Most people start CrossFit because they’re seeking to slim down, or get stronger, or enter into the best form of their life. Playing rugby in college, taught Zumba, finished a marathon, and brought up bodybuilding, for me, CrossFit wasn’t about the physical promises. I joined a CrossFit box (as the gyms are known as) since i needed a job.
I gone to live in New York for what was, at that time, my dream job. But 6 months in, I called my mother sobbing. I’d been given notice that the organization would be letting me go in two weeks’ time. The eager post-grad haze had worn out, I was no longer certain I had chosen the best career field, and I was hit having a wave of loneliness.
After living in the city for six months, I’d failed to make any friends. Late nights in the office had precedence over happy hours and girl-gang hangs. And since I’d often gotten off work late, rather than sampling New York’s fitness class scene, I’d chosen a 24-hour major gym. There, I’d perform some bicep curls, walk on the stairmaster, and after around an hour, flex, try taking some mirror selfies, and then leave.
Now, here I was, bummed out, wishing for pals to vent to about my impending unemployment, and in serious need of pulling together work. Then when I saw on Instagram that a Manhattan box, ICE NYC, was hiring a front desk social media manager, I applied.
I’d talked (or at least, thought) trash about CrossFit in the past, even though if I’m being totally honest with myself, I had pointless to. However i guess there was a part of me which was just a little intrigued by the entire CrossFit phenomenon and also the community it promised.
My first interview happened directly following a class. Having arrived super-early, I caught the tail end from the workout and watched because the athletes congratulated each other and brought it set for a cheer. The ethos of the group brought to mind my time playing rugby in college: The coach was treated with respect, they was determined and focused, and the athletes followed an implicit “No One Left Behind”?policy.
While the promise of barbells alone couldn’t convince me to test CrossFit, watching a class and speaking with the gym’s owner about community, fitness, and joining the 2 could.
After my interview, the dog owner called to let me realize that basically tried CrossFit and liked it, he’d hire me. And so i subscribed to a category the next morning. I thought going for a CrossFit class could be like updating my LinkedIn, flossing my teeth, or eating greens: a necessary evil.
Turns out, CrossFit isn’t a thing you just walk in and out of every once in a while. If it sticks, it sticks real good.
I’ve changed plenty since i have was originally hired at the box. For one, I switched to a part-time role to ensure that I possibly could pursue a fitness writing career, however i still work out there and think about the box my house. Twelve months since joining the ICE NYC CrossFit community I can safely say the sport is different my entire life. Here’s how.
Thanks @_______aaron for reminding me to flex as i pull ??????
Most boxes come with an on-ramp process that involves learning the ropes (and basic barbell lifts and bodyweight movements), but because I had weightlifting experience from my collegiate days I had been allowed to pass over those sessions. (If you’re thinking about joining a box, make the most of these offerings; I regret missing the learning opportunity). Even though I had fitness experience, it still took a long time to figure out what the heck I was doing.
CrossFit defines itself as constantly varied functional movements performed at high intensities, which constantly varied part…?it’s a lot. There’s the snatch, and then there’s the power snatch. There’s also a hang power snatch, and a hang squat snatch.
This variety is part of what makes it fun; you’re able to try so. many. different. things! But that also means there’s an unending stream of products to learn. The go-go-go New Yorker within me loved the exhaustive list of exercises, however the athlete in me felt overwhelmed by the variety.
I had to learn to be patient with myself and my body. If I forgot the difference from a hang, a squat, and a power clean, I had to learn to ask. Basically couldn’t string together more than a few pull-ups, I had to ask for drills that will assist me to be able to- eventually. I gave myself permission not to understand what the heck I was doing, after which developed the patience essential to be okay with the learning curve.
My lights ???
My position in rugby was wing, which is the position that scores. Racking up points for my team was my job, so when I did not succeed to do my job well, a loss for the team was normally the outcome. I love winning, and I brought that passion for winning to CrossFit. “Finish first” was my motto.
And sometimes I did. Sometimes I’d go ahead and take top of the leaderboard on a bodyweight WOD (which means workout during the day),?and I’d smile smugly, feeling proud. But then the following day, I’d have a workout with heavy barbells, and no quantity of willpower would allow me to lift the barbell and lift it quickly and keep good form.
A few conversations with my head coach solved the problem realize that my competitive spirit can help bring results for any goal, but that when you are looking at heavy lifting, there’s a cardinal rule: Technique first, consistency second, and intensity last. “I love how competitive you are and just how eager you’re to understand and get better,” she explained. “My advice to you: There’s no rush. CrossFit isn’t going anywhere. Take your time, learn, strive, trust the process. You’ll wind up where you’re supposed to be.”
Goon squad ?? ??? ??: @martsromero
When you are looking at getting stronger, you need two things: First, you need to work parts of your muscles, which causes little tears within the muscle fibers. Then, your muscles need to repair themselves, that is a procedure that requires rest.
Before CrossFit, I’d go to the gym six to seven times a week. I stuck to that same schedule when I started CrossFit. I often went 7 days a week because it was all so new and fun. My workouts lasted an hour or so, but may I’d join a few of the CrossFit vets for an additional workout afterward. Surprise, surprise: I got an overtraining injury.
Six days of household names and intense intervals every week is too much, and that i probably would have gotten stronger faster if I had stuck to simply 4 or 5 days per week and also given my body system the time it needed to recover between sessions.
When @nynabeana says she hopes there’s rowing in 18.4 and you are right here still a lil traumatized from 18.1 ?? ??? ??: @martsromero
Anyone can do CrossFit: The workouts are scalable, meaning people of all fitness levels can come to some box and perform the workout during the day. But CrossFit is no joke. When it comes to barbells, box jumps, and burpees, you need more than physical strength. You’ll need strength of mind.
If you need to achieve your best performance on the workout, you’ve got to be willing to suffer
