Last week marked my one year anniversary of going to Crossfit. Some of my friends know what Crossfit is, but I often get asked what it’s all about, and how it’s different. I mostly get crazy comments and funny looks as if to ask, “Who would do that?” That is a great question, and I often wonder why I subject myself to this kind of exercise, but truthfully anyone can do Crossfit who wants to. While I definitely miss my old gym (which was like a day spa), the experience has been amazing for me, mainly due to the constant variety of the workouts. I wouldn’t say I look much different, but I feel so much stronger. One thing about Crossfit is that you should expect to constantly be sore. It’s part of the gig, no matter how physically fit you are when you begin. It was Mr. Wonderful, my husband, who convinced me to try it after a year of my being totally skeptical. We have a lot fun constantly commiserating over our constant muscle aches and pains, hobbling around together, and rolling out on our PVC tube together before bed. Suburban romance at its’ best!
Here is the serious definition of Crossfit in the words of the founder:
“Eat meat and vegetables, nuts and seeds, some fruit, little starch and no sugar. Keep intake to levels that will support exercise but not body fat. Practice and train major lifts: Deadlift, clean, squat, presses, C&J, and snatch. Similarly, master the basics of gymnastics: pull-ups, dips, rope climb, push-ups, sit-ups, presses to handstand, pirouettes, flips, splits, and holds. Bike, run, swim, row, etc, hard and fast. Five or six days per week mix these elements in as many combinations and patterns as creativity will allow. Routine is the enemy. Keep workouts short and intense. Regularly learn and play new sports.”
-CrossFit Founder, Greg Glassman
(Let me interject here and say that by no means am I perfect about the diet part. A girl can’t be expected to permanently give up her wine and sweets! I’m a strict weekender with those items now, and the moderation seems to help).
And, for those who have 4+ minutes to watch something hysterical (note: very inappropriate language), here is a very humorous definition of Crossfit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgH_ZoMOht8
Happy Friday!
