mongrelheart (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
mongrelheart) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
lifting_heavy_things2011-08-02 01:20 pm
mongrelheart) wrote in lifting_heavy_things2011-08-02 01:20 pm
big crossfit post!
Hello again all, daedala suggested I post about my experiences with Crossfit, so here goes!
I had seen mentions of Crossfit on the internet in my fitness-related Googlings, but I still wasn't quite sure what it was, and I sure didn't know anybody who did it. I discovered that there was a Box (that's what Crossfit folks call a gym) within a reasonable distance of where I live in Chicago. At the time, they were renting a storefront space. You could look in the windows and see some pullup bars, a couple of squat racks, and a little herd of kettlebells sitting on the black rubber floor mats. I went by there several times before I got the courage to actually go in, meet the coach, and get the explanation of just what the heck this was all about.
Basically, Crossfit is a program of all-around, general fitness. Specialization (i.e. being really good at doing just one skill/activity) is avoided. Routines (that your body will adapt to and then cease getting benefit from) are avoided. Crossfit workouts incorporate movements and exercises that have applications in the real world ("functional fitness"). They're also designed to be scaled according to each person's abilities and needs. Everybody does the same workout, but some people will do it with modifications that still preserve the basic intent of the exercise. There's more on the philosophy of Crossfit here.
- Workouts occur at scheduled times. A coach runs the workout. You always work out in a group with other people. (Unless you're the only person who showed up, which has happened to me occasionally!)
- Every day there is a different workout (called the "Workout of the Day" or more commonly, the "WOD"). You don't know the workouts in advance; you just roll into the Box, and whatever's written on the white board, that's what you're doing. The coach will explain the day's activities and make sure everybody understands what they're doing.
- Warmup exercises are done as a group.
- After warmup, there's the actual workout. These can last 10 minutes, or 55 minutes, or anything in between.
So, how to start? Crossfit Boxes ("affiliates") have been sprouting up like weeds, so if you're interested in joining one or finding out more info, here is a list by geographical area. My Box (Windy City Crossfit in Chicago) has free intro sessions, where they take people through the "philosophy", the official warmup, and then a beginner workout. You can then sign up for the On-Ramp (beginner class), which is 3x a week for 4 weeks. (After that, you join the general population.)
How is this gonna feel? If you have not experienced a Crossfit style workouts before, you will probably find it kind of intense. However keep in mind, they are not going to try and kill you the first day, or push you beyond your abilities or any physical limitations you may have. You do not have to be "already fit" before you start. (I don't know why people think this, but I've been asked that before.)
Note: you don't have to belong to an affiliate to do Crossfit. You can do it on your own, at a "regular" gym, in your garage or basement or back yard or wherever, by just referring to the main website and doing the WOD that's posted. Lots of people do it this way.
There are definite advantages to Box membership, however. First of all, coaching. Having somebody who knows all the moves, and knows how to explain/teach them to you, & can answer all your questions, is invaluable. (As opposed to typical gyms where you are pretty much paying to use the equipment without instruction or supervision). Secondly, Crossfit has a very strong community & social aspect to it. Working out in a conventional-type gym can be a lonely experience. It certainly was for me; I would go into the gym by myself, do my workout, and then leave, sometimes not having talked to another human being the entire time. When you work out at a Box, you're never alone. You're with people, you talk to them, & you cheer each other on. Maybe it sounds cheezeball, but being in the presence of other people, everybody working hard on the same thing, makes you capable of so much more. (I tend to be an alienated, loner-type, and yet I can't deny the advantages of the group!)
Some things you will find in a Crossfit gym:
- pullup bars, kettlebells, jump ropes, weighted "medicine balls", climbing rope
- Olympic weight lifting platforms, bars & "bumper plates" (the rubber-coated weights that bounce when you drop them)
- timers on the wall (a lot of workouts are 'for time', or take place in an allotted time span)
- rowing machines (pretty much the only "machine" we use)
- knowledgable coaches
- amazing athletes (we have some former Olympians at my Box) as well as awesome regular folks (moms, students, grandfathers, etc.)
- lots of women! (the gender ratio seems to be at least 50-50 at my Box)
Some things you won't find:
- all the weight machines that a conventional-type gym has
- treadmills
- ellipticals
- mirrors (When I first came in as a newbie, I wondered why there were no mirrors. "How will I know if my form is correct?" Coach: "You'll know because I'll be watching you and telling you. Eventually you'll know because you'll be aware of how your body should feel.")
- in a typical gym there tend to be these "guys only" areas (the free weights room) and "girls only" areas (the big row of treadmills at the front), well we don't have that :)
- "macho" attitudes (any guy who rolls in thinking he's macho, usually changes his mind pretty quick after experiencing first workout)
OK, I think I've blabbed on long enough. In conclusion: I'm not going to claim that Crossfit is the one true way for everybody, but if any of the above sounds interesting or appealing, I'd really encourage you to check it out.
daedala suggested I post about my experiences with Crossfit, so here goes!I had seen mentions of Crossfit on the internet in my fitness-related Googlings, but I still wasn't quite sure what it was, and I sure didn't know anybody who did it. I discovered that there was a Box (that's what Crossfit folks call a gym) within a reasonable distance of where I live in Chicago. At the time, they were renting a storefront space. You could look in the windows and see some pullup bars, a couple of squat racks, and a little herd of kettlebells sitting on the black rubber floor mats. I went by there several times before I got the courage to actually go in, meet the coach, and get the explanation of just what the heck this was all about.
