Crossing Over with CrossFIT

The past few weeks I have had my interest sparked by a simple workout called crossfit.  I have a few friends in my online fitness circle who are avid cross-fit-er’s and the experience has been life changing.  I even have great friends in real life who have been blown away by the changes in their body, what they are capable of, and their self confidence through cross fit.

I have been super interested in trying, yet totally intimidated by the sheer strength of those who practice crossfit on a regular basis. 

I was scared and intimidated.

A local gym in my area has a free open gym on Saturday’s for those people (like me) who are curious and want to try before committing.  I jumped on the wagon, and I lost my crossfit virginity.  My good friend invited me to join her to the open gym where she works out. 

I have shared my desire on here and to my friends that I need something different to inspire, motivate, and keep me going on this fitness journey.  I felt like I was just going through the motions: run x amount of miles, do strength, stretch, hydrate, eat well, repeat.  Yet I wasn’t really FEELING the excitement that fitness usually gives me.

I have found it with CrossFit!

Now granted, I have only done ONE crossfit workout.  However, as my good friend Workout Mommy always says, “Never Underestimate the power of a good workout”, CrossFit is an excellent workout!

 My first impression of the cross fit gym was that of an old abandoned warehouse type feel.  It was very rustic.  There was ropes, oversized tires, bar bells, heavy weights, and fitness equipment.

My second impression was the family feel.  I was greeted by friendly, HAPPY, faces.  There was no weird looks of questioning, “Why is SHE here?” but more rather an excitement of a new person trying out the crossfit experience.

Thirdly, everyone was self motivated.  On the wall was a list of your warm-up.  Everyone started their warm up on their own (no prompting from a trainer, or heckling from the crowd).  These people were the real deal – real go getters! However, by the end of the scheduled warm up I felt like I had already had a great workout.  I was dripping with sweat, and my heart was pumping.

When the scheduled workout was explained, my first initial reaction was, This is it?? The plan of attack was a 15 minute team strength circuit called, “Fantastic Four”.  We had a team of four people and were to tackle to stations in a rotating (tag like fashion) as fast as we could.  The stations were:

1. Rest

2. Weighted Lunges

3. Push Press with Bar

4. 200 Meter Sprint

5. Repeat as many times in the 15 minute time frame

Let me just clarify that by the time 7 minutes had past, my heart was pumping, I was dripping sweat, and I was looking forward to that 200 meter run so I could rest afterwards! 

Never underestimate a good workout!

CrossFit is a great workout in a short amount of time!

I really liked the team feel of the crossfit experience.  Everyone was encouraging, laughing, and cheering each other on to work harder, do their best, and challenge themselves.  Having the accountability of my teammates and gym-mates during the workout really helped push me to see what I am capable of doing.

I found myself pushing harder, faster, and doing more than I thought possible.  Honestly, if I were to do the same workout in my garage I would not have gotten the same results.  I would not have pushed through the pain, exhaustion, and sweat.  I would have completed my workout yet not to my full potential.

I am looking forward to going to the open gym again, to get my butt kicked again…. of course as soon as my sore body recovers!

Have you tried cross-fit?
If so, I would love to hear your experience!
If not, do you have a desire to try it? Why or why not?