I have said it hundred times: I cannot categorize myself into one fitness category because I just like fitness. I like workouts in all forms. I enjoy running, I love to lift heavy weights, I enjoy jumping on boxes, the rowing machine is a good friend of mine, and I love a really good group exercise class. After a couple of years of contemplation I tried out what this Crossfit thing was all about and I liked it… a lot… but I am not ready to join the Crossfit cult.
I saw the word cult nicely. You see, runners have a cult too. As do group exercise class attendees and bodybuilders. We all run in our own little cult… I’d rather call it a circle- that is gives a better vibe. I have several circles: I have girls I meet on the weekends for a long run; I have certain friends I will text for a tough workout in the weight room; and I have friends that come to my classes. When I tested out Crossfit it was just me.
I put my name in a fishbowl at a local half marathon expo and got an email that I had won a free month of Crossfit. At about a $150 value I had to try it! I had done Crossfit-like workouts before: we had a trainer at my gym who used to do Crossfit workouts before he left to open up his own Box and I would do them once or twice a week and really enjoyed them. Even when I write my own workouts for the weight room I incorporate a lot of AMRAP (As Many Rounds As Possible) and MetCon (Metabolic Conditioning) workouts as well as Crossfit-like exercises (box jumps, kettle bells, pull ups, rowing, etc.).
I love these types of workouts so I was excited to try Crossfit for a whole month! I was actually a little afraid because I also thought I would love it so much that I would want to be able to do it all of the time and I was not sure how I was going to talk my husband into adding that extra expense- Crossfit is not cheap.
I started my free month out with a bang and the first week I went three times that week! I was sore, but it felt great. I was so excited when I squatted 155 pounds and push pressed 95 pounds. I was drenched in sweat after a quick, 10 minute MetCon WOD on the rowing machine. I did a partner workout one Saturday morning and it was a blast.
Each workout started with a 10 minute warmup. After the warmup we went right into about 10-15 minutes of mobility. I did not like this one bit. I know I need mobility, but it was too slow for me. From there we would work on a skill and do a set number of sets of that specific skill. After the skill work was done we would do the WOD (Workout of the Day) and that would range anywhere from 15-30 minutes.
I loved the first week of Crossfit, but my kids didn’t. I took both of my munchkins with me that first day and they did not. The kid “area” is super small and there is not room to run and play. It is actually not even a room: it is a blocked off place that you can look over and see the kids, and they can hear everything that is going on during the workout. Plus the ages were all mixed together. M is usually a happy baby (I don’t think he has ever gotten an “unhappy” report at our current gym) and I could hear him getting upset towards the end of my workout. This did not make it enjoyable for me.
Despite my kids not liking it, I was determined to still get into it and make the most of my free month. I went when my husband got home from work at night or on Tuesdays (Mommy’s Day off). I had all intentions of trying to go to the 5:30am class, but that never happened.
The second week I went two times and I still really enjoyed it. I did a couple of beginning clinics to learn correct form for the snatch and how to do a kipping pull-up. The snatch clinic was frustrating because I still didn’t understand the snatch and frankly I have no desire to ever do that lift.
The third week of Crossfit came and I never got there… and didn’t get there again. I was teaching a lot of classes at my gym, my husband was out of town for work a couple of times, we had things going on in the evening and it was hard for me to get there without the kids. It just didn’t happen.
I really enjoyed the two weeks that I did do Crossfit. I would love it if I could make it a part of my schedule to just go to Crossfit two times a week. Finding two times a week to go without my munchkins is super difficult at this stage in our life. I could absolutely go at night, but I will be completely honest: I don’t want to do that. When my husband gets home in the evening, I don’t want to leave; that is the time for us to be together as a family.