Basically, Crossfit is a program of all-around, general fitness. Specialization (i.e. being really good at doing just one skill/activity) is avoided. Routines (that your body will adapt to and then cease getting benefit from) are avoided. Crossfit workouts incorporate movements and exercises that have applications in the real world ("functional fitness"). They're also designed to be scaled according to each person's abilities and needs. Everybody does the same workout, but some people will do it with modifications that still preserve the basic intent of the exercise. There's more on the philosophy of Crossfit here.
- Workouts occur at scheduled times. A coach runs the workout. You always work out in a group with other people. (Unless you're the only person who showed up, which has happened to me occasionally!)
- Every day there is a different workout (called the "Workout of the Day" or more commonly, the "WOD"). You don't know the workouts in advance; you just roll into the Box, and whatever's written on the white board, that's what you're doing. The coach will explain the day's activities and make sure everybody understands what they're doing.
- Warmup exercises are done as a group.
- After warmup, there's the actual workout. These can last 10 minutes, or 55 minutes, or anything in between.
So, how to start? Crossfit Boxes ("affiliates") have been sprouting up like weeds, so if you're interested in joining one or finding out more info, here is a list by geographical area. My Box (Windy City Crossfit in Chicago) has free intro sessions, where they take people through the "philosophy", the official warmup, and then a beginner workout. You can then sign up for the On-Ramp (beginner class), which is 3x a week for 4 weeks. (After that, you join the general population.)
How is this gonna feel? If you have not experienced a Crossfit style workouts before, you will probably find it kind of intense. However keep in mind, they are not going to try and kill you the first day, or push you beyond your abilities or any physical limitations you may have. You do not have to be "already fit" before you start. (I don't know why people think this, but I've been asked that before.)
Note: you don't have to belong to an affiliate to do Crossfit. You can do it on your own, at a "regular" gym, in your garage or basement or back yard or wherever, by just referring to the main website and doing the WOD that's posted. Lots of people do it this way.
There are definite advantages to Box membership, however. First of all, coaching. Having somebody who knows all the moves, and knows how to explain/teach them to you, & can answer all your questions, is invaluable. (As opposed to typical gyms where you are pretty much paying to use the equipment without instruction or supervision). Secondly, Crossfit has a very strong community & social aspect to it. Working out in a conventional-type gym can be a lonely experience. It certainly was for me; I would go into the gym by myself, do my workout, and then leave, sometimes not having talked to another human being the entire time. When you work out at a Box, you're never alone. You're with people, you talk to them, & you cheer each other on. Maybe it sounds cheezeball, but being in the presence of other people, everybody working hard on the same thing, makes you capable of so much more. (I tend to be an alienated, loner-type, and yet I can't deny the advantages of the group!)
Some things you will find in a Crossfit gym:
- pullup bars, kettlebells, jump ropes, weighted "medicine balls", climbing rope
- Olympic weight lifting platforms, bars & "bumper plates" (the rubber-coated weights that bounce when you drop them)
- timers on the wall (a lot of workouts are 'for time', or take place in an allotted time span)
- rowing machines (pretty much the only "machine" we use)
- knowledgable coaches
- amazing athletes (we have some former Olympians at my Box) as well as awesome regular folks (moms, students, grandfathers, etc.)
- lots of women! (the gender ratio seems to be at least 50-50 at my Box)
Some things you won't find:
- all the weight machines that a conventional-type gym has
- treadmills
- ellipticals
- mirrors (When I first came in as a newbie, I wondered why there were no mirrors. "How will I know if my form is correct?" Coach: "You'll know because I'll be watching you and telling you. Eventually you'll know because you'll be aware of how your body should feel.")
- in a typical gym there tend to be these "guys only" areas (the free weights room) and "girls only" areas (the big row of treadmills at the front), well we don't have that :)
- "macho" attitudes (any guy who rolls in thinking he's macho, usually changes his mind pretty quick after experiencing first workout)
OK, I think I've blabbed on long enough. In conclusion: I'm not going to claim that Crossfit is the one true way for everybody, but if any of the above sounds interesting or appealing, I'd really encourage you to check it out.
no subject
There's a box about 20 min away, so I am thinking about it. It might depend on whether my partner is interested, too.
Do they teach you to herd kettlebells? I'm imagining kettlebells, gamboling across the fields, and being rounded up by medicine-ball cats.
no subject
In this photo, a pride of kettlebells has surrounded its prey. A young kettlebell attacks the hindlimb to bring the prey to the ground, while the alpha kettlebell goes for the throat.
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
Is your partner into fitness stuff as well? I kinda envy the couples who work out together. My own partner has never really been a gym-type person (though I still hold out hope of getting him into Crossfit some day).
no subject
The situation with the partner and exercise is...complicated. I can't work out with him at home (we tried it for a while and it started hitting a lot of my "why the hell am I the responsible one here?" neuroses), but maybe a group setting would work. Or maybe not. He's doing NROL4A now, which is probably actually as good a prep for crossfit as a geek can get, so maybe we'll give it a shot.
no subject