Last time at "Get Your Fix!" we introduced you to the Bar Method, a fluid combination of ballet, pilates, yoga, and kalisthenics that takes place in a serene studio. This week, meet its opposite—CrossFit! CrossFit is a strength and cardio workout based on the fitness methods used at boot camp, and it's become popular with men and women across the country. You may have heard a coworker talking about it or seen a group of adults doing drills at a local track, so it's time to find out what CrossFit really is. Who knows? It might be the fun fitness routine you've been looking for!
According to the official CrossFit Web site, CrossFit training emphasizes "broad, general, and inclusive" fitness that trains athletes, firefighters, members of the military, and ordinary men and women alike. CrossFit gyms across the country use experienced trainers and intense workouts to emphasize the following fitness essentials:
Basically, CrossFit is about more than looking good in a bathing suit (though it can help with that, too)—it's a philosophy that emphasizes peak fitness as an essential survival skill. CrossFit workouts more closely resemble boot camp than an average day at the gym, but they also offer a sense of comraderie and coaching that pushes you further.
Of course, CrossFit is not for everyone. If you're looking for a relaxing end to a long day, a yoga class may be your best bet. But if you want an energizing workout and a supportive community, don't be afraid to try it out. The workouts cater to people of all fitness levels, so you can increase the intensity of your workouts as you get in better shape. Perhaps the best feature of the program is the CrossFit trainers, who are with you every step of the way so you can work hard without getting injured.
You can check out CrossFit exercise demos to see what it's all about.
Ask around or use social networking and review sites to see what others are saying about the CrossFit location near you. These are just a few comments from San Francisco CrossFit enthusiasts:
"[The trainers] are always trying to get you as close to perfect as possible, never settling for good enough, never letting you languish on a plateau because you don't know what you're doing wrong." - Olivia D.
"CrossFit will humble you. We all need to be humbled now and then." - Nilu R.
"The workout changes drastically from day-to-day and that keeps me coming back. One day you may do all strength, the next mainly cardio, and the next a mix of both. It's also a supportive group atmosphere." - Geoff K.
"There are people from all levels and backgrounds/athletic abilities. And most of us (if not all) started out not able to do even one pull-up. So don't be intimidated." - Kristy G.
As you can see, not all CrossFit devotees are elite athletes, and they all rely on challenging workouts, expert trainers, and a supportive community to keep them going.
The safest way to get started with CrossFit is to find an affiliate gym near you. At an official CrossFit affiliate, a trainer can take you through the Workout of the Day (WOD in CrossFit speak) while emphasizing proper form. Remember, everyone there had to start somewhere, so don't be intimidated to step up and give it your best shot! When you find a fitness routine you love, you can stick with it and reach your fitness goals.
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