We all know that the right kind of physical activity for our individual bodies is one of the most critical building blocks for optimal physical health.
If you’ve ever asked the question, “What is CrossFit fitness?” and are curious if it’s the right fit for your fitness needs – this collaborative post is for you!
If there is one thing that I know for certain, there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all exercise program. We’ve talked about that before here on Wholeness Haven for good reason.
Related Reading: 5 Fun Fitness Challenge Ideas for Beginners
Many of us enjoy leisurely walks or challenging hikes out in nature. (Yes, please!) There’s high impact exercise, low-impact, and everything in between!
Isometrics, for example, are low-impact, arthritis-friendly, and help your metabolism by building muscle!
While CrossFit fitness isn’t for me personally, many of you might love it. In my humble opinion, it is vital to educate yourself of the risks and benefits of any exercise program. Know your body and work with it, not against it!
Not all news coverage of CrossFit fitness is good, and it sometimes carries a bad reputation. Still, this short guide will briefly explain what it is and whether or not it’s right for you.
Is CrossFit the right kind of exercise for you? #exercise #fitness #crossfit #healthyliving #fitnessgoals #wellness #gethealthy #health
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What is CrossFit Fitness?
Simply put, CrossFit is a style of training that mixes lots of different training styles and types of fitness together. There’s weightlifting, gymnastics, cardio, flexibility/mobility, and so on.
It sometimes has a bad reputation because the whole CrossFit scene was filled with people who acted as though this training style was the only one to do. However, it has since become more mainstream, with many fitness experts recognizing the potential benefits.
Another reason for the bad press is a higher than average risk of injury. CrossFit fitness is not for the faint of heart, or for beginners. These are high-impact, fast-paced exercises that will challenge every muscle in your body!
Should you try CrossFit?
As with any other exercise program, it is wise to check in with your doctor and make sure that you are ready for intense physical activity.
CrossFit technically can be beneficial because it combines so many elements together in each workout, meaning you see a mixture of physiological effects.
You can build muscle, lose weight, and improve your fitness all in one go. It’s also quite a varied training style, meaning there are lots of different ways to exercise and have fun.
One advantage of versatility is that your muscles don’t get ‘lazy’ from doing the same type of workout each day. By targeting different muscle groups, we become stronger overall.
There are many benefits of stronger muscles, such as these:
- Burn more fat
- Lower your cholesterol
- Fight depression naturally!
- Reduce your risk of bone diseases and falls
- Better posture
- Less aches and pains
What should you know before trying out CrossFit?
Technically, anyone can try this, though it is perhaps more geared towards experienced exercisers. A lot of the workouts revolve around Olympic weightlifting, so if you’ve never picked up a weight before it can be quite intimidating.
Of course, you can find instructors that will help you learn, but it still requires a good deal of skill, coordination, and balance. So, it’s probably not ideal for people with ongoing injuries, sore joints, or balance problems.
Related Reading: Dealing With An Injury In The Best Possible Way
You should also know that it’s a very intense type of training. There’s lots of work with barbells, meaning your hands get extremely sore.
After only one session you’ll be frantically Googling some callus care CrossFit tips to deal with the hard skin that forms. You can counter this with lifting gloves, but be aware that CrossFit is very physical and will make you sore in many different ways.
It’s also one of the best ways of training to burn calories. If you’re keen to lose weight, CrossFit fitness will likely be effective.
Your body will constantly be ‘guessing’ because you’re doing loads of different movements all at once, and there are many CrossFit cardio workouts to do as well. Therefore, you can burn hundreds of calories per workout.
Lastly, you can do CrossFit by yourself in a regular gym or at home, but there are CrossFit-specific gyms out there. It’s probably best to go there if you’re a bit of a workout newbie and would like some help and direction.
In summary, CrossFit is just one of the many different styles of training you can choose from. It has a lot of benefits, though it may be too advanced and complicated for some.
If you’re interested in giving it a try, search for some CrossFit workouts on YouTube and give them a go. If you like them, think about joining your nearest gym who offer CrossFit classes!
Here’s a video beginners might like:
Have you ever tried CrossFit?
I celebrate how we are all individuals. Don’t you think it makes life much more interesting? When it comes to matters of physical health, we can all reach toward the same goal, while accomplishing it in various ways.
- What is your opinion of CrossFit fitness?
- Have you tried out this exercise program before?
- Do you think you’ll be trying it out in the future?
- What is your favorite way to get the body moving?
