10 reasons to try CrossFit this year

Our fitness columnist Annie Ross gives you the lowdown on new fitness phenomenon CrossFit
A Crossfit session in full swing
Annie Ross27 January 2016

I went to CrossFit looking for a way to build my strength and avoid injury for the endurance sports I enjoy. It felt intimidating at first as a beginner, but I soon appreciated how much there was to learn, how much scope I had to improve my quality of fitness and how much fun I could have doing it.

So what exactly is CrossFit? It's a combination of gymnastics, powerlifting, Olympic weightlifting, kettlebells, plyometrics (jump training) and advanced conditioning workouts. The brains behind CrossFit identify fitness as ten 'general physical skills', which are: cardiovascular/respiratory endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, speed, coordination, agility, balance and accuracy. CrossFit workouts are designed to help us develop these skills - but not all at once! Each of the affiliate gyms structure their programmes so that you can focus on one or two at a time and really master them before moving onto the next set of skills.

10 reasons to try CrossFit

1. Functional fitness

CrossFit was designed to incorporate a diverse range of movements that prepare us to perform well in real life, from opening doors and reaching the top shelf, to team sports on the pitch. You are taught exercises like kettlebell swings, mountain climbers, deadlifts and push ups in a style that takes our desk based lifestyles into account and works to counteract the hunch.

2. Holistic training

The CrossFit philosophy operates as a community that offers more than just a fitness class. Targeted training, nutrition, education, competition, motivation, camaraderie and a well-structured progression model all help you to stick with your goals and feel strong.

Burpees at Momentum Hackney

3. High quality instruction

Somewhere in between an exercise class and personal training, CrossFit coaches are (or at least should be) obsessed about form. The workouts are demanding so rely on good technique. Be careful though, just like personal training there are good CrossFit gyms and bad ones. Do your research, try out a few places and find one that is run by coaches who have invested in their education.

4. The community

CrossFit gyms are friendly places. People say hi to each other, exchange names – much more pleasant than slinking in and out without any human contact. The workouts vary between working alone, in pairs or in small groups. The gyms tend to be quite localized so a way of meeting people if you’re new to the area.

A girl performs an overhead squat at Momentum Hackney

5. Results

You’ll notice both internal and external results pretty quickly thanks to the structure of the workouts. You leave a class knowing you have worked hard - if it doesn’t challenge you it won’t change you! Box jumps, wall balls and goblet squats are super accessible exercises that can make a world of difference. Even if you don’t know what they are, you’ll master these with a bit of guidance.

6. Caters for all levels

Most CrossFit gyms offer foundation courses to help newbies get up to speed with the movements. Even once off the foundations course, coaches guide those who ask, or look like they need it. Though it takes time and quality practice to become confident with this style of training, the benefits are numerous and the CrossFit training programme encompasses all sides of fitness.

7. No mirrors

Mirrors can help form sometimes, but the coaches act as the eyes to correct technique. The workout should improve how we feel and posing in front of a mirror while doing jumping lunges or lateral lifts is not always a good thing. You don’t play sport in front of a mirror!

8. Confidence enhancing

If you’re like me and you begin with zero weight training, things can only get better. At first it may be intimidating but you’ll soon learn the drill, or at least about not being embarrassed to ask for help. Mixing in with beginners and advanced people means you can’t compare yourself either!

20 Instagrams for fitness motivation

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9. Something for everyone (apart from the lazy person)

At the top CrossFit gyms, you’ll find a variation of workouts. CrossFit themed circuits, personal training, engineering (slower and more focus on technique) as well as strength and flexibility classes.

10. It’s FUN

Every time you go to the gym you get a different workout and this helps to keep up motivation and anticipation for the next session. You work out in small groups, make new friends and push yourself to new limits you never thought possible.

Annie Ross is the founder of eXerK.com, completing 52 sporting challenges in 52 weeks during 2015. Follow her on Twitter@eXerKyourself

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