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Talk me down from my CrossFit anxiety

12 replies

jenevinegretterien · 20/06/2024 20:57

I've agreed to go to a CrossFit class with my sister tomorrow and I'm terrified. I'm very overweight and very unfit - I can't do a press-up and apparently this workout calls for burpees. I'm not a regular gym goer. I do gentle dog walks and cycle a bit. I'm really working myself up into an anxious state - can anyone help me give my head the proverbial Mumsnet wobble?

OP posts:
Doublebubblegum · 20/06/2024 21:05

Don't worry. Just go. It'll be tough, but you'll feel amazing after.

Don't worry about not being able to do all the moves. They will give you scaled down versions of things to do. You won't be expected to do the same things as people who have been going there for years.

Good luck!!

DrRichardWebber · 20/06/2024 21:56

CrossFit is special because it’s for everyone. Everything will be able to be changed to make sure you can do it.

Theres a really good overview of it on a thing called Sturdy Girls on radio 4. I’m sure you can listen back.

DrRichardWebber · 20/06/2024 21:58

I started as an overweight newby about 13 years ago. I was 14 stone and 5 foot 4. I’m now 9 stone and super fit!

LonginesPrime · 20/06/2024 22:11

Just do things like burpees one leg at a time to start with (right leg back, left leg back, right leg in, left leg in) if you're not ready to jump them.

Ditto with star jumps - just do half jacks instead, and keep it low impact when everyone else jumps.

And you probably can do a press up on your knees - if you don't put your knees too far back so they're still under your body, they will support some of the body weight that will eventually be supported by your arms.

Obviously, everyone was a beginner once, and I'm sure they have lots of new people starting all the time, so just keep the weights light, concentrate on your form and learning the moves and lingo, and try to enjoy it!

If you're really concerned about looking out of place or being pushed too hard, you could always speak to the instructor at the start and explain it's your first time and you're not sure what to do.

One of the things I love about trying a new class is being taught my body can do things I didn't even realise it can do - even if you only go once, it's good to try it and see what you think!

TonTonMacoute · 20/06/2024 22:24

I'm very overweight and very unfit

That's a very good reason to go! I'm sure many people are before they start. The whole point of CrossFit is to tailor the exercise to the person so they get the maximum benefit.

Rollerbird · 20/06/2024 22:30

As previously said you will feel great after. Its really inclusive and encouraging. Not like a standard gym class. Adaptable by the coach so a totally unfit pensioner and a super fit 20 year old could both get a good experience in the same class!

FusionChefGeoff · 20/06/2024 22:54

Make sure you calmly and confidently ask for adjustments for exercises rather than injuring yourself or standing like a lemon as you can't do something.

Good instructors will happily show you an alternative lower impact exercise.

jenevinegretterien · 21/06/2024 15:54

Oh wow it was totally fine. Thank you for the encouragement!

OP posts:
ToBoneOrNotToBone · 21/06/2024 16:10

I'm glad you enjoyed it! I love it and our classes are an amazing mix (probably more female dominant) of old/young, big/small, and varying levels of fitness. The sign of a good box/coach is how they scale for everyone. We had push ups today but again there was a mix of push ups to the floor, to a bench and then to varying box heights.

Are you planning to go back?

rwalker · 21/06/2024 16:26

CrossFit just tends to be full of people wanting a good workout not full of posing judgemental twats
there an enormous range of abilities every one I’ve been to has been really friendly people encouraging each other

the instructor can Taylor the workout easily
say it was 3 exercises 11 reps of everything then 9 rep then 7 rep they tell you to start on 9

THE GOLDEN RULE work at your pace nobody is racing they can give you modifications to exercises

good luck you’ll have a blast

arrgh missed the update glad you liked it

LonginesPrime · 21/06/2024 16:36

Glad it went well OP, and thanks for the update!

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