You Don’t Have to Be Hardcore to Do Crossfit

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*Hi, I’m Ericka and I blog about running, fitness, Crossfit & more over at The Sweet Life! I’m excited to be guest blogging on MizFit today about one of my favorite things!



Most of the time, when I tell people I do Crossfit (that’s kind of a lot with me!), people respond with curiosity, surprise and actually — a level of respect I never expected.

I’m automatically labeled “hardcore” in some way or another. Oh, you’re one of those people? You like to climb up walls and flip tires and hit sledgehammers for no reason — stuff like that.



They’ve heard it’s hard. Painful. Sweaty. I always say, “You should do it!” and get crazy eyes back with a general response of “Um, no thanks, I’ll leave that to you.”

But I’m here to tell you, convince you, that you do not have to be some kind of Army ninja to do Crossfit — to enjoy Crossfit, to fall in love with it.
For some reason, Crossfit has become a very polarizing subject on the Internets of fitness. Please disregard the madness and take it from someone who loves two sports equally (running!) — Crossfit isn’t a cult, it’s just a fun place to go get your fitness on. More fun than any place I’ve ever gone to do so.

Oh and me? Hardcore. Not so much. You know I still can’t do a strict pull up right? It’s been a year and a half. You are NOT expected to be a strongman when you walk into that gym — or when you walk about 2 years. Your supposed to go in, do your best, push yourself and come out feeling stronger, better, inspired.

6 Reasons Crossfit Works for Regular People

1. 45-minute classes. You aren’t running 10 miles here, it’s a 45 minute class, including a warm-up and stretching time afterward. Your main workout will be 8-25 minutes depending on the day. You DO got time for that. And you can push yourself hard for a short period of time, feel awesome and not spend “hours at the gym.”

2. Scale Your Weight If you’ve ever been to a spin class, you know you can “cheat” on how much pressure you are putting on the bike. Same here. No one cares if you don’t use the recommended weight during your workout. You do you. Your hard is your hard, their hard is theirs. Beginners should start easy to get used to the movements anyway. Just scale down and go. You don’t have to kill yourself.

3. Movie Music. You know when you are watching an inspiring movie scene and the perfect song comes up as they are running, boxing, jumping or whatever? Being at Crossfit makes you feel like you are IN that movie. The music is super loud, you are super sweaty, you are in the moment, you are feeling on top of the world. Who doesn’t love that feeling?

4. Help is on the way. Crossfit classes have multiple coaches there to help you get your form right. And dont’ worry about that, it has taken be a full 16 months to understand how to do a correct deadlift, you are not alone! The coaches want to help you and all you gotta do is ask. That’s what they are there for.

5. This is NOT boot camp. If you really don’t want to do something, you don’t have to do it. If you are afraid of rope climbs, you can do a scaled down exercise. If you are aren’t ready for a box jump, you can step up. No one forces you do to anything and it’s totally not disrespected if you do your own thing.

6. Everyone does not look like Rocky. The majority of people in your Crossfit class are going to be average joes. I’ve got everyone from toothpick like girls without an ounce of muscle to extremely overweight guys that literally cannot even jog because they are so heavy. I’ve got plenty of people in their 40s and 50s as well as lots in their 20s and 30s. I’ve even met an 80-year-old Crossfitter! There is NO body type requirement and no need to feel self-conscious. Yes, there are some super buff people there but like I said, not the majority. I see these places as way less judgmental than the gym. People see you as a person and they respect you for trying something like Crossfit.

 

I’m constantly hearing that people need motivation for working out. This has been the ultimate motivation for me for the past 16 months.

Rarely do I ever say, “I don’t want to go!” Crossfit has given me a new love for fitness. As someone who never really strength trained in my life, I can honestly say this was the answer.

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Comments

  2. I think I’m one of the last “fit” people on the planet to try CrossFit! Part of it is my schedule and that the nearest gym is 40 min away, but part of it is I have this idea that it’s HEAVY weight lifting…and I’m a runner. But, isn’t that kind of the point? CROSStraining is definitely good for running. Your post is just another reminder of what I’m missing out on!

    • Even more reason to try it if you are a runner – more and more research is coming out showing that exercise such as Crossfit where circuit training is involved is a lot healthier for your body than long distance running is. In fact, long distance runners are more likely to die than circuit trainers are. They’re also more likely to suffer from chronic inflammation – which does not help your heart.

    • I’m totally runner so I feel you. There is a misconception that you have to lift really heavy. That’s definitely not the case. You can basically do whatever you are comfortable with. You can start just doing the bar — and many people do! It’s just another way to strength train/cross train — a better and more fun way if you ask me!

  4. Thanks so much for this post, Erika and Miz.
    I am really just not HARDCORE anything and get intimidated by all the fitness and crossfit fanatics.

  5. oh i love this! thanks Erika! I think people are often intimidated by ANY new type of fitness. Knowing the facts and how to approach it helps!

  6. I am really not hardcore at all and often feel like the lone person who is not. I’m happy to just be moving. Fantastic post.

  7. I think most of us just don’t understand things we haven’t yet tried. I told everyone i hated brussel sprouts for like 30 years, turns out I kinda dig them 🙂 CrossFit isn’t my thing, but I love what it has done for getting so many interested in fitness

  8. I’m definitely hoping to check out Crossfit eventually. I think I would really enjoy the variety and I love seeing how so many people can combine it successfully with running. Great post, Ericka!

