Wednesday, July 10, 2013

I have Caught the CrossFit Bug


I have witnessed my sister Sara’s transformation after three years with Trident CrossFit  in Alexandria, Va. Not only has she lost weight and gotten extraordinarily fit she now exudes a NEW confidence, positive attitude, and mental toughness that make her glow. Sara has clearly flourished with CrossFit, over come self doubt and limitations she may not even been aware she had.

CrossFit is something I have considered, heard the buzz, met the owners around town a few times and knew some folks that spoke highly of the experience or should I say “results”. It just had not fit into the plan. Of course we can find all sorts of crazy ways (excuses) to not do something, stay in our comfort zone if you will. I am not really making excuses, I have been running, a lot. Trail running, road running, running long races, short races, volunteering at races, helping people finish races, training for a goal race and then another goal race. I have lost weight, gotten fit, met a lot of wonderful people and accomplished things I never would have considered possible five years ago. See "CrossFit" just had not fit into the plan.

Running has helped my life evolve the last few years. I set goals and achieved them giving purpose to what I was doing. I embraced the lifestyle; a choice motivated by good health a stronger body and clearer mind. With all I achieved on my own it was watching my sister Sara clean over 50% of her body weight during her work out that truly inspired me and helped me realize the potential for CrossFit success, but….. even armed with this realization, I was training for a race.

Those crazy excuses I mentioned we conjure up to not do something surfaced, don’t have the time, don’t feel comfortable at gyms, I am certainly not strong enough for those kinds of work outs. Phooey………… No more excuses, I signed up and quickly learned that CrossFit is a community of individuals from all walks of life who believe in working hard to reach there fitness goals. It is functional full body fitness, focused on teaching the basics of a safe quality work scaled to all levels to optimize your success.

It was evident at my first CrossFit session that the coaches and members are passionate about fitness. Everyone jumps in to help rack weights, they stick around encourage, support and cheer on fellow members wrap up there work out of the day (WOD). Members introduced themselves and welcomed me to the gym or more appropriately, Team. I know can you believe it introduced themselves?

A WOD is an intense and seemingly unforgiving. Obviously your accountable to yourself and strive to do your personal best every work out however, you will be working hard together and you are just as accountable to your peers. The camaraderie is infectious, the competition; often as much mouth as legs is subtle. No gym would be complete without that easy banter, music and sweat.

The WOD of the day is the bread and butter but CrossFit covers all aspects of fitness, nutrition, recovery, best practices for success and support. Whether you are an elite athlete or someone hoping to get into shape CrossFit will work for you.
*There is one Catch; you have to show up and do the work!

Trident CrossFit