5 Things you might not know about Crossfit

1. It’s not as intimidating as it seems

A lot of people have an impression of Crossfit as a place that they are not coordinated enough for or fit enough for or that it would be too scary for someone who has never done weights before. The reality is that nothing could be further from the truth. There’s always a modification to an exercise that you can do so you are still getting the benefit of the movement. I can’t do pull ups. I can’t do negative pull ups. But I can do ring rows.

2. You are just as likely to be encouraged to go down in weight as you are up

I often get told to go down in weight. You go up as long as the technique is still good. But once the technique suffers, you go down.

3. People are competitive with themselves but it’s a team environment

It doesn’t matter what level you are at, you are going to receive just as much encouragement as everyone else and people are going to celebrate your achievements with you. One of the things I really enjoy about Crossfit is the community aspect.

4. There is more to it than the high intensity workout

The high intensity workout will often only last for ten minutes or so and is done at the end. But the part that I most enjoy is the Skill/Strength section that you do before that. That’s where you build up to a heavy weight doing a dead lift or work on the technique of a particular lift. That is fast becoming my favourite part.

5. It’s no more or less risky than other types of exercise

Risk is a comparative thing really. But in terms of injury it’s pretty much on par with any other type of training you would do. I guess the benefit of Crossfit is that when I’m doing something with poor form there is someone there to tell me that. Don’t have the same benefit when I’m out on a run and my core isn’t engaged.