A little over a week ago, my husband and I checked out a local CrossFit gym and took an introductory class. I had been so excited to try it after attending a few fundrasiers at CrossFit gyms and meeting a few people who did it. I promised I’d post about our expereince on my blog, so below are my thoughts about it.
I’ll admit that I started to get a little worried when I read more about the workouts online, but I wanted to check it out myself before forming an opinion. The workouts seemed really hardcore and reading that a lot of military men and women did the workouts was a sure sign that it would be tough.
When we first got there, we had a great instructor tell us more about CrossFit (I had read a lot of the information online before we got there) and he took us through one of the speed tests after showing us correct form (I think it was 500m on the rowing machine, 40 squats, 30 situps, 20 push ups and 10 pull ups). I felt like I was going to die afterwards. I think it took me 7 mins and 30 sec.
We thought long and hard about whether or not we wanted to join and ultimately we decided that it wasn’t for us. Here are the reasons I decided it wasn’t the right choice for me:
I am not in any way interested in powerlifting, olympic lifting or lifting heavy– I’m just not. I know some women are really into this and I think that’s great, but I have no desire to learn to lift a super heavy amount of weight, do power cleans, etc. I love being strong and fit, but I don’t need to lift 70, 80 or 90 lbs over my head to feel strong (again, nothing wrong with that, just not for me).
Paleo diet– I don’t want to eliminate dairy and all kinds of other foods out of my diet (including beans!) You don’t have to do the diet if you CrossFit, but it is strongly encouraged. My diet motto is that you only live once—so eat well most of the time, but indulge in delicious (but not great for you) foods in moderation. No one ever became obese from eating candy and cookies in moderation.
Cost vs. Value– It would have cost my husband and I nearly $300 a month to attend CrossFit classes just twice a week. We were paying less than that for unlimited bootcamp classes when we were doing those. CrossFit is the kind of workout that you have to build up to, meaning that at first, it would be difficult to do it more than two times a week…but I think paying nearly $300 a month to get 8 workouts out of it is really excessive.
Do what you love– I love pilates, bar method and similar style classes—and I’ve always been a big believer in doing what you love. Plus, I get great results from the classes I take, so I plan to continue those. After watching some more CrossFit WOD videos online, that just confirmed to me that it’s not something I want to do.
Planning for the future– The final factor in all of this was that we want to eventually have a baby…and starting an extremely intense workout regimen right now could mess with my body and I don’t want that to happen. When I was working really hard at bootcamp, my cycles were a bit wonky even though I was on the pill. I actually saw some pregnant women doing a crossfit workout when I was at the class (like full-on doing power cleans in 90+ degree heat) but that’s just not for me and the timing isn’t right. I feel that level of intensity isn’t necessary for me to feel fit.
Again, I think CrossFit is a challenging and incredible workout, and I admire anyone who can do it, but it’s just not for everyone. I think it’s a great fit for people who really want a difficult challenge and also for athletes. I know a few people who do it and absolutely love it—and that’s great! Maybe I would grow to like it too if I did it for awhile—but I just really had to think about what my goals are and CrossFit just didn’t fall into that framework. Obviously I haven’t done a full workout and have not attended CrossFit classes on a regular basis, so please take these thoughts with a grain of salt—I’m just saying that after the trial it’s not something I’d move forward with.
By the way, I was sore for like 4 days after that workout.
So, many of you are probably wondering what my fitness plan is, moving forward? I’m continuing with Bar Method classes once a week and I also joined a local gym that has lots of classes, including spin. The best part is that a few of my co-workers go to that gym so we can all keep eachother movtivated!
I also brought my yoga mats and free weights into my office so that I could do my workout videos in there. I am loving the setup so far. I just bring my laptop in the room with me and either do a YouTube workout or my Tone it Up Beach Babe workout video or Ballet Beautiful workout.
Have you tried CrossFit before? What are you doing to stay fit this summer?
