Gayle or any cross fitters
- Thread starter janie1234
- Start date
Hi Janie,
The main site can be very intimidating, but there's some good stuff in Crossfit if you can get past the machismo of that first page. All of the WODs can be scaled and/or modified to any ability or age. Check out Mary Conover's article "A Crossfit Grandma", she started at age 69! http://journal.crossfit.com/2004/10/a-crossfit-grandma-by-mary-con.tpl
I started by doing some of the WODs that felt accessible to me - meaning that I could do them with little or no substitutions. Some of my first ones were things like Leg Day (here), Cindy (with jumping pullups), and Helen (again with jumping pullups). I added in some of the harder ones as I got more comfortable with it.
A great place to start with Crossfit is at Crossfit BrandX's forum. The mods post scaled versions of the WOD there everyday. They make it very, very accessible. The folks there are also very nice and willing to help out a newb.
Also, don't feel that you need to do the main site WODs. I was for a while, but have branched into WODs from other Crossfit affiliates and offshoots. New Jersey Crossfit is great if you're into kettlebells at all, Crossfit Kids is also has some fun stuff (don't be fooled by the "kids" part).
I'm currently doing stuff from Gym Jones and Mountain Athlete because they get more sport specific (skiing for me). I also frequently make up my own WODs. You can make the Crossfit ideology work for your goals.
Also, I wouldn't start out by doing all Crossfit all the time, especially 5 or 6 days in a row. I did that when I really started getting into it and burned myself out in about 6 weeks. The WODs are strong medicine, especially if you're approaching them with the intended intensity. I'm currently doing WODs or something like them 2-4 days per week in addition to other stuff (working on oly skills, heavy barbell work, cardio, etc).
I hope this helps.
The main site can be very intimidating, but there's some good stuff in Crossfit if you can get past the machismo of that first page. All of the WODs can be scaled and/or modified to any ability or age. Check out Mary Conover's article "A Crossfit Grandma", she started at age 69! http://journal.crossfit.com/2004/10/a-crossfit-grandma-by-mary-con.tpl
I started by doing some of the WODs that felt accessible to me - meaning that I could do them with little or no substitutions. Some of my first ones were things like Leg Day (here), Cindy (with jumping pullups), and Helen (again with jumping pullups). I added in some of the harder ones as I got more comfortable with it.
A great place to start with Crossfit is at Crossfit BrandX's forum. The mods post scaled versions of the WOD there everyday. They make it very, very accessible. The folks there are also very nice and willing to help out a newb.
Also, don't feel that you need to do the main site WODs. I was for a while, but have branched into WODs from other Crossfit affiliates and offshoots. New Jersey Crossfit is great if you're into kettlebells at all, Crossfit Kids is also has some fun stuff (don't be fooled by the "kids" part).
I'm currently doing stuff from Gym Jones and Mountain Athlete because they get more sport specific (skiing for me). I also frequently make up my own WODs. You can make the Crossfit ideology work for your goals.
Also, I wouldn't start out by doing all Crossfit all the time, especially 5 or 6 days in a row. I did that when I really started getting into it and burned myself out in about 6 weeks. The WODs are strong medicine, especially if you're approaching them with the intended intensity. I'm currently doing WODs or something like them 2-4 days per week in addition to other stuff (working on oly skills, heavy barbell work, cardio, etc).
I hope this helps.
lioness
Cathlete
Hi Janie,
I do Crossfit inspired workouts frequently. I was first introduced to them when I took a boot camp class. The instructor had a Crossfit certification. Although we didn't do the Crossfit WOD at every class many of the workouts were Crossfit inspired.
Gayle gave you all the information that you need. I spent the summer working out in the park with a friend and most of the workouts we used were from the Crossfit affiliate site. Most of them post their own WODs. The Katy, Texas affiliate site has become a favorite.
As Gayle stated, I wouldn't start out doing Crossfit all the time. They can be very intense and challenging. I usually did these workouts 3 or 4 times a week mixed in with running, weight and kettlebell work. I really got great results doing the Crossfit inspired workouts. I'm missing them right now because of the time change and training for a 1/2 marathon.
Good Luck!
I do Crossfit inspired workouts frequently. I was first introduced to them when I took a boot camp class. The instructor had a Crossfit certification. Although we didn't do the Crossfit WOD at every class many of the workouts were Crossfit inspired.
Gayle gave you all the information that you need. I spent the summer working out in the park with a friend and most of the workouts we used were from the Crossfit affiliate site. Most of them post their own WODs. The Katy, Texas affiliate site has become a favorite.
As Gayle stated, I wouldn't start out doing Crossfit all the time. They can be very intense and challenging. I usually did these workouts 3 or 4 times a week mixed in with running, weight and kettlebell work. I really got great results doing the Crossfit inspired workouts. I'm missing them right now because of the time change and training for a 1/2 marathon.
Good Luck!
banslug
Cathlete
OMG! I'm so sorry I started looking at that crossfit site! I can't get enough! WOW! Makes me want to try some of the WOD! And how about those kids? I'd love to get my boys started on something ROUTINE for them.
I'll be checking more into that site! Thanks for all that good info, ladies!
Gayle
I'll be checking more into that site! Thanks for all that good info, ladies!
Gayle
Hi Gayle!!