If I am only going to be able to fit it into my schedule only once or twice a week, I can’t really justify the cost: $120-$150 a month (depending on what kind of contract you sign). In my eyes (and pocketbook) that is a lot for 8 workouts. I would only be able to get in 8 workouts there a month. If I did Crossfit 4-5 times a week, I could justify the cost, but I don’t want to do it that many times. I still want to run, lift with my friends, take group exercises classes, and make up my own workouts.
At this point, Crossfit will not be a regular thing for me. I may drop-in and do a WOD a local Box here and there, but that is the extent of it. I am going to continue to wear all the different fitness hats that I enjoy. And in the meantime, I am being inspired by personal trainer, Sara’s husband and Jess over at Blonde PonyTail and going to start collecting some equipment and so on days I want to workout from home I can have Crossfit “light” in my garage… or basement.
I wish I could afford Cross Fit. Glad you had a chance to try it out!
I wish it weren’t so expensive too!
I’ve never tried crossfit. It kind of scares me! I love to strength train but those people are nuts
Love the honesty
I started Crossfit a few months ago and LOVE it! I took on some extra freelance work to justify the cost. My box has been closed for construction the past few months, and I’m really anxious to get back to it. I think a lot more people would do it if it wasn’t so expensive!
That is awesome! My husband has said I can continue it if I want… but it is Crossfit or Tennis or a Personal Trainer… not all three.
The cost of Cross Fit, even if I could go everyday, doesn’t seem very justified in my mind when I can do many of the exercises on my own at the gym, and my gym membership costs pennies compared to the cost of Cross Fit. Just my two cents.
I agree! A lot of people say that you get the coach and that is why the cost is so expensive. But for someone like me who has never paid for a gym membership it is hard! I have always worked at a gym.
I haven’t tried CrossFit – I am not really a gym goer so the cost just puts me way off! I prefer to work out at home, however when I do wrangle a free temporary gym membership, I make the most of it with classes.
I love classes at the gym too!
I wanted nothing to do with CrossFit (it was my husband’s fitness hat) but then I started going. However, a main reason I could even justify walking through the door was because I can go for free since my hubby is a coach. It took a while for me to get hooked and I’m sure if I had kids it would be different (as our kiddo area isn’t that great either). Enjoyed this read!
Thanks Mrs. Barbelle! That is awesome that you get it for free! Your husband should do a guest post of some at-home crossfit workouts.
I’ve never done Crossit but it simply doesn’t appeal to me. I do like to add variety to my workouts though and recently tried a couple new classes Gold’s Gym is now offering at a preview event they had last week in my area!
Sounds fun! I’d love to hear about the new classes.
I work with a CrossFit coach once/ week and it is an expense that I have no trouble justifying. The work I do with her has made a huge difference in my running! However, I wouldn’t make CrossFit my primary activity. It’s a great supplement, tho.
That is cool, Wendy! Is it more like a personal training session? I could justify that since it is one-on-one. I agree that these type of workouts have helped me get faster too.
I’ve never really had the desire to try crossfit. I have created some crossfit-light workouts when I was teaching (really light because my average age client was around 60!), but I’m like you, I like variety. I want to run, strength train, yoga, and Pilates, which doesn’t leave time for much else!
I need to do more Pilates and Yoga… that is where I lack. I just can’t bring myself to do it.
I’ve never done crossfit, and to be honest, I don’t really have a desire!
That is what a lot of people say. I did like the running part of the workouts… the sprint work, you might enjoy that too (wink, wink).
My experience with crossfit is taking my daughter twice a week. She loves it. You look so happy in the photos
Thank you, Jill! I love that your daughter does Crossfit. You should try it with her sometime. I look forward to meeting you so soon!.
I’ve always wanted to try crossfit too but its just too expensive for me. I love Jess’s workouts! I have done so many in the past
I’ve never tried Crossfit, even though there is a box near my house. It’s just too expensive and really doesn’t interest me. I love my cardio too much. ;o)
I would love to try crossfit, but like you said, the cost probably won’t be justifiable, especially since the closest box is still really far from my house, and I don’t have a car. Glad you enjoyed though!