CrossFit

"DOES YOUR WORKOUT MAKE YOU NERVOUS?"

What a brilliant question?

You should be a little nervous, not in terms of injuring yourself, but in pushing yourself and realising that what you thought your limit was, is actually way within your capacity!

Pushing your limits is NOT comfortable - if it was they wouldn't be called limits.

So get nervous or change your workout......"



Wow.

For fellow exercise junkies like myself, the above certainly warrants a bit of a wake up call. Especially when I realised that I've pretty much been doing the same workout format for the last three years!

No wonder I'm not getting the results I want!?

But, luckily the solution arrived just in time and I am addicted to it!

As I sit here typing this, I have burn marks on my knees from doing burpees, my hands are blistered from swinging a kettlebell and the bruises on my shins are from jumping onto a giant tyre .......and I flipping LOVE IT!

No doubt you must have heard about the 'CrossFit phenomenon' by now? Gareth Cliff was discussing it on his show a few weeks ago and this month's Women's Health, Men's Health and Living & Loving all feature articles on it.

CrossFit is the latest exercise phenomenon and it's definitely here to stay.

Developed in the USA, it is based on old-style military training and is used to train firefighters, marines, SWAT teams and the like....

CrossFit is functional training. You learn to develop your muscles in a way that supports your daily functions. Whether that's carrying a heavy toddler with one arm (that's me) or picking up your own heavy boxes, after doing CrossFit there's no need to call a man to get the job done!

Each day there is a new WOD (Workout of the Day) and no WOD is the same. Ever.

Whether a session lasts 20 minutes or 5 minutes, you will be exhausted...but with a big fat smile on your face.

CrossFit is not just for the super-fit (so there's no excuse!). Every exercise can be scaled according to your fitness level and age.

My own mom (let's just say she's JUST over 50...*wink*) does it regularly and kicks butt whilst doing mens push ups!

Whether you lift a 100kg barbell over your head or a PVC pipe, the movement is still the same...you just keep working your way up and, boy, is it rewarding when you realise you can do things that you never thought you'd be able to do!

But, undoubtedly, the best part of CrossFit is the sense of community. You're not training in a big commercial gym where you're nothing but a number and nobody cares if you're on level 2 or 42 of the treadmill.....

CrossFit classes are limited to a max of 15 people and EVERYONE knows your name...primarily so that they can yell at you to: "Come on! Just one more, Kerry!"

The little bit of healthy competition (either between your team mates or just yourself) goes a long way to keeping you motivated and coming back for more.

I really like the fact that they are not about quick fixes and drastic diets...their motto is "Look like an athlete because you train like one!"

That makes sense to me...and, believe me, the results speak for themselves! :)