Ten Things You Should Know About Crossfit

Over the last two months, I have learned some things about Crossfit. I offer a list of ten things that every beginning Crossfitter should know.

1 - This ain’t your average workout
Nuh uh. Ask yourself this question: When was the last time you bench-pressed a pile of books to the top shelf? Crossfit movements are diverse and they condition your body for the demands you will experience in the real world. Expect to be doing things like power cleaning, snatching and working with medicine balls and kettle bells. Expect to be surprised.

2 - There are no pretty faces during a WOD
Gut-busting, heart-pounding, honest hard work produces an expression that you won’t find at the juice bar of a beautiful spa. It’s more like what you’ll see on the field of sports. Like these.

3 - Your momma works out here and she can lift more than you can
Think Crossfit is just for sports and not suitable for the soccer mom? Think again. Crossfit attracts people from all walks of life, and all ages. From young and old, we sweat and toil equally under the weight of the iron and our own bodies. However, Crossfit isn't for everyone. You have to want it badly to keep coming back and pushing yourself further than you have ever done before. Believe me that involves facing many of your fears.

4 - Use chalk, it helps
And lifting belts. Use the tools of power lifting and you will find yourself more confident and more in control of your body and the barbell.

5 - During the last rounds, it’s better if you are feeling pissed off
Coach finishes his last round of cleans and lets the barbell drop to the floor. "Muthafucker!" he shouts. If you want to finish strong, you need to find the determination and defiance that makes you grab that sucka and hoist it up NO MATTER WHAT. You can do it. You just think you can't.

6 - Suck it up, buttercup
People in Crossfit are friendly. I joined the foundation bootcamp and I was made to feel welcome and coached through the challenging workout with understanding of where I was at with my fitness level. (Ground zero) After I got a bit better, the hand holding stopped.
Don't whine, put down the designer water, and come over here and lift!

7 - Make friends with people who Crossfit. You can talk about it and they won’t think you’re weird
I've heard Crossfitters described as intense. We talk about Crossfit, the Zone, and this lifestyle a lot. I spend my weekends practicing with a skip rope so I can do double-unders next time it's on the WOD. Yah, really. Many of the people I work with have equipment and nicely set up Crossfit gyms at home. The passion for this is much deeper than an exercise program that you have made a half heartedly commitment.

8 - Eat well. Find a sensible eating lifestyle that works with Crossfit and do it. It’s fundamental to getting the most out of this
After two months of Crossfit, I was feeling some dramatic changes in my strength, energy levels and overall feeling of well-being. However, I wasn't seeing a lot of changes in my body. Within three weeks of trying the zone diet, I lost six pounds of fat weight. For real. The foundation of excellent health is eating properly and exercising. They need each other.

9 - Don’t take yourself too seriously
Don't get pissed off when you can't Rx a WOD. When the weight truly is too heavy, put forth your best effort and feel good about that. Being anal about making progress at every workout is only going to make you feel frustrated. And don't weigh yourself every day, like a girl. Eat a hot dog now and then. Remember that life is fun.

10 - Know why you are doing this
You will not be able to blast through the wall of discomfort, fatigue and overwhelming desire to stop if you don't know why you are this. You have to be very clear about your reasons and you should have a laundry list of all the things you will gain from Crossfit and all the things you'll lose if you don't Crossfit.

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Workout of the Day

7 Rounds

• 5 Hanging power cleans 115 lb
  
• 5 L pullups(chest must hit the bar) Started with these, and finished, but with bad form. Tired of doing jumping pullups
  
• 12 Single DB push press @ 40 lb(6 per side)
• 10 Ab wheels