Relax. CrossFit specializes in making you feel like you’re stepping into your own version of a war zone, but you’re not. You’re going to be fine, so take your time, figure out the movements, and learn.
Here we introduce you to the 5 Things You Should Not Do When You Start CrossFit
1. Thinking you will master the technique in your first few days
It takes months/years of practice to learn and master the secret code of CrossFit. Normally when we discover a a new fitness activity, we adapt quickly and understand immediately what is required to perform it.
In CrossFit, you will learn new names, you will discover new movements and a totally new way to workout, which means you will have to continually rethink your entire way of managing and training your body. CrossFit is a sport that requires a lot of patience.
2. Compare yourself with other athletes
You will see a lot of people in your Box. Everyone comes with their own level, and everyone comes for the same goal: to push their limits.
On your first day at the CrossFit box, you’re going to see people who have been there a lot longer than you. They’re going to do a lot of crazy movements that you’ve never seen before. Then, the timer beeps and the music starts playing, everyone has a face of concentration and you’re going to get thrown in the middle of it all.
Remember, you don’t need to have that girl’s or guy’s abs, quads or whatever – can they do 10 bar muscle-ups in one go? Great, does she/he have abs like you’ve never seen before? You can have them too if you want, but it’s not mandatory.
Not everyone who goes to a CrossFit box is there to become the next Tia, Rich or Mat. Some people are there to release stress, others are there to rehab those joints. Don’t focus on the “why” of others. Focus on what you want to achieve.
3. Never ask questions and do not listen to the coach
You’ve never done kipping pull-ups before. You don’t know what an AMRAP is. No one has ever told you about the starting position, the first pull and the second pull before.
There’s no reason why you should know these things, and it’s your coach’s job to introduce you to those concepts. If your box community is strong, don’t worry, you’ll find some very nice people who will help you survive your first few moments doing CrossFit.
No matter what level other athletes in your box are at, remember that they were in your situation too. If you don’t know what it is, what it does, or what it means, ask someone. They’ll be happy to tell you.
There’s no real reason for you to beat your body up every workout. We’re not saying you don’t have to give your 100%, but if you feel like crap, forcing yourself to give more, more and more isn’t effective at all. You will have to trust your coach, and your own sensations.
4. Not being honest counting reps
Yes, counting reps matters. Some WODs will be heavier than others. Whether it’s because of the number of rounds, reps, or movements you don’t like. You won’t always be the best and finish the WOD in time cap, and that’s okay. CrossFit is about fighting against yourself and improving your own skills.
Don’t try to look better than others by shortening the path because you will never improve your performance or technique. It would be cheating both yourself and your teammates who have come to give their all. Moreover, coaches have the great ability to recognize the athletes who use these “tricks” because they know perfectly well the capabilities of each one.
They look at the athletes to help them improve and they will notice if you are cheating.
5. Things You Should Not Do When You Start CrossFit : Get frustrated
Practice and determination are the key. In CrossFit you will find several movements that are often very frustrating for athletes, in fact write down these two: snatch and double under, movements that for some come naturally and for others (most) are a milestone they have to overcome.
Feeling frustration, especially when you are a beginner will slow down your progress. It is better to fail and learn from your own mistakes.
The same as feeling frustrated, one of the biggest mistakes beginners make is not trusting yourself enough. Even if you’re shy in general, or you think you’re going to get injured, or because there’s no way you can ever do that movement, you’re going to surprise yourself.
It’s like what Henry Ford says, “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.”
What we’re referring to here is that there are times when you try a movement, but you’re not fully committed. In CrossFit, as in life, the only way to get the most out of anything is to fully commit, and in many cases, if you don’t fully commit, you don’t get them at all. Double jumps are a good example, but it also happens with things like box jumps.
Fully commit to box jumps, trust that you can do them, or else we’ll see you next week with some wonderful wounds on your shins.
If there’s one thing common to all of these tips, it’s this: Enjoy it. Unless your goal is the CrossFit Games, your priority should be to find out what makes you happiest every time you step into the box. Don’t focus on what others are doing, and trust yourself: you’re stronger than you think.
If you liked his article, you will also like : 7 Things I Wish I Knew When I Started Lifting
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Image Sources
- Shuttle run: Courtesy of CrossFit Inc.
- dumbbell lunge with coach judging: Photo courtesy of CrossFit Inc.
- Haley Adams competing: Photo by Meg Ellery/CrossFit Games
- thruster-crossfit-athlete: RX'd Photography
