Why Do You CrossFit?

January 15, 2014
By : Retta

Crossfit Southie Networking event:

Tomorrow – Thursday January 16 @ Stephi’s in Southie from 6:00 to 9:00 PM

There will be a raffle for 2 Tickets to Celtics game 1/29 against the 76ers!!!

Come out for a casual night of networking with Southie Gym members.

If you have any questions, please e-mail [email protected] or [email protected]

A few weeks ago, Joel came to me and told me he wanted to get stronger. Specifically, he wanted to improve his back squat and front squat numbers. We set out to find the right approach for his specific goals, and we settled on the Hatch program – a high volume, intense squatting program. A week or two into the program, Joel sent me this email:

“I have been doing some thinking about Hatch and I think I am going to shelf it for the time being. It is definitely working and making me stronger but I don’t think my body can handle it and keep doing the stuff I love to do. The first couple weeks of the ski season were amazing…my legs were indestructible. I really couldn’t believe how much stronger they were compared to last the Spring. Then I started Hatch and my legs were destroyed by the time Saturday rolled around. Just like I couldn’t believe how strong they were a month ago…I couldn’t believe how destroyed they were after a Hatch week.

This got me thinking…why do I CrossFit? As much as I want to be able to throw around big weight, the real reason I come to the box everyday is to be in shape for the outdoor activities that fill my weekends. It would be awesome to have a fast Fran time/a big back squat/and on and on but I don’t really want that more than I want my legs to function well for two whole ski days a week. I thought I would be able to have both at the same time but my body is telling me different. And if I have learned anything in my time at Southie it is to listen to your body.

It is strange how you become a little obsessed with chasing PR’s and being stronger and loose sight of what really keeps you coming to the gym. When I really think about it I don’t care how much I can lift. I just want to be healthy and be able to hike, ski and bike without getting short of breath.”

Joel was worried I’d be bummed he was foregoing our plan, but I was pysched! Joel’s realization and attitude is something we can all learn from. CrossFit is hard, and we all wouldn’t continue to show up if it weren’t for a reason. For some of us, the reason may be to compete one day; but for many of us, it’s not. So why do you CrossFit? Is it so that you can continue to play in pick up basketball games? Or maybe to fit into your clothes better? Or maybe so that you can chase your kids around the house? Reminding yourself of the true reason why you are here every day can help quiet your frustrations after a bad day, help you keep your fitness goals in perspective, and make the time you spend here fun. Why do YOU CrossFit? Post to comments!

Skill
Partner Wallball
2 for 1 wallball

Partner WOD
Row 2000m switching every 250m
200 double Unders
25 Partner Wallballs
50 Partner medball sit-ups
25 Partner wallballs
200 Double Unders
Row 2000m switching every 250m

Level 2- 100 double unders
Level 1-Row 1500m, 200 singles

26 Comments

Kendra

01/16/2014 @ 2:53 am

30:45? With Katie. Dubs literally whipped my arm apart. Maybe someday I’ll walk away from a dub session without massive whip marks. Sub-2:00 for most of the rows for first time ever. Thanks Haley for pushing me!!

I love this post. I crossfit for so many reasons. First and foremost is for my health – mental and physical. Crossfit is the only thing I’ve done that enables me to turn the spinning wheels of the brain off completely – no worries of the day creep in for an entire hour! I’m also in the best shape of my life and amazed at what I can do physically. I also crossfit for the community – I’ve met some amazing friends and it’s so nice to have a great support system. Someone is always there to cheer you on even when you just met them that night. Finally (at least for this post), I crossfit as my competitive outlet. I’ve always competed in sports, most recently in co-ed football. After 2 concussions and a broken hand requiring surgery, the doctors and work put me on the permanent pup list. I’ve traded my cleats in for some nanos and love the challenge. Each day is something new to try; each day is an opportunity to improve. Thanks CFS!
bradmblake

