The meaning of Crossfit

This topic can go so many different directions, We could always start a forum with crossfit, I imagine it's different for everyone. This is my version-

It was aobut six years ago, and I had committed myself to doing a tuff mudder. I have been at a million different gyms over the years but thought I might need something more than a "beach body" look to be able to complete one. Cardio? I ran if I was being chased, and since I didnt get chased very often, my cardio was non existent. I watched endless videos on tuff mudders and thought , shit I may not be able to finish one of these, worse I could die on the mountain. How embarrassing for my wife and kids! So what happened to Jeff? oh ya, he died in a tuff mudder!

My search began, I knew I needed something more. Crossfit was just gaining in popularity and there were these signs close to my home. Literally up and down every street once leaving the freeway en route to my home. Little signs stuck into the dirt promoting a local crossfit box. (yes rather than a gym, its called a box) The logo was catchy and they had a free 30 day trial period. Thought well, nothing to lose, its close to the house and the first month is free!

First day I went, opened the door and my eyes scanned left to right, these people are fricking strong! The barbells were loaded with massive weights, people squatting ridiculous amounts of steel! The women were unreal, so powerful! I was immediately intimidated. First off, who the hell does legs? Thats like day 7 at my old gym, and when you only go 6 days a week, legs just dont make the cut. Chest, arms, back shoulders, chest, chest. Then as I got closer they would drop the overloaded barbells and they bounced, literally bounced! WTF? Rubber weights!? A dime looked like a 45 plate, not near as heavy as I thought. Oh thank God, I might be able to lift something here! One of the trainers approached, introduced himself and made me feel comfortable right away. There were others, bigger guys that did their own thing - use to that coming from Cal fit and 24hr. I signed up for 30 day free trial and was ready to roll.

There were set classes every morning, and I was used to writing my own workouts .For years I knew to mix it up and never repeat the same workout for weeks. With that being said , it was still the same boring shit, reps of 10 or 12 maybe even 15, repeat 3 to 4 times. Wait lets build strength and size! 5 sets of 5 reps heavy! I came to my fist few classes and crushed the warm up! I thougt to myself, wow i'm gonna be great at this! The amrap (as many reps as possible ) or the metcon (metabolic conditioning) would come next. I needed like 20 breaks and an on hand water supply company to get thru it. Holy crap I was so out of shape! Standing in front of a mirror I held my own, but in shape? HaHa that was funny. I was arrogant when I joined. What I learned in a few short weeks- didnt necessarily matter what you physically looked like. Might be good for the ego, but it doesnt belong in crossfit. People come in all shapes and sizes and they all kicked ass, I on the other hand was getting my ass kicked.

I stuck with it for the month. Imagine that is why it's a 30 day promo, you either are hooked or you bounced out after week 1. I was hooked! I fricking loved the constant growth in my skill set, I got stronger, more confident each work out. I was doing legs! not like once a month but every damn day. My physique was changing and I loved it. It was like a new found religion, I told everyone and everybody (think this is why its referred to as a cult) So much better than the old way of lifting. It's a full body workout and its functional lifting. I never played sports (insert mental image of last child picked for a game) I was skinny, weak and insecure. Not the best makeup for an athlete. My confidence grew as I began to lift weights in my late teens. The added attention was a nice bonus as well. I could lift as often as I wanted and no one relied on me to win a game or perfom. It was on me for me and I loved that. Crossfit is the same! Sure you can do teams or competitions but your still doing it for you! Push yourself and you will get better. As my strength grew I pushed myself more and more. Heavier, faster, better form. You can get better everyday. My arrogant self thougt this could be my sport, finally! I was in my early forties and thought I could to the masters one day! hahaha I watched one open on espn and these dudes pushing 60 would and always will kick my ass.

It was about that time I noticed certain members no longer returning each morning. Injuries are prevalent in crossift and its probalby one the main deterrents for people. Without the proper training its bound to happen, even with the training it happens. Moving all that weight it doesnt take much to tweak yourself. Our box has a chiropractors information listed and a ton of members use him weekly. You must take care of yourself, cant push too hard , too often. That concept began to sink in for me. My biggest fear is not being able to workout. It's as much my sanity as my health, a day missed and I'm in a funk. I began to just enjoy the workouts , I dont care about the weight anymore. If i'm feeling spunky I might go heavy but more times than not I barely do the suggested womens weight. RX is no friend of mine. I still achieve results this way without the risk of injury. At 47 I sound like a box of rice krispies when I get up in the morning, can't imagine what the future is gonna sound like?

There are so many positives to crossfit, most have nothing to do with physical side. My old gyms were like a dance club with weights and mirrors. So many self absorbed souls grunting and flexing into the mirror only to achieve ego building muscles. Their is very little community, you almost get shoulder checked walking across the gym. I would see someone doing arm curls and i'd be the douche to grab heavier weight and out do him. Crossfit is so different! I suck at it, last guy to finish a lot of the times. I can hear my name being yelled out across the box, come on jeff - finish it, only 5 more reps to go. You got this! Don't get me wrong , its competitive , we push each other. We build each other up along the way, this is Crossfit! It's a community of people, some of my closest friends are from my box. We have a solid group that meets every morning, you miss, your late, better be ready for a text. We joke, we laugh, some love- were friends , were a tribe! My tribe rocks! it's a place to share and care. Some are young , some old, some in a happy place of life and others that have suffered loss. But we are a crossfit community and I would never change it! My tribe kicks ass!

So when people say, oh you crossfit? Hell ya I crossfit and you should too!