What’s the WOD?
It’s so much more than those weird pull-ups.
In a previous life, I misunderstood this sport through a lens of stereotypes and ignorance.
In 2021, I gave CrossFit a try. I found a sport full of growth, community, competition, and travel perks!
(CrossFit Open Workout 2023 @CrossFit Lodo)
Why CrossFit?
Growth! Early into my CrossFit training I learned it’s not about weight, it’s about form. I found my glory muscles (pecs, bis, tris, quads) comparatively useless against a fellow CrossFitter with good form. Many of my fellow gym members had already mastered movements such as a clean or snatch and proceeded to out-lift me in almost every movement.
This shook me as I had trained to lift heavy things my entire life. I swallowed my pride and day-by-day worked on mobility and mastery of form. After 3+ years, I’m by no means a master, but through consistent effort, I can perform most movements required. The battle for growth is as much physical as it is mental!
Community! The desire to try a new training style brings people to CrossFit and the community is what keeps them around. The first Crossfit gym I joined was both welcoming and genuinely interested in getting to know members new and old. I’ve found this theme across every CrossFit gym I’ve visited. If you’re new to an area, a CrossFit gym is a good place to find some potential homies.
Competition! Against yourself and your classmates. I buy into the mindset that the true competition is against yourself - working to improve previous benchmarks and reach goals. Competing against one’s inner general (the voice within saying, “you can’t”) is something people battle & overcome weekly in workouts.
CrossFit offers space to lean into workout competitions with fellow athletes. Racing someone in burpees, pushing a friend to PR (personal record), talking sh*t, all of which are benefits I didn’t often enjoy at a typical gym. There are also local competitions across the world where athletes can put their strength and skills to the test in front of an energetic crowd.
Travel perks! The community is global. I’ve dropped into gyms in France, Portugal, and states across the US. They provide an incredible environment to enjoy a strong workout while traveling and the opportunity to meet locals. These locals tend to be active and involved in the community. This is an amazing resource when looking for recommendations. And, somebody (if you're abroad) usually speaks English!
Disclaimer! This post is not an endorsement of the CrossFit organization. It is also not an endorsement of the modality for long-term functional fitness & health. It’s an endorsement of new experiences for both the body and the mind.
Why not CrossFit?
If you’re used to an independent workout style, the class environment will be an adjustment. Letting go of ego and immersing oneself in the environment while making workouts your own is a balance to find with time.
(CrossFit Equipment Photo by Ryan De Hamer on Unsplash)
WOD Rec:
5 rounds, each for time, of:
20 pull-ups
30 push-ups
40 sit-ups
50 squats
Rest precisely 3 minutes between rounds.
Documentary Rec:
Fittest on Earth - A documentary highlighting the CrossFit Games. A yearly event where athletes endure a 3-day weekend of competition to name the fittest male and female athlete on earth.
Song Rec:
You’re Gonna Go Far, Kid - The Offspring
The Offspring and this song is a jam you’ll hear in many CrossFit gyms. One of my faves. Toss it on during your next workout.
Reading Rec:
Mother of God - Paul Rosolie
I couldn’t put this book down. Enjoy Paul’s story of balancing the contrasting energy of growing up in New Jersey and his desire for a different life after visiting the Madre De Dios in the Amazon. Summary snippet via Amazon (the company) below:
Venturing alone into some of the most inaccessible reaches of the jungle, he encountered giant snakes, floating forests, isolated tribes untouched by outsiders, prowling jaguars, orphaned baby anteaters, poachers in the black market trade in endangered species, and much more. Yet today, the primordial forests of the Madre de Dios are in danger from developers, oil giants, and gold miners eager to exploit its natural resources.
Quote to consider:
“Believe me, it’s better to produce the balance sheet of your own life than that of the grain market.” - Seneca