Every now and then, I find it important to put things in perspective. Tonights topic – why do you choose to CrossFit?
I ask this question not to stir up some philosophical debate or feelings deep within you, but really to be as direct as possible.
Everyone has their reasons for why they first stepped foot into CrossFit For Glory.
What was yours? (yes, I’d like an answer in the comments)
One of the greatest things that CrossFit did for the mainstream fitness program was to attach a clock to the WODs. In traditional globo-gyms, the clocks serves but two main functions – to let you know when your time is up on the treadmill, or if you’re lucky, it is utilized to measure your rest intervals.
But not with CrossFit. The function of the clock for us is to measure how long you’re working, not resting.
Why? Well, because for us, the quicker that we can get done with a workout, the more “work” we have done. Work from a physics standpoint.
Why does that matter? Well, in a nutshell, more work done in less time equates to a higher power output. And for us, more power = more intensity.
More intensity = more results.
But here is what else the clock does: it breeds competition.
We saw it for five weeks during the Open.
I’ve seen it for 2-1/2 years as the head coach/owner at CFG.
I’ve seen it for more than a decade as a strength and conditioning coach in general.
The clock pushes people. Pushes them to move faster, work harder, strive to be better.
But you know what? It doesn’t care who is competing.
And when you first walked into CrossFit For Glory, neither did you.
Not a single one of you came up to me and said that you want to beat this person or that person.
When you walked in and did your first WOD with us, you were all shocked that people were standing by to cheer you on to the finish. Honestly, you were probably a little creeped out by it.
But when the going gets really rough, how awesome is it to have those friends push you to finish? To accomplish something you’ve never done before?
When is the last time you shared in someone else’s successes instead of being wrapped up in yours?
More than 18 months ago, I wrote this post that detailed some ground rules for the old box. Look at what part of #1 says – “Cheer, clap, and encourage others. Anything less is to cheat yourself of the experience, and to rob others of the gift of your presence and support as part of the community.”
Want to know something else that CrossFit did? Created a workable definition for fitness.
How many of you know it?
“Increased work capacity across broad time and modal domains”
Nowhere in that definition does it say anything about how you look.
That is what separates CrossFit from all the other fitness programs/approaches out there.
We don’t care how you look.
Fitness doesn’t discriminate against looks, be them good, bad, or ugly.
Fitness cares about one thing – what can you DO with that body?
So, one more time – why do you CrossFit?
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A. Weightlifting:
15min to 1RM Snatch
B. MWOD:
Reverse Hyper – 3×12
C. Metcon:
7min AMRAP –
10 Hand Release Push-Ups
15 Air Squats
Starting at 0:00 and EMOM thereafter, perform 2 Deadlifts (315/215)
