<p><img alt=”” class=”floatLeft” height=”153″ src=”http://pushbuenosaires.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/barbie.png?w=606″ width=”200″/>Being a fitness geek, I’ve known about <a href=”http://crossfit.com/”>CrossFit</a> for years now. Knowing that it would never fit my jumpy schedule and training habits, I’ve written it off as a great method for general fitness (you won’t win an olympic medal doing CF alone, but it’s going to be incredibly useful in the apocalypse) that simply isn’t for me; around cardio stuff, I only manage three short visits to the gym at odd hours each week, while CF only offers a limited number of classes per day.</p>
<p>I have a few friends who have tried it, and all seem to love it. The focus on functional strength is awesome and something I’ve certainly been watching and have incorporated more into my own lifting thanks solely to CF. While I’m currently trying out a new training regimen called <a href=”http://stronglifts.com/”>StrongLifts</a>, I may have to give the CrossFit workouts a shot in the near future (the daily workout is universal and posted at the top of the main site… Most of the exercises can be done on your own in a regular gym, but without the eyes of a coach; experience with various methods and proper form is pretty important).</p>
<p>As it turns out, a CF facility more or less came to me. Still under construction, but finished enough to host workouts, <a href=”http://www.ballstoncrossfit.com/”>Ballston CrossFit</a> went into the bottom floor of the building next to my work. I had read about it via <a href=”http://www.arlnow.com/”>a local blog</a>, and Brian, my main work cohort got in on an introductory deal and has been attending for a few weeks now. He’s been pretty sore, but seems enthusiastic about it. Yet another coworker, Betsy, either knows someone or did a bit of investigation on her own (I forget the actual scoop) and managed to get my office a private and free intro class. I couldn’t pass the chance up.</p>
<p>I worked from home the day of and opted to run the two miles to the facility. My knees had been bugging me a bit over the past week and I’m not sure why (possibly too many squats), but I figured the run would loosen them up a bit. So… A quick two-mile run, arrive to meet the coworkers, meet our instructor and the facility’s owner, Tucker, and we’re off. Light plyo, some air squats, goblet squats, wall ball, box jumps, and burpees were the order of the day. I ended up scoring a 145 (raw number of reps) in the 3×3 workout with sets of 50-45-45 showing that my endurance is there, but the sheer numbers aren’t really; definitely some room for anaerobic improvement. I don’t know how the others did number-wise, but they all seemed to have a good time. There was concern that the more fit of the group would show the others up, but it’s nothing like that since the focus is so much on bodyweight and/or scalable exercises. We were all equally tired and unable to pay any attention to each other at the end.</p>
<p>My knees held in there, I held in there, I had a really good time, and still managed to run home. Given all the squatting I’ve been doing lately, I don’t think I’ll be too sore tomorrow (update from the day after: nope, not sore any more than a regular day). If I didn’t have that base, I’m sure I’d be walking funny. In fact, I eagerly anticipate seeing the coworkers wobble down the hall.</p>
<p>To conclude, no, it’s still not for me due to the cost (~$175/mo) and scheduling involved. I wish it was because it’s cool and useful stuff and there’s a competitive component available if you choose it, which is right up my alley. My mention of the competitive option should not deter beginners in the least; it is entirely optional, the trainee to coach ratio is outstanding, there is a camaraderie aspect to it since you work in groups, and as previously mentioned, the workouts scale to your ability level.</p>
<p>A post on CF would not be complete without mentioning the “cult” aspect that flies around all over the internet. With any activity that is high-commital and seemingly strange to the outside world you’ll receive such rumors. I was guarded against them, but totally uncessesarily. The owner of the “box” was not forceful in any way, and was very open in discussing pricing and membership options. My coworker, Brian, was however shopping for some must-have new shoes the day after his first class… I’ll keep my eyes peeled for any other sheep-like behavior and nip it in the bud ;)</p>
<p>There’s also a lot about injury and improper training related to CF out there. Any time you’re taking a fit or unfit person and grinding them down there is risk for injury. It’s up to the coach and the individual to recognize and react to them. If people are getting injured doing CF, it’s not the fault of CF. It may be the fault of their coach, but a broad generalization is not appropriate here. The team and “pump-it-up” atmosphere surrounding CF may have folks ignore injuries that they’d otherwise handle, but that’s on the individual. People need to be smart enough to know how pain differs from fatigue or soreness. I mentioned that my squat form was [purposely] off a bit last night to my coach and he accepted it… Didn’t make me push through it. He even checked on its status multiple other times throughout the workout. That’s doing it right.</p>
<p>I sincerely hope the guys at Ballston CrossFit do well. If the numbers (a handful of gyms in 2005 has grown to nearly 2000 today) combined with their attitudes are any indication, they shouldn’t have a problem.</p>
<p>Any interest in some video of me getting my butt handed to me?</p>
<p align=”center”><iframe allowfullscreen=”” frameborder=”0″ height=”360″ src=”http://www.youtube.com/embed/oHhMN74MAfs” width=”640″></iframe></p>