Changed boxes this weekend.

Z_I_L_L_A

Kinda weird. I'm use to everyone coming up introducing themselves and welcoming me to their place. Like the old box to promote a great atmosphere for crossfit. I got stares last night. We were supposed to do power snatches and I just went through like I didn't know how and worked on form with a pvc pipe. You know not wanting to show out and offend some sensitive guys that thought they were bad to the bone. I'm not a cardio dude so yes you can whoop my *kitten* in crossfit. But for strength(former power lifter) movements I can hang with the best of em. I just didn't wanna make waves in a new place and I'm quiet anyway.

Maybe I'm just paranoid, but I don't like clicks in gyms and crossfit seemed upbeat supportive. I just wanna do my thing and it crossfit has helped me in power lifting. I'm not arrogant, I don't need to be the Alpha male and it seems like everywhere I go there are people that think I'm a threat to their ego, image or whatever. I just workout, stay to myself and do my thing for me.

Rant over...sorry guys, Z

Scar1964

Kinda weird. I'm use to everyone coming up introducing themselves and welcoming me to their place. Like the old box to promote a great atmosphere for crossfit. I got stares last night. We were supposed to do power snatches and I just went through like I didn't know how and worked on form with a pvc pipe. You know not wanting to show out and offend some sensitive guys that thought they were bad to the bone. I'm not a cardio dude so yes you can whoop my *kitten* in crossfit. But for strength(former power lifter) movements I can hang with the best of em. I just didn't wanna make waves in a new place and I'm quiet anyway.

Maybe I'm just paranoid, but I don't like clicks in gyms and crossfit seemed upbeat supportive. I just wanna do my thing and it crossfit has helped me in power lifting. I'm not arrogant, I don't need to be the Alpha male and it seems like everywhere I go there are people that think I'm a threat to their ego, image or whatever. I just workout, stay to myself and do my thing for me.

Rant over...sorry guys, Z

I changed box as well, it's called my garage. Your not paranoid. For me it was not so much the different personalities, but I'm 48 and have a low tolerance for stupidity. I just did my thing to the best of my ability and went home (Smoked of course). Hang it there.

Z_I_L_L_A

Stupidity should hurt.

Huggenkiss27

I have avoided going to certain times because I didn't like the attitudes of some of the people. There were actually women telling me I couldn't lift certain weights or they would be mad if I could lift it. I'm not into the whispering and rudeness. So I go early in the morning while they have to get kids ready for school or right after work while they're waiting on their kiddos to come home. I don't have a tolerance for that type of attitude especially at the gym.

Mummyadams

I also don't go to certain sessions because of snarky looks from the clicky girl groups. Just because they have been doing Croffit forever (I am coming up to a year) they still treat everyone else like a newby who don't even deserve a hello.
I suggest you try a few different sessions if you can to find some like minded people.
There is a guy when I go who is so supremely strong but so humble, he is always cheering people on who are lagging behind - maybe people are intimidated by you (not sure what you look like). Good luck, I hope you find the likeminded people that you are looking for.

littlehokie

That sucks. Maybe they were intimidated by you? You are not a small dude. :-P

I had the opposite experience with my box but I'm sure they are all different. Unfortunately some people think their **** doesn't stink.

Z_I_L_L_A

I just wanna do my thing for me. I'm competing with me and no one else. I do crossfit because I like it and it helps me with power lifting. I'm no threat to anyone. I love lifting and I love doing crossfit. I have no aspirations of competing in crossfit right now. My cardio sux and I'm to heavy right now. I'm at 17% BF at 6'3" I should be maybe 205 lbs. But at 245-250 its hard to do cardio without gasping for air half way through a wod. My joints hurt (all of them,lol) and crossfit is helping with that. I don't wanna be thin, I like being big(muscle wise) and strong.

I went to the evening class and had to do 3RM on back squats. I thought well there isn't any people in this class to offend with my lifts. Then he said we had to put our lifts on the board. So I stopped at 365 for 3 and told him my knees hurt. Still concern myself with not making waves. Maybe later they will get to know me and find out I'm just a gentle giant.

kelr0110

I also don't go to certain sessions because of snarky looks from the clicky girl groups. Just because they have been doing Croffit forever (I am coming up to a year) they still treat everyone else like a newby who don't even deserve a hello.
I suggest you try a few different sessions if you can to find some like minded people.
There is a guy when I go who is so supremely strong but so humble, he is always cheering people on who are lagging behind - maybe people are intimidated by you (not sure what you look like). Good luck, I hope you find the likeminded people that you are looking for.

Same - it is everywhere it seems, you'll never get rid of the high school mentality some people have. There is a coach that is a younger girl in her early 20's that apparently helps out sometimes. You would think being a coach she would have a more open and friendly approach. She usually is there in the afternoon with the other "Crossfit Queens" (as I call them) and we did a special birthday WOD for the owner a couple weeks ago so I went and tried to talk to her but was brushed off immediately. At that point I already wasted more than enough time on her lol.

So anyway, I love my 5:30am class - everyone is chill and encouraging and we have a lot of laughs while taking our beatings. Wouldn't trade it for anything. Maybe try a different time if possible. It was also the first time so maybe people just need a couple times with your presence before they warm up

EDIT/PS - maybe crossfit queen was pissed that a two month newbie like me matched her MR for shoulder press? LOL

Z_I_L_L_A

You would think the ego's,click groups, younger people with issues etc. would realize I'm no threat to their crossfit manhood,lol.
This isn't high school people. I did swap to a different class last night.

