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Johnny H.
Johnny H. Sendmail

Should I start CrossFit?

asked almost 3 years ago | Report

I'm thinking that I need to do more than running to improve my fitness. I keep hearing about CrossFit. Do you recommend it? Do you suggest alternatives? I think there is a gym near my house that specializes on cross fit. Are there other ways to get started?

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  • Apollo L.
    Apollo L. Sendmail

    Yes. I recommend CrossFit. I lost 46 pounds in 20 weeks doing a CrossFit program. I don't go to a CF affiliated gym, but I do the WODs posted on the main website ( www.crossfit.com ) on my own with dumbbells and kettebells and the pullup bar in the park.

    In the first year, I lost 9 minutes off my 2 mile run time, 8 minutes off my 5k time, 10 minutes off my 10 km time. I could do 1 pullup when I started. Now, I can do 120 pullups / 120 dips.

    If you're worried about the ferocity of the workouts, everything is scalable.

    Go drop in on a class at your CrossFit affiliate or see if they offer a weekend foundations class that will give you a good overview.

    answered almost 3 years ago |Report

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  • Apollo L.
    Apollo L. Sendmail

    I just noticed that you're in Pleasanton. A few of the Bay Area affiliates offer foundations classes. Sunnyvale CrossFit offers one that costs $150 for a weekend. I've taken it (I wanted to lock down my cleans, presses, and deadlift form).

    Here's my review:
    http://www.mt-olympus.com/apollo/archives/2008/06/30/crossfit-introduction-class/

    answered almost 3 years ago |Report

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  • Carlos T.
    Carlos T. Sendmail

    John - You should totally do it! I'm doing an intro session at one of the crossfit centers in my area and I'm excited to hear what they have to say and offer. They do a mini workout with you to get an idea of what the regiment is like. Apollo is right about the WOD (workout of the day) on the www.crossfit.com website. Check it out. You should be able to follow just that and not have to go to crossfit center. I do have to say that the website is a little confusing but all the information you need is on there.

    answered almost 3 years ago |edited almost 3 years ago |Report

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  • Jamil C.
    Jamil C. Sendmail

    If you want a good fitness workout, try using an ERG (rowing machine). I've found it to be one of the most intense workouts I've ever done other than running. I would recommend getting some help when you first start out to get the form down. Nothing hurts worse than a 2k or 5k time trail on an ERG.

    answered almost 3 years ago |Report

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