Crazy little thing called “CrossFit”
This was originally posted on May 31, 2014.
I know I just have to write about CrossFit today especially with those negative articles circulating around the internet lately about it. In all honesty, I can’t find the need to defend it because, I don’t know, CrossFit already speaks for itself. But here I am, spending my time to write about CrossFit. Note though that this post is not to defend it but merely to express my love for it.
What is CrossFit?
Before everything else, the question must start with: what exactly is CrossFit and why do the letters C and F have to be capital?
Simply put, “CrossFit” is a methodology that uses constantly varied, functional movements, executed at high intensities. Its specialty is not specializing. CrossFit routines incorporate high-intensity interval training, olympic weightlifting, plyometrics, powerlifting, gymnastics, girevoy sport, calisthenics, strongman exercises and other exercises.
CrossFit is a company and only affiliates can use the name and claim to be doing the now considered sport.
MY FIRST WOD or “Workout of the Day”
The very first time I encountered CrossFit was when a paddler from my dragon boat team made us do a WOD (meaning “Workout of the day” which is the term used for the workout that usually involves a series of movements or exercises) for our warm up before we went for our boat training. It was a simple 12-minute AMRAP (it means you do “as many repetitions as possible”) consisting of burpees, pushups, situps and air squats.
Sounds easy, right? Thought so too at that time. But I was wrong!
Two minutes into the workout and already, I was giving up. My heart was pounding so fast, my muscles were sore… I just could not do it anymore! But I guess there was already this CrossFitter instinct in me that made me still try to finish the workout even if I had to rest for 2 minutes and then do just 5 reps and then rest again. I just had to try to do it!
The following day, I believe most of us got really sore and I even ended up having a fever!
Silly guy who made us do that WOD! And guess, what? He’s my boyfriend now for 11 months! I guess I’m even crazier!
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| Photo credits to Jose Raphael Hilario |
WHAT CROSSFIT DID FOR ME
So it now boils down to why I did CrossFit, why I still do CrossFit and why I still plan to do CrossFit in the future. I have listed 10 personal reasons as to why I do CrossFit (I had to stick to 10 or I might go on forever!). I would understand if some people may or may not agree with me since these are generally based from my own personal experiences and a bit of acquired knowledge throughout my CrossFit journey.
1. I feel extraordinary
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| Photo credits to Aids Tecson |
The thing about CrossFit is that it involves a lot of lifting. There has always been this myth that women should not lift weights because they are going to get bulky and will end up looking like a man. But here I am, proving this myth wrong!
I know for a fact only a few women actually lift weights as part of their fitness regime but I am trying my best to advocate this. I can also do pull ups now and I am looking forward to doing muscle ups soon!
2. I now feel like a real athlete
When I was younger, from my elementary to High School days, I have always wanted to be into sports. I’ve tried volleyball, bowling, tennis, badminton and I just can’t be good at anything. When I reached college, I just gave it up and accepted my fate that I could never be good at any sports.
When I started working, I decided to join the Accenture Dragon Boat Club (ADBC) just because I was in search of something new then. Even as a paddler, I still could not consider myself as an athlete. I still don’t feel strong or athletic.
But there’s this one guy from our dragon boat team that did introduce me to CrossFit and to my first WOD! He suggested that maybe, I should try to lift. And yes, I am loving it now! The best thing about it is that how this affected my body that people often ask me now, “Are you an athlete?” :p
3. Improved overall well-being
I’d like to think as a person, I have improved a lot physically, mentally, emotionally, socially and even spiritually.
Physically: I have gotten stronger and I actually like how I look. I am now able to do things I never thought I’d be able to do ever!
Mentally: Everything is all about the mind. You can never do it if you think you can’t do it. But if you keep thinking you can do it, eventually you will be able to do it! When we do CrossFit WODs, people will always push you to do it and never give up! This also applies in life.
Emotionally: Somehow, doing the workouts and eating healthier along with it helped my emotional state tremendously. Sure, I’m still a bit hot-tempered at times but I still feel happy and contented most of the time overall.
