At least I didn’t throw up.
When it comes to fitness, I always have the best of intentions. I know that it’s crucial in maintaining a healthy lifestyle; physically, mentally/emotionally, and spiritually. But, whenever I start a with a new trainer or a new gym or a new class, I don’t last all that long – I’m out before I’m even in! It makes me wonder if there’s something wrong with me, but I have a feeling that I’m not the only one who experiences this. So this time around, I decided not to commit to any one sport or workout regimen, but rather test out some different ways in order to figure out what best suits me and my goals. My current goal being simply to build both endurance and muscle – nothing too crazy. Rideau CrossFit seemed like it was definitely going to be the perfect place to conquer both of these.
RULE #1 HAVE FUN
Before even walking into the box (what CrossFitters call their gym) I was nervous. I had never done CrossFit before, I didn’t really know what it was, and I haven’t exercised regularly for so long it’s embarrassing, so it’s fair to say that I was pretty intimidated. While some people like to ease themselves into and out of things, I’d rather go to the extreme and throw myself in the deep end on a regular basis. At least I was able to drag my sidekick along with me, because the box is no health club facility; it’s a completely open and primal room with barbells, medicine balls, pull-up racks, and jump ropes. This is because your typical CrossFitter wants to zap their fitness tank down to zero by the end of a workout. Firefighters, police, and military personnel are especially drawn to the program because of all the functional movements – a whole-body approach to the real world. After chatting with owner Mark and trainer Joyce, we had a little more knowledge than before we came in and were warmly welcomed into the group.
RULE #2 IT WILL NOT BE EASY AND YOU WOULDN’T WANT IT TO BE
CrossFit is very much unlike any workout I have ever done before. It throws out what one thinks of as the traditional workout, like running on a treadmill and doing bicep curls, and replaces this with an approach rooted in the real world. Calisthenics, Olympic lifting, and gymnastics combine to form a workout that emphasizes ten basic physical skills: cardiovascular and respiratory endurance, flexibility, stamina, strength, speed, coordination, power, accuracy, balance, and agility. Every day, a new workout (called the Workout of The Day or WOD) is written on a whiteboard, and everyone in a class completes the same workout, no matter the fitness level you’re at.
RULE #3 EFFORT EARNS RESPECT
CrossFit is small and inclusive. You’re a part of something and you all push each other to work harder and faster and better. The trainers (or coaches) can almost give you a one-on-one experience and aren’t going to let you quit. We sure as hell didn’t. Our night sounds easy when I say that the workout was 12 minutes. But, it was the complete opposite. The WOD consisted of 5 pull-ups, 10 push ups, 15 air squats, and jumping over wooden boxes, as many times as we could in the 12-minute time period. Right away I knew I was in for it – I couldn’t even do a pull-up, but the exercise was simply revised so that I could actually complete it. At the end of the 12 minutes, I surprisingly completed at least 3 rounds, although my push ups (with my knees on the ground) were pretty pathetic. Even so, afterwards the endorphins were flowing and it was pretty exhilarating. Until the Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness began, and got worse within the next 48 hours. But no worries, it did eventually evaporate.
The soreness would never stop me from going back – I know that there is an acclimation period. For myself, if I made this my fitness routine, being able to actually complete a pull up would be a good first goal, and I know I could reach it in time. It’s all about self accomplishment in a culture that drives you to go as fast and hard as possible. It’s become super popular, so it’s up to you whether or not to get caught up in the hype. But remember, your only competition is yourself.
Lotsa Local Love 