Has anyone unfit tried Cross Fit? It seems a bit cultish to me...

[JessieMcJessie]

I need a radical rethink of my exercise habits. There is a cross fit gym very near me. Website says that no basic fitness is required but the site is full of impenetrable descriptions of exercises and videos of young muscular people cheering each other on as they climb ropes. Can’t quite get my head around it.

I don’t go but it appears a decent CrossFit gym should def be inclusive

They absolutely will work with you, regardless of your level.

maybe look for a Happy Fit gym?

I've been going for about 3 weeks. I've discovered I'm very unfit in comparison and can never remember the names of things.

However, everyone is nice and no one judges because everyone finds it hard.

I did think of it more as joining a sport though rather than gym. Just seems more like that.

Try it for a month maybe and see if you like it.

It's really cultish! People who love it, LOVE it.

I did it, started from unfit and it was fucking awful. Everyone else was young, fit and enthusiastic beside my old, flabby and sweaty. However I stuck with it and it really is amazing for fitness and toning.

I draw the line at entering competitions and talking about it outside the gym though.

It is a cult and it is AMAZING. Join.

I know nothing except this article (from 2016):

www.bodyforwife.com/crossfit-is-broken-and-can-break-you/

I joined 6 months ago and think it's the greatest thing ever. I've dropped into numerous crossfit boxes when visiting other places and always found every one to be equally pleased to see us, super friendly and supportive.
I think what makes it seem cult like is that people end up wanting to go all the time, and then when you start seeing the huge improvements nutrition etc is making to other people you tend to want to join in with that side of it too.

Everything is scaled to the most basic level when you first start.
Even the pro"s spend a lot of time just practicing technique before they do the big weights and as everyone has started in the same position as you before, it's all just a very positive environment to be in. you end up pushing yourself for much better workouts than you get in a gym or regular class.

Domestic I'm a massive James Fell fan but I actually disagree with him on this with a couple of caveats

• Crossfit is not well regulated and certification is not hard to get so some gyms are good/safe and others aren't. I also don't actually believe that just doing random WODS as issued daily is constructive and the pros don't train like that, so you ideally need to find a gym that fits the Crossfit ethos into a structured programme that will provide progression through training blocks.

• You need to differentiate between training and competition - as in all sports, some things are done in competition which cant sustainably be done as part of training. A lot of CF critics are criticising based on videos of competitions where high rep kipping etc are the norm.

• Crossfit is full of PED's so the people at the top are possibly not good role models/ aspirations, depending on your views on that sort of thing

That said, I feel as though it has really democratised lifting, especially for women, and most people enjoy being part of Crossfit communities- gyms tend to be smaller and friendlier.

Everything is scalable- e.g. press ups can be done on knees or even box style.

Interesting. What’s a PED?

I went for six months and didn’t lose an ounce !! Enjoyed it though

DH was really unfit and overweight when he started. 2 years later he's almost 5 stone lighter and super fit (and a bit obsessed), I'm really proud of him!

PED=performance enhancing drugs

I go to Crossfit 3 times a week.. and I love it.. it will transform your inner core strength and you will enjoy it.. the people motivate each other greatly too.. it's all about 'personal' goals.. no competing.. no judging.. just people doing great things together