First Week Down
BennettV72
Posts: 43
Hi everyone!
Just wanted to introduce myself. I'm Jen and I started Crossfit on July 7th. My hubbs and I are doing it together and we started with the 2-week (MTThF) On-Ramp that teaches us all the moves and a WOD each day.
I've never (no hyperbole) worked so hard in my life. Even the warm-ups are ridiculously hard for me. But the way other people have rallied around me has helped me to complete workouts that I never thought I could even begin to attempt.
I'm pretty hooked (though still super newb) and wanted to say hello!
Just wanted to introduce myself. I'm Jen and I started Crossfit on July 7th. My hubbs and I are doing it together and we started with the 2-week (MTThF) On-Ramp that teaches us all the moves and a WOD each day.
I've never (no hyperbole) worked so hard in my life. Even the warm-ups are ridiculously hard for me. But the way other people have rallied around me has helped me to complete workouts that I never thought I could even begin to attempt.
I'm pretty hooked (though still super newb) and wanted to say hello!
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Replies
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Bennett,
I started a year ago and probably would have typed the exact same thing. After about a week I remember telling someone that when the warmups were not utterly destroying me I would know I was making some progress. Took about six weeks to two months for me to finish a warmup and think "awesome, now I'm ready to do some work!"
I'll say the same thing I say to everyone starting out. Focus on form FIRST. Your technique has to be sound before you add weight and intensity. Once it IS sound, the rest will follow pretty naturally. Bad form leads to injury. If your coaches aren't doing it already, tell them to stop and correct you any time they see you doing something you shouldn't be.
Learn to love the foam roller and work on your mobility every day. I still can't get a proper rack position a year in, but I'm better than I was when I started.
And when you're sore a heck and can't move, go to the gym anyways. The warmup will usually get you loose enough to do the WOD. If it doesn't just do something else.
The coaches and your boxmates are there to encourage and support you, but you have to know your limits and be willing to say "I need to stop or I'm going to hurt myself."
As an older CFer (I'm 44) I tend to err on the side of caution.
Congratulations on getting started and I hope you continue to enjoy it.0 -
I just finished onramp and started WODs last week. I was in semi-decent CV shape and had some basis in strength when I started, but the warm-ups and 5 minute-7 minute AMRAP workouts at the end of the classes literally destroyed me. I have gained endurance extremely quickly though, and I attribute it to those short workouts in the intro classes.
My biggest 2 suggestions as a fellow newb:
1. Don't add weight until you feel totally comfortable with a skill. I've been using the 33lb bar for a lot of the new skills like hang cleans and jerks. I don't feel ashamed about using the bar. I don't scale up utnil I feel very comfortable with the skill and my coach clears me by telling me I'm doing it right. Even then I take my sweet time with each rep, still focusing on form over anything else.
2. Drink more water than you've ever drank in your life. Pee constantly. It cleans out all that acid buildup in your muscles and helps you be less sore. Stretch a little before bed and as soon as you get up in the morning, but above all DRINK WATER. I drink 100oz (3L) each day, and it takes effort, but it allows me to go back to the box the next day without feeling destroyed. It's literally the only reason I'm not usually that sore, even after hard WODs with new skills.
Enjoy!!! I'm an addicted newb, as well. i can't wait to start seeing results
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welcome welcome!0
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I'm new too! First week of "real" classes down, after a month of beginner classes. Super excited!0
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Thanks for posting! I'm going back tomorrow and am so nervous. Now I have knees issues, have gained weight, and am more sedentary than ever. I remember my first on-ramp and the warm ups being harder than any work out I had ever done. I know I just have to do it and go from there but I'm scared so GOOD FOR YOU!!0
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Doing nothing isnt' going to help your knees. i'd say get back to it, tell the coaches you need to focus on strengthening your legs and knees.0
