Things might get awkward if you join a CrossFit gym…
I read an article in the New Yorker yesterday morning entitled “Everything I Am Afraid Might Happen if I Ask Acquaintances to Get Coffee”. It includes a list of tongue-in-cheek comments about silly, neurotic social anxieties one might have while getting coffee with someone they hardly know. While the article takes a slight jab at CrossFit (see number 17 on the list), I thought it would be fun to come up with my own list of what people may fear if they try CrossFit.
1. All I will do is talk about CrossFit. It it is true: you may become one of those people for awhile. It’s just that most people have the tendency to want to share about positive experiences in their lives. Sorry about that. It does pass though, just so you are aware.
2. They’ll make you try “Paleo”, “Zone”, or some other weird diet. This assumption is actually untrue. Most gyms provide dietary advice; however, like most gyms, including globo gyms, trainers will advise clients to eat whole, unprocessed foods, including lean meats, vegetables, fruits, etc., and to steer clear of sugar. I can assure you that no one is going to hold you down and force feed you a pound of steak.
3. I will get bulky. This fear mostly applies to the ladies and is untrue for the average female athlete. Are the women seen on TV competing in the CrossFit Games have some more muscle mass than the average female? Yes. Yes, they do because they are taking in more calories as well as supplementing their diet to fuel their training. The average female CrossFit athlete instead is merely a stronger, leaner version of their pre-CrossFit selves.
4. I will get hurt. Again, another fear. CrossFit has been criticized for its supposed high injury rates. However, those studies have been refuted and proven to be inaccurate. While any exercise program has the potential for injury, if you are still thinking about trying CrossFit and are concerned about getting hurt, ask the trainer how the s/he programs his/her athletes for longevity to help put those fears to rest.
5. My friends will think I’m weird for not wanting to go out to the bar. A crazy thing happens when you start eating well and enjoy your training: things like heading to the bar, chowing down on chocolate cake, and scarfing down pizza on a regular basis don’t sound as appealing as they used to. I know, it might make some friends/family members turn their heads. But in all honesty, eating well and staying active makes you feel better all day long. No beer or piece of pizza has that much lasting power.
6. Talking about “Snatches” in public won’t seem rude/odd/weird anymore. This one is true, especially since all a Snatch is, is one of the Olympic Lifts commonly seen in CrossFit. Not only talking about Snatches won’t seem odd, but if you CrossFit for an extended period of time, no doubt, you will come to learn the silly sounding terms and phrases commonly used in a box setting. If that bothers you, simply tell yourself that you are bilingual and fluent in WOD-Speak.
7. CrossFit is exactly like what I see on TV. I can’t do that. What you see on the CrossFit Games are professional athletes. What you see in a typical CrossFit gym are regular people, just like you, working out, trying to improve their fitness. The difference is as apparent if you were watching the NBA Finals versus a pick-up game of basketball. Plus, everything you do in CrossFit is tailored to your ability level, which results in challenging, yet doable workouts.
8. I don’t want to take my shirt off. That’s cool. You don’t have to.
9. Between the membership, the shoes, the jump ropes, and all that Reebok and Lululemon gear… I can’t afford that. Cash flow is always important to consider and is a legitimate reason for many to find other means of working out. For others though sometimes it the cost of membership merely takes some reframing your way of thinking or readjusting your priorities.
Consider the following: a gym membership is an investment in your current and long-term health. If you are constantly using the facility, taking advantage of what the coaches have to offer, making most of the programming then each time you use the gym you can subject dollars from that upfront cost. At $7-8 per visit for personal attention, individualized programming, and an hour to yourself each day, that monthly fee is totally worth it. Not to mention that it would only take a few less coffees and/or drinks at the bar can make up for those costs.
As for all that other stuff… That’s what it is: stuff. You don’t need it. All you need is to be willing to put in the time and effort to get the most out of the program. That motivation comes from within and that sh*t is free.
10. What if I like it?… You just might. CrossFit is a great exercise regimen for many people. (Possibly you.) It is not for everyone though – just like running, yoga, zumba, jazzercise or biking is not for everyone. However, you will never know whether or not you like it unless you take the chance. So try it out. We’d love to have you join the club.
Run to AMRAP to schedule your free session!