“I am not in good enough shape enough for CrossFit. I need to work out a bit to get ready to join a CrossFit gym. CrossFit is too hard for me, I’m not ready for that. Let me get in shape so I can do CrossFit.”
I hear some variation of this all the time when I talk to people about CrossFit. I am here to tell you that these phrases, and all of their variations, are unequivocally false. There is no minimum standard of fitness before you can start CrossFit, period. CROSSFIT IS HOW YOU GET IN SHAPE!
I understand where you are coming from though. From the outside CrossFit looks hard. And it can be intense – but intensity is relative to each person!
There is so much happening in any individual workout that you believe there is no way you are ready for that. But you are wrong.
I am going to let you in on the big secret of CrossFit. (Are you ready?) It never gets any easier.
No amount of being “in shape” changes the difficulty of the workouts. The workouts are always intense. Sure you get stronger, you have better lung capacity, you learn to do the movements better, but we are always there to make sure you are pushed to the next level.
That is why a 90 year old can be working out next to a recently off-the-couch potato who is working out next to a college athlete. Yes, they are all using different weights and maybe some modified movements, but they are all doing the same workout and it is equally difficult for all of them.
That is a difficult concept for people to grasp. No matter what workout you are doing that day, it is the same amount of intense and difficult for everyone. It is designed to be that way!
No one at the gym is looking at your workout and judging you based on the movements or weights you are using. Trust me, I speak from experience, we are all way too busy freaking out about our own version of the workout to be worried about anyone else. No one finishes a workout and looks around to laugh at others that may still be struggling through their own workout, we are too busy gasping for breathe and basking in the euphoric glow of facing our fears and coming out the other side in tact!
All that being said, we do understand that parts of CrossFit are scary. Barbell movements especially seem to strike fear into the hearts of people. That is why we have worked very hard to ease the impact. If the movements or intensity are scary we always have scaling and modification options.
When you first start CrossFit with us (or likely any CrossFit gym) you will go through a Foundations Class. Those first few sessions will ease you into the movements and the CrossFit methodology and teach you everything you need to know to join group classes.
We will give you careful and specific instruction on the main movements we use, as well as slowly introducing you into workouts using your newly learned skills. We’ll also talk about gym etiquette things – like how to load a barbell, how to safely drop a barbell, where the water fountains are, etc.
We understand that CrossFit can be scary. We have done our best to remove all of the obstacles between you and a better life. All you need to do is give it a try!