CrossFit “The Cult” (that others seem to hate on)

Feb. 14. 2013

This past weekend I competed in my first CrossFit competition, which is why I felt compelled to write this blog on CrossFit and my spin on it….(ok and to vent a little).

CrossFit is one of the fastest growing  fitness movements in the Nation. More people are now becoming aware of what CrossFit is all about…or are they?

Is it a phase like Atkins or Tae-Bo (yes I used to do those tapes)?, perhaps, but I don’t see it going anywhere for a while with the principles that it enforces in the fitness world.

I am not going to go into why the culmination of strength and weight training, endurance, gymnastics, flexibility,  alongside the Paleo diet should be apart of any athlete’s regimen, BUT I am going to say this–I am so tired of people giving CrossFit goers grief. I know it can be “cult” like, but I don’t see anything wrong with a group of people working out together, achieving personal goals, getting in better shape, perhaps even losing weight or gaining muscle, feeling better about themselves, and possibly altering their lifestyles for the better.

Like with any fitness craze that gains a vast following there will always be a trainer that disagrees, “Oh your back hurts, huh? Probably from doing cross fit.” If you think about it, if someone does any sport long enough, don’t eventually you increase your chances of getting hurt? Doesn’t form tire out for anyone who does a repeated motion exhausting their body? I can’t name a whole lot of athletes I know who haven’t had to ice down a body part, take a break, take some Advil or ease the pain. It’s when we start doing things in an obsessiveness or don’t stop when something hurts, take a break when exhausted, roll out when sore–that eventually catches up with “us.” And does that mean it’s because “we” do CrossFit, no but depends on the person-how far they decide to push themselves.

I had a friend recently who said she wanted to try something new, like a boot camp or workout classes. I said, you should come with me to a free CrossFit workout at my gym. And she replied, frightened a bit, “Oh, I don’t know if I want to do a workout that’s so hard core where the coach yells at you the whole time.”

(I interjected– as that is NOT the case at all CrossFit gyms–eventually I will get her to join me soon on a free Saturday workout!)

Whoa-talk about a bad impression. Is that what people think CrossFit is like? A bunch of meat heads yelling at people during a really intense workout?

Perhaps some CrossFit gyms have some pompous coaches yelling (err motivating and pushing??) their clientele, but this hasn’t been my experience with CrossFit, which I am happy to say.

Are all CrossFit boxes (aka gyms) the same?

No. I cannot guarantee down to Earth, positive coaches…or even coaches that can do all the movements, lift more than you, do more burpees in 2min than you or eat Paleo on a consistent basis. The coaches have to be certified, and it is a written test, not a physical test.

Who would you trust more with your nutritional and diet program? A fat dietician or one that looks lean and healthy?

Healthy should have been the more common/on-par answer.

So who do I trust with my CrossFit workouts?  My coaches (Kyle and Blake) at CrossFit City Limits, Austin Tx. They are patient. They can do the workouts. They can beat most-if not all of us-in the workouts. They display and teach proper form. They also know the importance of mobility exercises as well. (You never knew how much a lacrosse ball would come in handy until you learn to work out some knots!) Also, they aren’t arrogant but encouraging. They aren’t mean, but motivating…and shouldn’t that be what it’s all about?

So fortunate to discover this place near my house a little after they opened up. (You’re welcome for the plug guys).

Sooooo…before you start “hating” on people who like intense workouts, setting weight lifting goals for themselves, maybe wear crazy colored socks to their knees or those expensive rubber looking shoes that are like “toesies” shut it. Yes, we CrossFitters have been known to toss around the word “WOD” or talk about it more than anticipated, but it’s better than some of the other cults out there! We aren’t worshipping demonic/non-existent items or killing people, so quit complaining and give it a try, what do you have to lose (besides a little pride after you get whooped up on, ha!)

-Thanks for reading my rant!, Ashley

PS Photos below from our first members only competition, also can find them by liking the CrossFit City Limits Facebook Page!