  9. Erika, do the classes feel long? 45 minutes sounds really long for me. I am not hardcore at all.

    Miz, have you tried crossfit? You seem super hardcore 🙂

    • They actually seem like a good amount of time. Within the 45 minutes, you do so many different things that it goes fast. For example, the first 10 minutes are a warmp, usually the second 10 minutes working on a strength move (like bench press) and the third part of the class is the main workout, full of variety. And…you can always always go at your own pace and scale down weights or moves. They encourage it!

  10. Two reasons why Crossfit is not for me:

    1. It’s a class. Which happens at specific times, when I am very likely to be at work, or too busy after/before work. I love to go to the gym on my own schedule and just lift things. (Would be nice if I could schedule some personal trainer time, but so far it just hasn’t worked.)

    3. “The music is super loud.” I would be OUT of there stat.

    • Ha ha..well it may not be for everyone! However, I took some time off of the classes and adapted the moves for myself at home — and a lot of people do that. You can find daily workouts posted at the TravelingWod.com or Crossfit.com. You can also get Crossfit apps with workouts available to view. I usually go to the 5:15am or 6am class to fit it in at a time that works for me though at my gym that have classes basically all day long.

  12. I would love to try Cross-Fit. I haven’t been working out enough lately and this would be good to try.

  13. I wish I had found this when I was younger – if it was around! 😉 Not that older people do not do it BUT I am all about making sure I stay healthy & not injure myself as I age. I also just love my traditional weight lifting. Not saying I will never do it cause by the time I heard of it, I was already at a point (late 40’s) making sure no injuries as I get older. It looks like tons of fun.. I just don’t want anyone yelling at me to do things I personally know from experience are wrong for my bod.. 🙂 I a sure that does not happen in many classes but have read horror stories… PLUS it costs money I do not have – 🙁

    Saying all that – ya never know! I do want to do the flip a tire thing! 🙂

    • Totally get that. I think it actually depends a lot on your gym. At my gym, they would never tell you do something you didn’t want to do and are always saying, “listen to your body!” There may be some that aren’t as understanding, I guess — but I would say, they are wrong! Yes, the other part of Crossfit is the expense, it’s high though many get so much satisfaction and results, they see it as worth the price.

  15. Actually, I already tried Crossfit and I’m surprised I was able to survive every workouts. At first, I thought it’s really hard but I really wanted to level up. Anyway, I totally agree with you. Thanks for sharing! 😀

  18. It’s great to hear that crossfit is something everyone can do, I was afraid it would be to hard for me, might sign up for a class now. Thanks!

  19. I know this isn’t all about me 🙂 but I am really far from hardcore or even this.
    Tips?
    Miz?

  21. Thanks for writing this. I love crossfit but people look at me like I’m nuts for trying it. I love the variation and that I’m only competing with myself and I can make them up for myself at home it need be.
    Plus it makes me feel badass 🙂

  22. Awesome! Love your positive attitude. You are right that CF has a bad reputation with many. Unfortunately, some people overdo it and some boxes aren’t so grand. But I’m glad you’ve found your mojo!

  23. I’ve been lifting since the 70s and have been intrigued by cross fit workouts and even incorporate many of the WODs into my gym time (it’s pretty easy to do.) The one thing that DOES turn me off to cross fit is the loud music. Don’t like it. Doesn’t do a thing for me, but I guess that’s because I “grew up” running and working out without it. I also need a goal- I use weights to help my other sports of swimming, cycling(mountain and road), and running so I can race and do well at racing. I just can’t do something just for the sake of doing something, although I LOVE my training and can’t live without it…I still need to set the bar out there for me to achieve. To each their own….! Keep getting stronger (I was the only woman in the weight room THursday a.m…..what????)

  26. Yes yes yes! Ericka makes all the right points, here. I was slightly afraid of CrossFit the first few times I went, but every time I walked away feeling AWESOME. It didn’t matter that I had to begin with some scaled-down versions, as Ericka explains– that was “my” hard, it doesn’t matter what anyone else’s is.

    Excellent post. So true. Dare you all to give it a chance!

  27. I can’t wait to get back into a fitness routine. (6.5 mths pregnant!) but My hubby recently found cross fit and it has really changed him! I have to say I used to think it was only for “hard core” too until I learned more about it.

  29. Ericka, you look cross-tastic! Much respect to all crossfitters. My only concern is the flock of those with really bad form that seem seconds away from major injury. I had no idea the music is superloud. That’s my kinda workout scene.

  30. Cross fit is great, effective and results-oriented.
    It really isn’t just for athletes, everyone Can do it.
    I applied a lot of cross fit workouts in my own routine, and I already noticed great changes 🙂

  31. “Your supposed to go in, do your best, push yourself and come out feeling stronger, better, inspired.” –Amen to this! This is what it’s all about. Crossfit and any other forms of workout is about keeping yourself motivated and not to pressure yourself into doing something you’re uncomfortable with. Great post! Thanks for sharing this..

    http://turbulencetrainingjournal.com/

  32. Totally agree! I just finished my 2nd crossfit class and I’M LOVING IT! Our instructors were more focused on making sure we had proper form and breathing techniques, rather than focusing on the amount of weight were lifting. As a mother of 4 kids, if I can do it, anyone can. Stay motivated!

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