CrossFit… you must be interested in learning more if you have made it here to this blog. Like many things in the world, people very quickly throw out their opinions about CrossFit without actually knowing much about it. They think because there are some CrossFit gyms out there that are intimidating, or some CrossFit athletes that are intimidating but that is not EVERY gym, or EVERY athlete. This article is to inform you on the benefits of CrossFit, and give you a better idea of what the sport entails so that you can make a judgement call on if it would be something that would work for you.
CrossFit is a form of high-intensity power fitness. It combines many types of exercise such as; olympic weightlifting, plyometric jumping, kettlebells, and explosive bodyweight movements. The following are some of the known benefits of CrossFit:
1. Improvements in Physical Strength:
The high intensity, multi-joint movements in CrossFit may help you gain muscle strength and stamina. Adding additional weight to your workouts can further increase muscle gain by adding stress to your muscles. In CrossFit, the workouts are different every single day. You’re always challenging your muscles by giving your workouts variety.
2. Improvements to Aerobic Fitness:
With the high intensity movements that are designed to bring your heart rate up, your body may learn to increase the maximum amount of oxygen it can utilize during exercise.
3. Improve agility, balance and flexibility:
CrossFit workouts combine many different movements that can mimic movements that we do in our everyday lives. These movements fall under the category of functional fitness. These types of movements can improve our over all balance, flexibility and even our agility.
4. Burn Calories, lose body fat, and weight:
Because of the intensity, CrossFit helps you burn more calories than a lot of different kinds of workouts out there. According to Acefitness.org, the average man will burn anywhere from 15-18 calories per minute in CrossFit and the average woman about 13/15 calories per minute. What is even better than burning calories during your CrossFit workout, is that you continue to burn calories after your workout which is known as the “Afterburn effect.” Combined with a health Conscious diet, CrossFit is the perfect way to kick start your weight loss journey and get after your goals.
5. Suitable for anybody:
The amazing thing about CrossFit is that there is so many different kinds of movements, which means EVERYTHING can be modified to suit anybody’s needs. There seems to be this idea that CrossFit is only for people that are already in really good shape, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. CrossFit can be for anybody.
6. Motivating:
Typically you do CrossFit in a class surrounded by many other people, which is a great way to feel motivated. A lot of times when you workout alone at a normal gym you lack the motivation and give up before you even started. CrossFit is a great way to get motivated again. The group atmosphere keeps you moving, and the coach leading you through the workout will leave you dripping sweat after your workout.
7. CrossFit is FUN!
The workouts are always different, you’re always learning and trying something new with the help of your Coach which keeps things fun and interesting. You meet other people with fitness goals, and you get to work towards those goals together rather than alone at a normal gym.