01/16/2014 @ 1:13 am

Love this post. I have to remind myself of why I go, too. I’m turning 40 this year and, while I know there are plenty of people older than me going, I’m still one of the older folks there. I do Crossfit because I feel better now, physically, than I ever have. It keeps me (relatively) mentally sound. And I’ve met a LOT of fantastic, fun people that I wouldn’t otherwise know. I’ve pushed too hard at times, though, and have felt the consequences. So, I set achievable, reasonable goals and am OK with the fact that I’m probably too old (and likely too much of an ectomorph) to be the best Crossfitter in all the world. I do it to stay flexible and balanced, physically and mentally, and in a way that will allow me to do it until an age where I think 40 year-olds are just kids.

And even at 40….every once in a while…if there’s just the right mix of things in my wheelhouse like today….and with a great partner…I can still manage the fastest time of the day. 22:41 Rx. 🙂

Oh…and I want to be close to Nick.
Leslie

01/15/2014 @ 8:36 pm

I Crossfit because it’s the only thing that gets me out of bed and to the gym before work – thanks to the amazing coaches and the wicked rad 7am crew!

Added benefits: 7am dance parties between strength reps
Jacqueline Doyle

01/15/2014 @ 5:45 pm

I Crossfit for the amount of happiness it brings into my life in so many different ways. The workouts themselves bring me endorphins and energy like no other workout ever has. The community as Southie always puts a smile on my face, whether it’s encouragement and inspiration from others or the great friendships I have made. The community truly makes the experience; I always look forward to going to CFS. Also, I always have something to work toward. No matter how the rest of my life is going, the small accomplishments we make day in and day out make me believe I’m at least making progress somewhere. It also gives me faith that I can accomplish things I never believed I could. Last but not least, Crossfit gives me strength on both the inside and outside. As I develop the strength to endure physical obstacles, I develop the internal strength to overcome mental obstacles as well. Without a doubt it has helped me with my once struggling body image too. It has taught me that our bodies were made to move and to use every day. One of my favorite parts of Crossfit is what it enables me to do. I can carry an old lady’s heavy rolling bag up the stairs at the T when the escalator is broken (this has happened). I can carry the Christmas tree up the stairs to my house for my parents. It has given me the ability to be more self-sufficient and made me proud of what my body can do for others. It will keep me healthy and mobile and bring me happiness in years to come. I apologize this got so long I just couldn’t stop!
amy

01/15/2014 @ 5:44 pm

I do CrossFit because I love fitness and it is the most all encompassing program I have ever been a part of. CrossFit doesn’t discriminate towards the type of individual who can participate, nor does it discriminate towards different fitness modalities. We lift heavy and light, we run short distances and long (we have many marathoners amongst us), we partipipate in high skill olympic movements for maxes and apply the principles for higher, lighter reps because it is the most efficient way to bring weight from the ground to overhead, we practice body control with gymnastic movements, and with our peers surrounding us we work harder in the box than we have ever exerted ourselves in our lives. It works, it’s fun, and it’s a lifestyle.

I have always been a gym rat. I had a gym membership before I even had a car. I used to wake up at 5am and go before high school on days I was loaded with after school activites or work. I have taken part in pretty much every fitness class and/or program before finding CrossFit, and there is just nothing out there like it. The leaders in the broader community are more passionate than I have ever seen in all of my exercise science education (undergrad and grad) or in my time as a gym rat, fitness instructor, or personal trainer. CrossFit has made is about fitness and health, rather than being as “thin and toned” as possible. When you have a reason to workout other than aesthetics it does wonders for the mind and spirit.

