Sunday 11.22.09
Please read and post your response below:
Sunday Soapbox:
I've been approached quite a few times with the same question: "So, is CrossFit sorta like an aerobics class?" (Feel free to substitute “aerobics” with any one of the following: P90X, Body Pump, Group Power, Zumba, weight training at globo gym, bicep curls, step class, or “globo gym personal training”). I won’t call anybody out in particular… wink, wink.
It’s difficult to keep my composure, not to choke on the words, not to laugh out loud, when asked this question at the grocery store, in restaurants, in my car, the one with the huge decal of CrossFit OIB, clearly displaying a man doing a handstand. Occasionally my sarcasm slips past my “I know better than that” tongue, and I say, “Oh! Do they do handstand pushups in aerobics now?”
Some of you may not know this about me, but I used to teach those classes that I so strongly recommend against- if it’s fitness you’re after, of course. Am I a hypocrite? No, I’m just a bit more educated now. Am I a condescending jerk? No, I care a lot about the heath of our nation, our neighbors, our kids, and I have found a program that is effective at achieving tremendous levels of fitness. But how do I answer those questions sincerely, wholeheartedly, completely??
Usually I can muster up half-truths: “No, it is the complete opposite of aerobics” and think, because it works; or I say, “The only way CrossFit and aerobics are even remotely similar is that they are both done in groups,” and think, but our groups consist of athletes. And yes, of course, I can get into what CrossFit really is. I can explain that we move large loads, long distances, quickly, or that CrossFit is a fitness that is, by design, broad, general, and inclusive and that we specialize by not specializing. But most people lose interest when I start using big words like "large loads" and "specialize" just want a short and to-the-point answer that they can understand and I want them to stay interested.
So on I go in search of the best way to answer the masses in the simplest, and straight-to- the-point phrase as possible, without coming off like a complete **** (add any expletive here) .
What do you think? What straight to the point answer would you give to someone if asked this very question? I know most of you have already been in this situation where you really want to say “Uh, hello? We do things that you could never even dream possible! We run fast, we jump high, we push hard, we pull harder, and we come back for more. Fitter, faster, and stronger; every single time!” But we know that if we say these things to non-CrossFitters they will think we are ***holes. Or even worse, that we have big egos. Remember, at CrossFit OIB we don’t have egos, or membership contracts, or excuses, or weak lungs, or hold onto excessive body fat, or love handles, or poor posture, or weak abdominals, or de-conditioned bodies and we don’t want to come off that way, even though we really do know that we have the answer to elite fitness.
So, tell me in your nicest way possible how CrossFit is NOT like aerobics, or P90x, or glogo gym training, etc. And then let’s pass this post on to our friends who are still unsure of who we are and what we do at CrossFit Ocean Isle Beach!
Post your response to comments:
Just one more question:
Do they do L-Sits in aerobics class?
...Or Push Jerks?
...Or Handstand push-ups?
Or work hard like this?
...Or this?
...Do they work as a team?
...Have an ass like this?
...Or abs like these?
...Can they do pull-ups like this?
...Or overhead squats?
...Or kettlebell swings?
The list goes on and on, but I think we get the point ;)
(If you were not featured in any of the above pictures please do not feel left out--my laptop is broken <grrr> and I was only able to upload pictures taken over this past week).
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I never dread going (except w/Fran) because each WOD is unique, even if it is one I have done before, because I know it won't b
be done the same again. Even though I am new to Crossfit, I can tell I am getting stronger and faster with each WOD.
It is most impressive to me that Crossfit really can be for anyone, any age, and at any fitness level... I also love all the support
and cheering from everyone....You learn real quick that not finishing a workout is not an option...! When my friends ask about
Crossfit, I just tell them they HAVE to try it....one WOD and they are hooked!
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