Anyone tried Crossfit before?

tdmaus · March 2012

I just saw a deal going on at our local Crossfit... i've looked at youtube clips and they look soooooo difficult and intimidating... anyone tried it before? I'm fit, but i dont think, i can handle pull ups and that stuff... hahaa

sarahlm619 · March 2012

I don't do it -- but my college roommate does and she says the exact same thing as jhg

Ashleigh828 · March 2012

I, like you, am fit and didn't think that I could do the workouts that they do. I have a Crossfit gym right near my work that offers a free trial class... which I did. While I did not enjoy it, I think it was because of the trainers. I was also very intimidated and felt pressure to keep up with the others that had been doing it for months. I would say "give it a try" BUT don't push yourself to keep up with others. It is very intense and something that you're not used to. (think multiple sets of 10 pull ups) Honestly, I would avoid it based on my personal experience but if you are really curious if you'd like it, go for it. Just be careful. I see that you're getting married in 2 months...honestly, I would wait until after the wedding. You don't know how your body will react to the intensity (I was paralyzed for 2 weeks and literally work out everyday).

If you do decide to do it, let me know what you think. Good Luck!

jhg140 · March 2012

I've been Crossfitting for about 7 1/2 months now and I've drunk the koolaid, as they say.

My experience is completely different from the PP, which shows you the importance of researching indiviudal Crossfit boxes and not just going because there is a deal one day.

ANYONE can do Crossfit. EVERY movement is scaled. I still can't do pullups, or toes-to-bar, or double-unders. So I scale. However, that doesn't mean its easy. Crossfit exposes your weakness and forces you to deal with them. Everyone does the same WOD, so what is easy for you one day may be the bain of another person's existance. Luckily, unless its a benchmark WOD, you probably won't see it again.

My coaches look out for us and are always checking our form and making sure we are doing the movements correctly, even at the expense of time during a WOD. They also push us to do things they know we can do. The atmosphere at my box is so welcoming and encouraging. I remember, like, my 4th WOD, I was the last person struggling through it, and everyone cheered me on, even if they barely knew me at the time. Its a great community.

Crossfit complements my running very well, and I am in the best shape of my life. I also like that its not about being skinny and losing weight, but about being strong and capable. I used to do bicep curls with 3 lb dumbbells at Pure Barre, or squats/presses/deadlifts with 15 lbs in the 24 Lift classes. There's nothing wrong with that, but I NEVER pushed myself to do more. This morning I did my first RX WOD with 135 lb deadlifts, after my coach and classmates encouraged me to give the weight a try. So happy I did it!

So yeah, as you can see, if you love it, you love it. Definitely worth a try, but expect to be sore and don't try to keep up for the sake of keeping up. Ask questions, watch other people, and if you're uncomfortable with a movement, say so! I've found that usually when I feel uncomfortable with a movement, its usually because I don't want to push myself harder (aka squat lower, etc)

GOOD LUCK!

mbody · March 2012

jhg- I've wanted to try Crossfit for a while now and your post only makes me want to more.

The nearest Crossfit gym is about 40 minutes (one way) from my house. So it's not practical and doable everyday. And it's not worth the money if I can only make it out there once or twice a week.

Kjd3526 · March 2012

My FI does crossfit and echoes your sentiments exactly jhg! I think though that some boxes (name for the crossfit gym) are more encouraging and overall great to work with than others. I have been tempted to try it many times but haven't for various reasons, but maybe at some point, I will go.

shaunaceyh · March 2012

I have never done it but a couple of women (and I should also say they are all older - think 40s/50s) and they LOVE it! They say it's difficult (but in a good way) and the changes in their body composition has been noticeable!

lfreeman24 · March 2012

I couldn't agree with JHG more. No two Crossfit gyms are the same so making sure you're at one that is a good one in terms of coaching is very important.

I joined CF 3 1/2 months ago at 2x a week. I've always been thin and did tons of cardio and never got toned arms or strong legs, EVER. Crossfit is literally life changing. I rolled my eyes when my friends told me that but its completely true. I look at exercise differently now, and the confidence you get when you set a new personal record in terms of weight lifted, or time is awesome.

like JHG said EVERYTHING is scalable and I mean everything. In 3 1/2 months I've only done one workout as prescribed (and it was an easier one), I am always scaling and the coaching are always encouraging to scale if needed. A lot of critics say that people get hurt at CF and while that may be true if you take the time to learn the proper technique, compete against yourself and not the person next to you who may have been doing CF for 2 years then the results you'll see are amazing. CF also encourages the Paleo diet something that I do not strictly eat, but have used to help cut down on some unnecessary carbs in my diet.

I think people should try CF and if you have an open mind and recognize that there will always be someone stronger or more skilled there than you and its about YOUR CF experience and not the others around you then you'll definitely drink the Koolaid and be hooked as I so clearly am!

Also, I did it 2X a week for the first three months and even at that frequency I saw amazing results (and it was the dead of winter so I didn't do any other exercise). I now do it 3X a week and am looking to up it to 4-5X b/c I am that hooked!

msuprincess04 · March 2012

I did crossfit all last summer. Unfortunately I had to give it up because I couldn't afford it any longer. But I miss it! It's a blast, and the best workout you'll ever get in 20 min. Also keep in mind that it builds strength, so you won't be lean, you'll get strong. I got ripped.

tinkerbell887 · March 2012

I also agree w/PP, Crossfit is amazing, but it depends on which gym/coaches you go to. Every movement in the workout can be scaled to each persons fitness level and ability. My FI and I have been Crossfitting for just under 3 months and I have noticed a huge improvement in my overall health and shape. We go 5-6xs per week b/c we love it. I never dreamed that I would love working out, but I hate it wen I have to miss a class!
Try it out! It's like having a personal trainer that will push you past your limits!

Here's a link that explains the "bulkly" misconception of lifting heavy weights most women have.
http://windsorcrossfit.com/women/

Anyone tried Crossfit before?

Re: Anyone tried Crossfit before?

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