CrossFit has changed my life. That’s why I do it.
kara

01/15/2014 @ 3:53 pm

26:46 with Petra. I do CF because otherwise I would be super lonely at 530 am! No seriously, I continue to show up because it is so great to see improvement, even if it is very small. I have learned that it is a guarantee in CF that if you try a little harder, you will get a little better and that seems to be applicable to life in general. Nothing will improve without a little effort and CF is a good reminder of that everyday.
Weights Don't Lift Themselves

01/15/2014 @ 3:32 pm

I am a (aging) competitive tennis player. When I noticed I lost a step on the court,
not getting to the shots I used to I realized I needed to
build strength. That’s when I started
doing Crossfit – nearly three years ago.
The results were astonishing. On the tennis court I was not only quicker/faster I had increased endurance and surprising my mental toughness and focus improved. It is a considerable advantage to know you are more fit both mentally and
physically than your competitor. Plus I ski 50 times a season and I have
never felt so balanced and strong on the Mountains. Crossfit rules!
- amy
  
  01/15/2014 @ 5:19 pm
  
  Thanks for sharing! Very cool!
Melanie

01/15/2014 @ 3:17 pm

I Crossfit so I can run, jump, sweat and fly. So I can laugh at myself and marvel at physical feats that I never even thought to try. It’s so nice, in my adult world, to feel like a little kid, even for a few hours a week. It makes me a better, happier person.
And all my new clothes are great too 😉
noBeantown

01/15/2014 @ 2:26 pm

Before, I Crossfit so that I could start the snowboarding season strong right out the gate and not be winded or feel like my legs were going to fall off. Now I Crossfit as part of my ACL rehab. I have to hold myself back and keep things light and slow which is frustrating, and I have to keep reminding myself that my goal right now is to just get my strength back and to safely get back out on the mountain. And it’s working because I’m snowboarding again only 7 months out from surgery.
Jason

01/15/2014 @ 1:15 pm

23:34 with Ben.. excellent partner wod.
Ca$h out done, would have made Marc proud, had he actually been there.
530HTK
I Crossfit so I can eat more ice cream, run/train less than I used to, but race faster than I ever did.
Mike Quigley

01/15/2014 @ 12:12 pm

25:14 w/Louie.
then Jason and Jen roped me into a cash out – 1 minute hollow hold, 100 air squats, 1 minute plank hold, about 30s rest, then another 1 min plank hold.
JeffSully

01/15/2014 @ 3:49 am

Sully does CrossFit for the love of the game! 2014 is going to be an EPIC year for CrossFit!
Dale

01/15/2014 @ 2:00 am

I do it for the rice cakes
Craig Mellin

01/15/2014 @ 1:20 am

That Joel in the ski pic on the shred mission?
- Joel
  
  01/15/2014 @ 1:47 am
  
  That is me. Big Sky last season.
  - Craig Mellin
    
    01/15/2014 @ 1:52 am
    
    Not bad. I was looking at going there this year. One of the few places not having a garbage festival ski season.
    - Joel
      
      01/15/2014 @ 1:57 am
      
      True. I am going out there for the last week in Feb..i hope it keeps dumping.
      - Craig Mellin
        
        01/15/2014 @ 2:44 am
        
        Nice. Hope you find some gnar. I’m probably going to Valdez to live in a $40/nt hotel and eat ramen noodles, and heli ski. That place is the mecca.
      - Emily
        
        01/15/2014 @ 2:07 pm
        
        sooo…. can both of you take me with you?
      - Craig Mellin
        
        02/28/2014 @ 4:28 pm
        
        Joel! You still out there? Im flying out to Bozeman tonight until
        March 9th. shoot me an email if youre still out there…its supposed to be blower! [email protected]
    - Katie
      
      01/15/2014 @ 9:00 pm
      
      Go to Jackson Hole – They just had 3 feet of powder fall – it’s amazing!
  - Katie
    
    01/15/2014 @ 9:01 pm
    
    That pic rocks!
Mike Quigley

01/15/2014 @ 1:12 am

I Crossfit so that I can spend as much time with Coach Nick as possible.
- Shamwow
  
  01/15/2014 @ 1:33 am
  
  I second that.
- Chris Wilson
  
  01/15/2014 @ 11:55 pm
  
  I concur. ND rocks.