CrossFit. WODs. Thrusters. Nasty girls. PRs. Fran. Burpees. Angie. Grace. Helen. Hero WODs. The Box.
CrossFit can be intimidating. I get it. Before a friend finally dragged me to my first class I had successfully turned down invitations to try it for an entire year. I watched people try CrossFit and fall in love, but with the heavy weights, muscly members and blisters on their hands, I avoided it.
My first WOD was scary. I looked at the board and wasn’t sure if I could do it. The timer and loud coach didn’t help either. Despite my initial fear I did complete the workout- and I was sore the next week to make sure I remembered it. I returned several times the following week and have continued for the past eight months.
Richard is a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer so I asked him to help me tell you more about what CrossFit is, how to get started and how to do the workouts on your own.
What is CrossFit?
CrossFit uses high intensity, short-interval, constantly varied and functional movements. Workouts are designed to be short and intense.
Who is it for?
Everyone can benefit from CrossFit. The workouts are universally scalable to adapt to a person’s current strength level, injuries and goals. CrossFit believes a person’s needs vary only by intensity, not kind.
Can I do CrossFit with my other workouts?
Please do! CrossFit adds balance and strength to running, swimming, yoga and other workout tracks. The workouts are functional and are designed to prepare you for other sports and daily life.
What is a WOD?
WOD stands for Workout of the Day. CrossFit posts their WODs here- boxes (individual CrossFit gyms) may or may not follow them day by day.
Other CrossFit posts:
Coming soon: how to get started with CrossFit, foundation exercises and what to do if you don’t have a box near you. Leave any specific questions in the comments!
Have you tried CrossFit? If not, do you incorporate weight lifting and strength exercises into your workouts?
{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }
I started it two years ago when people didn’t know what it was! I did it for about 1.5 years and am on hiatus while pregnant. Never felt so strong as I did at CF! I have a lot of good things to say about it. It’s mentally tough too!
Marci recently posted..Comment on Pregnancy Update: Week 29 by sarah (the SHU box)
Awesome!!
healthy ashley recently posted..What is CrossFit?
I’d be really interested in a post on how you balance a vegan diet with Crossfit diet objectives (heavy meat, right?). The husband is very interested in a move towards a paleo diet next year, but as a former vegan (now omnivore) I don’t love meat and have a limited idea of accrptable meat products. Any suggestions or recipes would be appreciated!
Also you look fantastic and strong in that pic. Your recovery has been so inspiring to watch!
I’ll definitely cover the diet aspect!!
healthy ashley recently posted..What is CrossFit?
I’ve had a Groupon for CrossFit classes in my purse for months, still intimidated. The more you are willing to teach in posts, the sooner I might be willing to overcome the fear.
I started kettlebell last summer and fell in love, I’m hoping crossfit will be similar.
Very interested in Crossfit! Thanks for the post.
I’ve been wanting to do it for awhile but have been nervous to try it out. I currently incorporate weights into my workouts as well as running, pilates & yoga but I have never had much upper body strength.
Some of the moves look so intimidating!
Jes Suazo recently posted..Christmas Chaos
I LOOOOOVE Crossfit! I only started 3 weeks ago but I have never felt so accepted in a community and so proud of myself for working so hard. I’m so glad I’ve found CF.
Laura recently posted..2012 Goals
I’d love to know how Richard became an instructor
Joy recently posted..Friday fill in
I’ll definitely post about that!
I can get behind everything besides the paleo diet meat-heavy loads. I am falling in love with compound movements for my crosstraining, and typical wod setups are great cross training workouts. but Ironman training says to do those maybe 2 or 3 days a week, not 6. and I think it would be a valid and interesting comparison to check “fitness” levels between an experienced Ironman and a crossfitter.
Carolina John recently posted..Christmas 2011 in pictures
Richard and I talk about the differences and benefits of comparing the two (and we don’t always agree). Thanks- I’ll bring that discussion here!