I haven't tried Crossfit, but have thought about it, but a lot of the reasons you listed are the reasons I haven't and probably won't. Its a GREAT workout- I have friends that do it- but I find that I can get the results I want from doing Inanity and P90x, etc (my preferred method of workouts- and I tried doing Paleo…..I can do Paleo recipes, but a completely Paleo diet is NOT for me. Great review 🙂
I don't think Crossfit is for me either. Listening to friends talk about it scares me a little and I definitely wouldn't be interested in following the Paleo diet. I'm training for a half marathon so I think all that running should do the fitness trick! 🙂
I've never tried CrossFit and don't intend to. I need to get into a workout regimen, but I think this would kill it for me. I do, however, want to try a ballet bar class as a studio just opened up right down the street. It's a little on the pricey side, but I think it sounds much more enticing 🙂
Join my "All Things Pretty" Blog Hop!
I've never tried CrossFit and don't intend to. I need to get into a workout regimen, but I think this would kill it for me. I do, however, want to try a ballet bar class as a studio just opened up right down the street. It's a little on the pricey side, but I think it sounds much more enticing 🙂
Join my "All Things Pretty" Blog Hop!
I can't help but think that there's no way CrossFit can be healthy long term… all my friends who do it are CONSTANTLY hurt. I'm working on my masters in nutrition and I can't really see the science behind the Paleo diet either. I see a lot of people who eat like that in premature renal (kidney) failure!
I love when nutritionist give their opinions on certain diets. I don't understand how this diet is suppose to be healthy but that isn't something I study. Thanks for your input!
I don't know much about CrossFit, so thanks for the rundown. It doesn't sound like my cup of tea either. I tried a spinning class last month & kinda liked it, but not enough to go back yet. We've recently been running, which I thought I hated but I'm (very slowly) coming around. Plus, it's free 🙂
Thanks so much for your feedback ladies! I too read a lot online about all of the injuries and stuff…and I just thought…you know, being fit is about being strong and healthy…I can understand being injured if you are a serious athlete, but I'll stick to activities where getting hurt is pretty rare 🙂
I personally think the barre classes are pretty effective. I'm a runner but I also do cardio barre for cross training. The key is to change it up so your body won't get used to the routine…that's when you get results!
I personally think the barre classes are pretty effective. I run half marathons but I also do cardio barre twice a week. It's for cross training. I think the key is to change it up so your body doesn't get used to the routine…that's when you get the best results!
Hey Veronica,
I toally understand your opinion on CrossFit: You either are into an extreme workout or you prefer running, or whatever…It´s just personal preferene I guess.
I really love your blog and how you vary the topics you write about…;D
I attend Les Mills program classes and love them! You can find them in many gyms around the world and after trying many options, for me it's the best work out (based on reps to get a lean and toned body). You have many options: Bodypump (to tone, Bodyvive (a mix of yoga and pilates), Bodyjam (intense dance class, my favorite! you tone and lose fat like nothing).
https://w3.lesmills.com/westcoast/en/
I promise i don't get paid by anyone 🙂 i just think it can be a good idea to check it out.
Have a lovely Sunday and lots of love from Spain!
A year ago I tried CrossFit for the first time and loved it. So much that I started to going three times a week. I was really enjoying it till I started getting injured. I'm a runner and I started getting very bad shin splints, knee pains, etc. I thought it was because of my running so I stopped running for a while and continued to CrossFit. The pain didn't go away Like I thought. One day in one of the workouts I injured my shoulder. It was such a horrible pain that I fainted. When I woke up I realized my shoulder was dislocated. I stopped going since then almost 4 months ago and started running again. My shins and knees are not hurting anymore and my shoulder is getting better and stronger again. It was a good feeling to get my body to do 100 pushups and so many longes and squats but now I see it wasn't worth it. Now I run 5 times a week, take Zumba classes and do some free weights to work on my injured shoulder?
Sorry for such a long comment. Have a great day!!
I'm not a lifting person and based on that alone Crossfit isn't for me. I have friends who do it and love it, but I just hate lifting. I know i have to start lifting more in order to get faster, but I'll do it at my own pace! To get in shape I've joined a running group and I'm taking marathon training seriously. If that doesn't get me in shape, then I don't know what will!
