Why I Do CrossFit – And Why You Could Love It
There are many reasons why people end up doing whatever workout routine they choose. Some people run. Some people love at home workouts. With all the options out there, why do I do CrossFit?
There are so many things about CrossFit that I love, but if I am being honest, there is one major reason I continue to go. Structure.
STRUCTURE
CrossFit classes have structure. The workouts are programed and explained before they begin. This may not seem like a big deal to you, but for me, it’s a deal breaker. Let me explain.
I am not someone who would classify themselves as a “planner”. I am more of a “fly by the seat of my pants” kind of guy. And I am very aware of this.
Because of this, I don’t have the discipline to do home workouts. I also don’t have the skill to plan out a workout at a typical gym beforehand. That ends up with me going and walking around for a half hour and not getting anything done. Trust me, I have tried, and it did not go well at all.
When I walk into a CrossFit gym, I know there is a workout ready, and some thought (from someone much smarter than me) has planned a workout that flows with the rest of the week. The ability for me to mess this up has been taken out of the equation. I don’t just like this, I NEED this.
COMMUNITY
If you have been to any CrossFit gym, community is probably a word you have heard thrown around. Most gyms (or boxes if you will) take pride in their place as a community. I have been to some where this is of the upmost importance, and some where this is just something they talk about.
For me, the community aspect is nostalgic. It takes me back to high school and the summer workouts I had to do for the football team. That was a time when a workout was just fun because it was with your best friends, and we were all competing with one another.
I know that won’t be the case for everyone, but it really is a reason I enjoy it and a main reason why I do CrossFit. When you have friends at the gym and are working out together, It doesn’t feel like a chore, its just fun. And everyone knows you are more likely to keep doing things that are fun, rather than things that are painful and not fun at all. Working out doesn’t have to be a chore, it can be fun and rewarding.
BALANCED WORKOUTS
For the most part, CrossFit workouts are well-balanced workouts. They have something for everyone. No matter what your condition, the workout can be tailored to meet you where you are physically.
Do you like to lift heavy? Do you like endurance workouts? Do you like a little bit of both? CrossFit could be for you!
A big reason for why I do CrossFit is because of this variety. Sure, there are certain aspects of the gym I am not crazy about. I really appreciate that CrossFit makes me work to be better at them. Since I don’t do the programming, I don’t get to choose when those movements or types of workouts are programmed.
You just have to show up and be consistent. You can’t just pick to go the days it’s what you like. I have done that for a few years, and it hasn’t really gotten me anywhere. The results are in the consistency.
That’s really the idea if you choose to do CrossFit. If you regularly show up, you will be getting a great balanced full body workout.
THE CROSSFIT OPEN
The CrossFit Open is a yearly competition that is open to everyone and done worldwide. Every week they post a workout, and you have until the end of Monday to get your workout completed.
This is fun because it gives you a chance, if you want to, to compare yourself to the rest of the world. You can also see how you stack up against people in your gym, your gender, or your age group.
I have a few friends at different gyms, and it is fun to check in with them and see how their workout went since we typically don’t have the same workouts until The Open.
For the first few years I did CrossFit, I didn’t sign up for The CrossFit Open. I wasn’t consistent and thought I would be embarrassed with my scores. For the past two years I decided to sign up. I am so glad I did. My scores haven’t been good due to still being inconsistent, but now that I am getting more serious, I have something to try and beat next year!
The CrossFit Open is also a great time to build some community at the gym. Usually, gyms will hold events around The Open that allow you to do the workout as a big group on Friday nights. I have been to some gyms that will bring in a DJ and have some food and make it a huge event. Every gym is different, but they make some sort of deal out of the CrossFit Open.
WHY I DO CROSSFIT
As you can see, there are so many reasons to why I do CrossFit. Most of them don’t even really have to do with the actual working out either. That’s because the community and everything around the gym is just so important and make the biggest difference.
You are choosing to spend an hour a day working out a few times a week, so it should be fun and rewarding for you. If it isn’t, why spend the time doing it?
These are just some of the reasons why I do CrossFit. If you are thinking of giving it a try, you should! What is the worst that could happen? You don’t end up liking it? That’s alright, and you can at least say you gave it a try.
You never know if you like something until you give it a try. So go out there and give CrossFit a go!