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12/18/2023
By Erin McCraw
Co-Owner, CrossFit SanTan
Since I started CrossFitting in 2013, I’ve seen and experienced the benefits of CrossFit as a training modality. I played soccer competitively growing up, and I spent most of my 6-year military career in the 101st Airborne Division. (Screaming Eagles, RAKASSAN!) But it wasn’t until CrossFit that I got in the best shape of my life… in my 30’s, after having 2 children. I’ve seen the same scenario play out for multiple friends as well as members in the CFST community. There’s hype for a reason… it works!
What Makes CrossFit So Great?
CrossFit is all about FUNCTIONAL fitness. Want to be able to pick up your grandkids 20 years from now? Improve your golf swing? Take all your groceries into the house in 1 trip… when you’re 70? We train for that. Functional movements are those that resemble the demands of everyday life, and training these movements (squatting, hinging, pushing, pulling, lunging, carrying things, etc.) in a variety of ways will lay the foundation for a healthy, active, injury-free life. Longevity is the play!
Is CrossFit Dangerous?
That depends – are you looking to compete in the CrossFit games? Are you planning to workout multiple times per day, with heavy loads and intense volume, performing high-skill movements under fatigue? If yes, than like any sport, CrossFit carries an inherent risk.
If you are interested in CrossFit as a way to get in good shape, then CrossFit doesn’t have to be high risk. The most important things to look for in a responsible CrossFit program are culture and proper coaching. A good gym will emphasize moving properly before lifting heavy, and coaches/members will never bully you into moving weights that you’re not ready for.
Don’t I Need to be in Shape to do CrossFit?
A big resounding NO! It can be intimidating to try something new, but a good coach will scale the workout to meet you where you’re at, and a supportive community will cheer you on rather than judge you.
See For Yourself!
CrossFit has impacted so many lives across the world. It’s truly a phenomenon in the fitness space. If you don’t believe the hype, see for yourself! Give it a try! I promise you’ll see that CrossFit is for everyone, regardless of experience or fitness level.
