4 Lessons I’ve Learned From Crossfit
I’ve dabbled in Crossfit for probably over a year now. Recently, I bought a number of classes and started going a little more regularly, as in, once a week. Crossfit is expensive, yo.
I decided to make it part of my exercise routine because I was feeling like I needed a bit more of a challenge. I’ve been doing the same high-intensity workouts since I moved to Chicago and wanted to challenge myself to try something that incorporated heavier weights and different moves than what I was used to.
While I knew I would learn more lingo and moves to add into my own workouts, I didn’t expect to learn non-fitness lessons along the way. I’m about two months in, but here are 4 lessons I’ve learned from Crossfit.
1. Slow down
I am used to going balls-to-the-wall, short rest, and sweat everywhere. What immediately made me uncomfortable about Crossfit is that there are longer rests — sometimes multiple minutes. Because you are working with heavier weights, the body needs more time to get back to baseline before working again or you’ll start to experience diminishing returns and put yourself at risk for injury.
I was really impatient in the first couple classes I took — “what do you mean rest for 90 seconds? I don’t need 90 seconds!” — but over time I adapted to this new way (for me) to work out. While some parts of a Crossfit workout are for time and require you to complete movements as quickly as you can, others teach me to just slow down and concentrate on what I’m doing.
2. Humility
As someone who has been teaching high-intensity classes (and taking them) for over a year and a half now, I’m going to toot my own horn and say that I’m a little above average when it comes to working out. Working out at the same place you teach also pushes you to work harder since you want to look like you know what you’re doing in a group full of people who know you’re an instructor (or maybe that’s just me). I’m comfortable in those classes and tend to fall on the more advanced side of things.
Enter Crossfit. The classes I teach don’t involve Olympic lifting (think heavy barbells and movements such as cleans and snatches), and although I will use barbells for certain movements, I’m certainly not throwing around hundreds of pounds. During my first couple Crossfit classes, I was the one with the lightest amount of weight. I had to go get a lighter bar from another room so that I could still handle it when I added on weight. I had to learn very quickly that everyone is doing the best they can and it’s ok if I’m not the best one in the room.
3. There’s always room for improvement
On a related note, humility taught me that there’s always room for improvement. There are moves I still have to master and improve upon. Rather than frustrate me, it actually makes me happy. Sometimes in my current routine I feel like I’ve hit a plateau and Crossfit shows me that there’s so much more I can achieve if I keep working for it. I get excited to go to class and use a heavier weight than last time or finish a workout faster than before.
4. Ask questions
I advise this of everyone taking a new fitness class. If something doesn’t make sense or you just need a better explanation, don’t be afraid to ask questions. You’re only doing yourself a disservice by assuming that you know the answer or just waiting to watch someone else do a movement.
Since many of the people in the class are regulars, there isn’t a lot of explaining of certain movements. More than once I’ve asked the coach to demonstrate or walk me through something so I understand it better. With moves involving heavier weights, this is a must for me. After hurting my back earlier this year, I want to make sure that I take all precautions to ensure that that won’t happen again.
I’m sure I will find other things that this new routine will teach me, but for now these are a few that come to mind. I’d love to hear about life lessons YOU’VE taken away from workouts in the comments!
Questions:
- What non-technical things have you learned from a workout routine?
- What’s your favorite type of workout?
These are so similar to lessons I learned years ago from bodybuilding. With so much emphasis on the slow down, create a foundation, slow down 🙂 piece.
Carla recently posted…3 ways to boost emotional metabolism.
It’s so different from what I usually do!
I have so many clients who try to rush rush rush when they come to me–but I want them to slooooow dowwwwn. We have so much emphasis on “as many as,” it is great that you found a place that is helping you focus on the “as MUCH as”!
Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…Late Fall Running Tips You Need (Coaches Corner)
Totally
Such great lessons! I love how you can take away things from fitness that apply to different aspects of life. I have to admit cross fit intimidates me big time!
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious recently posted…Apple Cider Vinegar Donuts + Birthday Giveaway {GF, Low Cal, Paleo}
It does to me too sometimes. There’s usually a foundations class you need to take first so that’s usually helpful
As much as we know, we can always learn more. Everytime I try something new I learn that lesson again and again.
Jen @ Pretty Little Grub recently posted…Dietitian Food Confessions
So cool! I love that you’ve stepped out of your comfort zone and learned all of this. Would you believe I’ve still never tried Crossfit??
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West recently posted…Weekend adventures as told by food pictures and my weekly workout report
It’s a bit of a commitment since you usually have to take the foundations class first!
I loooooove the slow down message. It can be applied to so much outside working out as well. So often we all just need to take a pause, and then go for it.
Ange // Cowgirl Runs recently posted…3 Minute Healthy Apple Crisp & WIAW
Absolutely. I need to remember that more often 🙂
I totally agree with you in that Cross Fit totally makes those who perceives themselves as “in pretty good shape” humble. In high school, I had to take a strength and conditioning gym class that kicked my butt even as a level 10 gymnast! Cross fit is not for the weak, let me tell ya lol!
Rachel @ athletic avocado recently posted…Paleo Pumpkin Rosemary Pesto Gnocchi
I know! There’s still a lot of improvement to do!
You know I love crossfit. Love! These are great lessons that even seasoned crossfitters still work on. Especially the slowing down part. I think most people struggle with that in general – hard to move on to the next task in a long list of many if you’re taking your sweet time – but it’s especially key in crossfit. Especially when you’re trying to improve. And never stop asking questions! There’s always room for improvement. ALWAYS! 🙂
Jennifer @ Fit Nana recently posted…WINE WEDNESDAY – 2010 JV FLEURY CROZES HERMITAGE
Girl I know you and your Crossfit. It’s so fun!
Wow these are some really good lessons; Emily could definitely always learn more humility. And I would definitely say that you are above me by far in working out! I love that you aren’t afraid to ask questions too. 🙂
Emily recently posted…Why I Want to Be a Child In A World That is Hurting
It’s so important to ask if you don’t know!
I feel like I’m the opposite! I’m always like ONLY 90 SECONDS?! Haha. Today we had 5 seconds between reps in a class I was taking and I was sooooo not feeling it. I feel like I need more than 5 seconds of rest if I did burpees hahahaha
Carmy recently posted…How to Spend 4 Days in Montreal
Omg 5 seconds? That’s not even a rest!