Crossfit Q&A

And he has a mean Overhead Squat...

Crossfit Q&A

1. Firstly, how would you describe Crossfit to people that have never heard of it? 
Crossfit is constantly varied, high intensity, functional movements.  Basically doing circuit type workouts but for time.

2. When and why did you start practising Crossfit? Do you remember your first experience? 
A friend and I started working out together at the gym, but quickly got really bored with what we were doing each day.  He then told me about these Crossfit-type circuit workouts we could do. 

I remember doing Power Cleans for the first time; I hated it!  But then I started to go on YouTube and watch clips to learn different movements and get more workout ideas, and eventually we were doing Crossfit workouts every day.

3. What does Crossfit offer that a commercial gym doesn't and is it worth the money? 
Crossfit offers a kind of intensity and coaching that other commercial gyms might find hard to match- working out with like-minded people and pushing each other in every class you go to. There is also no getting away from the coaches as their are constantly on your back! 

I used to think that Crossfit was over priced and a money making business. Now I don't feel this is the case, as after a month or so of training I could see the results and knew exactly what I was paying for.

4. What are the main benefits and positives of Crossfit for you? 
The main benefits of Crossfit for me are working out at different intensity levels and increasing my strength.  Working hard in every Crossfit class makes you become so much stronger, mentally and physically. It also drives you to set new goals each time and keep reaching those goals.

Crossfit Vauxhall competing at the Tribal Clash this summer (that's definitely one of my "goals")

5. How many times a week do you Crossfit and what do you eat during a normal day to fuel that? How do you feel about Paleo? 
I Crossfit 4-5 times a week.  On a regular day, for breakfast I'll have porridge with a table spoon of peanut butter and then also 4 scrambled eggs. For lunch I'll have a chicken breast, sweet potato or couscous and some veg or salad/avocado. Then for dinner I'll pretty much have the same but instead of chicken I would have steak sometimes. I do love milk during the day so that's a little treat!

I don't mind Paleo, and I do think its a very good diet.  Personally I feel its not enough for the Crossfitter or athlete that does a lot of volume training each day, and they could struggle due to lack of energy, but that's only my opinion...

6. What is your favourite/least favourite Crossfit move/lift? 
I would say my favourite Crossfit moves would be the Olympic Lifts - the Snatch, the Clean and the Jerk. 

(For a good image guide to Olympic lifts click here)

My least favourite would be running or squatting.  I don't necessarily suck at them, I just don't like them!

7. What is your biggest Crossfit achievement to date? And what would you love to master/improve? 
I think just being a part of Crossfit is a massive achievement in itself (thanks Wes).  

Also for me, working hard over-and-over on a specific move, like the muscle up, (which is one of the more advanced gymnastic movements), and then getting it, is a great achievement. These are the reasons Crossfitters work so hard!  I'm still trying to master 30 muscle-ups for time, which will take a while but I'm definitely working on it. 

8. Are there any particular pieces of clothing/kit that you love or think help with your Crossfit workouts? 
I do love the new Reebok Nano 3 shoes. They provide really good stability for a lot of the movements in Crossfit workouts, especially squats, overhead squats and cleans.  

Love the purple Nanos which are unfortunately only available in the US 🙁

Also having wrist straps for doing movements like the Overhead Press, Snatch, Overhead Squat, Clean or Handstand Push-Ups are useful, as they give you extra support on your wrists.

(This is a good article about what you need/what's nice to have for Crossfit)

9. For those people who’ve heard the horror stories about rhabdo, Pukey the Clown, bleeding hands, Crossfit is a cult etc… Why do you think Crossfit generates so much controversy? 
I think everyone is allowed their opinion about Crossfit and I don't think it would be everyone's cup of tea.  People seem to look at what is talked about in the media, and then Crossfitters talk about these massive workouts we do, and sometimes that could scare people away!

But people don't see what happens in a class.  The effort coaches put in to help people work on their technique, helping individuals to work towards their goals, maybe even overcome certain obstacles and conquer their fears.

Crossfit is all about support 🙂

10. And finally, what would you say to people who are thinking about giving Crossfit a try, but are perhaps a little nervous about what to expect or whether they'll be able to keep up? 
Crossfit is not about keeping up, it's about enjoying yourself and having fun.  In every Crossfit class even the last person of a workout gets cheered on. This is what makes Crossfit so special, its a community where people push each other but also support each other.

Love that last answer! Sounds cheesy, but it's so true 🙂

Thanks Wes!

The awesome Crossfit Vauxhall crew 🙂

If this post has inspired you to find out more about Crossfit and give it a go for yourself then check out the Crossfit Vauxhall website. The first step is to sign up for a Foundations Course which covers the basics:
www.crossfitvauxhall.co.uk/pages/foundation-course

Here's my recap of the course when I took part in June:
Crossfit Intro ---> misswheezy.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/crossfit-intro-recap-getting-strong.html

Any questions about Crossfit? If you already take part what would your answers to the questions be?

Beki x

My other Crossfit posts you might be interested in:
Elements Classes - starting out
Crossfit Struggles - the highs and lows
Moving up to WOD classes - making progress
Skipping - which rope to buy
The Girls - the naming convention of workouts
Crossfit Team Social - fun and fitness!