This decision was a game changer for me. I moved to a new area and was living in an apartment by myself. I would go to work and then come home and hang out with my animal family. Something was missing and I wanted to be more active; I used to play sports daily and I was now becoming a couch potato. One day I decided to do some research online and I wanted to try CrossFit. I looked it different places around me and decided to reach out to my current box (This is what we call out CrossFit Gym).
Day 1 of CrossFit: I made my intro with the coaches and let them know of prior injuries/surgeries I have had and concerns. They quickly put those concerns to rest by letting me know the routines and telling me to push myself to do my best, but not to push the limits on my mobility restriction due to shoulder surgeries. When it was time for my initial workout, it was just 1 coach and myself for the intro class. My intro class consisted of rowing, air squats, and other moves that did not include weights. However, at the end of this workout I was ready to pass out! There I am, laying on my back with my feet in the air against a wall just trying not to black out. I definitely pushed myself harder than I have in years.
I am sure at this point most of you are thinking, “well this doesn’t sounds fun…why continue with it?”. Let me answer that. The day after my workout I felt better about myself and had more energy that I have had in a while. I knew that if I was going to a regular gym that I would not have the motivation to continue going. CrossFit allows a class to workout together, to bond, and have structured workouts and coaches to help you understand each workout and make sure that you are doing movements correctly to prevent injury. I started CrossFit deadlifting 115 lbs and now deadlift 350 lbs. I should mention that I also weighed around 145 lbs and I am now at 190 lbs (I like to think that I have gained lot’s a muscle from lifting/exercising thanks to CrossFit). I enjoy pushing myself to my limit and every time you reach a new PR (personal record) in weight, it makes you feel that much better and realize the results that you are seeing. I am able to track my progress through an app that we use to see my beginning weights and every time I tracked the weight for specific movements thereafter (such as deadlifting, back squats, front squats, thrusters, push press, etc….).
Current Day at CrossFit (3 Years In): I am setting PR’s and see a significant difference in the weight increase from when I began to now. I have gained more muscle mass and I am in the best shape that I have ever been in. The group of people that I do CrossFit with have become a large family and we all push each other to do our best. There is no pressure from the coaches and no, they do not yell or scream at you during workouts or warmups. Coaches are there to help motivate and guide you, not to intimidate. Because of CrossFit, I have been able to complete several OCR (obstacle course races). They have become addicting because you always want to push yourself and feel rewarded for the work that you put in at every workout.
In Conclusion, if you have ever wanted to try CrossFit but feel intimated…don’t feel that way. Give CrossFit a try and I bet that you will fall in love with the workouts and the rewarding feeling from every workout. It sure does beat going to a regular gym where there is no workout regime and you just walk around feeling intimidated and self conscious about what others think. CrossFit is a family, no matter what box you attend. When I have to travel for work, I will pop in to a CrossFit facility and do a workout with complete strangers. Everyone accepts you and makes you feel welcome. There is no intimidation factor in CrossFit. It has changed hundreds of thousands of lives for the better and could change yours too!