We started Crossfit/Paleo a few months ago and have been immensely happy with both decisions. Although people get intimidated by what they perceive to be a “meat-heavy” diet, we are able to do it quite well with a moderate amount of meat. I personally would probably find it hard to do it on a vegan diet, but I imagine it wouldn’t be impossible, just would require more awareness/planning and supplements
I think an interesting post would be to tackle how to participate with pre-existing conditions/injuries. I know for a lot of my friends, old/recurring knee and back injuries have prevented them from participating.
Jessica recently posted..Our 2011 Christmas Recap
Will cover! I find it’s helping immensely with my rehab.
How do you find Crossfit integrating with your Disney marathon training? I tried to do NROLFW when I trained for a marathon, and I found that it affected the quality of my runs negatively.
I did it for a while when I was getting s discounted rate of $75/mo, but I can’t justify $100-150 a month. I wish I could see a breakdown of the costs to run a box, because it really does seem ridiculous that it’s so high. I enjoyed it, but not enough to fork over that kind of money.
I completely agree. CrossFit can be very expensive. I can tell you what I know about my box: the trainers don’t make very much, the owners break even and the equipment, large space and operating costs add up. I’d be interested in knowing more about other boxes!
Hey! I just started CrossFit regularly 2 weeks ago now, and I’m loving every minute. I just go twice a week, because I’m also training to run my first half marathon on March. I got tired of the gym, so I’m letting my gym pass expire and cutting back on sessions with my personal trainer so I’m still coming out ahead paying $112 a month for 2 sessions per week.
I love how BADASS I feel when I leave the box. And the athlete in me feels better working out there, than when I attempt to workout at my local gym. It’s great to get the ego cut down to size as well… I’m a fairly good hockey player and runner… but CrossFit shows how deficient you can be in other areas. I’m also applying into the RCMP up here in Canada, and CrossFit is a great prep for what I will be encountering in training. I really hope I can keep this up for many years to come!
Please please please keep up the posts on CrossFit
. Very motivating, and I fall in love it with more everyday!
Laura recently posted..Opinions
I’ve been doing Crossfit for two years, and I’ve been a vegetarian (mostly vegan) most of my life.
It’s nice to read a blogger who Crossfits and doesn’t eat animals, so keep up the great work!
Thanks for doing this. Not that young anymore but love to workout and hopefully i can do some form of this in my home. Is that possible?
One of the best CrossFitters in our box is in her 60′s and she’s only been doing it for one year!
Thanks Ashley! I’m looking forward to learning more and maybe trying these workouts at home too. Can you tell us in future posts the equipment is needed?
For sure!
I am also a vegetarian and was scorned for such behavior at our local box. How do you balance the Paleo way of thinking and eating with your veganism? I’d love to hear more about not eating meat and being a Crossfitter.
Thanks for the breakdown, Ashley! I’ve got a CrossFit place down the road that I’ve been wanting to try, but am definitely intimidated.
Kiah recently posted..tea kettle mountain tops
Hi, Ashley. I’m just curious if you would recommend cross fit for some one who herniated a disc a few months ago (now post-op)….it makes me nervous just thinking about it. Are there modifications for these situations?
Thanks for the details Ashley. One of my goals for this year is to try a CrossFit class.
Glenneth recently posted..Goals, ToDos, Resolutions – 12 for 2012
I know two people (at least) have asked you about this, but how has your gym treated you as a vegan. I am a vegetarian (was a vegan for 6+ years) and it took me 4 years to try crossfit, just because of the diet they advocate. Well, it is not just the diet, but the fact that many crossfitters believe that vegetarians are “morons” for not eating according to their “place in the food chain.” I am taking my first CF class on Monday and I have already receive information on how I will ONLY make improvements if I eat Paleo. I already replied to this e-mail explaining my inability to follow the Paleo diet. I respect their way of eating and I hope they can respect mine. However, I am still a little apprehensive. I am paying good $ to be trained – not to be “evangelized” about the holy grail of dead animals. So, your thoughts on it will be greatly appreciated!
Ashley! You inspired me to sign-up for my first CrossFit experience. It’s tomorrow night and although I’m very nervous, I’m also excited and humbled after reading your thoughts on it. I can’t wait to give it my best shot! Thank you for leading the way for me!