I’d love to hear from you in the comments below! We appreciate when you share with your social media family too, thank you!
I believe in each of you! Every goal you have in your faith, your body, your mind, your careers, your relationships — you can achieve! We just have to adjust our ‘stinking thinking’ to believe we can!
With Love,
I’ve never tried it, but I think if you start slow and maybe customize it to fit your pace and needs it would be a great way to workout. The main thing for everyone is to keep moving.
Hi Michele! I agree with you, there are some benefits to CrossFit like the author suggested, if it’s handled in the right way. Slow and steady. I wholeheartedly agree with you about keeping moving! That is the key. 🙂
Sending my gratitude to you for your thoughtful comment. ♥
Hi Holly! Great overview and honest assessment. I have friends who do this type of exercise and love its benefits. I also have friends who have hurt themselves from going all in a little too early! Oh man… it does take dedication and the right health approach to ensure you’re ready. I agree if you are new, going to a gym would be the best first step. It’s always good to be around others when first starting. In this current environment, even asking for a cross-fit trainer over video conference would be better than trying it alone, as form is super important with CrossFit.
Like you, it’s not the kind of exercise I do best at. I’m too lazy and dislike soreness too much. Kickboxing and yoga are more my vibe! Lol
Hi Shell! ♥ Thank you so much for your kind words. You have no idea how much they mean to me!
I was nodding my head in agreement with everything you said. Like you, I have witnessed the spectrum of people who either love or hate this kind of exercise. A physical therapist (who worked on my knee some years ago), warned me in not so gentle terms not to engage in activity that was considered high impact. Even healthy people who don’t have current muscle or joint issues can suffer from the long-term impacts, much like working on concrete floors!
Kickboxing – let’s do it! 😀 It really is amazing how much stress and anxiety you can get out during that kind of workout, isn’t it? Plus, you’re kind of having fun while being active, which for me, is how I find the motivation to stick to it. What about you?
Much love to you, my friend. You’re amazing! Thank you for your encouragement. I really needed it. This was a collaborative post and I was hesitant to take it on for concern of it being too far off-topic. Hugs headed your way!
I do find that kickboxing is fun and doesn’t feel like a workout. I also feel super strong after a good routine! When I lived in San Diego, I’d walk home from the gym at times and I’d feel like I could take on anyone that may have come near me threateningly! (We didn’t live in the best area.) Here in CT, it just helps me to feel like I’m on the right path!
I sometimes feel that way with The Essential Creative, like a topic is off center from why I began the blog, but if you look at our missions for the blogs it’s to help people be truly whole – and that includes all parts of our lives. This means you can share product references (I still have the air purifier in my cart for Amazon – maybe next month!), gardening tips, essential oil guidance, healthy eating tips and recipes, exercises routines, relationship advice, faith building posts, and any other post that feels good!! We need it all sis! And when a topic doesn’t fit for us individually, we can support you because we love the effort, and move forward. I learned long ago mot every post has to matter to everybody but each post is special to somebody!
Love you lady!!
Ooooh, kickboxing is a lot of fun, I agree! It’s GREAT stress relief, isn’t it? Like you said, it also makes you feel really strong after a routine. It does make us feel like we could take on the world at that moment, although I sure am grateful you never had to!
Shell, I have to tell you how much I simply adored your comment. I’ve read it several times just to get it into my head. Those words are ones I needed to hear. You’re right – anything that can inspire, help, encourage, or make life easier for someone in any way should fall under the purpose that we are working toward. My hope is that people feel Jesus when they come here, even if His name isn’t actively mentioned. I want love to permeate every word and for encouragement to be the overarching theme. I love what you do at both the Shell Vera blog and The Essential Creative. You inspire, challenge, and bring new ideas each and every time. You’re amazing.
I love you too, my friend. I’m up late tonight trying to catch up & clear my mind of all that’s weighing on me at the moment. Your words and love always touch my heart. Sending my love to you today & always! ♥
Hey lady! Just seeing this now. I spent the entire day organizing and ensuring my space is clutter free to enhance my ability to use clutter my mind of all the noise that comes in some days! We’re so surrounded by it, so it’s beautiful to have friends like you and people like you purposely sharing beautiful sentiments!
I hope last nights was healing and space clearing for you! Thank you for the beautiful sentiments.
Have a wonderful week ahead.
