What I Learned from Crossfit

I don’t do crossfit anymore, but I’m thankful I did.

I learned to lift heavy.  Once I just lifted the same weights every time.  I’d do a few sets and feel satisfied, without pushing myself.

I learned to keep a diary.  I would add a rep, a set, or pounds every single time.  I’d compete against myself.

I learned about the Tabata protocol.  It forced me to sprint and work for 20-30 seconds at a time.  It taught me to sprint when I ran.  This high intensity training is the groundwork for conditioning.

I learned to use my bodyweight. I now do plyo pushups and jump squats to end my routines.  I can now workout anywhere.

I use kettlebells to warm up, to increase flexibility and to develop my hip power.  I learned that warm ups ARE a workout.

I do burpees.  Sometimes I’ll do burpees with 20lb dumbells, finishing with split jerks.  Three sets of 10 and it’s a quick, legitimate workout combined with 4 sets of 500 meter rows or 400 meter runs.   Other times I’ll use a 25 lb weight to lift above my head.

I do think that some of the crossfit workouts are ridiculous.  I don’t do 30 powercleans in a row anymore.

I will be taking the parts of crossfit, and developing them together in a way that will prevent injury.  Next year I will do more yoga; learn powerlifting from some Olympic Coaches who train locally, and continue with developing my bodyweight conditioning.

I’d like it if my gym had sandbags and plyo boxes.  But for now, they’ve bought an awesome squat rack and quality dumbbells.  All they need is a 1.5 and 2 pood kettlebell and we’d be good to go.

Thank you, Crossfit.

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