baseline workouts you can revisit in 3 or 6 months and see where you stand.
to the OP, Kelly's post pretty much sums it up for me. I love the challenge, I love learning new things and skills, I love making new friends and I love building a community.
While 10 of us were doing 14.1 today one of the coaches was going through one of the elements classes with a newbie so he got to show her right off the bat where people stood in their Crossfit journey from the relative novices like me to guys busting out 275-300 reps on 14.1.0 -
No. The majority of women at my box a) don't look like that and b) wear more clothes.
Not to be 'that girl' but did we have to go there?0 -
^While I thoroughly appreciate an athletic female and always have (and we have several very attractive ladies at our box) none of them dress like that to work out. And I'm glad, to be honest, because it would be distracting as all hell.0
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Jeff, I don't know that you would get anything special or additional out of Crossfit in terms of results. But, you might have more fun. It is social. You get something different every time -- and often it is some kind of unusual exercise you wouldn't do in a straight gym, like box jumps, or sled pushing, or the Olympic lifts. Each workout is set up as a challenge, which pushes you in a way sometimes you cannot push yourself in an off day at the gym.
Thanks for the reply
I have the ability to do box jumps but sled pushing would be great to do. I wish my gym had that. I also miss the fact that I can't do a lift, maybe sprint down the street then come back and be assured my bar/weights are still there and not taken.
And the social aspect is a great point. I try to use the energy in the gym. If it's dead, I have to go to the headphones and crank the music.
Any other opinions are 100% welcome.
Jeff, you list a couple of the big benefits. The social aspect really pushes you harder than you could ever do alone unless you are a rare, rare individual.
I also found that I really enjoy learning the Olympic lifts. I had never done even one of them before I joined Crossfit. They are far more technical than you might think and working on form is actually pretty enjoyable for me. Definitely worth a try, I'd say. Most CF gyms go month to month, so you could try it for a month and not be obligated for anything if you chose to drop it.0 -
Great discussion. I started doing crossfit for the challenge, and it is one of the main reasons why I continue to crossfit. The other reasons appeal to the scientist in me.
1) Measureable, observable and repeatable. This is certainly possible in many other exercise modalities - weight lifting, exercises modalities that involve a time or distance component. But difficult in others, like beachbody videos - zumba, etc. This is a big component to the WOD.
2) Anerobic and Aerobic. I appreciate the thinking behind creating WOD's that address these pathways. I've certainly felt the difference and more importantly measured the difference in my performance.
3) Functional compound movements. Long before I started crossfit, I was reading about using compound movements and functional movements for a more effective workout.
4) Finally, the measurement guy in me likes the fact that crossfit has stated that there is are specific benefits that they are trying to acheive with their method - improvement in Cardiac and Respiratory Endurance, Strength, Stamina, Power, Flexibility, Speed, Coordination, Agility, Balance, Accuracy. More than losing weight. It speaks to healthy performance.0 -
I've wanted to do CF for a few years now, but the timing wasn't right. I saw the movements they were doing and it just got me all excited because it was so different. I bore easily and like being active, but need to enjoy it to continue.
Eventually this evolved to wanting to lift heavy. So I found a CF that focuses on that (strength and conditioning). We do some WOD's too, but it's not like the ones just taken off the CF HQ website. Our coach programs everything which I love. We have set strength days, some met cons, etc.0