Huggenkiss27

You would think the ego's,click groups, younger people with issues etc. would realize I'm no threat to their crossfit manhood,lol.
This isn't high school people. I did swap to a different class last night.

Was the different class any better? I LOVE my 5am class. I went this morning and we were all miserable and trying to figure out who pissed the coach off enough to get the beating we got. I refuse to ever go to the 5:30 PM class because it is the mean "mommy" class where there is no support.

Z_I_L_L_A

Yes it was much better. Feel like I have to hide,lol. Didn't really want my numbers put on the board though.

Scar1964

Embrace it. Unfortunately I had to quit box and start on my own this week. I had similar issues @ the box, but I already miss it. I have almost everything I need w/ my home box, but it is almost impossible to reach the intensity on your own. Regardless of the negatives of your box, CROSSFIT ROCKS. I will be following the CF website for WODs (scaled version) and making sh@t up as I go along. Best of luck to all of you.

Mummyadams

Maybe i's the early morning classes that rock - I take mine at 5.45am as well and my groups rocks! This morning a newish girl lagged behind and our coach made us all do the last set with her, counting down - it was awesome!

Z_I_L_L_A

^Thats what I like.

kelr0110

Maybe i's the early morning classes that rock - I take mine at 5.45am as well and my groups rocks! This morning a newish girl lagged behind and our coach made us all do the last set with her, counting down - it was awesome!

as it should be - very cool

sara_m83

Wow, I am really surprised to hear these stories of bad Crossfit experiences. I have done Crossfit at two different boxes (both in Melbourne, Australia) and have found absolutely every person involved incredibly supportive and friendly and encouraging. I have been to all times of sessions and haven't met anyone disagreeable at all. People are friendlier at Crossfit than at my neighbourhood cafe

julieofarc

Sad day. I've been at 4 different boxes, and really appreciate the freedom a few of them give individuals to "run their own race". Maybe you can be part of adding that to your new box by being friendly and yet doing your own thing without self-consciousness? Some of my favorite people at the box are the strong folks who are approachable, humble, and encouraging. Be the change and all that jazz. It's hard to do, but you seem like a strong character kind of guy. It has been really hard for me to learn to show up and do my thing, and ignore all the stuff, but I think that may be one of the more valuable lessons from my time there.

Hope you can settle in to a good group soon! Class times do really make a difference with community. I split my week- first half late evenings, last half late mornings. Big difference in people and environments.

Z_I_L_L_A

Sad day. I've been at 4 different boxes, and really appreciate the freedom a few of them give individuals to "run their own race". Maybe you can be part of adding that to your new box by being friendly and yet doing your own thing without self-consciousness? Some of my favorite people at the box are the strong folks who are approachable, humble, and encouraging. Be the change and all that jazz. It's hard to do, but you seem like a strong character kind of guy. It has been really hard for me to learn to show up and do my thing, and ignore all the stuff, but I think that may be one of the more valuable lessons from my time there.

Hope you can settle in to a good group soon! Class times do really make a difference with community. I split my week- first half late evenings, last half late mornings. Big difference in people and environments.

I treated this box the way I did the other one. Introduced myself to each member there. Smiled, complemented people etc. I'm not self-conscious, I'm a very down to earth person and friendly. I'm not intimidated by anyone or fear anyone. I don't boast or brag or intimidate. But I'm a rather large person from a power lifting background so my size and strength tends to be an issue with young full of testosterone guys.

The first box I was in was great and I miss it. The new box is different, not as friendly. I'm sure in the end it will all work out.

bananapancakebella

I've been so frustrated with my box lately. It doesn't help that I don't speak Danish (I'm living in Denmark for a year), but I don't care for the attitude at the box at all.

All but two of the instructors act like I'm bothering them or wasting their time when I ask them to explain the WOD or techniques to me slowly, and in english if possible, because I don't understand what we're doing. Because I don't speak Danish I can't speak to the other crossfitters, even though most of them speak fluent English. But its okay, it's my fault I don't speak the language. What sucks is that I'm sometimes afraid of asking the coaches questions. Also the box is so crowded that it's really difficult to get any personal attention.

What bothers me the most, is that everyone leaves when they've finished their WOD. They don't stick around to cheer on the ones who are still struggling, there are no words of encouragement or pats on the back. Everyone just minds their own business and gets out. The slower people are treated like they shouldn't be there and are wasting the stronger folks' time. There is no sense of community as far as I can see.

bananapancakebella

** When I say I can't speak to others because I don't speak Danish, even though they speak english, I mean that most Danish people do not care to speak to foreigners. Denmark is an incredibly insular country, and Danish people generally do not like making friends with new people. I know this sounds strange, and these are strong stereotypes, but Danish culture is incredibly different from the culture in the USA when it comes to meeting new people and making friends.

julieofarc

I treated this box the way I did the other one. Introduced myself to each member there. Smiled, complemented people etc. I'm not self-conscious, I'm a very down to earth person and friendly. I'm not intimidated by anyone or fear anyone. I don't boast or brag or intimidate. But I'm a rather large person from a power lifting background so my size and strength tends to be an issue with young full of testosterone guys.

The first box I was in was great and I miss it. The new box is different, not as friendly. I'm sure in the end it will all work out.

Sounds like you are doing all you can do. They are lucky to have you and your great attitude.

I posted my freaking slow scaled Annie time on the board today because of your comment about not wanting to put stuff up there. I often don't just because I can't focus on others and how far I have to go, but you did make me think that I might actually encourage others who have slow times too by posting instead of skipping. So thanks for that.

Mummyadams

ZILLA - how's the new box going?