Can I do CrossFit? Why should I do CrossFit? How do I find the right gym? When starting a new fitness routine or starting your health journey, it is natural to have so many questions. It can be a bit overwhelming, so Coach Forrest shares his answers to these commonly asked CrossFit questions.
Can I do CrossFit?
Yes, you can! CrossFit is the ONLY fitness regimen that people as young as 5 and older than 75 (if you don’t believe us, watch the video below) can do side by side at the gym. Because you can “modify,” or often called “scale,” you can CrossFit. We can scale or modify workouts to your own personal fitness level and keep it achievable and challenging. Simply, a grandmother can workout next to a recent college graduate and high five at the end because they pushed themselves relative to their own ability level. And guess what- that happens at CrossFit Optimistic everyday!
For example, take the famous Hero WOD “Murph,” a special holiday workout we do on Memorial Day. On paper, it can look intimidating! But with proper scaling, you can tackle this workout.
"Murph" 1 mile run 100 pullups 200 pushups 300 air squats 1 mile run
Your gut reaction may be “I can’t do that,” and the majority of people will not do this workout as it is written above. With adjusting, or modifying of the workout, anyone can do it. An example of a modified version of this workout can be:
Modified "Murph" 200 meter walk or jog 10 scaled pull-ups (Stand facing something that won’t move, like a signpost. Place your feet about 6 inches from the post, grab the post firmly and use your arms for control as you lean back until your arms are straight. Then pull yourself back to vertical. Rest when you need to.) 10 scaled push-ups (Stand at arm’s length from a wall, with your hands flat on the wall at shoulder height. Bend your elbows to bring your chest and face to the wall, then push on the wall to go back to vertical. Rest when you need to.) 20 scaled squats (Sit down in a chair and stand up. Rest when you need to.) 200 meter walk or jog
This workout can be just as intense as doing Murph as written. By changing the movements and scaling the number of repetitions, the challenge for an athlete can stay the same. Try the modified version of the workout! If it is too hard, change it so it is achievable. Better yet, instead of guessing, let an experienced coach modify the workout for you. The modified “Murph” workout and information was paraphrased from this CrossFit article.
Why should I CrossFit?
You might hear friends and family talk about CrossFit non-stop. Or see elite CrossFit athletes on TV doing extraordinary things. So between your friends who do CrossFit and the big name CrossFit athletes on TV, why should YOU do CrossFit?
CrossFit is a fitness regimen that is broad, general, and inclusive. Workouts are unique, include many different movements, and will be a full body workout that builds muscle, cardio, and burns fat. This might sound like a dream, but first it’s important to understand WHY we do this.
All sorts of health measurements, such as blood pressure, body fat ratio, bone density, and cholesterol, can be plotted on a continuum that goes from sickness to wellness to fitness, as seen below. A quality exercise routine should improve your body composition in a way that moves you from sickness to wellness.
The more you workout, the healthier you become! CrossFit is the most efficient way of getting healthy, due to its varied movements and intensity levels. Those varied movements means it is always a different workout, and won’t become boring or stale.
How do I Find the Right Gym?
So now it is time to get out into the world and find a CrossFit gym. Your last of the CrossFit questions is how do I find the right gym? Before you start searching for a gym, make sure you have one or two goals in mind. The simpler, the better! Having a goal will keep you more likely to stick to working out and hold yourself accountable.
Once you have a goal in mind, you can start looking for a gym. First, see what the culture is like by visiting the gym. Is it inviting and family friendly? You will be spending a lot of time there, so make sure it is a positive and fun environment that you will enjoy.
Second, make sure the gym is picked up and clean. Any professional fitness facility should be organized for safety and efficiency. A clean gym also shows the level of care that goes into the space. If the gym owners pay attention to details when they clean, they will pay attention to details with their athletes. Checking the bathroom is the best way to make sure a gym is clean!
Third, as a new CrossFitter, make sure there is a beginner program to introduce CrossFit to you. At CrossFit Optimistic we call it “CrossFit 101” where you and a coach have three private sessions to familiarize you with the fundamental movements. A beginner program can be helpful to not only learn the movements but also meet the coaches to see if it is a good fit for you.
After looking at these basics of a gym, remember that every CrossFit gym is unique. Some gyms really like lifting weights. Other gyms really like long cardio workouts. Some gyms have younger members while others have a more family friendly atmosphere. Find the one that makes you feel comfortable and gets you excited to workout. If the first gym you visit does not fit with your lifestyle, don’t be afraid to look into another gym!
Your CrossFit Questions answered, now its Time to Make the Change
Now that you have your CrossFit questions answered, the hardest part of starting a journey of health and fitness is taking that first step. Results do not come in a day or a week, it takes time! The best thing you can do to make sure you are moving in the right direction is to show up. No matter how you feel, no matter what’s going on in your life, or even if you think you don’t need to workout today, get to the box. 90% of the challenge is just showing up. You can take your first step with CrossFit Optimistic by signing up for your No-Sweat Consultation with Coach Anjo!