8 reasons WOMEN SHOULD CROSSFIT

http://athletic-therapy.com/2011/11/03/8-reasons-why-women-should-crossfit/

8 Reasons Why Women (Should) CrossFit
By SMK Copy Write
I know I talk about CrossFit a TON on this blog (and I swear I don’t work for the company!). Thing is, with all that CrossFit has done for me, I feel it’s my duty to relay the vast benefits on to other women if only to educate and inform. Having said that, if you have an aversion to hard work, read no further.

But if you love the adrenaline rush of hitting new PBs (personal bests), constantly challenging yourself with new exercises and techniques, and always improving your fitness level, read on.



Here are 8 reasons why you (or a woman you love) should give CrossFit a shot:

1) It’s always challenging you to learn new exercises, so it keeps workouts fresh and exciting. Walking at an incline on the “dreadmill” 30 minutes a day, 5 times a week? No, thank you. There are more fun (and productive) things to be done!

2) It strengthens your core (WITHOUT doing 200 reps a day of ab-specific work). CrossFit includes so many compound exercises that whether or not it’s your goal, you will build core strength. So, once you inevitably peel away fat you’ll have some amazing abs to show for it.



3) It burns calories like crazy. Try doing one of the WODs (Workout of the Day) with running + compound lifts (like deadlifts, weighted squats, or cleans). It is not only exhausting but also brings you into a whole other realm of calorie burning. Workouts like this will keep you lean and mean.

4) You’ll get more muscular. And I’m talking about the lean, athletic, fat-burning, awesome kind of muscular. Don’t believe me? Check out this video and try to argue otherwise. “Skinny fat” is nowhere to be seen.



5) You will feel like the energizer bunny. I know, weird that exercising actually gives you energy, right? CrossFit is no exception.

6) It increases confidence in the gym. I have worked out with so many women who are deathly self-conscious about entering the “men’s area” of the gym. You know, where all the barbells and plates are (aka, the good stuff). After you bite the bullet and tackle a few of the heavier CrossFit workouts you’ll never harbor that fear again.

7) It increases confidence OUTSIDE of the gym. After completing a killer WOD, I can tell that my sense of accomplishment carries over into everyday life. I can tell that it does this for other women too. I taught a young female client how to back squat in the “men’s area” last night. She simply glowed with accomplishment afterwards… Or maybe that was just sweat?

8) It’s an investment in your future. Like you, I don’t want to suffer from bone density issues when I’m 50. I want my fitness level to bounce back as quickly as possible after I have kids. I want to continue to feel strong and powerful into my 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond. If you do too, now is the time to make the investment.



Train hard,

Steph



PS…

Here are some more resources about Women & CrossFit:

http://games.crossfit.com/features/women-2011-reebok-crossfit-games

http://orangecoastcrossfit.com/crossfit-for-women/

http://blog.fitnesstown.ca/2010/07/01/why-women-need-crossfit/

I've had this in my email for a while. Thought you all might enjoy it!

When your questioned about where you workout at, what do you say to explain CrossFit? Try some of these the next time someone asks.

-I train in a box. It has walls…sometimes. Sometimes we go outside. Sometimes we meet elsewhere. It’s not the location I value, it’s the people.

-I train in an open space, because bars and my training partners fly everywhere. There is no equipment in the way, only my friends near me as we all struggle together, and are rewarded all the same.

-I train in a warehouse with no air conditioning and big garage doors. If you didn’t know where it was, you would never find it. There is no sign outside. The signs of training are all inside, working, or helping one another.

-I train where advertising is sacrilege. I train where I am a walking advertisement.

-I train with people I truly enjoy, and would do anything for, not where I need to put ear phones in to block out all the annoying banter. When we go, we hear yells, trainers instructing, or loud *kitten* music making us go even harder…not elevator bull****. Real music.

-I train in a place where if I am negative, I will be addressed by at least one person about my stupid *kitten* attitude, and if I am unlucky enough on that day, I may be asked to leave, and come back when I’m better, because I am affecting the core by my stupid *kitten* baggage that is meant to be burned at the door.

-I train where if I want to keep my shirt on I can….but there are no rules saying I have to. Where I train if someone disrobes to any level, wears short *kitten* shorts, or is quasi naked after a WOD that’s fine…no attention will be paid, because it’s all about the training, not about meat markets. If you want a pick up joint, look elsewhere.

-I train where I’m valued and truly appreciate for showing up and putting forth true, real, demanding effort.

-I train where I am judged on my movements and attitude every day. Not because my friends are *kitten*, because they truly want to make me better at life, and want success for me not injury. A piss poor performance means someone will care enough to help me make it better, and find out why it happened to begin with.

-I train in a place void of gossip. Rumors are unwelcome at all times and if I was stupid enough to ever spout anything negative, or even just not positive about one of my training partners, or any other training location for that matter, I would be crucified on the spot, by any and all in ear shot. Drama queens are eaten alive where I train.

-I train where everyone applauds when I do well, and I applaud for them.

-I train where justification is Lucifer, and honesty is gospel. For if I lie, I only fail myself.

-I train where I am confronted everyday by food Nazis who won’t allow me to eat **** and call it gold. Where I train we call bad, bad, quality, quality and everything in between sub-par. Where I train life happens, the difference is, here I have to confront my downfalls and improve not hide them away for tomorrow.

-I train to be better at life – the unknown and unknowable. To one day be able to help someone less fortunate than I. To be able to be moving on my own when I’m old and gray, not being moved.

-I train because I want the mirror to be an outward reflection of how I feel inside, which is pretty damn good, and I want it to stay that way.

-I train because laziness sickens me, and preventable disease is exactly that…preventable through effort, not medication.

-I train to be different than those before me. To go out swinging, not resting. To live valiantly, not cowardly.

-I train where the floor could double as a pool at times because people actually work hard. I don’t care, that’s how it should be.

-I train with football players, grandmas, kids, housewives, doctors.

-I train with people of every walk of life, and if I cared about status…someone would make me leave.

-I train where education daily is paramount, and if I’m not a constant student, I will fail quickly.

-I train where we are all equal, because we truly are. The only thing that separates people is the attitude to believe this is true or not. The ones who believe they are better than others, are so much better….they aren’t allowed to train with me.

-I train with people that make my day better.

-I train in a place where I want to be, not a place I feel I have to be.

-I train under expectations: expectations to be better than yesterday.

-I train in a community dedicated to the whole. The success of the many. This is the reason we all change and progress so fast. Where I train, it’s not about “I”….it’s about “us.”

I train….what the hell do you?

Which one do you most subscribe to

This is one of my FAVORITE articles explaining the importance of strength training. In a world where cardio is king, especially with women, I found this my go-to article to explain to people why I CrossFit. (I also had to show this to my husband... he is a great marathon runner but I am trying to convince him that CF will make him faster...)

http://www.crossfitsouthbay.com/2011/05/skinny-fat/

This is hilarious!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHuJsw5OXFI&feature=email

that was funny

nice! her back is awesome!

you know, I stopped focusing on what I can't do and started working on and perfecting what I can do. Eventually an unassisted ring dip will happen - as will those damn pull ups... But I know my strengths and weaknesses and I can work on it.

saw this and thought would only work if partner was crossfitting too... and not having young children helps too :huh: