CrossFit is both a philosophy and a gym series. As of 2012, there are over 3,400 gyms worldwide that practice the CrossFit methodology. Many experts see CrossFit as one of the best methods for developing a lean, toned and muscular body.
So what is CrossFit? Who is it for? How is it different from a typical gym or workout?
==> The Basic Idea
The basic idea is “cross-fitness training,” hence the name. The idea is that instead of specializing, someone who is truly fit should be able to do everything with their body.
You shouldn’t just be a good runner or just be a good biker. The best way to train a body isn’t to do just one kind of exercise repeatedly. Instead, it’s to constantly test and push the body in different ways.
CrossFit utilizes all kinds of different workout programs, from cardio to weightlifting to rowing to skiing to mountain biking to combat sparring.
The exercises are not catered to different groups of people. If you’re 50 lbs overweight and haven’t exercised in the last decade, you’d still be doing the same exercises as someone who just got out of the Marines last week.
The difference is only in intensity. You’d use fewer weights, fewer reps or lower intensity exercises, rather than different exercises.
==> Keep the Muscles Guessing
One of the biggest problems with standard workout routines is that they allow muscles to get used to a specific movement.
If you’re always doing bench presses and dumb bell exercises, your body will get used to doing those exercises. They’ll require less force to do the same movements, which reduces your gains.
Instead, the best way to work out a muscle group is to use different exercises to work out that group. That keeps the muscle guessing and forces it to fully utilize itself in every workout.
==> Can You Do CrossFit Training without Going to a Gym?
Absolutely. Though the CrossFit gyms have sprung up all over the world, geared specifically towards tackling this kind of exercise approach, the reality is that these gyms are very expensive. In the San Francisco area, for example, a CrossFit gym would run you about $140 a month, compared to the local 24 Hour Fitness, which would only run you about $45 a month.
The idea is to work out your body to the max using different exercises. If you want to piece together your own cross-fitness routines, just research a variety of exercises and perform them yourself or with workout buddies.
Cross-fitness training is one of the best ways to get in shape because of how it pushes your body and the diversity of the exercises. It’s fun and rewarding at the same time, whether you choose to use a CrossFit gym or do it in your own home.
Enjoying Your Workout: Why It’s Crucial and How to Do It
One aspect of working out that people seldom pay attention to is their own enjoyment of it. After all, if your goal is to lose weight or to build muscle, why would it matter how much you enjoy your workouts? The reality is, however, that it really does matter. It plays a big part in your motivation, in your workout habits and ultimately in your physique.
==> Looking Forward to Working Out versus Dreading It
A lot of people approach working out as a chore. It’s something they dread doing, but do it because they “have to” to get fit.
Yet the people who truly get fit tend to be the people who have a very different attitude. The people who really build the kinds of bodies they want are the people who look forward to every workout.
They’re the people who will go for a jog or go weightlifting if they have nothing else to do. They’re the people who’ll voluntarily read books on the subject, just to further their education.
So, how do you develop a love for working out if it doesn’t come to you naturally?
==> Learn to Enjoy the Burn
The burning sensation that you feel when you’re working out can either be extremely unpleasant or one of the most motivating feelings in the world.
That burning feeling is a sign that you’re achieving the goals you want. It’s a sign that your body is changing. It’s a sign that you’re moving forward. Once you can make that link on both a conscious and unconscious level, every time you feel the burn, it’ll feel great rather than bad.
It’ll also become a personal challenge for you. How much of the burn can you feel while pushing through? Instead of being an annoying sensation, it becomes a workout buddy. It becomes the challenge of the workout.
Losing weight might be your long-term goal, but in the workout itself, the burn gives you something to shoot for in the moment: to push through that next set and to go further.
==> Your Diet Makes a Difference
Trying to do a workout when you’re feeling lethargic isn’t fun. On the other hand, when you’re bursting with energy, working out is just a natural inclination.
Your diet has a huge impact on your overall energy and physical wellbeing, which in turn has a big impact on how much you enjoy your workouts.
If you aren’t paying attention to your diet, it’s time to start. Not only does it affect your workout, but it has a huge impact on your body composition. In fact, your body is shaped more by your diet than your exercise routine.