If you told me a year ago that I would be doing Olympic Weightlifting and gymnastics and loving it, I would have told you were a bit crazy! 🙂
I love to play outdoors. I love to backcountry ski, downhill ski, trail run, hike, mountain bike, sail, kite surf, dirt bike, snowshoe…you get the picture!
Going to the gym is not one of my favourite activites so when a friend suggested I check out CrossFit, I resisted. After doing some research on this CrossFit business, I decided to give it a go as this type of training would help increase my growth hormone which, after being tested, is quite low due to the concussions I had when I ski raced.
I went to the first free intro which was great! I then signed up for the CrossFit Fundamentals Classes where I learned all the CrossFit techniques. I will back up and explain what Crossfit is! Here we go…
What Is CrossFit?
CrossFit combines weightlifting, sprinting, and gymnastics. CrossFit says that proficiency is required in each of ten fitness domains: cardiovascular/respiratory endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, speed, agility, balance, coordination, and accuracy. Workouts include kettlebell swings, rope climbs, pull ups, jump rope, row, run, Olympic Weightlifting and much more!
Each workout consists of a warm up, skill development, and a WOD (Work Out Of The Day). What I love the best is that everyday is completely different! Trust me, you will never get bored. Plus there is a real community in all Crossfit gyms. Everyone is so friendly so it makes working out fun. I love the gang at my gym!
The Results
As mentioned above, I had my own reason for going to CrossFit. Well, the results came in and my HGH (Growth Hormone) is heading upwards! My preventive health doctor says this is definitely due to the CrossFit training, along with other things that I’ve implemented such as having a whey protein shake every morning and melatonin at night.
This wasn’t the only positive result. My percentage of body fat is going down and muscle mass is going up! I am much stronger now so when I head out skiing, ski touring, hiking, dirtbiking etc, I can go for much longer than my pre-CrossFit days which is fantastic!
Listen To Your Body
I have a few friends who stopped going to CrossFit because they hurt themselves. I know that there are many people who hear of these stories and, therefore, don’t give CrossFit a chance. Always remember that YOU know your body best. If you feel like something is too heavy for you or an exercise is hurting you – don’t do it! You ultimately know what your body can do – not someone else. Always emphasize technique over weight. Once you get the technique down, you’ll notice your weight/strength goes up. And as hard as this may be, be competitive with yourself when it comes to weights.
You also need to remember that you have to stretch after these workouts and to rest when you feel your body needs it. CrossFit recommends supplementing with Fish Oil to help with a faster recovery as Fish Oil is an anti-inflammatory.
CrossFit On Vacation
We go to a warm kite surfing destination every fall and last year was Maui. My CrossFit addiction was in full swing by this point so I hunted down a Crossfit gym in Maui. It turns out I had more fun going to Crossfit Maui Upcountry than I did kiting on this trip (the wind wasn’t great)! It was great to workout with a local group and meet new friends. Doing WODs in sugar cane fields is pretty cool too. So there you go, you can take CrossFit on the road!
Of course, it is not for everyone. But if you are so inclined, check out your local gym and do the 1 free intro.
If you want to learn more about Crossfit, check out the main Crossfit Website.
Have fun!
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