Any info on Crossfit???

[spinningwheels]

Hi all,

 

I've been working out with a trainer for the past year but really stopped seeing any progress. I think my muscles are used to the same movements and my trainer is not willing to vary anything besides the cardio. Plus my workouts last close to two hours.

 

Anyone do/heard of Crossfit training. A guy opened a studio close to me and the price is about the same as my trainer. It sounds inimidating when I read about it on the internet.

 

Can women (regular not athletes) do the routine? Will it slim and tone me? I don't want to turn into a bodybuilder. I know I can't do the pull-ups and rope climbing--would it be worth it?

 

Does it work or is it a scam?

[USMCHokie]

My LS favorite member Star Gazer is a recent convert to the world of Crossfit, and she swears by it. I'm sure she'll be around later tonight to give you her insights on Crossfit. If you want something different that will challenge you and open you to a completely different world of fitness, then you should definitely go for it, especially if you are tired of the same thing you've been doing.

 

Good luck!

[Star Gazer]

Hi!!! Yay, another potential CrossFitter to convert! Drink the Kool Aid, it's soooo goood!!! Hahaha!

 

Is the guy who opened the "studio" near you a certified affiliate? Go here and look down on the left side and make sure he is: http://www.crossfit.com/cf-affiliates/ Otherwise, do not believe that he's following the CF program. So you're familiar with the lingo, a gym affiliate, or gym, is often known as a "box."

 

Yes, non-athlete women can do CF!! People of all shapes, sizes, ages and both genders can do the workouts (known as WODs [workouts of the day]). You will go through an introductory period (my box's introductory period was 9 sessions, other boxes are up to 36 sessions) to teach you the weight lifting exercises and make sure you have perfect form. Thereafter, you move on to do the WODs. If you're unable to do them as prescribed (Rx), they will "scale" the workout for you so that you can get through it. If you can't do a pull-up, a climb the rope, a muscle-up, even a push-up, there's a way to scale it to get you there eventually. You may not consider yourself an athlete now, but you will if you do CF.

 

When I started (a month ago), I thought I was in decent shape. I could run for an hour on the treadmill and then lift pretty heavy at the gym, and go home not all that tired. But CF really humbled me, like it does most people who start it (even Hokie got his butt kicked! heehee!!). My first workout killed me. Each one does, but I LOVE it. It's like crack cocaine for the body.

 

A CF workout ranges anywhere from 10 minutes (after warmup) to 30-40 minutes of high intensity exercise. Sometimes it's all body-weight exercises and cardio, sometimes it's mainly weightlifting, other times it's a combo of the two. However they set up the WOD, it will leave you panting and exhausted and looking like you just left a wet t-shirt contest...and yet you'll feel alive and energized and wanting more.

 

I'm not gonna lie. It IS intimidating at first, particularly if when you show up for the first time the only people there are totally ripped dudes doing tons of pull ups and lifting crazy amounts of weight. And the workouts aren't easy. I puked during my first workout, and curse regularly throughout most of them. But the CF coaches are amazing and inspiring, as are your fellow CrossFitters who are right there suffering along with you, all cheering for you and getting you through it...and you'll be giggling your way home with pride at what you just did.

 

It will slim and tone you (if you eat right, that is), but more importantly, it will make you stronger, more agile, have more endurance, and just overall functionally fit. I've already noticed a distinct difference in my thighs, in particular, and received compliments tonight about looking tighter all over. You won't look like a bodybuilder because CrossFit's focus is on becoming FIT, not being able to lift a crazy amount of weight or even what you look like.

 

It's expensive, but it's not a scam - not at all. It's absolutely, 100% worth it.

 

Check out this girl's progress in just 5 months (the picture link is in the post): http://board.crossfit.com/showthread.php?t=32950 From what I've seen in terms of before/after pictures at my box, as well as just watching my own friends transform, this is pretty much standard par for the course for women who start off not-so-fit (but again, ya gotta eat right).

 

I'm no expert, but I know a lot! Let me know if you have any questions!

[eerie_reverie]

Star,

 

Thanks for the info. I actually tried to post a similar thread back when Spookie could still post, but I guess it was right around the time I was getting sent to the naughty corner so the thread didn't go through.

 

Anyways. Tomorrow I am supposed to have a free 1:1 intro with a CrossFit coach.

 

I am really intimidated for a couple of reasons:

 

-I HATE showing up somewhere new and feeling like an awkward outsider (this is dumb, I know, but a major source of anxiety to me)

 

-I am still convinced the workout will kill me. I appear to be in alright shape but I've only ever worked out alone and I basically just repeat the same motions that my body is good at, aka, jogging

 

If you have the time, can you please try to convince me to go. I am really flaky and knowing me, I will probably stay up all night washing dishes and then tell myself I'm too sleep-deprived when tomorrow rolls around.

[USMCHokie]

You should go. The great thing about Crossfit is that it's self-paced, and before you know it, you're going to be tearing through the workouts. So don't be flaky.

