CrossFit is a great way to get in shape while strengthening your mind, body and overall being. CrossFit has the stigma of being extremely difficult for beginners, and said to be tailored for experienced athletes and trainers. Although some of these things are true, CrossFit is ultimately what you make it. Whether you are experienced or just starting out, learning about the history of CrossFit and why it is so enjoyable will make your transition a lot easier. For those of you who do not know, CrossFit is an intense fitness program that was created by Greg Glassman back in 1995. Here Glassman opened up a CrossFit gym in Santa Cruz, California where he trained numerous celebrity athletes and local residents in the area. At a young age, Glassman quickly realized that he could bulk up more if he added weights to his daily workout routine as a gymnast. He quickly adopted this idea and later went on to coin the phrase and became the founder of CrossFit.
“Jack of all Trades”
CrossFit is known for its strength and conditioning program consisting of a mix of both body weight and aerobic exercises, and elements of Olympic weightlifting. Glassman’s early athletic experiences directly influenced CrossFit’s goal of achieving greater work capacity across time and modal domains. With CrossFit the goal is not to achieve specialized abilities and fitness that applies to one particular set of movements for the body, instead the goal is to achieve a general physical preparedness when doing each movement. For those who follow the “CrossFit Ethos” its purpose is to enhance 10 primary physical attributes such as cardiovascular/respiratory endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, speed, power, agility, balance, coordination and accuracy.
Hour long fitness classes are set in place that being with a warm-up and cool down at the end of each session. Widely known as “Workout of the Day” (WOD), participants get the full experience of CrossFit and what each workout is all about. With all of these things combined, you are sure to get a “jack of all trades” workout that’s best suited for your needs and physical aspirations.
“Work it Out”
With the types of workouts that go into CrossFit, Glassman sought to create workouts that stimulated the feeling of competition and accelerate that a competitor feels when in motion. For example, Glassman wanted to convey the same feeling that a gymnast gets when finishing a routine in front of judges, or the feeling that boxers get when winning their first fight. For many, the short intensified high paced workouts that CrossFit provides did just that. One workout that has people who do CrossFit “feeling the burn” is known as “Fran”. With Fran you do a couple of barbell thrusters, a front squat, push-press combos, and of course pull ups. Fran is a measure of fitness and a benchmark that when overtime can be monitored to measure your increase in power and mobility.
The Future of CrossFit
According to recent statistics, CrossFit appeals to both men and women alike. Findings show that there is an even percentage of both who attend CrossFit sessions.
With everyone wanting to get in shape for the summer and beyond, CrossFit has become a way of life for many who find strength in the sport. With its functional movements, rapid results (if done consistently) and popularity, CrossFit will be around for years to come.
If you’re skeptical of what CrossFit can do for you, check out my recent blog on “5 Reasons Why CrossFit Is Perfect For Entrepreneurs”
Related sources: Origins of CrossFit CrossFit WOD: Fran