I don't think CrossFit would be for me either. I have several friends who are in a group at my college, well were until the fees got to high, and they seems to really enjoy that. The good thing for them was that one of the professors did a class for them and had reduced fees for the class, which eased it for a student budget.
I agree with your food motto, however I have had to completely cut out dairy from my diet due to medication and me being lactose intolerant.
<3 Rubiiee
I will not argue that CrossFit may not be for everyone, however I could almost guarantee most all of you would change your minds if you gave it a chance…and by chance I mean more times than once. I usually suggest my clients try it for a month before deciding. Every movement in CrossFit are movements you perform in everyday life, including the olympics lifts. So whether you like them or not they are in the programming for a reason(ps I didnt like them to begin with either :))The way CrossFitters eat is simple…the food you eat either makes you more healthy or less healthy, those are your options. We choose more healthy. I could argue all the other points you make here like cost, pregnancy, injuries & other fitness activities you choose to do instead of but I will save you all the long post 🙂 I know many of clients who have said these very things & now they are changed for life! Thanks fo allowing me to put in my 2 cents 🙂
I know a lot of people that do Crossfit and also do the Paleo diet. I am not a fan of Paleo. I would hate to have to cut certain things out especially beans. That would be very difficult. I don't blame you for trying it out. But it is not for me either. I don't know how people can do it.
@Brenda— I respect your opinion and I'm glad you enjoy CrossFit. I think just like every type of workout, it's just not for everyone. I want to do a workout I love and look forward to and for me, CrossFit just seems a little beyond the level of intensity I'm looking for (and I used to do a pretty intense boot camp class 5 days a week). I think a lot of people may hate it at first and then like it as time progresses—but one of the reasons for that is because I think CrossFit has a very strong and encouraging community which drives you to want to participate. A lot of people love the challenge of it too, and that's awesome. I'm just personally not interested 🙂
Veronika – I wanted to post to let you know I am relgious reader of your blog and especially love all your outfits and beauty reveiws. We have very similar hair and style – you are a great resource.
I wanted to recommend the Tracy Anderson Method to you. A friend of mine from New York belongs to a Tracy Anderson studio in New York, but when she visits me on the West Coast, she does the DVDs. I have started doing them and seen amazing results! Tracy Anderson's client/business partner is Gwyenth Paltrow, and she also used to train Madonna.
I can't argue that CF really is for you…there are folks who really just won't 'click' with the CF method, and part of what makes it work is that it's psychologically compelling. Also, I can't argue that it's not expensive.
However, one workout can't tell you much, and the fact that you were sore for several days afterward doesn't tell you much…that's a nearly universal experience. For me, the main benefit of CF is that it feels like a game. I'm competing with myself (and to a much lesser extent, my co-exercisers), and it's different every single workout. This keeps me going like nothing else ever has, and the intensity has resulted in truly astonishing fitness gains in just a few months.
None of this should be construed as criticism–just wanted to share one person's perspective on CF.
@thos— I didn't take it as criticism, no worries 🙂 I agree that one workout can't tell me anything—that's why I had a few disclaimers saying that. I can't judge the system as a whole, but I just am not really interested. I can see why some people are driven by the competitive aspect of it, I'm just not really into that.
Glad you enjoy it so much—we will all always defend what we enjoy—if someone told me they hated the Bar Method, I would try to convince them otherwise because I love it so much too!
Hey V! Great topic. I also live in Houston and have been intrigued for a while now with Crossfit. The main reason that I haven't even tried it is because of the cost. I care too much about my financial future to invest that much money into working out. I stick with 4 workouts per week at 24 Hour Fitness. I concentrate on squats, lunges, and bench press. I've recently incorporated plyometric moves like jumping lunges. All this for $27/month. The husband and I also play tennis just for fun. Good for you for making the right decision for you. In the end if you didn't enjoy it, you wouldn't stick with it anyways. Happy weekend!
I tried CrossFit three weeks ago for the first time and feel the same. It was intense, a learning experience and interesting to try, but I won't be signing up for it. The price is far too much (for me) and I didn't really enjoy it (and I agree with the 'do what you love…or like' ;).
Thnx for sharing!
