In the spirit of the new workout streak goal (as opposed to running streak goal), today’s post is focused on a type of exercise different from running. I’m sure most of you have heard of CrossFit- a core strength and conditioning program. The workouts are designed for “universal scalability”, changing them to various intensities depending on the individual.
My friend Jenna is a CrossFit enthusiast, and agreed to share her perspective on the CrossFit experience. Hope you find her words motivating in these cold winter days, and inspire you to try something new!
Question: You have been a religious CrossFit member for a couple of years now. How did you learn about CrossFit and what made it so appealing to you? What about the workout keeps you coming back?
Answer: I’ve been doing CrossFit for over 3.5 years now – usually 3–5 days a week. In spring 2012, a new CrossFit box [CrossFit location] opened in my neighborhood. I was getting bored at the gym and decided to give it a try – and the rest is history! I instantly fell in love with the bootcamp-style workouts. I loved that I was competing against myself (and others!) each and every class. I also loved that every class was different, so I wasn’t getting bored.
Question: You are a member of Reebok CrossFit Back Bay. What made working out with the trainers at this box [CrossFit location] different from working out by yourself?
Answer: The coaches at my box are awesome – they really push me to work my hardest each and every time I’m at the gym. I used to think that reading a magazine while getting through 30 minutes on the elliptical was a good workout – I now know that I need to push my physical capacity each and every time in order to get the most “bang for my buck.”
Question: What were your fitness goals when you started?
Answer: I honestly could barely get through 5 burpees in a row when I started! And I remember trying to squat 65 pounds and really struggling (I can now squat over 200 pounds). I don’t think I had a specific fitness goal in the beginning – once I got into CrossFit I made a goal to participate in a CrossFit competition, and I have now participated in several. I still have a goal to be able to do one pull-up, and I really hope that I can achieve it one day.
Question: How has CrossFit made an impact on your body and life in general?
Answer: I think my experience with CrossFit is different than most because I was really starting from a very unfit level. However, the beauty about CrossFit is that it works for all fitness levels. There are people in my class who are over 100 pounds overweight, or who are 70 years old. Anyone can do it! And it’s a great way to get in shape for those trying to lose weight as well. I have become so much fitter and stronger since starting CrossFit.
Question: What is your favorite CrossFit WOD (workout of the day)?
Answer: My favorite WOD is a hero WOD called DT . It has a lot of heavy barbell movements (my favorite!) and is very challenging.
Question: What is your least favorite/most challenging workout?
Answer: Anything with: burpees, pull-ups, box jumps, and running. However, I also know that those type of movements make me stronger, so I try not to cherry-pick WODs – I’ll show up to class no matter what the workout because that’s how I can improve.
Question: You have participated in CrossFit competitions. How did you become involved in those? How do you like competing?
Answer: I absolutely love competing! It’s such a great way to PR (the pressure from the crowd always makes you lift more than you can in a regular class). I started by doing a couple of internal competitions at my gym. Since then, I have done 2 external competitions – one solo and one with a partner.
Question: What would you say to someone starting CrossFit for the first time?
Answer: I would say try it for 3 days a week for one month. That’s 12 classes. However, CrossFit has so many different movements that it’s important to give it a full month to see if you are interested. I would also tell people to listen to their bodies – coaches can only help so much. You know best what your body can handle.
Readers, have you tried CrossFit? What are your thoughts?
If you participate in CrossFit, what is your favorite workout?
What are your favorite cross-training activities? Mine are hiking and swimming, although I don’t get to swim as often as I’d like!
Have a Happy Tuesday!
Jane Runs Wild 
I love Crossfit. I’ve been doing it for just over 2 years now and love the varied workouts. There are some things I absolutely love and love forward to… then there are burpees and wall balls!
It’s a fantastic way to get fit, lose body fat, get strong and find increased confidence in yourself and in what you can do.
Well done in your achievements and keep going xxx
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That’s great! What is your favorite CrossFit workout?
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My uni tri club started adding in two CrossFit sessions a week during term time and they made a massive difference to my strength, helping me to run my first 5k PR for 3 years. Luckily, the box has really great staff who know what they’re doing (and our main coach is also someone who has been a competitive swimmer and runner. The main criticism I’ve heard of CrossFit are the AMRAP (as many rounds as possible) sessions, where some people let their form go and perform techniques incorrectly… however, I’ve never spoken to someone in real life who has experienced this, so I’m wondering whether it’s just an online myth.
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I think that having good form is the most important part of any physical exercise program — even in an AMRAP, form should come first! That’s why I suggested listening to your body — only you personally know how hard to push yourself. If you need to slow down to improve your form, then by all means do so.
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Looks and sounds great! And if anything…. The lyrca has sold it to me 😁
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I’ve never tried crossfit before, and I think I would be a little intimidated to give it a try! It looks like a killer workout though.
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Sounds like CrossFit is perfect for people at all levels!
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Would love to try it but paws aren’t very flexible.
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I have not tried CrossFit though I agree it looks like a helluva workout. I had enough of that mentality when I actually went through boot camp. That was enough I think.
I crosstrain by cycling to and from work everyday, yoga daily and bodyweight routines two-three times a week. You’re right about swimming, I’d love to do more of that too.
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Yoga daily? That is impressive! Do you think it’s helped your running?
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I believe it has. I’ve never had a running injury (thank God) but I’ve certainly been strained and worn. Yoga has strengthened my core and made me more stable overall while increasing my general strength and flexibility.
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I have never tried Cross Fit but I enjoy watching the games on TV – that alone feels like a workout 😀
Great to read someone’s perspective. Thanks for sharing it here, Jane.
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You should give CrossFit a try!
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I know. I have been intrigued by it for so long but also intimidated – I feel like I have to already be fit to start doing Cross Fit. 😀
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I don’t do CrossFit (cardio4lyfe!), but I think it’s great! I think for a long time women were mostly encouraged to stick to cardio, just because there weren’t a lot of resources out there for them to learn to lift safely and effectively. I think CrossFit has helped open up strength training for women simply by offering opportunities that include the instruction needed and the social/support component most of us (myself included) need when training.
So yay for CrossFit! :)
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Loved your blog. Am an avid runner & had run 1000 Kms in 20 months back in 2014-15.
Now have set myself a new goal for 2016 of running 1000 kms in 1 year which which requires me to get into fitness training, cardio, playing sport activities like squash etc to get back in shape and gear up.
Loved your posts and site. Keep inspiring.
If you are on Twitter, let’s connect. My Twitter handle is @AnanthV9
Be Well
Ananth V
http://www.ananthv.com
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I’ve been doing CrossFit about 2.5 years and absolutely love it. It has totally changed my life. As for a favorite workout, I don’t know if I can pick one, but I sure have a love/hate relationship with Fight Gone Bad.
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That’s awesome to hear, thanks for your note! Good luck with CrossFit!
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I’ve heard so many good things about CrossFit. I am going to sign up tomorrow.
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Good for you! Let me know how you like it!
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Love all the different shapes and sizes; dispelled my idea of who is a Cross Fit-er. The world cloud is inspiring!
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