This post about cross fit fitness is very educative indeed. I had no detailed idea about it although had heard the term quite often .That would be really something awesome and challenging for those who can follow it .Good to know . I am more into low impact exercising , yoga, walking and similar activities. I guess it would benefit looking into more strenuous fitness in the future as health and body permits! Thanks for sharing Holly and have a wonderful weekend !
Dearest Nisha, thank you my friend for your encouragement. I was hesitant to publish this collaborative post but figured some people might be interested in CrossFit, even if it wasn’t necessarily for me.
I’m with you on the low-impact exercise, Nisha! I say we team up and go for a great walk somewhere through nature. How about it? 🙂 There’s just something so refreshing about seeing the natural beauty all around us while breathing in that fresh air. Ahhh. Don’t you feel more relaxed just thinking about it?
Sending my love to you, Nisha. I pray your weekend is spectacularly blessed and full of love and laughter! ♥
Three years ago, I teased one of the male dancers who danced with my daughter, and had sort of adopted me as his ‘other mother’ : ”Did you know that I do CrossFit? As in every day?”
He was a bit surprised, and very impressed, and then laughed loudly and shook his head when I followed that statement up with : ”I Cross my fingers and hope my pants are going to Fit.”
😛
A year later I encountered three ladies in our social mom’s dance class, where we were preparing for our spot in the Mom’s Dance, in the upcoming Mary Poppins Show for the dance school my daughter dances with. All three of them had very well-toned bodies, great muscle structure, and were super fit. Then I heard that they did CrossFit together. And I’ll admit it : I felt somewhat threatened! Ha ha ha! My desire to ‘look more like them’ was replaced with ”you can’t go and be in a class with them looking the way you do”! Ah, sometimes we are so silly, right?
I don’t know if I will ever give CrossFit a try… but I do know that I have great admiration for those who do!
Sending lots of love your way, dear Holly <3
🤣 Meg, you are hilarious!! Thank you for sharing that cute story with me of what you said to the male dancer. I hear you, my friend, ha ha!
I also love your transparency in sharing what you did about the Mary Poppins show and how you felt threatened in the presence of these gals who did CrossFit together. You’re right, we can be so silly, so hard on ourselves, and terribly destructive to our self-esteem. Far too many times we allow our minds to go to those toxic thoughts and they’re never true. I understand exactly where you’re coming from. It breaks my heart to hear the thought even crossed your mind at all! I hope you showed them a thing or two about how the Mom’s dance is done! 😉
I agree with you about CrossFit too. I think we all need to find what works for us. Like you, I honor folks who spend hours in the gym every day. That’s not my chosen lifestyle personally. I’d rather go for a scenic hike somewhere, etc. I believe our beauty is in the balance and in knowing ourselves. One way of fitness isn’t better than the next. It’s all in what makes our own hearts smile and makes us feel comfortable in our own bodies. Now that’s a fitness win!
You always have my love heading your way, dear friend. Thank you for all you do to encourage & inspire! ♥
Charlee: “The cardio and gymnastics and flexibility/mobility things sound fun.”
Chaplin: “Oh yeah, we cats are all about flexibility and gymnastics. Not to mention climbing things.”
Charlee: “Weight lifting on the other hand isn’t really our thing.”
Chaplin: “Yeah, we can’t really use weights on account of we haven’t got thumbs.”
Lulu: “Whatever happened to your motto ‘Who needs thumbs when you have claws’?”
Charlee: “I guess there are a few times when claws just don’t cut it.”
Chaplin: “Unless you’re Wolverine of course.”
🤣 Wolverine has it all! I agree Chaplin, kitties are definitely all about flexibility and gymnastics! The true masters I’d say! Sure is nice to hear from you 3! ❤ Have you visited over at https://catcaresolutions.com yet? We’d sure love to see you there! 😉
Pre-illness, I would have loved Crossfit fitness! I like the style, the energy, the mixing of different things. These days just walking up the stairs is enough 😆 I really like that you’re honest up front that this isn’t for you personally. Everyone is different and it’s refreshing to have this sort of honesty. It’s always worth checking out new things, learning what they are and dipping your toe in the water to see if it’s something that might suit you. Great post to give us a feel for what crossfit is all about!
Caz xx
I hear you, Caz! I think different styles match us at different stages in our lives. I’m a low-impact kind of gal at this stage of my life as too much jarring tends to not go well… Hey, those stairs can be quite a workout! 🙂
I agree with you – it is refreshing when someone is upfront and honest about whether or not something works for them. I think a lot of people feel guilty because they’re not doing this workout or that workout. As you say, we are individuals and that’s okay! I love how you put it, “It’s always worth checking out new things, learning what they are, and dipping your toe in the water to see if it’s something that might suit you.” — Yes! Exactly! No one could have said it any better!