The CF sites can get really addictive. Have you found the video section?
ETA - To chime in on Jane's post about working out in the park, one thing that I find so appealing about the CF inspired workouts is that they are a lot of fun to do outside. You can get really creative.
The CF sites can get really addictive. Have you found the video section?
ETA - To chime in on Jane's post about working out in the park, one thing that I find so appealing about the CF inspired workouts is that they are a lot of fun to do outside. You can get really creative.
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lioness
Cathlete
I do many of the workouts in the backyard. My neighbors think I'm a freak!
Seriously I'm putting up a pull up bar in my backyard, I have a sled and I'm currently looking for an old tire that I can flip, jump through, etc. There are some great running workouts that I have done at the high school track as well.
janie1234
Cathlete
Okay everyone, . . . . thanks so much for all the replies, . . .I'm still a bit on the fence though. I don't know, . . my brother is a police officer who just swears by cross fit. Since he knows I love to work out he keeps challenging me to do a cross fit work out with him. I mean he's uber buff and also takes martial arts classes, . .I always joke that he could probably kill a man with his thumb, . . any how, . . I keep telling him I'm trying to get into this but it just looks like an injury waiting to happen. I'm a slow and steady girl. I have the time to do split workouts (1 hour cardio in the am and 1 hour weights in the evening) I just like to take my time and zone out. My jogs are through vinyards with rolling hills and deer, and birds everywhere, . . with my ipod I'm just cruising through I just run for fun and I lift for fun. Cross fit seems like the kind of workout that you do when you are eXtreme and short on time. With that said, . . be honest how many of you who have done the cross fit have been injured doing so? I'm going on a family vacation next week and my brother is threating to kick my butt in the gym doing a cross fit work out and I'm kinda freaked out. I hate getting injured.
janie1234
Cathlete
I do many of the workouts in the backyard. My neighbors think I'm a freak!
Seriously I'm putting up a pull up bar in my backyard, I have a sled and I'm currently looking for an old tire that I can flip, jump through, etc. There are some great running workouts that I have done at the high school track as well.
Jane!! Wow, . . .talk about I am woman hear me roar!!! You'll be able to audition for the next 300 movie with those tire drills.
Janie - Read the Mary Conover article I linked in the first post. Also, check out a couple of video preview articles with her and her CF trainer:
http://media.crossfit.com/cf-video/CrossFitJournal_BakerMaryWarmupPre.wmv
http://media.crossfit.com/cf-video/CrossFitJournal_JimmyMaryworkoutPre.wmv
CrossFit is not about being extreme. It IS about pushing yourself hard...getting out of comfort zones...and maybe discovery you're capable of more than you give yourself credit for...mentally AND physically.
Aside from the over training I mentioned, I haven't been injured doing CF. I have hurt myself doing more "civilized" activities though...running, playing tennis, skiing. People get injured doing lots of things...take a look at some of the threads on this board about some of the injuries floating here...I doubt they came from CrossFit.
Try a workout with your brother...tell him to shut up about the butt kicking and do something like a half-Cindy or Jeremy with broomstick overhead squats (use good form on everything)...don't freak yourself out.
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lioness
Cathlete
Janie,
I haven't been injured doing CF workouts and I'm usually the klutz that sprains an ankle walking.
I find CF workouts extremely challenging which is why I like doing them. I don't do them super fast and I don't keep track of my time. I just do the best I can.
You remind me of my sister. She does curves, Tai chi and walks quite a bit but at 50 she noticed that she was putting on weight. She asked to workout with me so I introduced her to CF. I gave her modifications on certain exercises and told her she could do 1/2 the reps. She did great and enjoyed it. My sister told me that she was actually afraid to workout with me because I can be so intense.
I agree with Gayle try a workout with your brother but do 1/2 the reps or do modifications.
I haven't been injured doing CF workouts and I'm usually the klutz that sprains an ankle walking.
I find CF workouts extremely challenging which is why I like doing them. I don't do them super fast and I don't keep track of my time. I just do the best I can.
You remind me of my sister. She does curves, Tai chi and walks quite a bit but at 50 she noticed that she was putting on weight. She asked to workout with me so I introduced her to CF. I gave her modifications on certain exercises and told her she could do 1/2 the reps. She did great and enjoyed it. My sister told me that she was actually afraid to workout with me because I can be so intense.
I agree with Gayle try a workout with your brother but do 1/2 the reps or do modifications.
janie1234
Cathlete
Gayle and Jane, . . thank you both so much. Okay, I'm ready. Man those kipping pull ups look tough. I really would love to be able to do those pull up push up things on the rings. I think that it is all about form and performing the moves with correct form, . but heck I could be wrong. I totally agree Gayle, . . .I've heard of more people that have been injured running. I don't even want to do a marathon because while training for one years ago I injured my foot and was out of comisson for almost a year. Okay, I'm game, . .now I've got my game face on and I'll give it my all. Thanks for all the advice and links.
I'd love to be able to do those, too!
You are 100% correct on using good form. Have fun!
meowracer
Cathlete
Thanks for posting this - I love the idea of these workouts. I used to do something similar on my own. I found a place near to me that does these, but why not do it on my own like mentioned above?? Really keeps things fun. I'm going to start reading up on some of these sites and incorporating the stuff into my workouts.