I did mention before that I made the switch from conventional workout routines to CrossFit.  My life has changed dramatically since then.  I don’t give it all the credit to the change, but it definitely deserves some regards.

These are the reasons why I CrossFit and why I believe others should give it a try:

1.    Save time working out

Why spend 1-2 hours at the gym, when you can get a great workout in less than 30 minutes.  Don’t get me wrong, not ALL of the workouts are that short, but a good portion of them are.

2.    Get stronger physically AND mentally

You will gain (or regain) strength to allow you to lift large loads over long distances quickly. Whether you’re moving a large 300lb TV or picking up a little child off the floor, you will become stronger. The workouts will also help you build mental fortitude. When you complete a once seemingly difficult workout, you get a sense of acomplishment that will help you conquer other obstacles in your life.

Yes, you can experience the full benefit of these two traits from most workout regimens.  However, with CrossFit you get a large support group that will help you throughout your progression.  The community is very tight knit and we all champion each other.  It’s very similar to “Team in Training” for distance runners.  The collaboriative support of each individual member is what makes the program such a success. This goes into my next point…

3.    Make friends from all walks of life

The CrossFit community is broad and inclusive. You may come across your local police officers, firefighters, and even your first grade teacher. CrossFit gyms are not like your local Globo Gyms where everyone is out there for themselves.  They training environments are much more quaint allowing you to build strong relationships full of integrity and comraderie.

4.    CrossFit is safe

Safety and efficiency are the most important and interdependent elements of any fitness program. In order for a fitness program to be 100% safe, it must be 100% ineffective (ie. 60 minutes of the elliptical). The intensity involved with CrossFit are only introduced once proper technique and mechanics are established.

5.    Functional movements

How long do you want to be able to get in and out of bed on your own? How about go to the bathroom on your own? If you’re like me, you answer is pretty much “As long as I’m alive!”. These are natural and essential movements that all humans should be able to do. These cannot be broken down into simple movements done on the leg extension or bicep curl machines.

6.    Prepare for the Unknown & Unknowable

Who knows when you will need to save your own or your family’s life. In the unlikely event of a fire or natural disaster, don’t you want to be ready and able to do what you need to do? Call me crazy but often times I ask myself if I can outrun a cop if I were to break the law if I lived in an alternate reality.  The thing is, I probably can.

7.    Never get bored

Begone boring workout routines. Yeah, I admit it… I used to do the whole routine of back/biceps on Monday, chest/triceps on Wednesday, and legs/shoulders on Friday EVERY WEEK. I know some of you have too. You will never do what you did last week or even last month. The best way to stick to a fitness program is to keep it dynamic and interesting.  Because the CrossFit regimen follows an open source model, you’ll find adaptations and variations all the time that target whatever your focus is on that day.

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I know it totally sounds like I’m a huge cheerleader.   But hey, you can’t blame me for being so passionate about the things I do.  To be super cheesy, here’s that old sayin’:  A life without passion is not a life worth living.  I probably butchered that saying, but meh, I’m too lazy to look up the right one.

Happy Holidays!

Photo Credit: CrossFit One World

Related posts:

1. CrossFit: An Efficient Workout Regimen