[Star Gazer]

Girl, yes...go. You will feel stupid when you first get there, I know I did - especially after seeing the Hokie-body lookalikes running around and doing some CRAZY sh*t. But everyone who's there has been exactly where you are, knows exactly what you're experiencing, and will NOT be watching you. They'll be too focused on doing their own thing. Trust me, I notice the "new person" showing up, but I don't even have time/energy to even look at them again during my workout.

 

And the 1:1 workout will be hard, but they won't push you harder than you can go. It's just a way to give you an idea of the intensity of the workouts, and for them to have an idea of how fit/flexible/agile/strong you are. I was miserable during my 1:1, but I was SO GLAD I did it that as soon as it was over I wanted to sign up and make the serious time/financial commitment to do it. I literally giggled on my way home.

 

GO. And report back about how awesome it was.

Edited September 26, 2010 by Star Gazer

[eerie_reverie]

Girl, yes...go. You will fill stupid when you first get there, I know I did - especially after seeing the Hokie-body lookalikes running around and doing some CRAZY sh*t. But everyone who's there has been exactly where you are, knows exactly what you're experiencing, and will NOT be watching you. They'll be too focused on doing their own thing. Trust me, I notice the "new person" showing up, but I don't even have time/energy to even look at them again during my workout.

 

And the 1:1 workout will be hard, but they won't push you harder than you can go. It's just a way to give you an idea of the intensity of the workouts, and for them to have an idea of how fit/flexible/agile/strong you are. I was miserable during my 1:1, but I was SO GLAD I did it that as soon as it was over I wanted to sign up and make the serious time/financial commitment to do it. I literally giggled on my way home.

 

GO. And report back about how awesome it was.

 

Ok. Thanks.

 

Crossfit sounds like the perfect activity for me to get obsessed with. So I will go.

 

I'll report back tomorrow.

[Star Gazer]

Oh yeah, you'll get obsessed alright. They don't joke about it being a cult for nothing!

 

It's obviously NOT a cult, but you'll understand why once you start and get hooked. A group of people, who treat each other like family, who are all like minded, following the same rules of pain and pleasure, for a common goal...

 

Yay for you!! I'm so excited to hear how much you love it!!

 

Can you PM from the other account??

[eerie_reverie]

Oh yeah, you'll get obsessed alright. They don't joke about it being a cult for nothing!

 

It's obviously NOT a cult, but you'll understand why once you start and get hooked. A group of people, who treat each other like family, who are all like minded, following the same rules of pain and pleasure, for a common goal...

 

Yay for you!! I'm so excited to hear how much you love it!!

 

Can you PM from the other account??

 

Nope, I can't even access the other account. Pretty pissed about that.

 

I'm excited for tomorrow. This group dynamics is EXACTLY the kind of community I am looking for.

[USMCHokie]

I'll report back tomorrow.

 

I'm curious to hear about your experiences too! Of course, the only way I'd ever step foot in a "box" is when Star drags me in there kicking and screaming...

[Star Gazer]

I'm curious to hear about your experiences too! Of course, the only way I'd ever step foot in a "box" is when Star drags me in there kicking and screaming...

 

You'll enter my box and love it!

 

(Couldn't resist!)

[USMCHokie]

You'll enter my box and love it!

 

(Couldn't resist!)

 

Hahah, oh, I have a feeling I will love it...

[spinningwheels]

Thanks Stargazer and Hokie for the replies! I am going to check out the link you sent me and see if the guy I talked to is on the list.

 

As I said, I have been working out for the past year with a trainer, and endurance wise, I am good to go. However, I still need to lose about thirty pounds to get into my fighting weight and I know I can't do any pull-up type activity. So, I am worried that everyone at this place will already be at their "goal" size and trying to firm up. Will I totally stick out like a sore thumb? Also, all of my extra weight seems to be in my abs, will this program target or tone that area? I am so afraid of not being able to do this program or looking like a dork. From the website of they gym I'm checking out all of the photos are of super bufffed peeps! So, will a girl with some extra pounds fit in and adapt?

[spinningwheels]

Star gazer, I just checked the website and the guy I talked to is on the list of affililates! So I guess I will check it out. Going on Tuesday at 6pm! Unless someone here can talk me out of it!!

 

A coworker told me her friend said I should keep away, Crossfit is a cult!! Hahaha! So funny because you used the same word! I never even heard of it until last week! So, can I do it?? Even still needing to lose 30 pounds?

[Star Gazer]

As I said, I have been working out for the past year with a trainer, and endurance wise, I am good to go.

 

Okay, I understand... but what I'm telling you is, CrossFit will still kick your ass. Don't assume you'll be able to walk in there and kill it just because you have endurance in the gym, or even on a run. That type of endurance doesn't matter much when it comes to CF. CF will challenge you in a way you've never been challenged before.