Thank you for your encouragement, my friend. You’re amazing! ♥
This sounds like a great fitness program! It would definitely have to be something I’d have to work up to, but I think I would enjoy it. I love walking, but sometimes it’s nice to mix it up a bit. Very interesting post!! Shared!
Thank you for sharing, Michelle! You are so thoughtful! Your support is never taken for granted. I agree with you, it definitely sounds interesting and has a lot of fun elements to it. I’m a big fan of walking too (and hiking) but as you say, it is nice to mix things up a bit so it doesn’t get too boring. Sending my love to you! ♥
I haven’t tried CrossFit per se, but I do follow a schedule of varying exercises: weight training, walking, stretching, etc.
I love your idea, Mitch. We don’t really have to stick to a specific workout regimen. How you approach fitness sounds great. I believe that God designed our bodies to give us clues as to what we need at any given time. Some days may not be high-impact or fast-paced and that’s perfectly okay. Having variety is good. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this collaborative post.
Crossfit is a great all encomapssing routine, as it works the key areas of physical fitness: strength, cardia, and flexibility. I don’t personally engage in a formal crossfit style, rather I work each one individually. My main focus is weight training, but I include cardio and stretching in the routine. The basic idea is to find something you are capable of, that you enjoy, and that you’ll stuck with.
I LOVE what you said and wholeheartedly agree — “The basic idea is to find something you are capable of, that you enjoy, and that you’ll stuck with.” — If we don’t enjoy it, we won’t stick with it, and if we don’t stick with it, we’ll never accomplish our goals. How you approach fitness is very wise. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this collaborative post, Mark. I appreciate you!
🙂
Crossfit sounds great as I love the variety. I tend to get bored sticking to one type of exercise but I would like to get fitter so I’ll have to give it a go.
Tash – A Girl with a View
I know exactly what you mean, Tash! I think variety in exercise is good as well. For one thing, our bodies aren’t always up for the high-paced and high-intensity workouts. Some days a really nice long walk is perfect! If we are moving our bodies, we’re going in the right direction! 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts!
I have not tried CrossFit myself but have heard from friends that it is a wonderfully supportive environment. That’s really important when it comes to keeping fit, doing something that your feel encouraged to come back to and held mental, social, spiritual, as well a physical wellbeing. 😊
Thank you for sharing, and your encouragement to think about our own journeys.
Hi Hamish! I like what you said about the wonderfully supportive environment. It seems to me that this is one of the key things I keep hearing about from folks. It’s also what keeps people coming back; that sense of community. You’re right – when we see the benefits mentally, socially, spiritually, and physically, it’s hard to not respect such a choice.
My hope here at Wholeness Haven is to open conversations: about our whole beings – spirit, soul, mind, and body. I’m always concerned when I cover topics like this one about CrossFit but I do enjoy hearing people’s thoughts! Your input means more than you realize. Your comments are always the best. Thank you so much!
You are most welcome, Holly. 🙂 Thank you for encouraging positive discussion about potentially divisive topics.
It’s a challenging routine! I’ve done crossfit before but now I like walking as my primary way to exercise. Maybe I’ll get back into it one day. You’ve certainly been a great motivator for getting active with this post. Love seeing you, Holly!
I love seeing you, Christy! I always smile when your name comes up. Thank you for being you!
I agree with you, my friend. Walking (or hiking in a scenic area) is so calming and can be as challenging as we want it to be. What would you say was your favorite thing about CrossFit? I love hearing your thoughts. ♥
Sending my love to you today & always. I hope your weekend is simply amazing!
Loved your post on crossfit. I exercise daily and was considering trying it out to get out of the mundane rut of what I normally do.
Hi markmkane! It’s really nice to hear from you! Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us. I get exactly where you’re coming from. One of the benefits of CrossFit is the variable nature of it. It is easy to get into a rut with exercise and mixing it up can definitely help us enjoy the workout again. If it isn’t fun, it can be difficult to stick with. All my best to you & yours. I hope you will return and share more of your thoughts.
[…] If you like high intensity exercise and enjoy resistance training, you might also enjoy CrossFit. […]
[…] If you like high intensity exercise and enjoy resistance training, you might also enjoy CrossFit. […]
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