Workouts can get boring when you are not doing something new or pushing your body to become more than it is now. This is why trying out a new routine will benefit both your mind and your physique. Crossfit is the hottest workout trend these days, well probably next to Zumba. However, if you are an adrenaline junkie who wants to take your body to the next level, crossfit will sound like an interesting challenge.
What Is Crossfit?
As a form of exercise, crossfit combines plyometrics, strength training, speed training, weight lifting, body weight exercises, kettle bells, endurance and gymnastics into one exciting session that last 5 to 15 minutes. The aim is to target major components of physical fitness., which are stamina, muscular strength, speed, flexibility, power , agility, balance, accuracy, coordination and cardiorespiratory fitness.
Tips To Starting Crossfit
Sadly, many of us are not active people. If you are a sedentary individual who has never had to do more than walk to the couch from the refrigerator and vice versa, crossfit will sound like a scary experience, because it truly is. If you are not an active person, but want to give crossfit a try, here are a few tips that will help you get ready for this challenge.
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You Are Your Worst Enemy
Crossfit is not a form of exercise, it is a lifestyle. Anyone who is relatively healthy can enjoy the adrenaline rush that it brings. However, you have to commit to it. At times, you may feel tempted to quit. However, if you can push that thought aside and continue on your goal to a better physique, you will be rewarded with a healthier body to be proud of. This lifestyle prepares the body not only for the known, but also for the unknown.
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Eat For Your Lifestyle
A lot of people think that they can stuff their faces with whatever they want because they work out. This is not true, as you need to provide your body with the nutrients that it needs to lift heavy weights. Therefore, if you choose to shift to a healthier lifestyle, you should eat accordingly. Protein and carbohydrates are important additions to your daily diet. However, it would be best to opt for options that are not fried and switch to carbs that contain less sugar.
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Start Slow
If you were once a couch potato, it is advisable to get your body ready before signing up for a crossfit class. Start with regular exercise. You need to work on your stamina and endurance first. Cardio will help you improve both. Biking, sprinting and swimming are great options. However, it would be best to avail of a gym membership as, you would have access to instructors who will help you get ready for your biggest challenge yet. Gold’s Gym members get to avail of the services of a personal trainer, so you might want to consider up if you are shopping for a gym membership. Your main purpose would be to get your body ready for the extreme crossfit workouts. Once you have improved your stamina significantly, you should be ready for your first crossfit class.
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It Never Gets Easier
The thing about crossfit is that it never lets up. However, while this might discourage others, keep in mind that you will learn to push yourself to your limits and then some more. At the end of each workout, you will have a reason to give yourself a mental high five.
Workout Examples
The workout examples are pretty demanding. However, each one hits it targeted muscles effectively. Here are a few popular examples that you will have the pleasure of performing. Please note that you may be asked to do AMRAP (as many repetitions as possible), so good luck, Firebreather!
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Burpees
Everyone has heard of the burpee. This is a body weight exercise wherein you start in a standing position, drop to the ground to do a push-up, come up to a squat and rapidly jump up .
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The Snatch
A weight bar is quickly pulled from the floor directly over the top of your head. Your arms should be held in a straight position during this exercise.
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Power Cleans
You will be asked to pull a weighted bar from the floor and bring it up in front of your shoulders rapidly.
Crossfit is both physically and mentally demanding. However, so many people are committed to it. This is because it is one of those ventures that give back. You get better strength, agility, balance and a beach ready body as well. Crossfit is not a lifestyle for the weak of heart, as each day you step into the gym, you become your very own hero. You save yourself from mediocrity, from diseases related to obesity and being sedentary and you rescue yourself from fear and doubt.