This document provides 6 tips for CrossFit beginners: 1) Start light and modify movements, focusing on form before adding weight; 2) Take starter classes to learn proper form; 3) Find a good CrossFit "box" with knowledgeable coaches; 4) Don't compare yourself to others, focus on your own goals; 5) Be social and make friends to find workout buddies; 6) Expect blisters and bruises as your hands and body adjust to the exercises.
2. A new trend in triathlon training has been to
integrate the high intensity, functional fitness form
known as CrossFit.
3. C R O S S F I T I S H I G H I N T E N S I T Y F U N C T I O N A L F I T N E S S . Y O U T R A I N
T O L I V E H E A LT H I E R , A N D P E R F O R M E V E RY D AY N AT U R A L
M O V E M E N T S I N M O R E F U N C T I O N A L A N D E F F I C I E N T WAY S .
4. CrossFitters want to excel in all 10 areas of fitness:
1.cardio
2.respiratory endurance
3. stamina
4. strength
5.flexibility
6. speed
7.agility
8. coordination
9. balance
10.accuracy
6. Start light and
modify –
Don’t try to do the
most challenging
moves right away. Take
it slow and scale back
until you can master
the form of each move.
Once you get
comfortable with how
to do each lift, you can
start adding weight –
SLOWLY! If you fail to
start light and ease
into the exercise, you
can severely hurt
yourself, so please,
remember this tip!
Slow and steady wins
the race….
7. Take a few starter classes – Most CrossFit gyms should offer
these to beginners and they are usually free. Usually there’s a
quick overview, and then a basic body weight movement
workout so you can learn how to do all the moves and lifts.
8. F I N D A G O O D B O X –
A C R O S S F I T G Y M I S
C A L L E D A “ B O X . ” I T ’ S
B A S I C A L LY F O U R WA L L S
F I L L E D W I T H R O P E S ,
W E I G H T S , P U L L - U P
B A R S , G I A N T T I R E S
A N D S W E AT Y H U M A N S .
A G O O D B O X W I L L B E
F I L L E D W I T H C O A C H E S
T H AT W I L L S L O W Y O U
D O W N T O M A K E S U R E
Y O U A R E D O I N G
T H I N G S C O R R E C T LY
B E F O R E Y O U D O T H E M
Q U I C K LY A N D I N J U R E
Y O U R S E L F, O R L O A D
O N M O R E W E I G H T.
9. Don’t compare yourself to others – There will be people in your classes that have
been doing CrossFit for a while. Try not to compare yourself to them. Instead, use
them as motivation. Compete with yourself and your own goals – not with others.
10. Be social – CrossFit is a great community. While everyone is athletic and competitive, they are also
super supportive of everyone else, so don’t be shy! CrossFit also incorporates a lot of partner workouts,
so make friends! By making friends at the gym, you can also score yourself a new workout buddy!
Having a friend to help keep you accountable for those days when you don’t feel like working out can
also be another great motivator.
11. Your hands will get torn up from the barbell and pull-ups and more… You’re
also bound to get banged up a bit. People get bruises on their collarbones
constantly. Some people wear lifting gloves, but it’s not required. Other
people actually prefer to not use gloves because they like to build up calluses
on their hands to up their grip strength.
Be prepared for
blisters & bruises –
12. Whether you’re incorporating CrossFit into your training
routine or you just want to try something new, remember
my tips, have fun and enjoy it!