Hi EBF Readers, I’m Marci from www.marcigilbert.com and I live in Houston, TX. I met Brittany at Foodbuzz Fest in November and now we are blog friends and real life friends. I am writing about CrossFit, a type of exercise class that includes fast movements, heavy weights, and makes you strong in the mind and body. I’d love to hear from you if you have questions or want to know more about it.
How to get started with CrossFit:
I have been doing CrossFit for over a year as a cross-training and strength building addition to my exercise routine. It’s different than working out one on one with a trainer, and it’s different than running for miles and miles. It is hard to explain the intensity of a CrossFit class, and I think many people are intimidated to start. So I’ve put together a little “How to get started” list and hope you’ll read along if you’re interested!
Please note that I am far from an expert and sometimes I am the slowest in my class. But I keep going back to work on it!
About: CrossFit is about “specializing in not specializing.” This means that you do a variety of movements and learn different skills and no class is ever the same. WODs (workout of the day) range from 7 minutes to 40 minutes, usually averaging around 20. Each class lasts about one hour, and the time not spent doing the WOD is warming up, warming down, stretching, and working on a skill (pullups, weight lifting, running, etc.) Every gym is different, this is based on the one I go to. There are also no machines except a rower. All movements are done with body weight, medicine balls, bar bells, kettlebells, dumbbells, and elastic bands. It’s not a boot camp, but you might leave with dirt on your hands and knees.
How should you start: Look into a gym close to you and see how they structure beginners. Usually there is a one-time class to learn the basics and assess your skills, or there is a multi-class “ramp up” series to learn the basics spread over time. The gyms are independent “box” gyms and not affiliated with a Gold’s or 24 Hour type place.
What should you expect: You should definitely give it some time to enjoy. Sometimes I still don’t enjoy it, and sometimes I don’t want to go back! There is an adjustment period at the beginning because you’ve probably never had a workout like this or worked this hard. It can leave you out of breath, beat up, cut up (sometimes!), sore for days, and tired. All in a short amount of time. I’ve been called slow and a light weight, and there’s definitely a mental game involved!
Why is it so great?
CrossFit makes you strong on the inside and the outside: On the outside you gain muscle. Like serious muscle. You’ll lift more than you ever thought you could. That’s why it’s scary in the beginning. You are stronger than you think you are! You have a baseline when you start, and you keep adding to it. On the inside, you get tough. You talk to yourself and tell yourself that you are strong. This class is not for sissies. You must want to be there. And when you finish a terrible (or great) workout, you feel so proud and accomplished.
It makes you competitive: At our gym, scores are published the next day to show where you fall compared to everyone else that did the workout. You don’t want to be the slowest or lift the lowest weight. It pushes you.
It makes you work hard: You want to get better, you want to be faster, lift more.The people you go to class with are friendly and encouraging. Everyone suffers together and helps out. It’s fun to be part of a group like that.
Bottom line–you do CrossFit for strength, for a great workout, and to challenge yourself every time you go. You have to be ON, and you can’t hide. Don’t be scared! Find a good gym and trust the instructor. You must commit, and you can’t just drop in and think it’s going to work.
Brittany Mullins, HHC
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This is a great review. I work out at home mainly, but I’ve been curious about CrossFit after reading so much about it online. I’m definitely going to see if one of the local gyms is offering the program. Thanks!
I’ve always wondered about CrossFit, great post!
What great timing for this post, ladies! A CrossFit recently opened in my neighborhood and I’ve been curious, if not totally intimidated.
Looking forward to checking it out, and bearing your advice in mind! Thank you!
Good luck! Hope you enjoy it.
Thank you for this very helpful information! I am always looking for something new to add to my same old workout routine. I’ll have to look into this more in my area…
This is really helpful–I’ve been totally intimidated by it, especially since most of the classes near me are offered in warehouse-type spaces which are intimidating in themselves. Thanks for sharing!
Good luck!
A couple things not mentioned that I think are important (and are also the reasons I got up and went to my first Crossfit gym over a year ago:
1. Crossfit is for EVERYONE! Every single, solitary work out can be scaled to any size, age, or fitness level. I’ve done WODs with police officers, stay at home moms, pregnant women, a wounded veteran with an artificial knee and a 67 year old man. 2. Crossfit is “functional training.” Meaning the purpose of the work is to make your body functional in every day life without injury…getting up and down off the floor with your kids, loading suitcases into your truck, lifting bottled water into your cart at the grocery.
Love this post!
All true, I like that there’s lots of different people in my classes. And it does roll over to everyday life. Agree on lifting suitcases, or the Cuisinart mixer. Squat and press.
I could not agree more. I started Crossfit this past summer and it’s changed not only my body but my life. I’ve always been into athletics at the h.s. and college level, but now that I’m approaching 40, I have NEVER…..EVER been in this kind of shape! Well stated overview of Crossfit and how to get started! Bravo!
Thanks! It’s pretty addicting, huh? And suitable for everyone.
I could not agree more. I started Crossfit this past summer and it’s changed not only my body but my life. I’ve always been into athletics at the h.s. and college level, but now that I’m approaching 40, I have NEVER…..EVER been in this kind of shape! Well stated overview of Crossfit and how to get started! Bravo!
I love Crossfit! I’ve never seen so much change in my strength, endurance, stamina and body image since I started doing it– I love lifting heavy things! It’s empowering and, for me meditative…if that makes any sense! I would highly recommend it to anyone on the fence about trying it out!
Great post! Crossfit is amazing… changed my life like it has for so many others.
Thanks for this article about how to start with Cross Fit. It seems like the main answer you provide is “Look into a gym close to you…”.
Do you just mean join a Cross Fit gym??
How about if I don’t live anywhere near a Cross Fit gym? Any advice on how to start without professional help?
Jimmy
Jimmy,
I’d recommend looking at the Main Site at http://www.crossfit.com
You can most certainly get started learning the proper movements on your own, but in my own personal opinion (and I’m one that scours for info. once I’m into something) you want to make sure you are doing Crossfit w/proper form. Crossfit often involves quite a bit of reps. of something and when you tire, your form can go south quickly (hence the benefit of a coach if you can join a Crossfit box (gym). I’ve heard and seen a lot of folks who started in a gym own their own. One thing at a gym is they often don’t like folks leaving equipment then coming back to it, so planning is key. If you don’t have professional help, then just make sure you study up on proper form especially when doing olympic lifting. Good luck!
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