From the health benefits to the community culture, there are many reasons people just won’t stop talking about CrossFit.
Whether you’re already into CrossFit or a total beginner, we’re here to break down the basics and teach you about the amazing benefits of CrossFit training and what it can help you improve.
CrossFit - The Basics
Often called “the sport of fitness,” CrossFit is a training philosophy that uses constantly varied high-intensity movements to help people come together as a community and improve their physical fitness, well-being, and endurance.
CrossFit gyms are more commonly known as “boxes.” At the boxes, you can join a class or participate in a different workout of the day (WOD), including weightlifting, plyometrics, kettlebells, explosive bodyweight movements, and more. Usually 30 minutes or less, these super intense workouts are designed to challenge you and activate every muscle in your body.
Learn how to find a CrossFit box near you.
Discover 6 essential CrossFit lifts and classic fitness equipment to get you started.
Why CrossFit?
Learn why people love CrossFit so much and what makes it different from your regular gym.
A Sense of Community
CrossFit offers a lot of people a sense of community they didn’t have before. It’s a place where all different types of people can come together, conquer their workouts, and support each other. Plus, it’s the perfect place to find your Swole Sister! We support strong woman bonds!
Coaching & Support
CrossFit coaches are there to support you, push you, and make sure you’re doing your workout correctly. Better than doing a WOD all on your own, you have someone there to spot you and correct your form.
Healthy Competition
Many people are drawn to CrossFit for its competitive aspect (any former athletes out there?!). The healthy competition created when a group of like-minded people gets together is unparalleled.
Constant Variation
One of the key aspects of CrossFit workouts is that they’re constantly varied. If you’re someone who gets easily bored with monotonous workouts, CrossFit might be for you!
Discover more reasons why people love CrossFit.
Health Benefits
Discover the health benefits and motivators that will have you running into your local CrossFit box.
Physical Strength
CrossFitters often gain muscle strength and improve their stamina with high-intensity, multi-joint movements. With the challenging and varied workouts, you are consistently stimulating your muscles and your mind.
Cardiovascular Health
The type of high-intensity training utilized in CrossFit can also help improve your cardiovascular health. When you increase how much oxygen you’re using during a workout (your Vo2 max), your body is working to improve your target heart rate and blood pressure.
Weight Loss
Many people also find that CrossFit helps them lose weight. HIIT (high-intensity interval training) workouts have been shown to increase the body’s metabolic response and help burn more calories (compared to other workouts).
Mental Health
Physical exercise can be extremely beneficial to your mental health. When you step into the Box and get your heart rate pumping, your brain starts releasing endorphins. Endorphins trigger a positive feeling in your body and act as a natural painkiller. Similar to how you feel when you meditate, physical activity can help you relieve some stress and “reset.”
Discover how exercise can help manage stress.
Improve Your...
In addition to improving your muscular endurance, overall fitness, and physical well-being, CrossFit training can improve your:
Agility, Flexibility, Endurance
CrossFit utilizes a lot of functional exercises (exercises that imitate and copy the types of movements you do in everyday life) like squats, kettlebell swings, and overhead presses that can potentially improve your agility, flexibility, and balance. Plus, when you’re moving and stretching the muscles you use frequently, you’re helping to make them stronger and reduce the risk for injury.
Sleep Better
Who isn’t trying to get better sleep? Well, studies have found that there is a connection between good sleep and a good workout. When you get a good night's rest, your body is working to conserve energy and repair tissue. Bradley Cardinal, Ph.D., co-director of the Sport and Exercise Psychology Laboratory at Oregon State University, states that "the functions of sleep are to conserve energy and to repair tissues in the body," making your muscles and tissue stronger and more resistant to injury and fatigue.
And when you get a good workout in, you get a better night of rest. "Any type of exercise is likely to improve sleep quality; however, high-intensity training like CrossFit seems to be the most effective," says Tony Carvajal, certified CrossFit trainer with RSP Nutrition.
What are you waiting for? Get your workout clothes on and start training!