 

However, I still need to lose about thirty pounds to get into my fighting weight and I know I can't do any pull-up type activity. So, I am worried that everyone at this place will already be at their "goal" size and trying to firm up. Will I totally stick out like a sore thumb? Also, all of my extra weight seems to be in my abs, will this program target or tone that area? I am so afraid of not being able to do this program or looking like a dork. From the website of they gym I'm checking out all of the photos are of super bufffed peeps! So, will a girl with some extra pounds fit in and adapt?

 

I carry ALL of my weight in my midsection, but I LOVE my legs. Sometimes I stick out like a sore thumb, sometimes not (and that's not necessarily because of my tummy, but my fitness level too). It really depends on who shows up that day. At my box, the guys are typically in better aesthetic condition than the girls though...so I never feel alone.

 

But trust me, NO ONE CARES what you look like. If they're watching you, it's only to make sure you're doing the exercise with the right form and/or to cheer you on and encourage you. NO ONE is looking at someone and thinking, "What a chubbster." Nope. Only, "Wow, s/he's progressing well - look how much s/he's lifting now!" or "Holy cow, s/he's an animal! Look how fast s/he's doing those pushups!"

 

CF will tone you ALL OVER, including your abs, without even doing many ab-specific exercises, because many of the exercises you do use your entire core to stabilize you.

 

Here's a couple videos to inspire you and Eerie/Spooky. You'll see all different types of women in these, doing both WODs and in competition.

[tman666]

As much as I despise CF as an organization, I gotta hand it to crossfitters for their work ethic and intensity. Sometimes it's a little misguided, but it's good to see people passionate about kicking ass over the laziness you see down at your neighborhood globogym.

[eerie_reverie]

Great videos Star.

 

As far as my update... I flaked out.

 

My friend called in the evening to tell me that this guy I have had a crush on for a couple of years had an extra ticket to Point Break Live, so did I want to go?

 

So I went out. It was a crazy night. I ran into my ex. My friend's purse got stolen. The cops came.

 

My crush and I spent the whole night talking, but he's friends with my ex, so I doubt anything will come of it.

 

I got home at 7:30. I was supposed to be at CrossFit at 11, but of course I just let myself sleep in.

 

I'm really disappointed in myself.

 

In terms of whether or not I can have another chance, should I email the guy and apologize? Or... not?

[Star Gazer]

Sometimes it's a little misguided, but it's good to see people passionate about kicking ass over the laziness you see down at your neighborhood globogym.

 

I don't get why you make these negative comments about CF. What exactly is misguided about it? It's just a different way of doing things. After being a gym rat for, oh, literally, 17 years, I can tell you I've improved more in the past MONTH than I did in all the years before combined. That's saying something.

[USMCHokie]

As far as my update... I flaked out.

 

Gah...I'll just let Star yell at you...

[Star Gazer]

In terms of whether or not I can have another chance, should I email the guy and apologize? Or... not?

 

CF, like any other exercise program, isn't something you can flake on like that. It takes commitment. CF coaches expect a commitment from you, because they're committing to you, as are your fellow CrossFitters. I spent every Friday night for the past month (with the exception of this last Friday) at CF over happy hours and parties and the like... you have to make the same commitment.

 

If you REALLY want to do it, then yes, email or CALL and apologize. But follow through next time, particularly for a 1:1.

[eerie_reverie]

CF, like any other exercise program, isn't something you can flake on like that. It takes commitment. CF coaches expect a commitment from you, because they're committing to you, as are your fellow CrossFitters. I spent every Friday night for the past month (with the exception of this last Friday) at CF over happy hours and parties and the like... you have to make the same commitment.

 

If you REALLY want to do it, then yes, email or CALL and apologize. But follow through next time, particularly for a 1:1.

 

Blahh. I know it was so s!htty of me to do that.

 

Honestly I don't think I am ready for this. I think however I am ready to look for another job. That will be my focus for the next couple months.

[Star Gazer]

Blahh. I know it was so s!htty of me to do that.

 

Honestly I don't think I am ready for this.

 

More sh*tty to yourself than anything, really.

 

Unfortunately, I can't say I'm surprised you flaked.

[eerie_reverie]

More sh*tty to yourself than anything, really.

 

Unfortunately, I can't say I'm surprised you flaked.

 

I have been working on my flakiness for the past couple of years, and compared to how insanely flaky I used to be, I have improved.

 

But I can't say I'm surprised, either. I was subconsciously planning on flaking the whole time. When my friend called and asked me to go out, it was the perfect excuse.

 

I wish I'd just been honest about it, and emailed him ahead of time.

[Star Gazer]

Why did you subconsciously want to flake?

[eerie_reverie]

Why did you subconsciously want to flake?

 

Honestly? Most of it was awkwardness anxiety.

 

This affiliate offers an intro class, but it wasn't available this week, which was why the coach offered me the 1:1. If I could have gone to the class, I wouldn't have flaked out like that.