Question about CrossFit...

[iamali]

I'm someone who used to be in great shape and workout all the time.

Sadly some injuries and other things in life have gotten in the way and I'm now overweight (technically I'm a few pounds into "obese") and in awful shape.

CrossFit looks really interesting to me and there is a Box very close by. Is this something I could jump into right now, or should I focus on getting into better shape and losing some weight first?

TIA.

[hokiegirl82]

I would jump right in and ask the coaches to help you modify the workouts for your fitness level. At my box there are all types of people- super fit, really unfit and with quite the amount of weight to lose, and the average joes like me. What i love about cf is the workouts can be modified for any level and you still get a great workout. I am so sad because tomorrow is my last CF workout for a long time because i am having bunion surgery. Crossfit is amazing in my opinion. Hope u get to try it out!

[Deleted]

Yes, you can absolutely jump right into it. My box says one of the biggest misconceptions about CrossFit is that you need to be fit to do it, when in reality they'll work with people of all levels and scale workouts accordingly. That said, do talk to the trainers at your local box and ask them about their athletes, their training philosophy, the trainers' qualifications, etc - make sure they know what they're talking about and are friendly. The trouble with CrossFit is that all boxes are different and it's really easy to start your own box, so you get all kinds of people who may or may not really know what they're doing or how to accommodate people at different levels. They'll probably have you do some sort of "On-Ramp" or introductory sessions to teach you the basic movements. If they don't, unless you already know how to do Olympic-style lifts properly, look elsewhere. It's easy to hurt yourself lifting if you don't know what you're doing, and I'd be concerned if they didn't make teaching new people a priority/requirement.

[softspot]

Like the others have said it's something that can be modified from the get go and really nearly anyone can do it. YouTube "killing the fat man". It's a video series following a guy in my box. It's really inspiring. There are 9 episodes so far.

[juangela]

Jump in! I spent 4 months in a regular gym getting myself to where I felt comfortable joining CrossFit, but really wish I had just gone there from the start!

My starting place was similar to yours. My only advice is be aware of the changes in your body. Your mind will likely be ready to do things that your body isn't yet if you haven't worked out in awhile.

The changes in my body have been far more dramatic far faster doing Crossfit 3-4x a week (with 1-2 3mile runs added in) than going to the regular gym 6 days a week (lifting + cardio 4x, cardio 2x).

Go for it!

[kmartini1021]

Jump in! Both feet! It is highly scalable and will help you reach your weight loss and fitness goals faster than any other workout program I can think of.

Good luck!

[Brie]

Yep, ditto PPs. You can just jump right in.

I think people think that all CFers are totally ripped people with incredible bodies. But, that's definitely not true. Of course those are the people that make it onto the marketing materials, because they want to show you that it works, and that you see at the CF Games, but yeah, not representative. My box has literally every body type and fitness level you can imagine--morbidly obese people who have never worked out before, retired grandpas, Marines and firefighters, pregnant women (heh), high school/college/pro athletes, and everything in between.

[finallykrisb]

Just get your self out there! Ditto all the ladies above.