If you have internet access, chances are you’ve heard of the fitness craze known as CrossFit. Just what exactly is it? The formal definition of CrossFit is:
“Defined as constantly varied, functional movements performed at high intensity.”
The best way I can describe it is an amazing hybrid of strongman, Olympic lifting, gymnastics and endurance workouts. No matter an athlete’s background-everyone in CrossFit is considered an athlete, CrossFit has a challenge for everyone. It will always challenge anyone and there is absolutely no such thing as someone being “naturally gifted” at it. Every person that has been doing CrossFit for any period of time will tell you that the only way that they improved was through practice.
The Basics
CrossFit WODs (workout of the day) are often prescribed on a daily basis at a box (CrossFit lingo for a gym). They are often short workouts done at high intensity and are often timed to add a sense of urgency. Scores are often posted to a whiteboard and chalk board in the gym for all to see. They include but are not limited to:
- Olympic Lifting i.e. snatches, power cleans, squats
- Gymnastics i.e. ring dips, handstand walks, or handstand push-ups (HPSUs)
- Endurance, like rowing (using a Concept 2 rower) or running
- …or some insane combination of the three
CrossFit workouts WODs, when performed in a box, are supervised by coaches in small groups. The typical CrossFit box looks nothing like the average gym. There are no machines, save for a rower. There are tons of wooden boxes (to be used for box jumps), barbells, kettlebells, medicine balls, glute-hamstring developers, squat racks, and a plethora of other workout equipment. There are no smith machines, leg presses, chest presses, or any machine that causes the body to move one dimensionally. The point of CrossFit is to make the human body into a machine, not to depend on them.
Be forewarned, CrossFit is not for the faint of heart. There’s a risk factor, a high one. If you are not one for discomfort and possible injury I do not recommend CrossFit. Movements done improperly can lead to injury. Secondly, my biggest issue with CrossFit is the price. A membership at a box can cost about $150 and up. I refuse to pay such a steep cost co I often get WODs for free from the websites of boxes around the world and from the CrossFit HQ website.
To study the lifting movements, I use instructional videos from YouTube and practice so that I minimize my risk of injury. Granted it’s way different from a box, but it’s still effective. Lastly, CrossFit is a very humbling experience. I had to seriously check my ego at the door in order to get the most out of the experience and to get stronger and better. I still struggle in some areas, like the power clean and handstand push-up, but I realized that it takes time to get better.
This is only the tip of the iceberg, and there is more to come. In future articles, I’ll cover WODs, the community of CrossFit, throw downs, major CrossFit events and the holy grail of the sport, The CrossFit Games
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