I've never tried CrossFit but a lot of my friends do it. I'm more of a P90X, Insanity, TurboFire girl. Love the Beachbody DVDs. Working out at home is so convenient and a lot of times, you can get as intense (or more!) of a workout as you would at the gym. Love your setup in your office!
PS – this is my first time posting. I *love* your blog. Thanks for sharing with us!
I started CrossFit a year ago and LOVE it! I've never been overweight and loved fitness all my life, but after conquering every group fitness class and a couple marathons under my belt, I really needed something new. Also– it is a lot harder to maintain a great body after birthing two kids and I really wanted to kick it up a level but nothing was working until I started lifting heavy weights. I'm not competitive with other people, but I am constantly trying to better myself and CF gives me easy to track ways to do that (pounds lifted, timed workouts). I've never been injured (I think this depends a lot on your coaches… people should NOT be getting injured right and left), never been pressured to do the Paleo diet (I did cut back on bread and sugar, which made me feel MUCH better, but I would never give up dairy or legumes!). I gained 5-10 pounds of muscle but stayed the same size and did NOT get that "bulky" look that women fear. It obviously didn't mess with my body, since I was able to get pregnant with baby #3 immediately, and I continued my regular CrossFit workouts till 29 weeks of pregnancy! I'm currently 37 weeks and still doing a scaled down version of CF at my neighborhood gym. 🙂 So, all that to say… it's probably not for everyone, but maybe is more appealing to different people at different stages of life? I can't wait to get back into it full time! Sure it was costing me $100-$150 a month (usually 4 classes a week) but hey that's like one outfit at Lululemon, which I probably don't think twice about! 😉
Long time reader, first time commenter here. Good for you for giving CF try-but as others have said above, it definitely takes a few workouts to start to enjoy it and appreciate it fully! I'm coming up on my 5th anniversary of beginning CF. I have to say, it's been life changing for me (a non-athlete, non-military woman). I never imagined I would be interested in lifting either, but I've really learned to enjoy it and love how empowering it is. Additionally, I am pregnant with my second child and am still doing CF, and continued through week 37 with my first (modified, of course). I really believe it helped me stay fit and strong through my pregnancy, helped me in labor, and helped me bounce back afterwards. I tried joining a regular gym a few months ago due to scheduling difficulties, but I just couldn't get a satisfying workout. I don't eat Paleo, though learning about it has made me more aware of what I eat. It's also very important to know that you shouldn't be getting hurt at CF. This may largely depend on the culture at the affiliate you join (there were many injuries in my first affiliate which was highly competitive). I do believe it is safe to continue CF throughout a lifetime as long as you are doing it safely! Anyways, I just wanted to share my experience as a veteran CrossFitter. I totally understand your concerns and respect your opinions and I think it's great that you gave it a shot and shared your experience. I agree-it's probably not for everyone, but I just wanted to chime in and share my experience, too. Take care!
Check out http://www.mybarre3.com amazing barre workouts with madonnas new trainer.
Check out http://www.mybarre3.com amazing barre workouts with madonnas new trainer.
First time reader and commenter :-). I wanted to chime in about my experience with Crossfit. I'm overweight by about 40lbs, have a slipped disk and am probably the least athletic person who could ever attend Crossfit LOL. I tried doing videos at home and I just couldn't do it. I did previously do Jazzercise which I did love. When I joined the Crossfit near my house, I loved it (and still do). It's a different workout every day and they scale it to how you can do it (which is a lifesaver for me). It's been 2 months and I've stuck with this the longest. The best part – I see how better I am getting (and I haven't gotten injured). My coach is the most patient woman ever. What I love the most – It's not like PE class. Everybody encourages you.. I do Paleo, only because it's the only way I can eat and feel good. I found it after I had bad problems in my legs which I thought was from my back – apparently, it was from eating grains!! Who Knew LOL…
Take Care!
I tried crossfit at a fundraiser a few weeks ago and it was definitely challenging. I already do similar workouts at home from bodyrock.tv, so its not worth the money for me. But I have friends that say they need the motivation of crossfit and love the community aspect. They always say the best workout for you is the one you do, so to each his own 🙂