Socially: The great thing about CrossFit is the community. It engages people to meet and interact with people that makes working out even more fun! I also believe the way I mingle with people had improved a lot.
Spiritually: With all these improvements in me, I just feel very thankful to God for all the blessings. I feel like I am one of the most blessed persons in the world!
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| Photo credits to Ronald Alava |
4. I have better goals
My fitness goal as of now is to gain muscles and, of course, to increase my numbers in terms of lifting. By October or November, I should be 10 lbs heavier and I should be hitting good numbers on my lifts then but should still have my stamina, endurance and flexibility. Afterwards, I plan to lose the fats (those 10 lbs I gained) but still retain my strength as much as possible. Then, I will be joining the powerlifting competition next year, 2015. 
This is the same with my life goals and career. Somehow, the way I plan my fitness goals is something I can actually apply in the other areas of my life. Long term is always the way to go but we need to set those short term goals to get there. I am actually looking into possibly pursuing a career in health and fitness but I don’t know yet how to go about it. Then work would not be much of a work!
5. Exposure to positive environment
There are lots of people who tend to bash and say really nasty things about CrossFit to the point of not being constructive anymore.
The great thing about CrossFitters is just they would defend it (though I don’t understand why there is a need to do this), shrug it off and just continue doing their thing. They are focused more on keeping that positive environment, empowering fellow CrossFitters to do well in their craft and just enjoy working out. Rather than saying bad things about the others, they would just do their best in what they do and let the results show what CrossFit really is about.
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| Photo credits to Ronald Alava |
Believe it or not, CrossFit is for everyone. Since it consists lots of varied movements, it is actually the best cross-training for any athlete! I get to meet people of different professions involved in different sports! I know rugby players, bodybuilders, powerlifters, weightlifters, surfers, triathletes, marathoners and even fellow paddlers like me doing CrossFit! It’s an adventure because I get to learn new things from these people which I can incorporate in my life not just on the health aspect but as well as in my career and more.
CrossFit, itself is an adventure. Due to its being varied by nature, I cannot wait to see how it will evolve through time. I bet the WODs would be more exciting. Our very own Coach RJ even shared that maybe, eventually Parkour will be combined with CrossFit. I wonder what more is in store in the future!
7. Better personal relationship
I learned about CrossFit from my current boyfriend and it’s our simple way of bonding! We love to talk about our gains, our PRs (personal records) and planning metcons (metabolic conditioning)! My brother also does CrossFit now and we just enjoy living it. I am also still finding a way to encourage the other members of our family to at least try it.
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| Photo credits to Aids Tecson |
I bet only a few people can correctly define, differentiate and associate these: weightlifting, powerlifting, bodybuilding, strength training, weight training. Added to that, doing CrossFit pushes me to eat well so I can perform better. I also tend to learn more from my coaches and fellow CrossFitters on proper nutrition, proper training regime and more.
9. I spend just enough time at work
I am currently in an IT company, doing support work. Somehow, people there have a habit of going over our expected 9-hour productive work and doing unpaid overtime. I am not saying it is a bad thing if it is something they enjoy doing but I always ensure to maintain a work-life balance for my own sanity.
It scares me that doing too much work will affect my overall well-being in the long run. Considering this, I ensure to be productive within our paid hours so I can leave early and not be late for my CrossFit class. Added to this, the motivation in finishing my work as soon as possible is knowing that afterwards, I get to play again by working out!
10. Aphrodisiac
Need I say more? 
Ladies: Google on Coregasm :p
Ladies: Google on Coregasm :p
SO WHERE TO ENROLL FOR CROSSFIT?
I might as well advertise my CrossFit box which is CrossFit Mad Minute! It is situated at Unit G, 7433 Yakal Street, Makati City, 1203 Philippines.
They have free trials every Saturday at 3:00 PM. Anyway, it’s free so why not try it, right?
You can get more details on the following links:
Website: http://www.crossfitmadminute.com/
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