CROSSFIT IS FOR ANYONE BUT NOT EVERYONE
CrossFit has gained a tremendous following since its inception, celebrated for its intense workouts and a strong sense of community. It combines various forms of high-intensity functional training, promoting overall fitness and health. While it’s capacity for producing results is unmatched, it's crucial to understand that CrossFit isn't for everyone. The mentality required, the patience/time commitment for skill acquisition, the physical challenges, and the misconception of intensity as a measure of improvement are key factors that can make CrossFit a less-than-ideal fit for some.
The Mentality
CrossFit promotes a "challenge your limits" mentality, which can be both motivating and intimidating. For those who thrive on competition and pushing themselves to the edge, CrossFit can be exhilarating. However, this same mentality can lead to burnout, injury, and frustration for others.
1. **You Don’t Like the Spotlight**
CrossFit often involves working out in groups, with times and scores being publicly displayed. This often creates a supportive community and helps individuals see that they are objectively improving. We believe that this environment can create a lot of personal growth and improvements that you never believed you could achieve, however we also understand that it might not be conducive to everyone’s personality.
2. **You’re not interested in improving Mental Toughness**
The CrossFit ethos is constant personal improvement to sustain a holistic healthy lifestyle. However, to achieve that, one has to be willing to step out of their comfort zone and challenge their bodies in ways they have never done before, both physically and mentally. The mental toughness required to keep pushing through grueling workouts can be challenging. Not everyone finds this appealing or sustainable. Those that can find this fortitude will also find an improved capacity to deal with life’s challenges!
Time and Patience for Skill Acquisition
CrossFit demands a broad range of skills, from Olympic weightlifting to gymnastics. Acquiring these skills takes time, patience, and consistent practice, which not everyone has, is prepared for or capable of.
1. **No Desire to Develop Complex Movements:**
Many of the movements in CrossFit, such as snatches and muscle-ups, are complex and require proper technique. Think the 10 year or 10,000 hour rule of attaining expertise. Learning these movements can be frustrating and time-consuming, especially for beginners. Without proper guidance and the patience to master these skills, individuals risk injury. If it’s not something you want to develop in your fitness wheelhouse then other group fitness modalities might be best for you!
2. **”If I don’t leave tired, I didn’t workout hard enough”
People often mistake feeling exhausted or a high amount of sweat as a means of effort. Because CrossFit aims at improving so many aspects of fitness, such as strength, some workouts don’t elevate the heart rate as high. That doesn’t always mean that you haven’t burnt a lot of energy or challenged your body (Check out these articles, #1 & #2 , on calorie expenditure during and after weightlifting vs cardio sessions). If your focus isn’t about getting strong and just getting Cardiovascular fit then CrossFit definitely isn’t for you.
3. **I’m Impatient**
Unlike traditional forms of exercise where progress can be seen relatively quickly, CrossFit requires a long-term commitment. Building the necessary strength, flexibility, and technique takes months, if not years. This can be demotivating for those who are looking for quick results.
Physical Challenges
The physical demands of CrossFit are intense and everyone needs to understand their own bodies limits and limitations.
1. **I’ve Heard CrossFit Is Dangerous**
There is a misconception that CrossFit is inherently dangerous and leads to injuries. Data has shown (Links below) that it is no more dangerous than any other athletic endeavour including gymnastics, weightlifting or even team sports. Assuming athletes prioritise working on their mobility, skill aqcuisition, proper form/technique and respect training timelines, we should see a minimised risk of injury. Although CrossFit asks us to challenge our limits, it does not ask us to completely disregard our limitations. Some peoples’ limitations may preclude them from certain movements or intensities and that is where scaling comes in! (Scaling = adapting for limitations to create the same stimulus for improvement). That being said - it can sometimes be demoralising constantly changing workouts and not feeling part of the group.
Journal of Sports Rehab - Are Injuries More Common in CrossFit Training Than Other Forms of Exercise?
A 4-Year Analysis of the Incidence of Injuries Among CrossFit-Trained Participants
2. **I Need to Be Fit to Start CrossFit**
You wouldn’t fix your car before you take it to the mechanic. Expect your first few months of workouts to be challenging, if you’re not up for being uncomfortable CrossFit is not for you. Food for thought, no matter how much we scale or how fit we are, the old adage “it never gets easier, you just get better” stands very true for every CrossFitter!
What does this all mean? Which should I choose?
Fitness is highly individual, and what one person enjoys subjectively may be unenjoyable for another. While CrossFit offers a unique and challenging approach to fitness, it’s not conducive to certain peoples’ goals and personalities and that’s ok. The high-pressure environment, the patience required for skill acquisition, the intense physical demands, and the misconception that intensity equals improvement can make CrossFit a daunting and potentially harmful choice for some. It’s essential to recognize that fitness is a personal journey, and finding the right fit is crucial for long-term success and health. Exploring different options and understanding personal limits can lead to a more enjoyable and sustainable fitness experience.
Don’t Wait - Start your journey with us today!
Here at the MVMT Hub, we understand that starting your CrossFit journey be daunting and challenging, but with the right mindset and our guidance, it can also be incredibly fun and rewarding. We will help you focus on building a strong foundation, listen to your body, and enjoy the sense of accomplishment as you progress through your fitness goals. Starting your CrossFit journey at Mvmt Hub/CrossFit R.A.D. means embarking on a path to better health and fitness with a supportive community and expert guidance. Remember, every journey starts with a single step. We’re here to take that step with you.
Ready to dive into the world of CrossFit? Visit Mvmt Hub home of CrossFit R.A.D., your go-to CrossFit gym, or contact us to schedule your first class. Your fitness journey awaits!