The what - Part 1
What is CrossFit?
You may have been to a CrossFit class, or maybe you have even attending classes for weeks, months, years, but you don’t really know WHAT CrossFit is, or how to define it. In the simplest form, CrossFit HQ would define it as, “constantly varied functional movements at high intensity.” The ultimate goal of the non-competitive athlete is to become “fit” at a wide range of movements fit for everyday life, for anyone, at any age, at any skill level. We are trying to be the most prepared for the unknowable. That is the 10,000 foot definition. Time to drill down a little.
CrossFit is truly built for every athlete (when you walk through our doors, you are immediately deemed an athlete). Every workout that we program can be scaled to your skill level. If the person next to you is performing a workout at a competitive level and today is day one for you, we will be able to provide you with the same output suitable for your level.
There really is no point in recreating the wheel, so read this: this is the explanation of the Methodology straight from the horse’s mouth(CF HQ)
”METHODOLOGY
The methodology that drives CrossFit is entirely empirical. We believe that mean- ingful statements about safety, efficacy, and efficiency, the three most important and interdependent facets to evaluate any fitness program, can be supported only by measurable, observable, repeatable data. We call this approach “evidence-based fitness.” CrossFit’s methodology depends on full disclosure of methods, results, and criticisms, and we have employed the internet to support these values. Our charter is open source, making co-developers out of participating coaches, ath- letes, and trainers through a spontaneous and collaborative online community. CrossFit is empirically driven, clinically tested, and community developed.”
The one thing I left out until now may also be the biggest identifier of what CrossFit is:
It’s a cult
HAHA, jk. It gets a reputation of being cult like because of how strong the community is. CrossFit is the most inclusive form of fitness that I have ever been part of. The strength, cardio, etc is nice, but I can get that stuff elsewhere. What I cannot get somewhere else is the camaraderie that is here at the gym. Everyone helps in holding others accountable. Everyone encourages you to work harder. Everyone is there to support you inside, and outside, of the gym. We did a survey not too long ago, and one of the questions we asked was why people love CrossFit. Over 70% of our membership responded, “community.”
CrossFit is not what you see on TV or the people lifting 500# and immediately running a 5:00 mile. It’s not sitting on a rowing machine for 3-4 hours to accumulate 47,000+ meters, the equivalent to a marathon. It’s not learning how to properly adapt a workout around an injury. It’s not learning the importance of a balanced diet and what that actually means. CrossFit is all of this combined and so much more. I unfortunately cannot tell you what CrossFit is completely without writing a book. My biggest advice on how to figure out what CrossFit is is to come and give it a try. Be sure to try 2-3+ classes so you can get the feel of how varied classes and movements are. Give if a go! Nothing to lose but time.
Sources used along with a great source of more information: http://library.crossfit.com/free/pdf/CFJ_English_Level1_TrainingGuide.pdf http://journal.crossfit.com/2007/04/understanding-crossfit-by-greg.tpl
