Hey everyone! I hope you all are having a nice start to the week. I still don’t have internet – which is killing me – I mean, a girl can only watch SO much Law & Order SVU on her iPhone – that’s a lie, I can watch that show anytime even if grad school (Masters in Criminal Justice) did completely ruin it and I’ve seen every.single.episode at least twice. Anyways, since I’m still internet-less, I thought today would be a good day to talk about some fitness stuff, and specifically, Crossfit.
The box I go to – Crossfit Full Circle
I’m officially finished with my Fundamentals classes and completed my test. On Sunday, I did my test and scored 1 point away from qualifying for Level 2 classes (18 out of 20 is Level 2 – I got 17) – if I had been able to do the prescribed weight for the power clean and power snatch I would have gotten it. I actually surprised myself by doing so well on the test – I’ve never done cleans or snatches before so I’m proud that I attempted them and got a point for completing the movement with safe form. I did every other lift and movement as prescribed (minus pull ups) so I felt pretty good about the test.
Yup, these were on the test.
This morning, I did my first “official” WOD and it was awesome. On paper, it looks pretty tame, but it was definitely challenging since running is a huge weakness for me. I’m a slow runner and I think I’m overly cautious from all of my injuries but I think Crossfit will change that. My favorite portion of the class was the strength portion (deadlifts) and the end of the WOD when I was just about ready to collapse – I was the last person to finish and everyone else rallied around me and cheered for me when I finished – the community feeling of it all is truly the best.
Even though I’m just beginning my Crossfit journey, I’ve learned quite a bit already.
1. I’ve learned I’m much stronger than I think I am: Previously, my deadlift 3 rep max was 145 and I blew that out of the water today. Deadlifts are by far my weakest lift because I never do them, I’ve got a weak low back, and I’m about the most quad dominant/hamstring weak person you’ll ever meet – but I made major progress today. Similarly, I front squatted more than I ever have before in Crossfit and have been able to do every single lift as prescribed thus far (minus clean & snatches). I think this is totally due to the coaches there – on my own, I never would have thought I was capable of moving weight like that, but I am. And it feels pretty damn good.
2. I need a coach and a community: I’ve always been a lone wolf in the gym – I used to like to work out alone and felt like I could push myself relatively well. Apparently, I could have been pushing myself a lot harder (see #1). I love the community and camaraderie of Crossfit (where else do perfect strangers cheer for you and push you when you want to give up?) and I’ve come to realize that I need that extra push. I’ve also realized that I need a coach – I’m an information junkie so I love learning all about form and I like having someone correct and critique my form. Plus, the coaches know I’m strong and can handle a decent amount of weight so they push me outside of my comfort zone.
3. I’ve got major weaknesses: I already knew this but Crossfit has helped make them more apparent. For example, I’ve got super weak lower abs, a weaker upper body (I’m looking at you pull ups and strict presses), and I’m not a great runner. Instead of being frustrated by these things, I’m actually looking forward to working on them and improving.
4. I need a “training” mindset: I’ve always known I do much better with a training plan but I’ve really never had anything to train for, expect the 10K last year. With Crossfit, I feel like I’m always training for something – whether it be to improve my deadlift or beat my time or go heavier. I think this mindset is critical for me because it keeps me focused and makes me work harder than I would if I were just “working out”.
So those are my thoughts on Crossfit thus far. If you couldn’t tell, I love it and I think it is exactly what I need right now. I can’t wait to see how I progress in a month and what else I’ve learned.
What has your workout/training taught you about yourself? Fellow Crossfitters – what did Crossfit help you realize?
P.S.: Be sure to stop by tomorrow, I’ve got a fun giveaway in store!
Tagged: coaching, community, crossfit, fitness, weight lifting, workout
I'm Gabby. A 24 year old gluten-free kitchen explorer, Crossfitter, and freelance recipe developer and food photographer sharing my life one recipe, workout, and photo at a time. 
LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS POST as Ive not yet tried crossfit and most of the posts even for newbies are, uh, OLDbies
reflecting on memories of being new.
Thanks!
Was just thinking about this today. First of all, LOVE the community and coaching. I’ve been considering giving up the box for a few months to save $ but the thought kills me because I so enjoy the people and the music and everything that comes with it. I know I will not be able to stick with it if I plan to do it on my own.
Secondly, I’ve been working on my kipping pull ups. I love, like yous aid, how there is always a new thing to work for. It reminds of when I did gymnastics when I was younger and was working towards specific skills — l like being able to do a back tuck or a cartwheel on the high beam or something.
I need to start documenting my numbers better, though, so I can really see the progress. Deadlifts are my least favorite thing!
It’s pricey but I think it’s worth it – the box I go to has no more than 6 people a class so it’s more like personal training than anything else – which I love!
Eek, kipping pull-ups seem intimidating but I can’t wait to learn how to do them since dead hangs are so freakin hard!
Love this post Gabby. It’s awesome that you did so well on your test – woo hoo!!
I’m still working on my fundamentals classes, but hopefully we can take some classes together once I’ve passed the test!
Thanks Brittany! I would love to take some classes together soon
This is a stellar post. I have been CrossFitting for 2 months now and everything you’ve said here is so true. The hardest thing for me was embracing number 1- I am stronger than I think I am! I began using super light weights just cause I didn’t think I could do it… but I can! It only gets better from here, can’t wait to hear about your progress (tell those pull ups who is boss!)
Thank you! The difference between how strong we actually are vs. how strong we think we are is huge – it is honestly something I didn’t realize until crossfit.
And I’m totally going to own those pull-ups one day
Great post!!! I learned so much about myself from CrossFit. A couple things especially were to see food as fuel, learn to be proud of what my body can do and not just how it looks, and that you are always capable of more than you think!
Thanks! You bring up such a good point about being proud of what your body can do versus what it looks like – I would gladly have a few extra lbs. if it meant I would perform better rather than be leaner with poor performance.
Wow! What a great intro-to-crossfit post! I’ve never been and I had no idea that I’d have to take tests to pass to other levels. It sure sounds like fun and I can’t wait to one day try it (like when my kids are a bit older and I don’t feel so guilty for leaving them ALL with hubby to watch by himself). Keep up the great work!
Thanks! I don’t think every box requires on-ramp classes or testing, but I think it was super helpful!